A 45-year reign complete with prosperity as well as tragedy defines the Elizabethan Era. As the daughter of King Henry VII, Elizabeth I was always in line for the throne. Over time, Elizabeth’s chances of succeeding the throne became slim due to the birth of her half-brother Edward. She officially became third in line for the throne, behind her half-sister Mary. It was not until the death of both her siblings that Elizabeth was able to claim the throne. Although Elizabeth’s sister made many unpopular decisions, she was able to take England and build it back up, piece by piece. Using intelligence in addition to shrewdness, Elizabeth began to rule a nation as queen. Transformations in multiple aspects of society exemplify Elizabeth’s role as an important figure in English history.
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English society began to see an emergence of new social classes. “…Elizabethan England created a middle class who were not exclusively urban, yet as industry and trade tended more and more to concentrate in thickly populated areas” (Marvel 74). The new middle class began to develop a new urban way of life as industrial and commercial interests grew. Additionally, this impacted English society because cities, such as London, became places where sizeable groups of inhabitants had an opportunity to savor the luxuries that further stimulated the pursuit of wealth. The social class structure during the Elizabethan era was quite simple. “Elizabethan society may be roughly separated into three divisions” (Marvel 70). The social structure is much like the one society has today. The highest class included the most important members of society. The middle class included the working member of society, such as merchants as well as tradesfolk. The lowest consisted of all the unskilled laborers in addition to the illiterate peasants. The simplicity of the class structure made it easy for citizens to identify their role in
English society began to see an emergence of new social classes. “…Elizabethan England created a middle class who were not exclusively urban, yet as industry and trade tended more and more to concentrate in thickly populated areas” (Marvel 74). The new middle class began to develop a new urban way of life as industrial and commercial interests grew. Additionally, this impacted English society because cities, such as London, became places where sizeable groups of inhabitants had an opportunity to savor the luxuries that further stimulated the pursuit of wealth. The social class structure during the Elizabethan era was quite simple. “Elizabethan society may be roughly separated into three divisions” (Marvel 70). The social structure is much like the one society has today. The highest class included the most important members of society. The middle class included the working member of society, such as merchants as well as tradesfolk. The lowest consisted of all the unskilled laborers in addition to the illiterate peasants. The simplicity of the class structure made it easy for citizens to identify their role in