Great Chain of Being, Golden Age vs Poverty

Great Chain of Being Diagram

evidence of the golden age: architecture

• No defensive features. replaced moats with decorative gardens = strong gov + security

• Expensive glass in large mullioned windows = surplus economy

• Impressive intricate tapestries & libraries

evidence of the NOT golden age: architecture

copy-pasting renaissance motifs to compensate for exclusion from other european countries

evidence of the golden age: fashion

elaborate, no physical labor, global trade(Italian silk), Liz well-liked

• Female: blackened teeth(like Liz’s cavities), ruff(lace collar)

• Male: silk stockings

evidence of the NOT golden age: fashion

Sumptuary laws passed in 1571, gentry and nobility social friction led to fast developing trends

evidence of the golden age: theatre

universal culture + commericializing industry = more consumer income

• 1595: 15k people attended the theatre a week

• 1599: globe construction

• groups funded by nobility i.e. Lord Chamberlain’s Men

evidence of the NOT golden age: theatre

• beer/bull-baiting still popular in Globe’s area

• 300 inns and alehouses around Globe

• 1 penny tickets, not expensive to show more wages

evidence of the golden age: books

rise in literacy = social mobility

• invention of the printing press + cheap books from street peddlers

• William Harvey(Liz’s doc) discovered blood circulation

evidence of the NOT golden age: books

• life expectancy still low, astrology as medicine

• 1599 Bishop’s ban, burning satire history books

evidence of the golden age: art + music

• Nicholas Hilliard painted miniature portraits of celebs (QoE)

• Liz employed 70 court musicians & played lute personally

evidence of the NOT golden age: art + music

commissioned = enjoyed only by nobles

the gentry’s importance (4)

• to the monarch

• politically

• socially

• economically

the gentry’s importance to the monarch

• Cecil in gov for 40 years as PC

• Hatton 1576 opposing Wentworth

the gentry’s importance economically

• Thomas Gresham founded the Royal Exchange (1st trading centre)

• Gresham secured loans @ good deal in Netherlands(Antwerp)

the gentry’s importance socially

• Edward Hext Somerset JP, <1-5 cases went to court

• Francis Drake developed sailing for UK’s future

the gentry’s importance politically

• Gresham espionage info to PC

• Cecil controlling Q’s messages

• Drake attacked Spanish ships /w gold & silver

how did Bess Hardwick show gentry’s rise into nobility?

• 1567 married Shrewsbury /w coal mines, glass works and land in midlands(4th one)

• “there is no lady I better love or like” - Liz // 2nd riches behind Q

• 97 paintings + tapestries in Great Chamber(13 from Hatton)

reasons the poor stayed poor by 1558 (5 + facts to support)

• population : 2.8mil to 4mil during reign = more food, housing needed

• inflation : Henry “debased” coins (less gold), more per product required /w wages low

• living space: “rack-renting” = increased price = farmers evicted

• farming issues: bad harvest 1594-8

• unemployment

examples of local gov aiding the poor

• Ipswich: House of Blackfriars…hospital for the poor + young children learn a trade

• Norwich: workplace to work for meat & drink, 21 days

examples of local gov failing the poor

• Ipswich: House of correction

• Norwich: Beggars whipped 6 times

Elizabeth Poor Law (date + key functions)

1601

• wealthy taxed for the poor to be given work (then gov gets more net tax)

• House of Correction for those able to work(unemployed) + debates over pauper’s area

evidence the central gov aided the poor

Act for the Relief of the Poor

• 1598: collected poor rate to fund, apprenticeships for kids, almshouses for shelter(impotent poor)

• 1576: JPs directed able-bodied to work

evidence the central gov failed the poor

• 1598 Act for the Punishment of Vagabonds; whipped before returned to parish

• 1572 Vagabond Act; 14yr+ whipped and burned if guilty, 2nd offence = DIE

evidence attitudes towards the poor didn’t change

• Harman’s book on “Abraham man” half-naked acting cray

• danger to gov(rebellion) + gentry

• should be responsible for themselves

how did the theatre prove people were wealthier in the Elizabethan era?

• 15k attended theatre a week in 1595

• Lord Chamberlain’s men self-funded the globe theatre

how did the theatre prove people were NOT wealthier in the Elizabethan era?

• cheap seats available at 1 penny

• Lord Chamberlain’s men had to sell company shares £10 to fund

how did the theatre show mass participation in the Elizabethan era?

• 3000 could attend the global theatre

• 15k attended a week in 1595 with all members of the society

how did the theatre NOT show mass participation in the Elizabethan era?

• beer-baiting in area around the globe theatre

• 300 inns & alehouses existed nearby too

how did the theatre show a building boom in the Elizabethan era?

• owners learnt cheaper techniques, thatching roofs with reeds instead of tiles

• limestone filled foundation for the globe over marshy trench

how did the theatre NOT show a building boom in the Elizabethan era?

• building was accelerated from a lack of interest in “The theatre”

• for budget, not innovation

• STILL OUTSIDE OF LONDON

how did the theatre show puritan’s influence in the Elizabethan era? (±)

• Giles Allen refused to renew “The Theatre” lease in 1599

• Still, mass attendance + globe construction = views unimportant

how did the theatre show the monarch was questioned in the Elizabethan era?

• 1601, Essex 40 shilling fee for Richard II performance

• 1597, The Isle of Dogs by Earl of Pembroke’s men, slandered Q

how did the theatre show the monarch was NOT questioned in the Elizabethan era?

• 3 of Isle of Dogs’ actors arrested

• Richard III 1592 showed Tudor legitimacy

how did the theatre show social hierarchy was enforced in the Elizabethan era?

• 1578 Master of Revels controlled publication

• Liz purpose-built theatres like Richmond Palace

• Rich/poor on diff tiers of the theatre

how did the theatre show social hierarchy was NOT enforced in the Elizabethan era?

• 1599, Lord Chamberlain’s Men paid for construction of Globe theatre

• same plays for poor/rich