Was there a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor in Elizabethan England?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the extent to which the reign of Elizabeth I was a 'Golden Age' for the poor.
Key learning points
- Elizabeth's reign has sometimes been described as a 'Golden Age'.
- The benefits of the 'Golden Age' were not shared equally in society.
- Social historians are interested in studying the lives of ordinary people.
- Social historians have sometimes argued that Elizabeth's reign was not a 'Golden Age' for the poor.
Keywords
Social historian - a social historian is a historian who is interested in studying the lives of ordinary people
Common misconception
Historians all study the same things in history.
There is a large and ever-growing variety of themes that historians look at in history that shape the way we view the past, e.g. military history, economic history, women's history and many more.
Teacher tip
In preparation for the final task, pair students up and have them argue one side of the question each. Then swap the pairs around so that everybody is arguing with a different person. This will enable them to hear and respond to a variety of different arguments.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the 1601 Poor Law designed to eliminate?
Q2.Which one of the following was a significant consequence of the dissolution of the monasteries?
Q3.The name of the most far-reaching act to support those living in poverty, passed in 1601 is .
Q4.Which monarch passed the Vagabonds Act in 1572?
Q5.Under which of the three categories outlined in the 1601 Poor Law could orphaned children become apprentices to craftsmen?
Q6.The group of poor people who were able to work but chose not to were called the .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This keyword is a type of historian who is interested in studying the lives of ordinary people.
Q2.What term is the generally accepted historical interpretation of Elizabeth I’s reign?
Q3.Which of the following three features of the Elizabethan period can be used as evidence of it being a ‘Golden Age’?
Q4.Which group of people were seen to be responsible for the poor during the Elizabethan period?
Q5.Why does James Sharpe think the Elizabethan period was a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor?
Q6.Which of the following opportunities were seen to benefit at least some of the poor in Elizabethan England?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Was there a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor in Elizabethan England?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Was there a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor in Elizabethan England?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Life in Tudor England: was there a 'Golden Age' for the poor? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.