London and England: Politics and Recreational Activities
POLITICS IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA
The government of England was a monarchy, and the church and state were very closely intertwined. Queen Elizabeth the First ruled from 1558 to 1603, and the Elizabethan era flourished as a golden age civilization under her rule. There were many famous politicians who were in Parliament, including Sir Francis Walsingham, Francis Bacon, Robert Cecil, and William Cecil. Parliament was the legislative branch of the government that passed new laws. There were also three councils made up of powerful politicians who advised Queen Elizabeth directly (similar to the Cabinet and the President of the United States). They were all wealthy, educated noblemen chosen by the Queen herself. These three councils were the Privy Council, the Council of the North, and the Council of the Marches (also referred to as Wales). These councils advised the Queen on matters such as religion, punishments, crimes, foreign policy, national policy, security matters, and many other things.
The "Poor Laws of 1601" were a collection of laws passed by Parliament. These Poor Laws were a series of laws passed by the Parliament to help the poor of England. The First of the Poor Laws (1552) was created to make an official record (births, marriages, deaths, etc.) of the “poor” in the church parishes of England. The second “Poor Law” (1563) categorized the different types of poor people in England. There was the Deserving Poor, the young, old and the sick. There was also the Deserving Unemployed, those able to work, but who were still unemployed. Finally, there was the Undeserving Poor, those who turned to a life of crime and beggary. The third “Poor Law” (1572), created a “charity”, funded by the taxes of the middle and upper class residents. This money would then be given to certain people who were poor (these people were identified with the second Poor Law). The fourth “Poor Law” (1576) required workplaces to provide work for the poor people in their town. The fifth “Poor Law” (1597) created a position in the department of Justice of Peace in the government. This position, the “Overseer of the Poor” would monitor the rates at which the amount of poor people increased/decreased. All of these were brought together in 1601 to create the “Poor Laws Act of 1601”, which took the main idea of each act, and brought them together.
Politics and "The Poor Laws of 1601" affected how Shakespeare wrote the story of "Romeo and Juliet." The Poor Laws might have affected how he depicted people of the lower classes and the politics in the story. The Poor Laws relate to the culture of the Elizabethan Era because many people were affected by these laws. It affected the culture because it changed how poor people lived, and it also imposed taxes upon the higher classes. The "Poor Laws of 1601" improved the standard of living of the poor. Also, the function of the government and their decisions affected how people lived. The Elizabethan Era was the "golden age" of England and the government was a large part of this.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA
Many recreational activities included bloodshed in the Elizabethan Era. One of the most popular activities was fencing. People would train and then fence against each other in arenas. These events became popular to watch, gamble on, and participate in. Another popular event in the Elizabethan Era was bear baiting. A bear would be chained to a pole, and dogs would attack the bear. People would place bets on if the bear won (if it killed most of the dogs), or if the dogs won (if they killed the bear). Similar activities would be performed with bulls attached to a pole with a chain. Bull baiting was more common than bear baiting because bulls were more common and less expensive.
People also enjoyed individual and team sports as well. Team sports included hurling and football. Hurling was a mix of present day hockey and polo that would sometimes be played on foot or horseback. Players would hit a ball with a stick and attempt to get it in the opponents' goal. There were few rules in these games, and they were often very harsh. Football (not related to soccer or American football) was when people would run with a ball, trying to score against their opponent. Some of these recreational activities are related to those in "Romeo and Juliet," the most prominent one being fencing. Two men would have swords (most likely rapiers),and would fence, trying to stab their opponent. This was a popular sport with noblemen and gentlemen.
In "Romeo and Juliet," Tybalt and Mercutio fence in the streets of Verona, which results in both men dead. Mercutio says to Tybalt, "Come sir, your passado." Passado is a fencing term meaning a fencing step with a thrust. Activities such as those mentioned above were most likely practiced in Verona, though Shakespeare does not speak of any beside fencing. Learning how to fight was a part of the culture and many noblemen would have learned this. Sports became a part of Elizabethan culture, as many people were encouraged to participate in sports such as fencing, hurling and bull baiting. In Verona, noble men such as Romeo, Tybalt, and Paris would have been educated in fencing with weapons such as rapiers and other swords.
The government of England was a monarchy, and the church and state were very closely intertwined. Queen Elizabeth the First ruled from 1558 to 1603, and the Elizabethan era flourished as a golden age civilization under her rule. There were many famous politicians who were in Parliament, including Sir Francis Walsingham, Francis Bacon, Robert Cecil, and William Cecil. Parliament was the legislative branch of the government that passed new laws. There were also three councils made up of powerful politicians who advised Queen Elizabeth directly (similar to the Cabinet and the President of the United States). They were all wealthy, educated noblemen chosen by the Queen herself. These three councils were the Privy Council, the Council of the North, and the Council of the Marches (also referred to as Wales). These councils advised the Queen on matters such as religion, punishments, crimes, foreign policy, national policy, security matters, and many other things.
The "Poor Laws of 1601" were a collection of laws passed by Parliament. These Poor Laws were a series of laws passed by the Parliament to help the poor of England. The First of the Poor Laws (1552) was created to make an official record (births, marriages, deaths, etc.) of the “poor” in the church parishes of England. The second “Poor Law” (1563) categorized the different types of poor people in England. There was the Deserving Poor, the young, old and the sick. There was also the Deserving Unemployed, those able to work, but who were still unemployed. Finally, there was the Undeserving Poor, those who turned to a life of crime and beggary. The third “Poor Law” (1572), created a “charity”, funded by the taxes of the middle and upper class residents. This money would then be given to certain people who were poor (these people were identified with the second Poor Law). The fourth “Poor Law” (1576) required workplaces to provide work for the poor people in their town. The fifth “Poor Law” (1597) created a position in the department of Justice of Peace in the government. This position, the “Overseer of the Poor” would monitor the rates at which the amount of poor people increased/decreased. All of these were brought together in 1601 to create the “Poor Laws Act of 1601”, which took the main idea of each act, and brought them together.
Politics and "The Poor Laws of 1601" affected how Shakespeare wrote the story of "Romeo and Juliet." The Poor Laws might have affected how he depicted people of the lower classes and the politics in the story. The Poor Laws relate to the culture of the Elizabethan Era because many people were affected by these laws. It affected the culture because it changed how poor people lived, and it also imposed taxes upon the higher classes. The "Poor Laws of 1601" improved the standard of living of the poor. Also, the function of the government and their decisions affected how people lived. The Elizabethan Era was the "golden age" of England and the government was a large part of this.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ELIZABETHAN ERA
Many recreational activities included bloodshed in the Elizabethan Era. One of the most popular activities was fencing. People would train and then fence against each other in arenas. These events became popular to watch, gamble on, and participate in. Another popular event in the Elizabethan Era was bear baiting. A bear would be chained to a pole, and dogs would attack the bear. People would place bets on if the bear won (if it killed most of the dogs), or if the dogs won (if they killed the bear). Similar activities would be performed with bulls attached to a pole with a chain. Bull baiting was more common than bear baiting because bulls were more common and less expensive.
People also enjoyed individual and team sports as well. Team sports included hurling and football. Hurling was a mix of present day hockey and polo that would sometimes be played on foot or horseback. Players would hit a ball with a stick and attempt to get it in the opponents' goal. There were few rules in these games, and they were often very harsh. Football (not related to soccer or American football) was when people would run with a ball, trying to score against their opponent. Some of these recreational activities are related to those in "Romeo and Juliet," the most prominent one being fencing. Two men would have swords (most likely rapiers),and would fence, trying to stab their opponent. This was a popular sport with noblemen and gentlemen.
In "Romeo and Juliet," Tybalt and Mercutio fence in the streets of Verona, which results in both men dead. Mercutio says to Tybalt, "Come sir, your passado." Passado is a fencing term meaning a fencing step with a thrust. Activities such as those mentioned above were most likely practiced in Verona, though Shakespeare does not speak of any beside fencing. Learning how to fight was a part of the culture and many noblemen would have learned this. Sports became a part of Elizabethan culture, as many people were encouraged to participate in sports such as fencing, hurling and bull baiting. In Verona, noble men such as Romeo, Tybalt, and Paris would have been educated in fencing with weapons such as rapiers and other swords.
Citations:
Alchin, Linda. "Elizabethan Politicians ." Elizabethan Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Alchin, Linda. "The Poor Law." Elizabethan Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Tomecek, Jan. "Recreations and Sports." The Elizabethan Age. N.p., Aug. 2001. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Alchin, Linda. "Elizabethan Politicians ." Elizabethan Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Alchin, Linda. "The Poor Law." Elizabethan Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Tomecek, Jan. "Recreations and Sports." The Elizabethan Age. N.p., Aug. 2001. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.