Elizabethan+Society

Elizabeth I (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. The daughter of Henry VIII, her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed three years after her birth, and Elizabeth was declared illegitimate. In 1558 Elizabeth succeeded her half-sister, the Catholic Mary, during whose reign she had been imprisoned for nearly a year on suspicion of supporting Protestant rebels. Elizabeth set out to rule and she depended heavily on a group of trusted. One of her first moves as queen was to support the establishment of an English Protestant church. Elizabeth became famous for her virginity. In government, Elizabeth was more moderate than her father and siblings. Within 20 years of her death, she was being celebrated as the ruler of a golden age.
 * Elizabeth I and her times**

Nobility- There were only about 55 families in England during this time period. You become noble from birth, or from the king or queen grants you nobility. Under Elizabeth the nobility didn't rule as much as they had in recent years. They still had a great deal of influence
 * Elizabethan Social Classes:**

Gentry- Consisted of Knights, squires, gentlemen, and gentlewomen. This was the most important social class, which carried the greatest amount of influence. They lived like nobility, but since money cannot buy nobility (or happiness) they had to be content.

Yeomantry- This is considered the lower-middle class. They could totter and easily live in poverty, if there is a bad harvest, or is cheated. This class consists of farmers and aritisans who use apprentices. They are all deeply religious, and incorporatd that into their daily life. Yeoman lived simple lives, and in rare cases could have more money than those in the Gentry Class

[|Poor/Peasants]- These people were at the very bottom of the food chain. They consisted of the sick, old, soldiers, and those couldn't care for themselves. The monasteries would help care for the poor. It was next to impossible to escape this social class.

Several Astronomers made scienfic disoverises, these Astronomers are Thomas Digges and Thomas Harriot. Martin Frobisher explored the [|Artic]. The colonization of Roanake Island (which failed), was established. Spring-suspension coach was invented which, was a luxury item.
 * Scientic Discoveries and Explorations:**

The Customs and Festivals were generally related to the Church. All Elizabethans were expected to attend Church every Sunday so were very aware of the customs and festivals which were celebrated within the Church calendar. Most of the Lower Class population were illiterate so the Church gave the people a framework to the major events of the year January- Twelfth Night Religious festival and feasts celebrating the visit of the Wise Men, or Magi, following the birth of Jesus February- St Valentine's Day! The Elizabethan festival celebrating love - singing, dancing and pairing games March- Easter celebrated by the Mystery plays depicting the crucifixion and the resurrection April- All Fool's Day. The Jesters, or Lords of Misrule, took charge for the day and caused mayhem with jokes and jests! May- Summer festival celebrating May Day when a Queen of the May was chosen and villagers danced around the maypole June- Midsummer Eve, the Mummers entertained at the 'Festival of Fire' reliving legends such as St George and the Dragon. Bones were often burned leading to the term 'bonfire'. The summer Solstice was June 23rd July- Swithin's Day falls on 15th July. August- Lammas Day was celebrated on August 2nd. the festival of the first wheat harvest of the year. Apple-bobbing was featured! September 29th celebrated the life of St Michael and the traditional food was goose or chicken October 25th celebrating St Crispin's Day. People acted as 'King Crispin' November The Day of the Dead All Souls Day or All Hallow's Day when festivities were held and bonfires were lit December- Christmas celebrations
 * Festival and Celebrations**


 * Brief Bio of Elizabeth I || Social Classes ||
 * Festival and Celebrations || Scientific Discoveries and Explorations ||