PRESENTATION OUTLINE
BIG QUESTION
How have the historical influences of an Elizabethan childhood impacted and affected how we view the world today?
What was the Elizabethan era?
- Queen Elizabeth l
- 1558-1603
- Tudor Period
- England/UK
- Vast majority of citizens were poor
- The rich 'Nobles' only made up 3 percent of population
What were the Schools like in the Elizabethan Era?
Generally, only boys were permitted to go to school, and only the wealthy ones at that. Girls were expected to stay at home and learn to cook, clean and sew. Only girls of the nobility were normally allowed to get an education.
PETTY SCHOOLS
Petty schools, also known as Dame schools, were the first form of schooling in the Elizabethan era. Many were run by local women for a low cost, and the lessons generally took place in the teachers home. They were for 5 to 7 year olds and the kids here generally learnt to read and write in English.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
For 7-10 year olds
In the next step of Elizabethan education, children go to grammar school. In the first year, you are taught to part your speech together with nouns and verbs. In the second year, you learn the grammar rules and how to construct sentences. In your third year you concentrate on translating English to Latin and Latin to English.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
for 10-14 year olds
Once students have moved onto the more advanced part of grammar schools they are taught by masters in these subjects.
-English to Latin translations
-Literature
-Arithmetic
-Continue of religious studies
And occasionally Greek.
ELIZABETHAN UNIVERSITY
When students finished grammar school at 14, they moved onto university. Most people went to either Oxford or Cambridge. Here they could study, the University Faculty of the arts, Liberal Arts, Theology, Medicine or Law.
What were homes and families lives like in the Elizabethan Era?
KIDS
Parents saw children as useful and on average had 6 children. Boys could help with work and the family trade, while girls could help out around the house. Children were not taken for granted as there was a high death rate in this time and 1 of 4 children died before the age of 10.
YOUNG KIDS
Babies were wrapped in swaddling blankets for the first 6-12 months of their lives, as parents believed it was unhealthy to have such a free use of limbs while they were that young. Young boys wore skirts just like the girls until they were 6 years old, when they were breached.
NAMES
Boys were normally named after kings, such as William, Humphrey, Richard, Henry, Arthur or Hugh. Girls were often named from the bible, for instance Anne, Margaret, Mary or Catherine.
ACTIVITIES
Most children didn’t have or couldn’t afford fancy toys or games. They normally had simple toys such as dolls or toy soldiers. Slightly poorer children would play with paper toys (or whatever they could make) or play outside. Sometimes if they could find the right equipment they would go fishing or hunting. Many kids though didn’t have the time or the opportunity for play and were generally working/farming.
RULES
Children were given a lot of rules around home, many regarding the dinner table.
Chew with your mouth closed.
At dinner, press not thyself too high; sit in the place appointed thee.
Sup not loud of thy pottage.
Scratch not thy head with thy fingers, nor spit you over the table.
If your teeth be putrefied, it is not right to touch meat that others eat.
Blow not your nose in the napkin where ye wipe your hand.
RELIGION
Religion (more commonly known as Catechism) was a big part of most people's lives. Everybody had to attend a church every Sunday. Children started learning about this subject at home by the example set by their parents. This subject is also continued throughout school and into their everyday lives.
RELIGIOUS RULES
Religion, being a major part of people's lives in this era, also had rules. Some rules regarding this are…
Rise early in the morning to be holy, healthy, and wealthy.
Say your morning prayers.
In church, kneel, sit, or stand devoutly.
Do not cast your eyes about or chatter with women, priests, or clerks.
How were children treated in the Elizabethan Era?
MANNERS
All children (especially wealthy kids) were taught good manners and to always be polite in any situation. Children are seen as small adults and are expected to act as one. Any child, girl or boy should always behave excellently, or else will be punished.
PUNISHMENTS
Kids were given very strict rules and punished harshly if they did not follow them correctly. 50 strokes of the cane was not an uncommon punishment in schools. Any form of poor behavior, wherever you are, is (sometimes very strictly) punished.
BIG QUESTION
How have the historical influences of an Elizabethan childhood impacted and affected how we view the world today?
Nowadays schools aren’t as strict, punishments aren’t nearly as harsh, and overall children are treated better. Kids can express themselves, don’t have to feel afraid, and are brought up in a much better environment. Society has grown to become more encouraging and is strong about equality. Kids are given the chance to be kids and are offered so many wonderful opportunities. The economy has learned from the past and has built a brighter, better future for children.
