Elizabethan England: A Golden Age?
This lesson explores the socio-cultural landscape of Elizabethan England (1558–1603). Students will examine the concept of the 'Golden Age', focusing on the rise of the Gentry, the flourishing of the arts and theatre, and the contrasting reality of increasing poverty and the subsequent Poor Laws.
Learning objectives
- Explain the concept of the 'Golden Age' and identify key cultural achievements in Elizabethan England.
- Analyse the reasons for the rise of the Gentry and their impact on Elizabethan society.
- Evaluate the causes of poverty and the effectiveness of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601.
- Assess the extent to which the 'Golden Age' benefited different social classes.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Do Now: Students list three things they already know about Elizabeth I and one question they have.
Direct Instruction · 10 min
Teacher Explanation: Use the explainer script and vocabulary to introduce the 'Golden Age' and social structures.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Worked Example: Teacher demonstrates how to analyse a source showing an Elizabethan 'Prodigy House' to identify signs of wealth.
Independent Practice · 20 min
Differentiated Worksheet Activity: Students work through Support, Core, or Stretch tasks based on prior attainment.
Discussion · 10 min
Class Discussion: Was it really a 'Golden Age' for everyone? Debate the impact on the poor vs the rich.
Plenary · 5 min
Exit Ticket: 8-question multiple choice quiz to check understanding.
Key vocabulary
- Golden Age
- A period of great cultural achievement and prosperity.
- Gentry
- A social class of wealthy landowners who did not have noble titles.
- Enclosure
- The act of fencing off common land for private sheep farming.
- Vagabond
- A homeless person who wandered from place to place.
- Great Chain of Being
- The belief that everyone has a fixed, God-given place in a hierarchy.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Explain two reasons why the rise of the Gentry was important for Elizabethan England.
- In what ways did theatre contribute to Elizabethan society?
- Describe three causes of the increase in poverty during Elizabeth's reign.
- Why was the 1601 Poor Law a significant change in how England was governed?
Quiz (sample)
1. Who were the 'Gentry' in Elizabethan England?
- A. The highest level of nobility
- B. A class of wealthy landowners without titles
- C. The poorest workers in the city
- D. The Queen's personal bodyguards
2. What was the term for fencing off common land for sheep farming?
- A. The Great Chain of Being
- B. The Reformation
- C. Enclosure
- D. The Spanish Armada
3. Which theatre is most famously associated with William Shakespeare?
- A. The Globe
- B. The Rose
- C. The Swan
- D. The Theatre
The full pack is waiting
Support and Stretch worksheets, every answer and model answer, the teaching explainer and common misconceptions, editable and ready to print as PDF or Word.
Start your 14-day trial