{"id":1815,"date":"2018-01-09T16:16:54","date_gmt":"2018-01-09T16:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=1815"},"modified":"2026-10-08T16:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T16:28:26","slug":"elizabethan-era","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/british-history\/elizabethan-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Elizabethan Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Elizabethan era was the period of Elizabeth I’s reign from 1558 to 1603.<\/strong> It was a period of religious change, political and social tensions, conflict with European powers, overseas exploration and major developments in English culture and society.<\/p>\n

\"Elizabeth
The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, c.1588, commemorating the defeat of the Spanish Armada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elizabeth inherited a country divided by religion and facing significant domestic and international challenges. Her government sought to establish religious stability, manage threats to the Crown and maintain England’s position among the major powers of Europe. The period also saw growing overseas trade and exploration, continuing concerns about poverty and important developments in education, culture and leisure.<\/p>\n

Accession and Succession<\/h3>\n

Elizabeth became queen on 17 November 1558, following the death of her half-sister Mary I. She inherited a government facing financial difficulties and a country divided by religious disagreements.<\/p>\n

The question of succession was an important concern throughout Elizabeth’s reign. Her unmarried status meant that there was no obvious heir, while the possibility of Elizabeth marrying and producing children was repeatedly discussed by her advisers. The succession question became particularly significant because Mary, Queen of Scots<\/a> had a claim to the English throne.<\/p>\n

Religion and Government<\/h3>\n

The religious settlement was central to Elizabeth’s reign. The government also had to manage continuing religious disagreement and political opposition.<\/p>\n