Elizabethan Age

Central to the course will be an analysis of the personality of Elizabeth herself: was she the icon of popular reputation or was she more Professor Lake’s “ Bad Queen Bess”( 2016 book).

We will examine the major events of the reign, including rebellions, religious conflicts, the role of Mary Queen of Scots & the Spanish Armada.

Depending on the interests of the group we will look at social developments which include topics as diverse as poverty & the poor laws, witchcraft, the role of women & troublesome adolescents. We will make use of original sources, as far as copyright permits.