Elizabethan Daily Life

Queen Elizabeth provided stability to Elizabethan Daily life

Education

Grammar schools were available to the Middle classes. The development of printing produced more books and cheap pamphlets which were in the reach of most Englishmen. Between 1550 and 1570 many of England’s famous schools and colleges were founded.

Career Opportunities

The Medieval Feudal system had broken down. Outbreaks of the plague had reduced the population – even peasants were paid for their labour. The wool trade provided opportunities for Englishmen. There were opportunities for young Englishmen to become apprentices and learn a trade which would bring them a good standard of living. A Wealthy Merchant class was emerging in England. Elizabethan Daily life provided many opportunities which had been denied to previous generations

Leisure

The Elizabethan era saw the introduction of the Theatre. It was a cheap form of entertainment for the Lower Classes. A resource to influence the masses (which was therefore tightly regulated). The history of England was played out in the vivid historical plays by playwrights such as William Shakespeare.

Explorations

Explorations were set over vast oceans into the New World. New lands were claimed increasing the wealth of England. New foods were introduced such as the tomato and turkey. New spices were also introduced.

The Movement from Country life to Town life

Changes in agriculture during the Elizabethan period led to people leaving the countryside and their village life to search for employment in the towns. The wool trade became increasingly popular during the Elizabethan age, which meant that land which had been farmed by peasants was now dedicated to nurturing sheep and a process known as land enclosure meant that the traditional open field system ended in favour of creating larger and more profitable farming units which required fewer people to work on them. Village life was changing and the movement towards town life started during the Elizabethan era.