Arguably the most important factor that occurred in England between the 1400s and the 1600s that allowed it to grow to be an empire were the changes that occurred during the Elizabethan Era in England. When historians write about this wonderful age that they call it England’s “Golden Age”.
It was a time of the English Renaissance where they suffered less damage from war, had a stronger economy and things like poetry, music and art were being developed in valued in ways they had not previously been. It was also a time when the Catholic Church lost military power and people were freer from religion than they had been in previous times.
The church of England, in a very large break from the traditional Catholic religion had been established by Elizabeth’s father and was coming into it’s own during this period.
This was the time of Shakespeare and was brought about by the rule at the time, Queen Elizabeth I who ruled for a very long period of time between 1558-1603.
This was a time of profoundly exciting developments in England, a time hen Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world and also England had begun to have thriving colonies in the “New World.” London also grew significantly, with it’s population rising 400% during the era.
This was certainly one of the most important times for England if not thee most important and paved the way for the country becoming an empire.
Source:
"Shakespeare Resource Center - Elizabethan England." Shakespeare Resource Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 July 2013. <http://www.bardweb.net/england.html>.
