| During the age that Shakespeare lived, Elizabeth 1 reigned (1558- 1603) and led England as it became the leading naval and commercail power of the western world. During this era, England defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, and established the Church of England (begun by her father, Henry VIII) Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh sent colonists searching for profit in the east. Population of England grew 400% from 1500 to 1600 and although nobility still spoken and understood. In terms of religion and nobility, most old noble families were Catholic, and most new noble families were Protestant. House designs changed and became more balanced and symmetrical, with E and H shapes common. It was the first time in history that people worried more about comfort than defense. Windows were made larger and arches were flatteneed. Houses were often built around an inner courtyard. Space was made in lofts for servants to sleep. The winter parlour was designed, a forerunner of the modern dining room; this was a family area. Privacy was beginning to become prized and appreciated. the walls were often decorated with linen fold paneling and decorated with freshly cut boughs for scent. There were few chairs; stools or chests were used instead. Popular games included bowls, paume (ancestor of tennis), tilting at quintain, bull and bear-baiting and cockfighting. Meals were elaborate and large. Breakfast was a light snack, while the main meal of the day was lunch (commonly called dinner), which began at 11 o'clock and lasted 3 hours. A smaller meal was usual at 6 o'clock. the lower classes had lunch at noon and dinner at 7 or 9 in the evening. The poor ate off wooden vessels or pewter; the rich ate off silver, glass or delft from Holland. China was unknown. |
