Historical context - Question 1

QUESTION: What sense do you get of what life was like in Elizabethan England? Try to include information on: The population, entertainment, religion, superstition, money, jobs, medicine, theatre.




In the Elizabethan times, there was a very clear class divide. Either you were very wealthy, possibly a member of the royal family, or you were poor, living off a very small wage. People living in poverty would often live dotted around the countryside, labouring on nearby farms to earn their money. The families of these labourers would have to live in small, dark houses, often made up of just one room. These houses would normally hold about seven or eight people. Living conditions were poor with damp, earth floors, smoke filling the space and draughty windows allowing the cold in. It was difficult to find work, because labourers were often only employed on a casual basis, so there was no stability. People would have to go from farm to farm looking for work, usually getting turned down. Life was very difficult, especially if you had a family to provide for. 

Rich people in the Elizabethan times often held a high positioned job, such as a sheriff, MP or magistrate and were known as landed gentry. The landed gentry were elected to fill the house off commons and they had huge power. The homes of the rich were grand and often decorated with expensive things, such as carpets, portraits, mirrors and calved wood. They would be rich enough to employ servants, ranging anywhere from two to twenty, depending on how rich you were. Cleanliness was very important to the wealthy, they would stay clean by keeping their clothes washed and changing their undergarments every day. Perfumes were used to keep the smell of skin, hair and clothes pleasant. 

For entertainment, people would often go to watch plays. Shakespeare made going to the theatre very popular in this period. The theatre was very different to how it is now, there was very little set and costume. The actors had to do everything themselves because there wasn't a director and thee were no stage directions. The theatre was very important to people and they would sit or stand for hours watching a play, dedicating their whole Sunday to the theatre. Another form of entertainment was something called 'bear baiting', where a bear was tied to a post and dogs were released who try to attack the bear. People would make bets on who would win the fight. Queen Elizabeth was very keen on this sport, she loved it so much that she forbid plays to be on a Thursdays, so that people could enjoy bear baiting.  


The two major religions in the Elizabethan era were Catholic and Protestant religions. It was not a crime to be catholic, but there was no legal way for Catholics to practice their face. Queen Elizabeth was a protestant and she made protestantism as the official religion. When she first ruled the throne, she tried to tolerate Catholics and allowed the practice of the religion. But as her reign continued, punishment for being a catholic became worse and the execution of priests become popular.