the world of Shakespeare

week 1


THE LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN



During the time of William Shakespeare, the majority of women had very limited rights in England. Despite the fact that England was ruled by a female monarch for over four decades, most women had little power over the direction of their lives. Most writings about the life of the family during this time in history centred around the traditional patriarchal paradigm--that of "domination and submission." Just as the kingdom was ruled by a monarch, the father and head of the household ruled over his wife and children. Women were denied formal educations, the opportunity to hold office, and also guarded against speaking out too freely in fear of being labelled as a "scold." Such women were considered a threat to the public, and were corrected with such punishments as public humiliation and abuse.

Although women did endure such limits on their political and social rights, they did have extended to them greater economic freedom. Single women were able to "inherit land, make a will, sign a contract, possess property without a male guardian. Unfortunately, such rights dissolved with marriage. History shows as well that many daughters were heirs to a father's property, if there were no male heir, despite the tradition of primogeniture. Wives as well could find themselves in charge of a large estate after the death of a husband, until an eldest son was old enough to do so.


When Elizabeth I became queen


When Elizabeth I (1533–1603) became queen there were about 2.8 million people in England. The population rose significantly during her reign, to about 4.1 million. Many people lived in the countryside, but in the sixteenth century the town population grew at a greater rate. Prior to Elizabethan times, only about 5 percent of the population lived in cities and towns, but during her reign, about 15 percent of the rapidly growing population had become urban. As businesses and industries developed, a new middle class consisting of successful merchants and craftsman arose. These businesspeople thrived in the cities and often served in the urban government. During Elizabeth's reign, as never before, it was possible for city merchants to become extremely wealthy and rise in social status.


Elizabethan clothing 

Elizabethan Women's Clothing - gowns, hats, corsets, underwear, collars, ruffs and shoes.Elizabethan Men's Clothing - doublets, breeches, underwear, collars, ruffs, hats and shoes