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Ruling monarch during much of Shakespeare's
life.
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The last of the Tudor dynasty, she was crowned after
her sister's death (Mary I)
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Her reign lasted from 1558-1603
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She is primarily known for:
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Religious reforms (trying to unite the
battling Catholics and Protestants by finding a middle ground)
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Defeat of the Spanish Armada
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The flourishing of literature
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Also important, however, were hundreds
of laws on shipping, commerce, industry, currency reform, roads, poor
relief, and agriculture.
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Links:
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The Tudor dynasty ended when Elizabeth I died in
1603. The crown of England then passed to the Stuart line of Scotland.
The new king was called James VI in Scotland and James I in
England.
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James announced that he would rule as an absolute
monarch, responsible to God alone.
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This view was called the divine right of kings.
It was generally accepted on the continent of Europe, although it
was contrary to the nature of the English people.
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Parliament resisted James constantly.
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By insisting that all people conform to the Church of
England, he alienated both the Puritans and the Catholics.
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A small band of Catholic extremists formed the
Gunpowder Plot to blow up king and parliament together.
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James allowed the navy to decay and suppressed
privateering. However, it was during his reign that colonial expansion
began and the British Empire was born.
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The colony of Jamestown, Virginia, was started in
1607. In 1620 the Pilgrims landed on the rocky shore of New
England. Other colonists swiftly followed. Some went to escape
religious persecution and some to find free land.
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Commissioned a new translation of the Bible--the King
James version.
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Links:
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Ranks within the aristocracy:
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King/Queen
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Received the right to rule from God
(known as Divine right)
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Often had to fight to hold on to the
kingship despite assassination attempts, conspiracies, threats
from other countries, and revolts
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Princes/Princess
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Children of the ruling monarch
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The eldest prince inherited the throne
(eldest princess, if there were no male heirs)
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Duke/Duchess
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Highest title after prince
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Possible for a prince to also be a duke,
especially if a sibling had just become king
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Marquess, Marquis/Marchioness, Marquise
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Not a title that was used very often
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Earl
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Different names in different countries:
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Thanes in Scotland
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Count/countess in France
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Baron/Baroness
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Often referred to as "Lord"
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Most of the political movement happened
in the levels above Baron
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Knight
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Lowest order of the aristocracy
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Obligated to provide soldiers for the
king's wars
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Marriages were usually arranged, particularly
among the upper classes; kings and queens married for politics instead of
love
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Social position was a consequence of birth,
however it was also possible to raise (and lower) your position, primarily
through marriage or accomplishment
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