Era of Queen Elizabeth I: The Real Golden Age

Queen Elizabeth I was undoubtedly a great monarch in the history of England. Her popularity reached the extent that a complete era was named after her. She had a great vision to run a kingdom, plus she treated equally the people of every faith, unlike her catholic sister Mary I who would burn the protestants in stakes just because of difference in ideas. Elizabeth was a devout protestant, but many of her courtiers would keep the catholic faith.

On the other side, renaissance age was going on in the era of Queen Elizabeth when people started taking interest in art and culture. The new age paintings, sculptures and architectures, were in the limelight. Elizabeth was also a great fan of painting. Moreover, the people’s interest in the flamboyant clothing started enhancing. Queen would also wear these renaissance dresses. Her costumes would be beaded with jewels, which were the subject of allure for the people.

Besides, music and dance were also flourished during the era of this queen. Volta and galliard were two famous renaissance dances during that period. Volta dance gained more popularity, when Queen Elizabeth performed this dance with her friend Robert Dudley. This dance has been displayed in a famous film “Elizabeth” that was released in 1998. Another demonstration of the Volta dance can be seen in a 2007 film – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, between Sir Walter Raleigh and Bess (queen’s lady-in-wait). People wearing beautiful renaissance and medieval costumes have also been displayed perfectly in these films. Moreover, Shakespearean dramas also belonged to the era of Elizabeth, which have been played today also with great enthusiasm.

Apart from the development in art and culture, the Elizabethan era was the age of the scientific revolution, and a number of inventions and explorations were being made by several great men. This era paved the way for the modern age in a true sense. That is why, many of the scholars call this era – the early modern age.

The Elizabethan Era has set a perfect example for the later ages, and it has provided a lot of things to today’s scenario. The renaissance costumes of that era are part of the fashion trends in the recent times. Apart from the costumes, art, culture and music of that period are also the subject of inspiration today. The new-age artists take the ideas from these artistic genres and prepare the new styles. The confluence of the costumes of Elizabethan and modern era, really provides a distinct genre. www.tudordressing.com is the best example of tudor era and Queen Elizabeth's lifestyle costume and dresses.

History Livens Up in Movie ‘Elizabeth’

Queen Elizabeth I gained a huge attention in Tudor Era because of her dedication towards her nation. She never married in her life, gave her entire life to the nation. A complete era has been named after her, which we know today as Elizabethan Era. Some films and television programs have also been made on her biography time to time.

In the year 1998, a biographical film named “Elizabeth” was released. The plot of the film was written by Michael Hirst, and the film was directed by Shekhar Kapur. Cate Blanchet played the role of Queen Elizabeth and won several awards notably BAFTA and Golden Globe in the year 1998.

The film presents the story of young Elizabeth. Her elder half-sister Mary I dies because of cancerous tumor in her uterus. She leaves Elizabeth as Queen, who was jailed before for a supposed conspiracy to assassinate Mary. But, now she has been freed for her coronation, in the beautiful medieval costume. He is being surrounded by suitors such as Henri Duc d’Anjou – future Henry III of France. Besides, she was urged for marriage by William Cecil, 1st Baron of Burghley. He states that the marriage will secure her throne. But, Elizabeth is secretly involved in an affair with Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. But, Cecil tells Elizabeth that there is no private life of a monarch.

Elizabeth has to face a lot of threats to her reign. Some of the conspirators, whom she faces included Duke of Norfolk, her catholic cousin Mary – Queen of Scots, Mary in Guise (mother of Mary, Queen of Scots) and an agent from Scotland. Moreover, she also countenances the plots from Rome by Pope Pius V (Giegud). But, all the threats are put down by her in assistance of her spymaster and adviser Francis Walsingham. Duke of Norfolk is executed for his conspiracy. Besides, Mary of Guise is killed by Francis.

On the other hand, Elizabeth expels Dudley from her life, when she comes to know that he is married. Moreover, she gives up sex as she believes that it makes the men powerful over her. She becomes increasingly tough, which is reflected in one of her speeches also. She also becomes ruthless occasionally, when she orders the execution of those who are the threats for her rule. The entire story of the film depicts her transformation from a romantic girl to a tough queen, who dominates the men around her.

A glance of pre-Elizabethan England can also be witnessed in this film. Burning of Protestants on orders of Queen Mary I and Philip has also been displayed in this movie. Apart from such horrible scene, wonderful Volta dance of Robert Dudley and Elizabeth in stunning medieval clothing can also be enjoyed. This film enlivens the Elizabethan Era perfectly in front of our eyes. The clothes were fabulous weared by elizabeth. Want to more about dressing the http://www.tudordressing.com/ is one of the top site.

Positive and Negative Sides of Tudor Dynasty

England was under the crown of House of Tudor around 500 years ago. Henry VII acquired the kingdom of England after winning the War of the Roses. This was the era of flourish of art and culture in Europe. The era, which we know as renaissance age, was going on in Europe, and people were taking more and more interest in the various genres of art. The flamboyant renaissance dresses also belonged to the same era. Besides, the science and technology were also growing during that period.

In this scenario, Tudor monarchs seem to be busy in their own affairs; however, their contribution in this development up to some extent cannot be denied. The first king Henry VII was a peaceful monarch, and he also tried to make peace with France in the year 1492. His son Henry VIII was thought to be of good nature in his early years, but later on his rapport went down. Moreover, he married six wives just for producing a male heir. Finally, he succeeded in this, and Edward was born. We find mixed traits in the nature of Henry. He took part in the protestant reformation actively and declared himself the head of Church of England. Moreover, he also played some role in development of architecture. But, declaring his daughters Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate presents the negative side of his nature. On the other hand, execution of his own wife Anne Boleyn by him despite the lack of evidences also can also not be considered as justified.

After the death of Henry, his only son Edward VI was enthroned in the small age of 9. His devotion towards Protestantism despite his small age seems strange. He tried to secure protestant faith in England. He also changed the will of his own father for this purpose, according to which his older sisters were in the line of succession after him. Edward declared his cousin Lady Jane Gray as his heir. His wish could not be fulfilled as she lost support and Mary disposed him by assembling the army within the short time span of nine days.

Mary proved to be a barbaric queen, as she started killing the innocent Protestants in order to establish the catholic faith again in England. Because of this act, she is known today as “bloody Mary”. Moreover, she married Philip II of Spain for producing the catholic heir, but could not be successful. In the early years, he kept his sister Elizabeth in Tower of London, but she had no other option than declaring her as her heir in the later stages.

Finally, Elizabeth I became the monarch, who was liberal in various aspects. The art and culture flourished a lot in her reign. She herself was an art lover and liked painting and fashion. The medieval shirts worn by her are the fashion statements in wedding parties and various other events, in today’s scenario also.

Religious Dogmatism in Tudor Monarchs: A Great Trouble for England

Renaissance age began in England with the rule of the Tudor Monarchs in England. These monarchs ruled up to 118 years, and the nations faced a number of paradigms during this period. Commoners were busy in enjoying the reawakening. Art and culture was being flourished, and new genres in various fields were coming in the limelight. Brilliant medieval costumes, which became the fashion-statements in the modern times, also came in the limelight during this period.

On the other side, Tudor rulers were the lawmakers, who were living the aristocratic lifestyles. They made some positive changes in England, but there were some pitfalls also in their kingdoms. The prominent pitfall seems the religious dogmatism of some Tudor monarchs. The sectarianism among them was clearly reflected from their activities.

Henry VII was the first Tudor monarch, but he had nothing to do with any religious dispute. This dispute began when his son and the second monarch Henry VIII broke his relations with Rome and declared himself the head of Church of England. He did so to get the right to divorce his wife. But, the problematic thing was that the opinions of his children in the family were divided. He declared his son Edward as his heir and kept his two daughters Mary and Elizabeth in the line of succession.

After his death, Edward VI became king in the small age of 9. Surprisingly, Edward was interested in the religious issues despite his small age. The publication of “Common Book of Prayer” was ordered by him, which was opposed by a large community in England. Moreover, he also didn’t hesitate in changing his father’s will for maintaining the protestant rule. He declared his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir. He did so because he was afraid that his catholic half-sister will reverse the reform after his death. Edward died in the small age of 15. Lady Jane Grey was the proclaimed queen after him, but she didn’t maintain his support. Mary assembled a military force and disposed Jane Grey.

Mary I was proved to be a most problematic queen of the Tudor dynasty. She wanted to reconcile with Rome, and she ordered the people to attend the catholic mass. She became the trouble for England, when she started burning the innocent Protestants. She became unpopular for this act and was dubbed as ‘Bloody Mary’. She also married Philip of Spain for producing a catholic heir. But, she failed to do so as she could never produce the child. Finally, she had to declare her half-sister Elizabeth as her heir, who was a protestant lady. Still her religious identity was mysterious as she would keep the catholic symbols despite her protestant faith. She kept the harmony between the two sects.

So, finally England got a Tudor Monarch who was above the sectarianism up to a great extent. She is thought to be the most famous monarch from Tudor dynasty.  She was interested in the cultural activities fine arts, and she was also a fashion lover. The styles of her tudor dressing are still popular in the western world.

Elizabethan and Victorian – Two Golden Eras of Europe

The Elizabethan era keeps a great significance in history. A great social change was taking place in Europe during this period. Renaissance movement was going on, and drastic change among the people’s lifestyle was being witnessed. Art and culture flourished during this period. People ceased wearing the natural-style outfits and the showy renaissancedresses came in the limelight. This was unquestionably a golden era in Europe, which paved the way for another golden era, which was the Victorian Age. Today also, these two eras in Europe provide a lot to the western world, in the field of art, culture and fashion etc.

Elizabethan Era

This was the era of Queen Elizabeth I, the most popular Tudor monarch of England. People were divided into distinct communities; however, the social and economical distinctions were becoming low because of the movement. The people with middle social order were becoming richer. On the other hand, peasant class people were entering in the middle order. Banking sector is said to be started in that era. People started wearing the showy clothing, on the contrary to the natural style dresses of the medieval age. Moreover, scientific revolution also took place. Exploration of the other world was also being done by various voyagers. Besides, a number of great historical figures were born during this period. Shakespeare, the great dramatist of all times, was also born during this period. The influence of the old classics can also be seen in Shakespeare’s literature. Besides, the famous painter and discoverer Leonardo da Vinci also gave his valuable contributions to the society, in the form of paintings and various scientific studies. Some fashion leaders like Isabella d’Este gave birth to renaissance clothing.

Victorian Era

After around two centuries of Elizabethan era, the other golden period started in Europe, which was the period of Queen Victoria.  A lot of progress was witnessed in the industry during this era. Steam engines were invented just before this period. It will not be wrong to say that Europe witnessed another scientific revolution in this era. Moreover, some new trends in the clothing styles were also witnessed. Some of these trends gained popularity in the modern age also, with the addition of several new styles. The trends based on science fiction of the Victorian Era also became popular. The science fiction novels of that era created an alternative world, which overgrew on the film industry, art, clothing and various other things.

There is no doubt that these two golden eras will provide the motivation to the people in coming centuries. Let’s see when we witness another golden era. Tudor was very memorable past in our life want to know more about tudor era's fashion and clothes click here.