1 ACS Cobham Middle School LibraryElizabethan england ACS Cobham Middle School Library

2 This was connected to land ownership.The middle ages A very specific hierarchy of people existed in society. (You could not move between social classes.) This was connected to land ownership. “Status went hand in hand with political influence, social privilege, and cultural prestige.” (Singman, Daily Life in Elizabethan England, 1995, p. 10)

3 Queen Elizabeth I (“Gloriana”)A time of Renaissance in England. Many contrast. Named after Queen Elizabeth I. “[The Queen] was striking rather than beautiful, with red-gold hair, pale complexion and a curved nose. She had her mother’s oval face and dark eyes and, as with her father, her looks faded early. She did not become bloated like him, but thin; her cheeks fell in, making her nose more prominent, and her teeth became black through eating too many sweet things. At 30, she caught smallpox and probably lost her hair, for thereafter she always wore a bright red wig.” Ask the class to define Renaissance. Elizabeth demanded flattery and obedience. Thought of herself as a God. She was a vain, but kind person. The court became less violent. Well read. Spoke six languages. Wonderful musician. Loved dancing and fashion. Was an expert horse rider and hunter

4 Monarchy—A Divine Right Classes Monarchy—A Divine Right Nobleman/Gentleman—Did not necessarily need an income to live. Military. Professionals. Could be born outside.) Citizens/Yeomen—Middle Class. Tradesmen, Craftsmen, Farmers (in country) Servants/Labourers—Unskilled workers. Poor/Homeless/Beggars/Disabled. More than 10% of rural populations and 20% of the population in London were poor/homeless/beggars. Clapperdudgeons & Abraham Men were phony scam artists or weirdos who would often hurt themselves or intentionally look strange for money or attention.

5 Women had no social standing AT ALL!  Role of women Women had no social standing AT ALL!  Got social status from their fathers or husbands if they were married. Managing the home and family was the ONLY role. British women were still able to leave the house by themselves though. 

6 Girls only had to be 12 years old to get married. Boys, 14. Marriage Women were required to marry. “Let wives be subject to their husbands.” Single women were regarded suspiciously and could be accused of being witches. Girls only had to be 12 years old to get married. Boys, 14. People didn’t marry for love. Examples of Elizabethan wedding rings

7 Elizabethan Sumptuary LawsCLOTHING Elizabethan Sumptuary Laws Used to control behaviour in society and to ensure that the class system was maintained. These were very well known by EVERYONE! Penalties for breaking the laws were harsh and included: fines, loss of property, loss of title and even DEATH! 

8 Huge collars (or “ruffs”) Long capes Hoopskirts Very pale (white) skin FAshion Huge collars (or “ruffs”) Long capes Hoopskirts Very pale (white) skin “Peascod [stuffed] belly” Men’s tights Trunk hose (padded shorts for men) QUICK FACT… Favourite colours were…pease porridge, horseflesh, puke brown AND GOOSE-TURD GREEN!! A person’s wardrobe spoke of their wealth. An increase in travelling brought back new fabrics and styles of clothing. Wealthy women wanted to copy the Queen’s dress sense. The peascod belly was a fake chubby tummy. Women wanted to be so pale that they would even draw VEINS onto their skin. Stewart, Gail B. Life in Elizabethan London. London: Lucent, 2003.

9 Elizabethan Beer Tankard ReproductionFOOD There were three main food groups: meat, bread & BEER!  Water was often undrinkable. Fish was commonly eaten. Potatoes became popular and people began eating vegetables (“herbs”). Jams and jellies were very popular. Wealthy families would eat 6-7 meat dishes at any given meal. Tea and coffee had not been introduced to Britain yet. Beer could be brewed at a cost of one penny per gallon. Elizabethan Beer Tankard Reproduction FACT: Kitchens would get so hot that the chefs worked NAKED!

10 Entertainment GOING TO THE THEATRE!! People from every social caste went to the theatre regularly. Music—almost every home had at least one instrument (usually stringed). Singing after dinner was also quite commonplace. Dancing Blood sports—Bears & Dog fighting Rough sports—Wrestling & FOOTIE (“a bloody & murdering practice” Not too dissimilar to today!  The church disapproved of plays and dancing. They wanted their plays loud and violent.

11 SUPERSTITIONS & WITCHCRAFTCharms to ward off evil spirits (horseshoe over door). Astrology (cycles of planets & stars). Fairies, ghosts, witches. Church discouraged these beliefs. Phases of the moon & weather affected the balance of “humours” in the body. Romeo & Juliet as “star-crossed” lovers. Ghosts were “revitalised corpses” that came back to Earth to punish or warn Painting of Romeo & Juliet from the Royal Shakespeare Company Collection Despair and die. Despair and die” Chant, Richard III, Shakespeare

12 sources Stewart, Gail B. Life in Elizabethan London. London: Lucent, Unstead, R.J. Living in the Elizabethan Court. London: A & C Black, Accessed 31 Jan Papp, Joseph, and Elizabeth Kirkland. "Superstition, Folklore, and Astrology in Shakespeare's Time." EXPLORING Shakespeare. Detroit: Gale, Student Resources in Context. Web. 31 Jan