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Life and the role of Exploration (Education (Protestants argued that…
Life and the role of Exploration
Education
Protestants argued that people ought to be able to study the scriptures and thus boosted literacy levels.
By Elizabeth I's death, there was 100 schools and 2 universities. 72 of the schools were grammar schools while the other 28 were known as 'petty' schools. The literacy rate rose from 20-30% but not much changed for the education of women despite Elizabeth being extremely educated herself. Girls, if rich enough, would go to Dame schools which taught them about the 'duties' of being a woman since women were not likely to need to provide for themselves as they generally went from their father's care directly into their husband's. This meant that at Dame schools they generally learnt things like how to treat simple ailments, cooking, brewing and baking.
By the early 1500s, humanists (philosophical thinkers) were arguing that education was valuable and not merely a way of preparing for a future job so educational opportunities became more viable and widespread throughout Elizabeth's reign.
According to author William Harrison, by 1577, every town had a grammar school. Bright or well off boys from petty schools would often go on to grammar schools. They would learn basic arithmetic and how to read and write English whereas children from the nobility would learn numerous languages and subjects like politics and theology. This is because Elizabeth I was highly educated in these topics and noble families wanted to ensure that their daughters would be too.
Very few people went to school as many thought that it was not necessary to provide a formal education to the laboring classes. As a result of this, all schools had fees.
Some Grammar schools had different curriculum for the children of yeoman, craftsmen and merchants as the education reflected what the economy needed but also still ensured it was preparing the boys for the life they were expected to lead. Often this education was in the form of apprenticeships where they would learn what was necessary to run the family business/ trade.
Elizabethan England had no national education system. Education was mainly as preparation for their expected role so it was mainly focused on basic literacy and practical skills. Only an estimated 15-20% of the population could read and write.
There were also Parish schools which taught basic literacy to the sons of yeomen.
Two universities in England: Oxford and Cambridge which taught boys aged 14/15 about topics such as astronomy, medicine, law and divinity.
The problem of the poor
Poverty in Elizabethan England was very different to poverty today. Then, it meant: spending 80% or more on bread, being unemployed or ill, so you could no longer provide for yourself or your family, being unable to afford the rising cost of food, needing financial help (poor relief) or charity/ alms.
Vagrants were people without a settled home or regular work. Many vagrants were also seen as vagabonds- idle or dishonest people who wandered from place to place, committing crimes.
People more likely to be poor:
Widows or women abandoned by their husbands and their families were often poor because women were paid very little.
The sick and elderly because they would have been out of work
Orphaned children- 40% of the poor were under 16
People on low wages
Itinerants, vagrants and vagabonds- they were often involved in crime and worried those in power in Elizabethan England.
Reasons for poverty:
The population of England grew from 3 million, in 1551, to 4.2 million by 1601. This increased demand for food and thus raised prices while also increasing the labour supply thus driving down wages. People could no longer provide for their family or themselves.
Increase in demand for land as the population increased. This drove up land prices and usually resulted in an entry fee which not many people could afford.
Sheep farming was vital in the wool trade which had been growing. This meant that many farmers wanted to farm sheep rather than grow food.
Enclosure- land was divided into areas for husbandry, arable farming or both and given to farmers who farmed for profit. This denied people use of common land which meant they were unable to provide for their families.
Economic recessions caused by the trade embargoes such as those involving the Netherlands and Spain created unemployment and poverty.
Bad harvests (in 1562, 65, 73, 86) hit subsistence farmers, reduced the food supply and drove up prices.
Growth of towns such as London and Norwich drove up the costs of rent, while food prices rose as food had to be brought in from rural areas to be sold.
Exploration and voyages of discovery
Raleigh and Virginia
There were two expeditions to attempt to colonise Virginia: one in 1585 and 1587.
Leisure
When Elizabeth became queen in 1558, there had not been a single theatre in England since Roman Times. However, by the 1570s theatres were being opened across London. There were usually non religious plays as not to address the reformation which was occurring at the time.
Elizabeth and her protestant government had reservations and worries about the travelling performers who did stories from the bible and miracle plays on temporary platforms as the public perception of these actors was often that they were beggars. The protestants were worries that these centuries old plays were a method used by the catholic church to control interpretations of the Bible. Elizabeth was worries that they would encourage religious violence and turmoil so she put a stop to them.
Gambling on sports such as bear-baiting and cock-fighting with a promise of an easy win,was very popular, particularly among the poorer classes.
Real tennis in Tudor times was only played by upper class men. Gentlemen also preferred fencing and bowls. Francis Drake famously finished playing bowls when the Armada was sighted.
Queues of 2,000 people waited for a theatre performance. Poor paid a penny to stand in the pit while the rich sat in the galleries. Purpose-built theatres were built, many of which were in London- eg the Red Lion in 1567. Secular plays and comedies mainly played here, they became very popular.
Nobles employed musicians to play during meals and feasts with instruments like lutes and harps. Lower classes played music at fairs using bagpipes and fiddles.
Music was also written to accompany plays and performed in public theatres- incidental music.
Dancing remained a popular pastime, as it brought together men and women although the upper and lower classes did not dance together.
A lot of new literature was written during Elizabeth's reign but medieval literature like Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, remained popular.
Changing attitudes
1572- Vagabonds Act
1563- Statute of Artificers
1576- Poor relief Act
Elizabethan society differentiated between the idle poor and the deserving or impotent poor. It was thought that the poor should be given every chance to better themselves but should be punished if they refuse to do so. Many Elizabethan remained suspicious of the poor and demonised them as counterfeits and criminals.