14% of the country’s income went to just over 1% of the nobility. It was a god given title and
born into or given by the queen which was rare. Then the gentry were the next richest. If
someone made money through means like trade they would buy land ti demonstrate power and
wealth. The nobles’ average income was £6,000 per year and they were protected from torture
and public hangings. The queen could easily take away or give influence to or from the nobles.
Gentry were landlords of the countryside and lived off of the rents of the peasants and
tenants. No labour required. The income varied between £10- £200 per annum. Some were
wealthier than nobles and had significant influence and power over their lands. They used
this power to fill roles such as Justice of Peace and serving in Parliament or knightage and
esquire titles. The gentry grew as a result of people making money from trade and becoming
landowners under Elizabeth’s more stable reign.
Ways to show off wealth:
- Women with whitened faces. The whitened faces showed that they were not tanned
from labour.
- Large banquets. The gentry often showed off their abundance of foods such as meat
and wines.
- Expensive fashionable clothes. For example a ‘ruff’ worn around the neck.
- Elaborate houses such as Hardwick Hall designed by leading architect Robert
Smythson became one of the grandest houses that favoured comfort rather than
security and therefore demonstrated its wealth.
● Symmetrical buildings built around an E or H shape which meant the building
was exposed therefore it favoured comfort rather than security.
● Glass windows were expensive. Walls full of windows also exposed the
wealth inside.
● Chimneys. The design was also column based inspired by the classical
civilisations
● Mediaeval halls were replaced by great chambers as a main room
● Servants’ quarters were set away from the areas from the owner.
● More rooms which allowed for more privacy.
● Rooms were accessed by a great staircase and heated by a fireplace and lit
up by light from windows. Exposed so no security but more comfortable.
● Elaborate geometric plasterwork reflecting Renaissance fashions.
Theatre:
The queen enjoyed theatre and watched plays with her court. Huge public theatres were
built outside the walls of London. Many rich Elizabethans wanted to gain patronage by
building theatres such as the Earl of Leicester. Puritans saw it as sinful and wanted to shut it
down.
England’s first theatre was the Red Lion in 1567 it closed due to a lack of funding. ‘The
Theatre’ was then opened in SHoreditch in 1576 by Burbage. The Rose in 1587, the Globe
in 1599, Southwark. Plague outbreaks meant that plays were banned in the City of London.
Now plays were performed regularly and watched by both nobility and poor.
Golden age:
- Art
● Portraits to display wealth and family connections
- Exploration
● Sir Francis Drake circumnavigation
born into or given by the queen which was rare. Then the gentry were the next richest. If
someone made money through means like trade they would buy land ti demonstrate power and
wealth. The nobles’ average income was £6,000 per year and they were protected from torture
and public hangings. The queen could easily take away or give influence to or from the nobles.
Gentry were landlords of the countryside and lived off of the rents of the peasants and
tenants. No labour required. The income varied between £10- £200 per annum. Some were
wealthier than nobles and had significant influence and power over their lands. They used
this power to fill roles such as Justice of Peace and serving in Parliament or knightage and
esquire titles. The gentry grew as a result of people making money from trade and becoming
landowners under Elizabeth’s more stable reign.
Ways to show off wealth:
- Women with whitened faces. The whitened faces showed that they were not tanned
from labour.
- Large banquets. The gentry often showed off their abundance of foods such as meat
and wines.
- Expensive fashionable clothes. For example a ‘ruff’ worn around the neck.
- Elaborate houses such as Hardwick Hall designed by leading architect Robert
Smythson became one of the grandest houses that favoured comfort rather than
security and therefore demonstrated its wealth.
● Symmetrical buildings built around an E or H shape which meant the building
was exposed therefore it favoured comfort rather than security.
● Glass windows were expensive. Walls full of windows also exposed the
wealth inside.
● Chimneys. The design was also column based inspired by the classical
civilisations
● Mediaeval halls were replaced by great chambers as a main room
● Servants’ quarters were set away from the areas from the owner.
● More rooms which allowed for more privacy.
● Rooms were accessed by a great staircase and heated by a fireplace and lit
up by light from windows. Exposed so no security but more comfortable.
● Elaborate geometric plasterwork reflecting Renaissance fashions.
Theatre:
The queen enjoyed theatre and watched plays with her court. Huge public theatres were
built outside the walls of London. Many rich Elizabethans wanted to gain patronage by
building theatres such as the Earl of Leicester. Puritans saw it as sinful and wanted to shut it
down.
England’s first theatre was the Red Lion in 1567 it closed due to a lack of funding. ‘The
Theatre’ was then opened in SHoreditch in 1576 by Burbage. The Rose in 1587, the Globe
in 1599, Southwark. Plague outbreaks meant that plays were banned in the City of London.
Now plays were performed regularly and watched by both nobility and poor.
Golden age:
- Art
● Portraits to display wealth and family connections
- Exploration
● Sir Francis Drake circumnavigation
