Elizabethan society Flashcards
Structure of Society
God ➜ Monarchy ➜ Nobles ➜ Gentry ➜ Yeoman ➜ Peasants
What were the riches homes like?
They were distinguished by having many windows (an expensive luxury), ornate woodwork and rich tapestries. Rich people had more leisure time and grand landscaped gardens were designed.
Some were styled in the shape of the letter ‘E’ or ‘H’, symmetrical in pattern. Famous examples of Elizabethan stately homes are Longleat House, Hardwick Hall and Burghley House.
What were the riches clothes like?
Fashion was measured more in the quality of the cloth, rather than in the cut or the colour. The clothes you wore reflected your social status. Sumptuary Laws were passed to make sure that people did not wear clothes above their social rank.
How did the poor live?
The Poor labourers often lived in little more than one-roomed, single-storeyed huts. The design of these had changed little since medieval times. They were usually filled with smoke, with open windows and a pot over the fire for cooking.
What were the main causes of poverty?
- Rising Population
- Inflation
- Cloth trade collapse
- wars
- bad harvests
- Changes in farming
Impotent poor
people unable to work due to age, disability or other infirmity. Limited relief was provided by the community in which they lived.
Able-bodied poor
people who were physically able to work and were forced to, to prevent them from becoming vagrants, beggars or vagabonds. It was thought many able-bodied poor were lazy, idle and threatened the established social order.
Vagabonds Act
In 1572 the Vagabonds Act introduced severe action against vagrants who could now be whipped, bored through the ear and put to death if they were repeatedly caught begging.
Poor Laws
- brought in a compulsory nationwide Poor Rate system
- everyone had to contribute and those who refused would go to jail
- begging was banned
- almshouses were established to look after the impotent poor
Theatre
Shakespeare wrote most of his plays during Elizabeth’s reign, in what was considered a ‘golden age’ of culture.
Purpose-built theatres were popular and offered tiered seating with prices suitable for people from all ranks of society. Many nobles protected groups of actors and became their patrons.
Pastimes in higher society
elitist culture involved in intellectual pursuits, such as reading the classics, studying music, hunting and hawking. (Printing Press)
Pastimes in lower society
-Drinking, gambling on bear-baiting, cockfighting, cards, dice and racing were popular. Tobacco smoking was new and expensive but growing by the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Ordinary people also took part in wrestling, running races and football
