Puritan Attack On Pastimes Flashcards
Name the four types of Elizabethan merrymaking
Parish feasts (or ‘parish ales’)
The alehouse
Sports
Calendar customs
What were parish feasts?
Parish feasts were festivals to celebrate the saint of the local parish church. There would be a procession, plays, Morris dancing and much eating and drinking
What role did the alehouse play in Elizabethan life?
The alehouse was the centre of village life for the middling sort and the labouring poor. Number of alehouses increased after 1580. Beer, sing-songs, gambling and prostitution were all available at alehouses
Which violent and cruel sports were popular?
- Football was very different. There were few rules, no pitches and many injuries.
- Bare-knuckle boxing and wrestling.
- Bear, bull and badger baiting. Animals were attack by dogs and people betted on the outcome.
- Cockerels were tied up and sticks and stones were thrown at the bird to kill it.
Name some popular calendar customs
~Christmas- twelve days of feasting, singing and dancing
~Shrove Tuesday- a day of feasting before lent
~Whitsun- popular time for ‘parish ales’
~May Day- Maypoles were erected on village greens for May Day
~Midsummer’s Eve- bonfires were lit and a lot of ale was drunk
~Harvest Home- the end of a farming year in August. A time for feasting, drinking and dancing
Merrymaking declined at the end of Elizabeth’s reign due to _________ ____________
Merrymaking declined at the end of Elizabeth’s reign due to Puritan Influence
Where did Puritan Ministers condemn merrymaking?
Puritan Ministers condemned merrymaking in pamphlets and preachings
Who did Puritan ministers work with to ban events?
Puritan ministers worked together with local gentry to ban these events
In which areas were there a greater decline in popular festivals?
There was a greater decline of popular festivals in areas where Puritans were in charge of local government
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking?
They wanted people to live godly lives so that they could go to heaven
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking in order to keep control?
Some festivals were unruly and disorderly behaviour took place (e.g. violence, sex out of marriage and excessive drinking)
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking in order to protect the Sabbath?
Puritans thought that the Lord’s day (Sunday) should be set aside for rest and prayer, not dancing and drinking.
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking in order to stop Catholic practices?
Some popular customs were linked to Catholic teachings and traditions
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking in order to stop Pagan practices?
Some festivals could be traced back to Pagan times. Puritan felt this was inappropriate for Christian communities
Why did Puritans condemn merrymaking in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies?
Sex outside marriage was seen as a sin. At some festivals this often occurred
