Invention of the printing press and spread of education meant that gentlemen were part of an elitist culture involved in intellectual pursuits, such as reading the classics, studying music, hunting and hawking
Lower society
The vast majority were involved in popular cultural pursuits, which gave them a brief escape from their harsh livingconditions
Popular cultural pursuits of lower society
Drinking
Gambling on bear-baiting
Cockfighting
Cards
Dice
Racing
Tobacco smoking
Wrestling
Running races
Football
Inns and taverns were an important part of every social ritual in lower society.
Tobacco smoking was new and expensive but it was growing in popularity by the end of Elizabeth's reign
Opposition to theatre: Puritans
They believed theatres were the work of the devil, spreading rude and lewd ideas encouraging poor moral behaviour. They also associated the theatre with the Romans, who had persecuted Christians.
Opposition to theatre: Authorities
An extract from a law passed in 1572 stated that: “All common players…who wander about and have not a license shall be taken, adjudged and deemed rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars.”
