Elizabethan England - life in Elizabethan times

Question 1

What were some ways the rich showed off their wealth?

Answer 1

Fashion, houses

Question 2

What class were most mps from?

Answer 2

Gentry

Question 3

Who was the globe theatre built by, where and when?

Answer 3

Lord chamberlin’s men in 1599 in London.

Question 4

What were the three main types of plays in Elizabethan England?

Answer 4

Comedy, tragedy, history.

Question 5

Was theatre gender inclusive?

Answer 5

No, only men were actors and boys played women.

Question 6

Who was the most famous playwrite of Elizabethan England?

Answer 6

William Shakespeare.

Question 7

Who were patrons to the theatre and why did people become them?

Answer 7

Being a patron meant you provided financial support for it and was a good way of showing how cultured and loyal to the queen you were.

Question 8

Why did the theatre flourish in Elizabethan England?

Answer 8

• Theatre flourished due to Queen Elizabeth I’s support, the growing city populations, and increased wealth among merchants.
• Also theatres like the Globe (1599) provided entertainment for all social classes, enabling everyone to now enjoy it.

Question 9

What were the key features of theatres in Elizabethan England?

Answer 9

• Theatres were open-air, circular, with a pit for groundlings (standing audience) and galleries for wealthier spectators. Performances relied on elaborate costumes and language rather than scenery.

Question 10

Who did the theatre face opposition from?

Answer 10

• Theatres faced opposition from Puritans, who believed they promoted immorality and distracted from religious duties.
• Authorities also worried that large crowds could spread disease and lead to disorder (crime, drunkenness)

Question 11

How did theatres change over time?

Answer 11

Early plays were performed in inns and courtyards, but the construction of permanent theatres, like the globe (1599) , marked a shift to professional performances and actors became well known. Playwrights like William Shakespeare created more complex and varied plays.

Question 11

What was the cultural impact of Elizabethan theatre?

Answer 11

Theatre became a popular and unifying cultural thing, reflecting societal themes like power, religion, and human nature (used also as a means of propaganda). It also contributed to the English Renaissance, enriching language and literature.

Question 12

At the beginning of Elizabethan era theatre was…?

Answer 12

Not very popular and occasionally happened at the back room of pubs. It was mostly religious plays that either has a moral, or showed bible stories. The Rich also enjoyed banquets that might involve a performance with music and dancing however theatre was more for ordinary people.

Question 13

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: exploration

Answer 13

Europeans travelled to new lands and England became a major power at the time. However this didn’t affect the lower classes.

Question 14

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: buildings?

Answer 14

Many stately homes built to impress royals and designed with a focus on design and aesthetics. This only affected the nobles and some gentry but this never affected the poor.

Question 14

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: literature?

Answer 14

Poetry became popular and noble started to attempt it however this didn’t affect society hugely and many still couldn’t read.

Question 15

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: education?

Answer 15

Gained importance but only accessible to upper classes and many girls still didn’t receive any education as well as lower classes.

Question 16

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: science and technology

Answer 16

Breakthrough and navigation and astronomy. also printing prices introduced to allow ideas to spread faster however this didn’t still affect the poor.

Question 17

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: peace power and pride

Answer 17

Elizabeth Long reign establish peace and order, while military successes and the countries growing wealth made people proud to be English. this affected everyone due to disability and booming economy. Further the rise and patriotism brought the country more together.

Question 18

Why was Elizabethan England a golden age: art

Answer 18

Portraits became more popular and a much more than just representations of the sitters other art included decorative silverware and textile patterns however this only affected upper classes

Question 19

How did population growth affect poverty in Elizabethan England?

Answer 19

The population of rose from 2.8 million to 4 million putting pressure on resources, causing food shortages and increased unemployment.

Question 20

what was the impact of land enclosure on poverty?

Answer 20

Enclosure turn common farmland into private pasture, displacing agricultural workers and forcing many into poverty.

Question 21

How did inflation contribute to poverty in Elizabethan England?

Answer 21

Inflation, driven by basement of the coins(making coins out of less gold and silver) and population growth, raised food prices faster than wages, making it harder for the poor survive.

Question 22

Why did the population increase in Elizabethan England?

Answer 22

Birth increase - more successful births
Death rate increase - better medicine and lifestyles.

Question 23

How did changes in industry like farming increase poverty?

Answer 23

The shift from labour-intensive arable farming to sheep farming produce demand for workers, leading to rural unemployment and forcing many into the cities.

Question 24

Why did the dissolution of monasteries worsen poverty?

Answer 24

Monasteries have been a key source of charity and aid for the poor and their closure left without support.

Question 25

Why was vagrancy a major concern in the Elizabethan England?

Answer 25

Vagrants were feared as criminals and a threat to social order. They were seen as spreading disease and undermining stability.

Question 26

How the poor categorised in Elizabethan England?

Answer 26

The deserving poor, such as the sick or elderly, Were seen as needing help. The undeserving poor, often seen as lazy and faced punishment.

Question 27

How did the belief of the great chain of being affect attitudes to the poor?

Answer 27

People believed the rich deserved to be rich and poor deserved to be poor.

Question 28

What were attitudes to the poor like before Elizabeth?

Answer 28

Largely unsympathetic towards the poor. If they couldn’t work due to health then they would get help. However, if fit and healthy then they will consider it lazy and choosing not to work.

Question 29

How did attitudes towards the poor change throughout Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 29

People began to recognise that work was hard to find and that they want to work but couldn’t. More wealthy starts to provide aid and archbishop whitgift made almshouses which provided housing for those in need..

Question 30

What was Thomas harmans book and what was the affect of it?

Answer 30

He wrote a book the drew attention to scammers and revealed many tactics they use. It was very popular and hardened attitudes towards the poor, lead to many wealthy not trusting beggars.

Question 31

What were the poor laws and what was their purpose?

Answer 31

The poor laws (1597 and 1601) created a system of poor relief funded by local taxes, ensuring support for the deserving poor and punishment for vagrants.

Question 32

How effective were the Elizabethan poor laws in addressing poverty?

Answer 32

The poor laws were partially effective as they provided relief to the deserving poor and reduce fears of rebellion by maintaining order. However, they failed addressed the root causes of poverty such as unemployment and inflation and many poor people continued to suffer due to inconsistent enforcement across the country.

Question 33

Why did poverty alarm Elizabethan authorities?

Answer 33

Authorities feared that widespread poverty vagrancy could spark rebellions, crime, and disorder in towns and cities.

Question 34

How did the governments role in addressing poverty change?

Answer 34

The goverment moved from relying in charity to introducing poor laws like the poor laws of 1601, marking he start of structured welfare policy’s .

Question 35

What were the consequences of Elizabethan poverty?

Answer 35

Poverty reforms such as the poor laws laid the foundation for future welfare policies challenges in addressing unemployment continued.

Question 36

What was the act for setting the poor on work.

Answer 36

The 1576 act for setting poor on work involved those considered fit were the responsibility of the authorities in the area.

Question 37

How did different places deal with poverty?

Answer 37

York - beggar license, master begger, house of correction.
Norwich - survey (80% poor), idle poor cared for and taxing wealthy.
Ipswich - licensing system for poor, hospital, training scheme, house of correction.
London - homeless shelters, ophans and sick cared for , many turned to crime.

Question 38

Why is the sir Francis Drake significant in Elizabethan history?

Answer 38

Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe(1577-1580) the key role in weakening Spanish dominance through privateering and Spanish colonies.

Question 39

What was John Hawkins role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade?

Answer 39

John Hawkins was one of the first Englishman engage in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, capturing and selling and slaved Africans to Spanish colonies, beggining to establish englands role in this trade

Question 40

Why was Drake circumnavigation important?

Answer 40

Drake’s voyage demonstrated England’s naval power, expanded trade routes, claimed new territories and disrupted Spanish dominance by raiding their settlements and ships.

Question 41

How did English sailors like Drake and Hawkins contribute to tensions with Spain?

Answer 41

By attacking Spanish treasure ships, reading colonies, and disrupting trade, English sailors like Drake and Hawkins undermine Spanish power, leading to increased hostility and the eventual Spanish armada in 1588.

Question 42

What was privateering and how did English sailors use it?

Answer 42

Privateering involved government authorised piracy. English sailors, like Drake, or granted permission by Elizabeth to attack Spanish ships and settlements, boosting England’s economy and weakening Spain..

Question 43

What was the Raleigh’s role in Elizabethan exploration?

Answer 43

Raleigh was instrumental in promoting colonisation, especially in North America, founding the failed Roanoke colony in 1585, and seeking to establish a permanent English presence there.

Question 44

How did English sailors expand trade during Elizabethan times?

Answer 44

English sailors establish trade roots to the Americas, brought back valuable goods like tobacco and potatoes, and began challenging Spanish and Portuguese control over trade.

Question 45

What was the impact of circumnavigation on England?

Answer 45

Circumnavigation boosted England’s prestige as a naval power, allowed new trade opportunities, increased wealth through captured treasure, and encouraged further exploration.

Question 46

What was some of the new technology developed from the circumnavigation?

Answer 46

A new lateen sail and astrolabe To use the stars for more accurate navigation

Question 47

How did Drake’s raids in Spanish ships impact England?

Answer 47

Drakes raids captured vast amounts of treasure boosting England’s economy and funding further exploration and military campaigns.

Question 48

Why did rallies attempts at colonisation fail?

Answer 48

Riley’s Roanoke colony failed due to a lack of resources, hostile relations with native Americans, and the inability to send supplies during the Spanish Armada.

Question 49

How did English sailors contribute to trade with Asia?

Answer 49

English sailors began exploring trade routes to the east Indies and Asia, laying the groundwork for the later establishment of the in East India company in 1600.

Question 50

How did voyages of discovery impact Elizabethan England?

Answer 50

These voyages increased wealth through trade, brought exotic goods to England, expanded knowledge of the world, and helped establish England as a rising global power

Question 51

How did the Elizabethan voyages of discovery contribute to England England’s economy?

Answer 51

The voyage is expanded trade roots, introduce new goods like tobacco and potatoes, and brought back riches such as gold and spices, significantly boosting the economy

Question 52

How did the voyages of discovery enhance Englands political standing?

Answer 52

The voyages boosted England’s prestige, weakened in Spanish dominance and contributed to England’s rise as colonial power, particularly through the establishment of colonies like Virginia.

Question 53

What cultural changes resulted from the voyages of discovery?

Answer 53

The introduction of new products like tobacco and potatoes had a lasting impact on English society in the Long term

Question 54

How did the voyages discovery set the foundation for the British Empire?

Answer 54

These voyages established crucial trade routes, weakened rival powers like Spain, and laid the groundwork for future English colonies, contributing to the expansion of the British Empire.