Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

24  INTRODUCING L ONDON

Elizabethan London

In the 16th century the monarchy was stronger than ever before. Curtain
The Tudors established peace throughout England, allowing
art and commerce to flourish. This renaissance reached
its zenith under Elizabeth I, when explorers opened up
the New World, and English theatre, the nation’s most
lasting contribution to world culture, was born.

Shakespeare’s Globe
Elizabethan theatres were
built of wood and only half
covered; performances took
place in summer.

A balcony on the
stage was part of
the scenery.
Extent of the City
1561 Today The thrust stage
had a trap door
for special effects.

Death at the Stake
The Tudors dealt
harshly with social
and religious dissent.
Here Bishops Latimer
and Ridley are exe­
cuted for heresy in
1555, when Elizabeth’s
sister, Mary I, was
queen. Traitors could
expect to be hung,
drawn and quartered.
In the yard,
below the level
of the stage,
commoners stood
to watch the play.

Hunting and Hawking
Popular 16th­century pastimes are
shown on this cushion cover.

1536 Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne
Boleyn, executed 1553 Edward dies,
succeeded by his
1535 Sir Thomas More sister Mary I
executed for treason
1530 1540 1550
Rat catchers, and other pest
controllers, could not prevent 1547 Henry dies,
epidemics of plague.
succeeded by his
son Edward VI
1534 Henry VIII breaks with the 1558 Mary I’s death makes
Roman Catholic church Elizabeth queen

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