Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration Flashcards
Key topic 3
What were the attitudes towards education?
England had no national system of education. The purpose of education was to help people prepare for their expected roles in life, so it was focused on practical skills and possibly basic literacy - only an estimated 15-20% of the population could read and write.
Very few children actually went to school and all schools had fees. The view was that only the rich needed to attend. People saw no need to provide a formal education for the vast majority of the population, especially the labouring classes. .
How did humanists influence changes on education?
By the early 1500’s philosophers called Humanists were arguing that education was valuable and not merely a way of preparing people for a role in life. This meant educational opportunities gradually improved during Elizabeth’s reign.
How did protestants influence changes on education?
Protestants argued that people ought to be able to study the scriptures. This required people to be able to read, boosting literacy.
How did the printing press influence changes on education?
The growth of the printing press meant books became less expensive, giving people more opportunities to read.
How did the growth pf trade influence changes on education?
The growth of trade in the Elizabethan era required ordinary people to be able to read, write and understand mathematics so they could record transactions properly. This encouraged more people to become literate.
What was education like in the home - Private tutors?
Sons of the nobility were first educated at home by a private tutor. At age fifteen, they would go to university, although some might first attend one of the new public schools. Daughters would also be educated at home. Most wealthy and titled women were able to read and write, and some, like Elizabeth herself, recieved an exceptional education at home, from their tutors.
What was education like at schools - Parish schools?
These were local schools where young children from the ages of about 4-7, were taught to read and write as preparation for moving on to a grammar school. It was nearly always boys who attended, although there were a small number of girls from the upper classes. These schools could be attached to a grammar school, in which case the sall boys would be taught by older pupils, or attached to a village church, or might even be in a local woman’s house, the so-called dame schools.
What was education like at schools - Grammar schools?
Provided an education independently of the Church and charged fees, although scholarships were available for poorer families. Sons of gentry, merchants and yeomen were likely to attend one. During Elizabeth’s reign 72 new grammar schools were founded as demands for places increased throughout the reign, from all social classes.
A typical day may have included, latin-to-english translations, studying the writings of classical authors like Virgil and Cicero, learning some Greek- and even Hebrew- to help with translations of scriptures, arithmetic, tests and exams.
What was education like at schools - Public schools?
The earliest independent or public schools were Winchester and Eton (founded in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries). All lessons were taught in Latin and the curriculum combined the methods of the grammar schools with an emphasis on the conduct , courtesy and etiquette necessary to produce gentlemen destined for careers at court.
What was education like at Universities?
Ages 14-15 onwards. There were only two universities: Oxford and Cambridge. All degres involved grammar, rhetoric and logic, with compulsory lectures in mathematics, music, theology, astronomy and geometry. Only after this can undergraduates specialise. Most chose law, a traditional route into the professions for boys from non-noble classes. On completion of his education, a gentleman would be distinguishable from the lower classes because he could speak and write ‘Proper English’ and had some knowledge of french and latin. He would also have learned the correct social etiquette, particularly good table manners, and would know how to dance.
How were girls educated?
Many girls received no formal education at all as it was felt that they would need it. Girls from better off families attened Dame schools run by wealthy women in their homes. Wealthy girls had private tutors.
What were sports for the nobility like?
The nobility enjoyed a number of different sporting activities
. Private tuition and grammar schools taught the majority of the skills needed to participate in upper-class sports. Some sports were exclusive to noblemen For example, fencing whereas hunting was something both men and women could participate in.
What were sports for the working-class like?
The main sport that the working classes played was football. The aim of Elizabethan football is the same as the modern-day version - to place the ball in the opponent’s goal. There are key differences between the rules of Elizabethan football and football today. There was no punishment for:
Picking up the football
Attacking another player. It was not uncommon for people to die during football matches
Having a larger number of players on your team than your opponents
Due to this, Elizabethan nobles considered football too dangerous to play.
What was baiting?
A spectator sport. The sport required a bear or a bull
The owner would file the bear’s teeth and then tie the animal to a post
The organisers would release dogs to attack the bear or the bull
Spectators would bet a large amount of money on if the dogs would kill the bear or the bull
Owners wanted the bear to win as they were expensive animals in Elizabethan times
Bulls were less expensive to purchase. Owners allowed bulls to fight to the death with the dogs.
What was Cock-fighting?
A spectator sport. The sport required two cockerels
These animals are aggressive when they are close to another male cockerel
The owners placed metal spurs on the cockerel’s head
The organisers would place the two cockerels together to fight to the death using their spurs or their beaks
Spectators would bet a large amount of money on which cockerel would win
