Social and Economic Time Druing Shakespeare's Era

William Shakespeare lived in England during to great periods in history, the Renaissance and the Elizabethan era. The Renaissance was an influential cultural movement which brought about a period of scientific revolution and artistic transformation that spread all through out Europe, it marked the transitional period between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Modern Age (“Renaissance”). The Elizabethan Era was the period associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and is often considered to be a golden age in English history. It was during the end of the English Renaissance. During the end of the Middle Ages the old feudal system had crumbled due to the devastating effects of the black plague, society changed dramatically afterwards because of the loss of life. A new order of social classes rose: the food people ate changed, the cloths people wore changed, the entertainment changed. Economically guilds were being formed and many new trade routes were being established with the new technology in navigation. There were four man social classes in the Renaissance and Elizabethan era Nobility, Gentry, Yeoman, and the Poor. The noble class was kept small as possible by Queen Elizabeth because she felt threatened by them. The Gentry consisted of people that were not noble but held the deeds to large amounts of land. The Yeoman also held deed to certain amount of land, but had a much smaller amount then the Gentry. At the bottom of the era were the Poor. The Nobility class was considered the richest most powerful class under the king and queen. It was smaller because many men had died in battle during the War of the Roses. This lifestyle was brought about by one or two reasons: inheritance or by grant of a monarch. Nobles had the best dresses, food, homes and habits. They were expected to have an important job for their own expense. They had large amounts of input- many served as a council to Elizabeth. Many were also lieutenants and sheriffs (“Social