6. Was there an educational revolution under Elizabeth?

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we consider the question, ‘Was there an educational revolution under Elizabeth?’, focusing in particular on: (i) the changes in the educational landscape under Elizabeth, especially the foundation of 130 new grammar schools; (ii) the impact of Renaissance humanism on education in England; (iii) the impact of the Reformation on education in England; (iv) the kinds of things that were studied at school; (v) the extent to which ‘ordinary’ people could read and write in Elizabethan England; and (vi) the education available to women in this period.

Course

In this course, Professor Susan Doran (University of Oxford) explores the idea of the reign of Elizabeth I as a ‘golden age’ through six key questions: (1) Why has Elizabeth's reign been seen as a Golden Age?; (2) Did Elizabeth's reign ‘settle’ religion in England?; (3) Did Elizabeth's reign see a new consensus politics?; (4) Was there new economic and imperial activity under Elizabeth?; (5) How far was there a cultural renaissance under Elizabeth?; and (6) Was there an educational revolution under Elizabeth?

Lecturer

Susan Doran is Professor of Early Modern British History at the University of Oxford. She has a substantial publishing record which reflects a particular interest in the religious and political history of the Tudors, especially Elizabeth I. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College and Director of Studies in History at Regent’s Park College.