Elizabethan England: Religion, Politics, and Society
Key Ministers and Marriage
Queen Elizabeth I relied on several key ministers, including:
- William Cecil (Secretary of State): Her most trusted advisor.
- Robert Dudley: Held various government positions and had romantic aspirations towards Elizabeth.
- Sir Francis Walsingham (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs): Established a robust spy network to thwart plots against the Queen.
Many urged Elizabeth to marry and produce an heir due to the absence of siblings who could inherit the throne.
Religious Divisions
The religious landscape of England in 1558 was divided, with Catholics questioning Elizabeth’s legitimacy as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, whose marriage they deemed invalid. This division stemmed from the back-and-forth shifts between Catholicism and Protestantism as the official religion.
Elizabethan Religious Settlement
Seeking to establish a moderate Church of England, Elizabeth collaborated with Parliament in 1559 to pass the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity. The Act of Supremacy reinstated the monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church, while the Act of Uniformity mandated the use of a Protestant prayer book in all churches.
Matthew Parker, a moderate Protestant, was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury to ensure inclusivity within the new Church.
To address inconsistencies between churches, the government issued the Injunctions and the 39 Articles, which leaned towards Protestant views.
Poverty and Crime
The Elizabethan era witnessed significant poverty due to factors like poor harvests, rising food prices, unemployment in farming, and the decline of the European cloth trade. This poverty led to an increase in crime and disease, which were not high priorities for Elizabeth’s government.
The Parliament passed laws in 1572 and 1576 to provide some relief for the poor and punish vagrants. The Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601, which remained in effect for over two centuries, further addressed poverty.
Family Life and Social Classes
Elizabethan family life followed a traditional structure, with an emphasis on marriage and an average of three children per family. The gentry and merchant classes benefited from the free sale of land, the emergence of new landowners, and investments in profitable overseas voyages.
Education and Culture
The Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the invention of the printing press fueled a desire for education in England. Elizabethan theaters, inspired by inn yards, featured a single stage surrounded by galleries with tiered seating.
The popularity of theaters grew due to the patronage of influential nobles, Queen Elizabeth’s enjoyment of plays, the affordability of this entertainment, and the works of renowned playwrights like William Shakespeare. However, theaters faced opposition due to concerns about social disorder and religious objections.
Exclusive forms of entertainment for the wealthy included collecting miniature portraits, enjoying music (which was transitioning from religious to secular), and engaging with political literature.
Fashion and Crime Trends
Elizabethan fashion for men emphasized the legs with hose and the torso with doublets, while women adorned themselves with rich jewelry and long, flowing silk robes.
Rising prices, unemployment, and increased taxes during wars contributed to a surge in crime. Between 1700 and 1750, improved roads and increased trade led to the emergence of highwaymen who targeted travelers.
The end of feudalism resulted in more poaching as landowners restricted hunting rights. Religious conflicts led to heresy during the sixteenth century, while trade restrictions and tax hikes gave rise to smuggling.
Beggars were viewed as a threat to society, and laws were enacted to prevent begging. The Vagabonds and Beggars Act (1494) and the Vagrancy Act (1547) imposed harsh punishments on beggars, including stocks, forced labor, whipping, and branding.