Shakespeare and the Scottish Queen

The Tudors and the Stuarts1485 to 1714

The Elizabethan period became known for growing patriotism, a feeling of pride in being English, and nowhere is that clearer than in the writer the age produced. William Shakespeare 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, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He was an actor as well as a playwright, and wrote many poems besides.

The same years also held a threat closer to the throne. Her story began early: Mary, Queen of Scots became queen of Scotland when only a week old, after her father's death, and much of her childhood was then spent in France. 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.

What to remember

Writers and works
HamletWilliam Shakespeare

With A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, one of his most famous plays.

Birthplaces
William ShakespeareStratford-upon-Avon

1564 to 1616; a playwright and actor as well as a poet.

Henry VIII's six wives
Mary, Queen of Scotskept a prisoner for 20 years, then executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I

Elizabeth's cousin, who had fled to England hoping for help.

Who did what
Became queen of Scotland when only a week oldMary, Queen of Scots

Her father had died; much of her childhood was then spent in France.

Known for
The Elizabethan periodgrowing patriotism, a feeling of pride in being English

English explorers sought new trade routes and tried to expand trade into the Spanish colonies in the Americas.

Everything in The Tudors and the Stuartsor the whole course, from the beginning