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| − | The '''Elizabethan Age''' is the time when [[England]] was ruled by [[Elizabeth I]] from 1558 to 1603. It was a time of great prosperity and peace in England as Elizabeth removed the religious strife that had plagued the clergy first under [[Henry VIII]] and then under his daughter [[Mary I|Bloody Mary]]. It was a time of exploration and the beginning of the period that would lead to [[Age of Colonization|colonization]] and the [[British Empire]]. [[Shakespeare]] came to prominence and famous theatres were built in London.<ref>http://www.tomecek.com/jay/TableofEvents.html</ref> | + | The '''Elizabethan Age''' is the time when [[England]] was ruled by [[Elizabeth I]] from 1558 to 1603. It was a time of great prosperity and peace in England as Elizabeth dealt with the religious strife that had plagued the clergy first under [[Henry VIII]] and then under his daughter [[Mary I|Bloody Mary]]. Failure to comply with the Anglican Church, including failing to attend Mass, was punishable by law. This affected puritans and Catholics alike, who were forced to emigrate to Europe. |
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| − | The greatest threat to English rule, the [[Spanish Armada]] was soundly defeated in 1588. | + | It was a time of exploration and the beginning of the period that would lead to [[Age of Colonization|colonization]] and the [[British Empire]]. It was also the beginning of the modern market economy. Explorers and adventurers would sell shares in their ships - if they came back laden with treasure, the shareholders got a cut; if they sank, the shareholders lost it all. |
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| | + | As wella s bringing economic growth, it also brought inflation. This was compounded by the extension of enclosure - the appropriation of common land by individuals - which drove prices and wages up across the nation. |
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| | + | It was a time of cultural flourishing. Painters like Nicholas Hillyard, poets like Edmund Spenser, thinkers like Francis Bacon and dramatists like [[Shakespeare]] came to prominence. However, much of this artistic endeavour was viewed with suspicion. Although the English theatre flourished, no public theatres were allowed within the boundaries of London.<ref>http://www.tomecek.com/jay/TableofEvents.html</ref> |
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| | + | The greatest military threat to English rule, the [[Spanish Armada]] was soundly defeated in 1588. The greatest political threat, posed by Elizabeth's cousing [[Mary Queen of Scots]], was neutralised after her execution. Mary's son, James, succeeded Elizabeth to the English throne. |
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| | == References == | | == References == |