All You Need to Know About The Elizabethan Period

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The Elizabethan era was from 1558 to 1603. This is often called a golden period in history. During this period, Queen Elizabeth I ruled over England and the country flourished during her reign, thus signifying the era naming after her. This era was most successful for art, culture and literature.
Also, first stock exchange, The Royal Exchange was set up in this age. Similarly, it would be a fact that Queen Elizabeth was herself a protestant thus constantly in the fear of assassination by Catholics who wanted to replace her with Mary.

Renaissance:

Further, this era is also classified as the renaissance age. During this age, some of the greatest playwrights appeared such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Furthermore, English literature will always be grateful for this period such as tragedy, comedy and romance. Theatres had a vital role in the period. "The Red Lion" theatre was the first one in this age in 1567.

Similarly, many years later many other theatres such as Curtain Theatre in 1577 were built in the parts of London and the popular Globe Theatre in 1599. Additionally, poetic literature flourished with the introduction of sonnets with the birth of great poets such as Edmund Spencer and William Shakespeare. These are some of the poets whose works are still admired and patterns taught to be taken into consideration to develop in its art form.

Art Forms:

Although several other forms of art were made popular during the age. Apart from theatre and plays, music and painting are other forms of culture and art that flourished in the Elizabethan age. In the same way, several other music composers came forward to produce their own songs symbolizing their own artistic style and culture. Not only this but this age also gave rise to many talented painters. These painters were blessed with an exceptional talent which wad credited by giving them a place in the queen's mansion and working for her.

Expansion:

Also, this age was good for England in terms of expansion. Their navigation systems were strengthened and all the armed forces laid out. Similarly, Spanish areas were captured by their troops. Additionally, New boundaries didn't stop expanding. Also, New sorts of lands were found and taken into the area. Thus, creating new opportunities for expansion and opened doors of opportunities.

Dressing sense:

On the other hand, this age was a new stone for trendsetters and new wardrobe designs were out. The elite and wealthy class shared privileged to wear rich and fancy fabric such as fur, feather, silk and velvet. Also, the members of the Royal family had clothes with numerous ruffles on wrists, shoulders and collars. Their dresses were made out of bright colours symbolizing their royal background and power. Furthermore, only the dignities and noble class were allowed in the eyes of laws to present themselves with such fancy clothes.

Ruling Power:

The ruling power and country were ruled by various bodies at different levels comprising of- the monarch, the Privy Council, and the Parliament. Main power lied in the hands of the monarch. Queen Elizabeth, I served a long duration as monarch. Not only this but ultimate power lied in the hands of Queen. She was a powerful and determined ruler. All her decisions were unquestionable and thus tax system could undergo changes only under her orders.

Similarly, privy Council consisted of very close ones of the queen, initially comprising of 50 members. It was later reduced to 11. Parliament was divided into two different groups - House of Lords and House of Commons. House of Lords consisting of priests, saints and noblemen. On the other hand, the House of Commons comprised of commoners.



Written by - Srishti Garg

Edited by - Nidhi Verma