The Elizabethan Context of ‘Hamlet’
The Political state of England in 1600
- Queen (1558-1603) Elizabeth I had been monarch since 1559,
was aged 67, and would die in 1603
- She was the childless daughter of Henry VIII and was the last of
the Tudor dynasty that ruled England since 1485.
- Power was to pass to the Stuart family, through James VI of
Scotland, whose Catholic mother Mary Queen of Scots had
been executed by Elizabeth. James was married, had children
and crucially, was a Protestant, which was the religion of the
state in England.
- The Pope in Rome had declared that it was legitimate to
assassinate the heretic Queen of England – there were several
plots against her
Who helped Elizabeth to govern?
- A privy council of political advisors and a Court, which was the
social and entertainment center of the Elizabethan
government.
- 2 men in particular: Lord Burleigh (William Cecil) – a political
survivor too , her chief advisor, later followed by his son
Robert, and Sir Francis Walsingham, who ran the spy network.
- Both may offer a possible historical model for the character of
Polonius in Hamlet
William Cecil:
, - Born September 18th, 1520 at Bourne, in Lincolnshire into a
family of border gentry of Welsh origin. Educated at local
schools and went to Cambridge uni, but left without his degree.
- Fell in love with Mary Cheke who he had a son with before her
death in 1543, which was the year he entered Parliament.
- 2 years later, married Mildred Cooke with whom he had 2
daughters and his son Robert.
- One of Queen Elizabeth’s favs who briefly fell out of her graces
when his secret marriage came to light but was rapidly
forgiven.
- Was secretary of state, principal advisor in domestic &
diplomatic affairs, Lord Treasurer and Master of the Court of
Wards
- Put an end to the French Domination in Scotland through the
Treaty of Edinburgh but was generally a man of peace in
matters of foreign policy.
- Was a Protestant and shared the Queen’s desire to adopt the
moderate Catholics within the Church of England, and
vigorously attack extremists who he thought had the aim to
overthrow the government of England.
- Died in London on 4th August 1598 – when his health
deteriorated, his son Robert took over.
Francis Walsingham:
- Studied as a lawyer and held strong Protestant beliefs. Lived
abroad during reign of Catholic Mary I, but returned under
Elizabeth I and became Secretary of State in 1568.
- Zealous in his protection of Elizabeth I: established a spy school
to provide formal training for recruits, where they learnt things
such as how to decode letters
- Had some Puritan leanings that made Elizabeth wary of him
and despite him doing more for her personal safety than
anyone else, she was only politely appreciative of him and
The Political state of England in 1600
- Queen (1558-1603) Elizabeth I had been monarch since 1559,
was aged 67, and would die in 1603
- She was the childless daughter of Henry VIII and was the last of
the Tudor dynasty that ruled England since 1485.
- Power was to pass to the Stuart family, through James VI of
Scotland, whose Catholic mother Mary Queen of Scots had
been executed by Elizabeth. James was married, had children
and crucially, was a Protestant, which was the religion of the
state in England.
- The Pope in Rome had declared that it was legitimate to
assassinate the heretic Queen of England – there were several
plots against her
Who helped Elizabeth to govern?
- A privy council of political advisors and a Court, which was the
social and entertainment center of the Elizabethan
government.
- 2 men in particular: Lord Burleigh (William Cecil) – a political
survivor too , her chief advisor, later followed by his son
Robert, and Sir Francis Walsingham, who ran the spy network.
- Both may offer a possible historical model for the character of
Polonius in Hamlet
William Cecil:
, - Born September 18th, 1520 at Bourne, in Lincolnshire into a
family of border gentry of Welsh origin. Educated at local
schools and went to Cambridge uni, but left without his degree.
- Fell in love with Mary Cheke who he had a son with before her
death in 1543, which was the year he entered Parliament.
- 2 years later, married Mildred Cooke with whom he had 2
daughters and his son Robert.
- One of Queen Elizabeth’s favs who briefly fell out of her graces
when his secret marriage came to light but was rapidly
forgiven.
- Was secretary of state, principal advisor in domestic &
diplomatic affairs, Lord Treasurer and Master of the Court of
Wards
- Put an end to the French Domination in Scotland through the
Treaty of Edinburgh but was generally a man of peace in
matters of foreign policy.
- Was a Protestant and shared the Queen’s desire to adopt the
moderate Catholics within the Church of England, and
vigorously attack extremists who he thought had the aim to
overthrow the government of England.
- Died in London on 4th August 1598 – when his health
deteriorated, his son Robert took over.
Francis Walsingham:
- Studied as a lawyer and held strong Protestant beliefs. Lived
abroad during reign of Catholic Mary I, but returned under
Elizabeth I and became Secretary of State in 1568.
- Zealous in his protection of Elizabeth I: established a spy school
to provide formal training for recruits, where they learnt things
such as how to decode letters
- Had some Puritan leanings that made Elizabeth wary of him
and despite him doing more for her personal safety than
anyone else, she was only politely appreciative of him and
