Exploration, Poetry and Drama

Exploration, Poetry and Drama

The Elizabethan period in England was a time of strong patriotism — people felt proud to be English.
English explorers searched for new trade routes and aimed to expand British trade into Spanish colonies in the Americas.

One of the most famous explorers was Sir Francis Drake. He helped defeat the Spanish Armada and became a key figure in England’s naval tradition. His ship, the Golden Hind, was one of the first to sail around the world.

During Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, the first English settlers began to colonise the east coast of America. Colonisation increased even more in the next century, especially by people who disagreed with the religious views of the next two kings.

The Elizabethan period is also famous for its poetry and drama, especially the works of William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

William Shakespeare is often seen as the greatest writer in the English language.
He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, became a playwright and actor, and wrote many plays and poems.

His most famous plays include:

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare also wrote about ordinary people, not just kings and queens, and he influenced the English language, creating many new words still used today.

Some of his famous quotes are:

• “Once more unto the breach” (Henry V)
• “To be or not to be” (Hamlet)
• “A rose by any other name” (Romeo and Juliet)
• “All the world’s a stage” (As You Like It)
• “The darling buds of May” (Sonnet 18)

His works are still performed and studied all over the world. The Globe Theatre in London is a modern copy of the theatres where his plays were first shown.

James VI and I

Queen Elizabeth I never married and had no children.
When she died in 1603, her heir was James VI of Scotland, who became James I of England, Wales and Ireland.
However, Scotland remained a separate country.

The King James Bible

One major achievement of King James’s reign was the new English translation of the Bible.
This version, called the King James Version or Authorised Version, was not the first English Bible, but it is still used in many Protestant churches today.

Ireland

At this time, Ireland was mostly Catholic.
Henry VII and Henry VIII had already extended English control beyond the Pale and established authority over the whole island.
Henry VIII took the title “King of Ireland”, introduced English laws, and local leaders had to obey the Lord Lieutenants in Dublin.

During Elizabeth I and James I’s reigns, many in Ireland rebelled against Protestant rule.
The English government encouraged Scottish and English Protestants to settle in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, taking land from Catholic landowners.
These settlements were called plantations.

Many settlers came from south-west Scotland, and more land was given to London-based companies.
James I later started more plantations in other parts of Ireland.
These actions had serious long-term consequences for England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Rise of Parliament

Queen Elizabeth I was skilled in managing Parliament. She balanced her own views with those of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, which became more Protestant in outlook.

However, James I and his son Charles I were not as skilled. They believed in the Divine Right of Kings — the idea that the king ruled by God’s will and did not need Parliament’s approval.

When Charles I became king, he tried to rule without Parliament.
For 11 years, he found ways to raise money without Parliament’s consent.
Eventually, trouble in Scotland forced him to recall Parliament, beginning a period of major conflict between the monarchy and Parliament.

Key Points

• The Elizabethan era was a time of patriotism and exploration.
• Sir Francis Drake helped defeat the Spanish Armada and circumnavigated the world.
• English settlers began colonising America’s east coast.
• The period was rich in poetry and drama, especially works by William Shakespeare.
• Shakespeare influenced the English language and culture deeply.
• Elizabeth I died childless in 1603; James VI of Scotland became James I of England.
• King James commissioned the King James Bible.
• Ireland remained Catholic, but English control grew under Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and James I.
• Protestant plantations were established in Ulster and other areas.
• Elizabeth I managed Parliament skillfully, while James I and Charles I clashed with it due to belief in the Divine Right of Kings.
• Charles I ruled without Parliament for 11 years until conflict forced its return.