Education During The Elizabethan Era

The Elizabethan Era was a time in which influential literature was created by people from Shakespeare to Spenser. Ironically, during this time period, the education system was quite awful. For example, young ladies were not taught the same, reading and writing were different courses, and most importantly, being provided with an education was not required by law. Unfortunately, in the 1550’-1650’s education was not required; therefore no punishment was given to parents if they decided to not send their children to school. “The idea that a nation would benefit if the entire population were able to read was still far in the future…” (McMurty 128). By not making the absence of education illegal, a majority of lower class citizens
had little to no chance of advancing to a higher class. Reading was taught to everyone who attended the petty schools, but was not taught along with writing. Many higher born pupils believed that writing was not worth expenses of paper, ink, quill pens, sharpening knives, and appropriate desks. Furthermore, writing did not particularly aid with one’s religious studies, so it wasn't deemed as a critical part of education. The path of education one took was fairly similar to modern education. Both young ladies and gentlemen, between the ages of five and six, attended petty schools. Petty schools were the equivalent to today’s pre-schools because it was where one begins building the foundation of their education. There, children were taught simple arithmetic, reciting prayers, and the alphabet. Many schooling sessions were held in a teacher’s own home or the churches. There was also a cost for school, but, “Fees were kept as low as possible; amenities were quite basic.” (McCurty 129). After the completion of petty school at age seven, mainly young men, would continue to Grammar school. Grammar school is tantamount to the twenty first century elementary schools. Students admitted into grammar school were expected to learn a second language, Latin. “By the time they were in the upper forms, or advanced levels of study, when they were eleven or twelve years old, they were expected to use Latin in everyday schoolroom conversation.” (McMurty 133). Other required classes a student had to take were geography, history, and advanced mathematics. Much the same as petty schools, grammar schools were organized by monasteries or individual founders. If a young managed to complete grammar school by the age of twelve or thirteen, they would most likely attend a university.