ABSTRACT

This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated collection of essays conveys a vivid picture of a fascinating and hugely significant period in history. Featuring contributions from thirty-eight international scholars, the book takes a thematic approach to a period which saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the explorations of Francis Drake and Walter Ralegh, the establishment of the Protestant Church, the flourishing of commercial theatre and the works of Edmund Spencer, Philip Sidney and William Shakespeare.

Encompassing social, political, cultural, religious and economic history, and crossing several disciplines, The Elizabethan World depicts a time of transformation, and a world order in transition. Topics covered include central and local government; political ideas; censorship and propaganda; parliament, the Protestant Church, the Catholic community; social hierarchies; women; the family and household; popular culture, commerce and consumption; urban and rural economies; theatre; art; architecture; intellectual developments ; exploration and imperialism; Ireland, and the Elizabethan wars. The volume conveys a vivid picture of how politics, religion, popular culture, the world of work and social practices fit together in an exciting world of change, and will be invaluable reading for all students and scholars of the Elizabethan period.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction

part |2 pages

Part I: Governance and Politics

chapter 2|16 pages

Governing Elizabethan England

chapter 3|24 pages

The Queen

chapter 4|17 pages

The Council

chapter 5|16 pages

Familia reginae: the Privy Court

chapter 7|17 pages

Parliament

chapter 8|17 pages

Centre and localities

chapter 9|18 pages

Parish government

chapter 10|17 pages

Censorship and propaganda

chapter 11|19 pages

Ireland: security and conquest

part |2 pages

PART II : RELIGION

part |2 pages

PART III : SOCIETY

chapter 16|14 pages

Social hierarchies

chapter 17|16 pages

Nobility and gentry

chapter 18|15 pages

Poverty and the poor laws

chapter 20|17 pages

Women

chapter 21|20 pages

Family and household

chapter 22|15 pages

Rebellion and disorder

part |2 pages

Part IV: Economy

part |2 pages

Part V: Culture

chapter 28|13 pages

Witchcraft and the Devil

chapter 29|16 pages

News

chapter 30|20 pages

Intellectual developments

chapter 31|19 pages

Theatre

chapter 32|17 pages

Poetry

chapter 33|20 pages

The visual arts

chapter 34|24 pages

Architecture

part |2 pages

Part VI: The Outside World