Shakespeare and the Scottish Queen
The Tudors and the Stuarts1485 to 1714
The Elizabethan period became known for growing patriotism, a rising pride in being English. It was also the age of William Shakespeare, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, and grew up to write some of the most famous plays in the English language, among them Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. He was also an actor.
The same years held a threat closer to the throne. Mary, Queen of Scots became queen of Scotland when only a week old, after her father's death. She was Elizabeth's cousin and fled to England hoping for help, but her fate was to be kept a prisoner for 20 years, then executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I.
Religion divided Scotland too. In 1560 the mainly Protestant Scottish Parliament ended the Pope's authority there, and Roman Catholic religious services became illegal in Scotland. A Protestant Church of Scotland was set up, though unlike England's it was not a state Church.
What to remember
| Hamlet | William Shakespeare With A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, one of his most famous plays. |
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| William Shakespeare | Stratford-upon-Avon 1564 to 1616; a playwright and actor as well as a poet. |
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| Mary, Queen of Scots | kept a prisoner for 20 years, then executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I Elizabeth's cousin, who had fled to England hoping for help. |
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| Became queen of Scotland when only a week old | Mary, Queen of Scots Her father had died; much of her childhood was then spent in France. |
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| The Elizabethan period | growing patriotism, a feeling of pride in being English It is also remembered for the richness of its poetry and drama. |
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| Roman Catholic religious services becoming illegal in Scotland | 1560 The predominantly Protestant Scottish Parliament also abolished the authority of the Pope in Scotland that year. |
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Everything in The Tudors and the Stuartsor the whole course, from the beginning