ACE Courses – England under Elizabeth 1
Elizabethan England
We are delighted to welcome back Dr Michael Muncaster to lead us through a 10 week course on Elizabethan England.
England under Elizabeth 1 was a colourful and vibrant country which laid many of the foundations of the modern state. It provided a lengthy period of relative calm after the religious and political upheaval of the preceding 25 years. As well as becoming influential in European affairs, England embarked on overseas exploration which later led to Britain becoming a world power.
Session 1 – Background – 1558
Birth, upbringing and education; Survival under Mary I; Accession and Coronation; Problems for the new Queen
Session 2 – Gloriana
Image of the Queen; Clothes, make up, Royal Portraiture; Palaces; Progresses
Session 3 – Government and Personalities
The Queen’s Men: William and Robert Cecil, Sir Francis Walsingham, Robert Dudley, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Christopher Hatton, John Dee, Sir Henry Lee, Sir George Clifford
The Queen’s Ladies: Kat Ashley, Blanche Parry, Mildred Cooke, Bess of Hardwick, Lettice Knollys, Catherine Carey
Session 4 – Religion
Religious change 1534-58; Elizabethan Church Settlement; New Episcopate; Catholic problem; Puritans
Session 5 – The Threat Within
Illness; The marriage question; Plots against Elizabeth; Mary Queen of Scots
Session 6 – The Threat Without
Growing hostility of Spain; England’s military and naval resources; The Armada
Session 7 – The Arts
The Theatre; Dramatists; Poets; Artists
Session 8 – Court, Music and Architecture
Royal Palaces and Court protocol; Musicians; Styles of music; Architecture
Session 9 – Elizabethan Life 1
London; Overseas exploration; Trade; Illness and Treatment1
Session 10 – Elizabethan Life 2
Grammar Schools; The Poor; Essex’s Rebellion; The Final Years
Dr Mike Muncaster
Mike Muncaster read History at the University of East Anglia graduating with a B.A. He then undertook research for an M.A. in 1969, progressing to a Ph.D. which was awarded in 1977.
For many years he was Head of History at Bedford Modern School, taking an early retirement in 2003.
He joined W.E.A.as a Tutor until 2008 when he became an Independent Lecturer., offering a range of History based subjects, covering the counties of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. The courses range from 10 weeks to individual short talks to History Societies, W.I., Rotary and Probus groups.
Booking Arrangements
Places must be booked in advance and booking is available from 1st August. Booking can be by cash or by booking on line. Please see below for details.
How to book
Advance booking and payment to reserve places is politely requested. Tickets are £60.00 for the whole course .
Online booking and payment can be made by clicking below.
To make a cash payment please call or email:
- email mo@mikecobbe.com
- or telephone Mo Cobbe on 01604 328822