Question 1

What was the Great Chain of Being and why was it important?

Accepted Answer

The Great Chain of Being was a hierarchical structure that placed God at the top, followed by angels, the monarch, nobility, and so on down to rocks. It was important because it justified the social order—people believed that everyone had a fixed place in society, and rebellion was seen as a sin against God's plan. This concept helped maintain stability and discouraged challenges to the Queen's authority.

Question 2

How did the Elizabethan Poor Law work?

Accepted Answer

The 1601 Poor Law made each parish responsible for its own poor. It divided the poor into two categories: the 'deserving' (elderly, sick, orphans) who received outdoor relief (money, food) or were placed in almshouses, and the 'undeserving' (able-bodied vagrants) who were punished with whipping or sent to houses of correction. The system was funded by a local property tax called the poor rate.

Question 3

What was life like for women in Elizabethan England?

Accepted Answer

Women were expected to be obedient to their fathers and then husbands, and their main roles were managing the household, raising children, and supporting their husband's work. They could not vote, attend university, or enter professions like law or medicine. However, widows could inherit property and run businesses, and some women, like Bess of Hardwick, became wealthy landowners. Queen Elizabeth herself was a powerful exception.

Question 4

Why were theatres popular in Elizabethan England?

Accepted Answer

Theatres were popular because they offered affordable entertainment for all social classes—admission cost as little as a penny. Plays by Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson covered themes like love, history, and comedy, appealing to a wide audience. Theatres were also a place where people could see and be seen, and they reflected the cultural flowering of the Elizabethan era. However, Puritans opposed them for promoting immorality.

Question 5

What did Elizabethan people eat and drink?

Accepted Answer

Diet varied by social class. The rich ate meat (beef, mutton, venison), fish, bread made from wheat, and drank ale or wine. The poor ate bread (often rye or barley), pottage (a stew of vegetables and grains), and drank ale or water. New foods from the Americas, like potatoes and tomatoes, were introduced but not widely eaten until later. Meals were often communal, and fasting on Fridays and Lent was observed.

Question 6

How did the Elizabethan era contribute to the 'Golden Age' myth?

Accepted Answer

The 'Golden Age' myth refers to the idea that Elizabeth's reign was a time of peace, prosperity, and cultural achievement. This was partly true—England defeated the Spanish Armada (1588), exploration expanded (Drake, Raleigh), and literature flourished (Shakespeare). However, it ignores widespread poverty, religious tensions, and harsh punishments. The myth was promoted by Elizabeth's own propaganda to strengthen her image as a powerful and beloved queen.

Life in Elizabethan times

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE History

A revolution in medicine

America, 1840–1895: Expansion and consolidation

America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality

American people and the 'Boom'

How to Revise Life in Elizabethan times — AQA GCSE History

Examiner Tips for Life in Elizabethan times

Common Mistakes in Life in Elizabethan times

Key Marking Points