Early Modern England Encyclopedia

Explore Early Modern England

Find articles, images, and resources related to early modern English history, culture, and the theatrical world, plus discover big ideas about the era.

A full length color image of an Elizabethan gentleman holding a hawk and wearing low-crowned black hat, a blue vest over a gold doublet and red pants. He stands next to a woman in a green and white dress wearing a high-crowned black hat. Behind them stands a servant in a green hat, rust colored doublet and light blue pants holding his master’s sword and buckler shield. By Lucas de Heere from his Corte Beschryvinghe van England, Scotland, ende Irland (A short description of England, Scotland and Ireland), a manuscript written and illustrated in about 1574. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Courtesy of the British Library. Public Domain. Theatre

Explore the vibrant world of early modern theatre, including Shakespeare’s plays and the cultural impact of performance.

The Sport of Bear Baiting Facts About Shakespeare Music in Shakespeare’s Plays

A three-quarter portrait bust of a woman wearing a crown, a large neck ruff, and an elaborate golden gown holding a scepter and a red book. The title of the work is Portrait of Elizabeth I of England by Lucas de Heere from his Corte Beschryvinghe van England, Scotland, ende Irland (A short description of England, Scotland and Ireland), a manuscript written and illustrated in about 1574. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Courtesy of the British Library. Public Domain. History

Discover the events, people, and politics that shaped early modern England.

Essex Rebellion Elizabeth I Privy Council

A full-length image of three Elizabethan gentlewomen in grey, brown, and black gowns with small ruffs and white head coverings and one countrywoman in a gown covered by an apron and wearing a tall grey hat. The title of the work is London Gentlewomen and a Countrywoman by Lucas de Heere from his Corte Beschryvinghe van England, Scotland, ende Irland (A short description of England, Scotland and Ireland), a manuscript codex written and illustrated ca. 1571–1574 (BL Add MS 28330). Source: Wikimedia Commons. Courtesy of the British Library. Public Domain. Culture

Learn about the customs, beliefs, and daily life of people in early modern England.

Children Education for Boys Cutpurses

An image of Arundel House, from the north. Created by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1646. Source: University of Toronto Libraries, Hollar Collection.

Using EMEE in Your Work

All entries are peer-reviewed and citable, and include curated images and sources. Use EMEE to enrich papers, projects, or presentations.

Cite EMEE Become a Pedagogical Partner Learn about EMEE Look up entries in the A-Z Index

Featured Pages

EMEE is a collaborative project. We welcome contributions from students, scholars, and enthusiasts of early modern England. If you have expertise or resources to share, consider joining our community.

#TODO The Death of Elizabeth

On the 24th of March 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died after ruling England for 44 years. After several months of decline and eventual refusal to eat or speak, she fell into a coma at Richmond Palace and died. She was 69 years old and, against the odds, had managed to rule England as a single female monarch. Her death affected Shakespeare and his company in terms of royal patronage and the topics for new plays written after 1603.

#TODO Astrology

In Elizabethan culture and society, astrology and fate were thought to rule over people’s day to day lives. Even the ministers of Queen Elizabeth I asked influential mathematician and astrologer Dr. John Dee to name a good date for her coronation in 1558.

#TODO Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife, was arguably the most controversial and famous of Henry’s six wives. Her impact on English politics and religion makes her a notable figure in England’s history, particularly in the person of her daughter, who would become Elizabeth I.