Leisure, education, and the problem of the poor

• What was the time period referred to as Elizabeth's Golden Age?


  1558-1603
• What were the main leisure activities in Elizabethan society?


  • Sport
  • Pastimes
  • Theatre
  • Storytelling
  • Music
• What were some of the feast days celebrated in Elizabethan society?


  Easter, May Day, and Plough Monday
• How did hunting differ among social classes in Elizabethan society?


  Upper classes hunted deer, while the poorer classes hunted rabbits
• What sports and pastimes were popular across all levels of Elizabethan society?


  • Archery
  • Fishing
  • Wrestling
  • Running
  • Handball
• What role did storytelling play in Elizabethan society?


  It was important in the lives of the majority, often featuring religious themes
• What was the significance of Robin Hood stories in Elizabethan society?


  They reflected important political ideas
• How did musicians contribute to entertainment in Elizabethan households?


  They provided household entertainment and organized musical evenings
• What were the characteristics of early Elizabethan theatres?


  • Two-level structures
  • Audience could eat and drink during performances
  • Audience expressed opinions through clapping and hissing
  • Performances were often in taverns and temporary locations
• What was the first London theatre opened in 1577?


  The Curtain
• What was the role of the Earl of Leicester in the development of theatre in London?


  He commissioned performances for the growing population
• Who were the prominent Elizabethan playwrights mentioned in the material?


  Marlowe and Shakespeare
• What was the public's attitude towards theatre during Elizabeth's reign?


  Some opposed it, fearing it would encourage idleness and disorder
• How did Queen Elizabeth I's attitude towards theatre evolve?


  She was opposed to it but showed pleasure in performances
• When did Shakespeare write his first play?


  Around 1590
• What were the types of schools available in Elizabethan England?

  • Grammar schools
  • Public schools
  • Home education
  • Universities
• What was the primary focus of education in Elizabethan grammar schools?


  Latin and Greek studies
• What was a common practice in Elizabethan schools regarding discipline?


  Harsh discipline, often using a birch rod
• Who primarily received education in Elizabethan society?


  Well-off boys, with some bright lower-class boys receiving support
• What were some reasons for the increase in poverty during the Elizabethan era?


  Harvest failures, unemployment, inflation, and closure of monasteries
• What were the attitudes and policies towards the poor in Elizabethan society?


  • Vagabonds were often punished
  • New laws were introduced to help the poor
  • There was a general fear of public disorder
• What was the impact of inflation during the Elizabethan era?


  It led to rising prices and increased poverty
• How did the closure of monasteries contribute to poverty?


  It reduced the support systems for the poor
• How did the increase in literacy affect education during Elizabeth's reign?


  More people recognized the benefits of education, leading to increased school attendance
• What was the significance of social mobility in Elizabethan education?


  It allowed individuals from humble backgrounds to rise in society through education
• What subjects were taught at universities during the Elizabethan era?


  Grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, logic, poetry, and music
• What was the role of private tutors in the education of the nobility?


  They educated children at home before sending them to grammar school
• What was the typical age for children to start grammar school?

  Six or seven years old
• How did the education of girls differ from that of boys in Elizabethan society?


  Girls were often taught at home, with fewer opportunities for formal education
• What challenges did children face in obtaining an education during the Elizabethan era?


  Poverty, lack of access to schools, and harsh discipline in schools