Chapter 7 -The Golden Age of England - G.M. Trevelyan

 

G.M Trevelyan - SHE - Chapter VII

[alert-success] SHAKESPEARE'S ENGLAND - II

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[alert-primary] THE GOLDEN AGE OF ENGLAND [/alert-primary]

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             The Elizabethan Age is one of the most productive times in English history. People often called Queen Elizabeth "the Virgin Queen of England." From 1558 to 1603, she was queen of England and ruled for 45 years. In seafaring, discovery, music, drama, poetry, and in many aspects of social life, Shakespeare’s England is called as the Golden Age of England.

Oxford and Cambridge 

            Elizabeth’s reign was called as Golden Age was mainly due to the Grammar Schools and Universities. The mass of the people was taught to read. The universities had gone through a terrible time due to economic and religious trouble of 1530 to 1560. The universities were revived after the outbreak of the Civil War. The large number of Elizabethans who had been to Oxford or Cambridge have become the governing class. Sidney, Raleigh, Camden were at Oxford. The Cecils, Bacons, Spenser, and Marlow were at Cambridge. In 1586 there were 6500 inhabitants at Cambridge of whom 1500 belonged to the University. 

Town and Gown 

            The Corporation appealed for remedy to the Privy Council. A large portion of the tradesman had few acres in the town. The shops and farm buildings on the street were timber framed. 

            After settling religion in 1559, the next great action of Elizabeth was to grab the financial disturbance. There was honest coinage during Elizabethan reign. in September 1560 she proclaimed the existing currency to be paid in new money. The skill and success of Queen Elizabeth in this dangerous operation is much appreciable. 

The Use of Wood Fuel 

            A great expansion of mining has marked the reign of Elzabeth. The industrial act had a drain on the timber. Iron, lead and glass, burnt a vast-quantities of wood and charcoal. House warmth and cooking still depended on wood fuel. Under these conditions of wood shortage in the Elizabethan period, coal came more into use both for household purposes and for manufacture. Instead of wood fuel in Chimneys, coal fires were used. In 1578 most have altered their furnaces and fiery places to the use of sea coal. 

Fishermen and “Fish Days” 

The fishermen were favourites of government, because they so often helped to man the mercantile and royal navies. Laws were passed ordering the observance of 'fish days’. These fish laws were enforced by actual penalties. 

National Control 

            In the reign of Elizabeth, under the vigorous leadership of Cecil and the Privy Council backed by Parliament, the industrial, commercial and social system of the country was brought under national instead of municipal control. Under Elizabeth the national control of wages and prices were fixed. The Elizabethan State undertook the control not only of wages and prices, but also of apprenticeship. The Statute of Artificers (1563) enacted that every craftsman in town or country had for seven years to learn his craft under a master who was responsible for him. 

The War with Spain 

            The Spanish Armada was a turning point. Progress was made in all areas. Queen Elizabeth and her ministers did a great job of making people feel proud of their country. 

            From the time of Queen Elizabeth, England's power grew. Maritime business grew quickly, and people like Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir John Hawkins, and Martin Frobisher all explored the seas. During Queen Elizabeth's time in power, the English navy grew quickly. Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman to sail around the world. He did this in 1580. In 1598, when the English navy beat the Spanish Armada, it was a turning point in its history. This shows that we are getting stronger and more united. 

Elizabethan Literature 

            William Shakespeare was the god of the Elizabethan stage. From 1590 to 1610, he wrote for almost twenty years. He had 37 plays written. They can be put into four categories: comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. He wrote The Merry Wives of Windsor to please the Queen. There were no women in the play. Young boys played the parts of women. The small group of people in the audience came from all walks of life. 

            They thought ghosts, witches, and witchcraft were real because of their superstitions. They liked to watch fights and violent scenes. Depending on how much the ticket cost, there were different ways to sit. People who could pay a lot sat in galleries. Rich people had their own boxes. Those who gave a penny stood on the floor.The people in this loud crowd were called "groundlings." 

Conclusion 

        Elizabeth's England was called "merry England" for hundreds of years. It was a rich, colourful, brave, and free land with milk and honey. Queen Elizabeth cared about all of her subjects. She was the best person to rule England. England made progress in every way during Queen Elizabeth's reign. Because of this, her time in power was called "The Golden Age of Queen Elizabeth".

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