Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn (**better known for her role in “The Boleyn Girl”) was the last ruler of the Tudor dynasty.  She succeeded her sister, Mary, on November 17, 1558.  During her 45-year reign (1158-1603), which ended with her death, England witnessed unprecedented growth in the arts and politics.  As such, it is quite fitting that the later half of the 16th century in England is recognized as the Elizabethan times. 

 

This era is considered the golden age in English history (England’s history), largely due to the success of poetry and literature and of course William Shakespeare. 

 

Theatre and Shakespeare are linked together, as are successful playwrights Christopher Marlowe, who died at an early age from a knife in the eye.  At the time, authorities did not allow plays within the city of London as a result, theatres began to open across Thames in Southwark, outside the city.  Plays were performed in the courtyard of inns, in the houses of noblemen (**noblemen had to be careful which play they hosted, a play that was controversial or political was likely to get him in trouble with the Queen)

 

The first proper theatre was built in 1576, and from there many theatres opened in the London area.  The most famous playhouse was the Globe (1599) built by the company which Shakespeare had a stake in.   The Globe was only in use until 1613, when a canon fired during a performance of Henry VIII caught the roof on fire and the building burned to the ground.  The site of the theatre was rediscovered in the 20th century and a reconstruction built near the spot.

 

The Globe and many of the Elizabethan theatres could hold thousands of people, most standing in the open pit before the stage, although rich nobles could watch the play from a chair set on the side of the stage itself.  Performances were held in the afternoon because, there was no artificial lighting! Women attended plays, though often the wealthy women would wear a mask to disguise their identity.

**No women performed in the plays.  Please see the tab to the left “Male Actors in Shakespeare’s Plays”

 

Quick Facts About Elizabethan Times:

Did You Know?

  • Elizabethan times were marked by religious wars.  Protestants were the majority and they did not believe any authority therefore, causing wars amongst the nation.  By 1559 the Elizabethan times saw some religious stability.
  • 90% of the working-class was poor
  • Elizabethan played a role in slave trade and the repression of Catholic Ireland.
  • Scientific progress was made during this era? The astronomers Thomas Digges and Thomas Harriot made important contributions.  And, William Gilbert published a study on magnetism.
  • Queen Elizabeth was introduced to the new European invention of the spring-suspension coach, as a replacement for the carts of the earlier mode of transportation.  
  • Coaches quickly became as fashionable as sports cars in the later century.

 

Leisure Activities:

 

  • Animal fightingàcock fighting was a common pastime, and the bets amounted to thousands of pounds (many gentlemen lost their money this way).
  • Huntingàvarious types of hunting were popular amongst noble men and gentlemen, Stag, boar, buck, otters, hares and foxes are a few examples.
  • Footballàcomparable to today’s version of rugby.
  • Stick fightingàeffectively training for sword fighting, but using wooden wasters.
 
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