Family Life

• Families were at the heart of Elizabethan society, and were usually positive and loving environments. Family life taught children morals and reinforced Elizabethan social structures.
• What role did families play in Elizabethan society?

  They were important and influential
• How were Elizabethan families characterized in terms of relationships?

  They were usually loving and close
• What was the hierarchical structure of Elizabethan family life?

  The father was the head of the family
• How did the hierarchical structure of families reflect larger societal organizations?

  It mirrored the Church and state structures
• Why did Elizabethans believe families were essential for the country?

  They maintained the idea of hierarchy
• What was the role of wider kinship in Elizabethan family life?

  It was important for social life and support
• How could kin provide financial help to families?

  They could be called upon for assistance
• What was a source of pride and status for Elizabethan families?

  Having important or rich ancestors
• What did noble families often display in their homes?

  Portraits or miniatures of their ancestors
• How did kin provide political and social connections for wealthy families?

  By arranging children's education in other households
• What role did wider family connections play in Elizabethan society?

  They facilitated education and social networking
• Why did people get married in Elizabethan England?

  For wealth, social standing, or love
• How did marriage affect a wife's property in Elizabethan England?

  Husbands owned all of their wife's property
• What was the significance of marriage for the nobility and gentry in Elizabethan England?

  It could advance a man's career at court
• What were some reasons Elizabethans married for love?

  Marriage wasn't always about money or status
• Who was the head of the household in Elizabethan marriages?

  The husband
• What was a husband's responsibility in the household?

  To provide an income for the family
• What was a wife's main role in Elizabethan England?

  To run the household and care for family
• What happened to household management if husbands went away?

  Women were left in charge of household staff
• What roles did women take on in poor families?

  They worked and helped with farm tasks
• What jobs could women take on besides household duties?

  Midwives or shop assistants
• What was childbirth like in Elizabethan times?

  Extremely dangerous with high mortality rates
• What were the infant mortality rates like in Elizabethan times?

  High, especially among the poor
• What was expected of parents in Elizabethan society?

  To love, care for, and teach their children
• How was affection shown between parents and children?

  Through the practice of giving a 'parental blessing'
• What did children do during the 'parental blessing'?

  Kneel before their parents for a blessing
• Where were richer Elizabethan children often sent?

  To school or to become skilled apprentices
• What was a common fate for children of the nobility?

  Sent to noble households for training
• What did most poor and middle-class children do?

  Stayed at home to work or became servants
• What was a common occupation for poor children?

  Servants in other households or apprentices
• What was life like for poorer families in Elizabethan times?

  Often a struggle to feed and clothe children
• How did the upbringing of rich children differ from that of poor children?

  Rich children were often sent away for education
• What was the infant mortality rate in Elizabethan times?

  High, especially amongst the poor
• Why was childbirth extremely dangerous in Elizabethan times?

  Many women died giving birth
• What were the Elizabethan expectations of parents?

  • Love and take care of their children
  • Teach children morals and social expectations
• What was the regular practice of giving a 'parental blessing' in Elizabethan times?

  Children would kneel before their parents, who would reach out, place their hands on them and bless them
• What happened to richer Elizabethan children?

  • Some went to school
  • Many became skilled apprentices
  • Children of the nobility were often sent to noble households to train for knighthoods
• What happened to most poor and middle-class Elizabethan children?

  They stayed at home to work
• Why did life often be a struggle for both parents in poorer Elizabethan families?

  They had to work hard to feed and clothe their children