Life in Shakespeare’s England by John Dover Wilson, M.A. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Dedication Preface Table of Contents List of Illustrations Chapter I. England and the English

England The English Birth and Rank Snobbery English Women

Chapter II. The Countryside

§ 1. Country-Folk

A Country Gentleman A Franklin A Farmer A Milkmaid A Shepherd

§ 2. Sport

Hunting Football Bowling A Cock-Fight A Local Play

§ 3. Festival

Christmas Good Friday Easter May Day Robin Hood The Lord of Misrule

Chapter III. Superstition

§ 1. The Nature of Superstition § 2. Ghosts and Spirits

Exorcism

§ 3. Witchcraft

Witches in Scotland The Witches’ Cauldron Transformation

§ 4. Fairyland § 5. Astrology

Chapter IV. Education

§ 1. Child and Parent

Two Views of Childhood Parents and Children

§ 2. The Grammar-School

An Interesting Parallel The School Day Punishment Country Schoolmasters

§ 3. The University

The Universities of England The Life at Oxford A Young Gentleman of the University A Mere Scholar

§ 4. Travel

The Use and Abuse of Travel The Italianate Englishman

Chapter V. London

§ 1. The Road to London

The State of the Roads Means of Communication Inns Highwaymen

§ 2. First Impressions of London

A Foreign View The Buildings The Thames A Waterman London Bridge Cheapside A Shop-Keeper Paul’s Walk Noise and Bustle

§ 3. Disorders

A Busy Week for the Authorities Duelling and Street Brawling Constables and Watchmen London at Night

§ 4. Temptations

A. Drink: Its Effects A Fearful Example Ale-Houses Taverns English Sobriety B. Tobacco. A Tobacco Seller Royal Disapprobation. C. Dicing and Gaming: Cheaters A Gaming-House False Dice Card-Sharping. D. Debt and Usury: 2 Usurer The Debtors’ Prison

§ 5. Dress and Fashion

Fashion in General Gorgeous Attire A Dandy Fashion Descends Barbers Fashionable Ladies Pride of Merchants’ Wives Lap-Dogs

§ 6. The Plague

The Beggar’s Opportunity Medical Treatment Flight from London

Chapter VI. Books and Authors

Patronage Portrait of a Poet An Author’s Complaint A Pot-Poet A Worthy Poet Ballads and Monsters Troubles of Authorship Fashion in Books Stationers and Booksellers

Chapter VII. The Theatre

§ 1. Theatrical Conditions in 1580

Aesthetic and Moral Condemnation

§ 2 Playhouses and Bear-Gardens

The First London Theatres A German at the Theatre Structure of a Playhouse Playhouses English and Italian Theatres Paris-Garden

§ 3. The Audience

General Behaviour A Gallant at the Playhouse

§ 4. The Actor and His Craft

Shakespeare’s Opinion Character of a Player Magnificence of Players’ Dress The Queen’s Players on Tour A Royal Licence

§ 5. Puritan Opposition to the Theatre

Denunciation from Paul’s Cross A Sweeping Condemnation Attitude of the City Authorities A Dramatist’s Reply The Actors’ Remonstrance

Chapter VIII. The Court

§ 1. Queen Elizabeth at Greenwich § 2. The Courtier

The Ideal The Other Side of the Picture

§ 3. Masques at Court § 4. The Death of Queen Elizabeth

Chapter IX. House and Home

§ 1. Houses and Furniture § 2. Gardens and Orchards § 3. Housekeeping and the Table

An English Housewife The Table Hospitality The Kitchen The Dairy

§ 4. Sleep and Health

The Bedroom The Care of the Body The Physician Death

Chapter X. Rogues and Vagabonds

Rogues and the Law A Courtesy Man An Abraham Man Rufflers Hookers Two Rogues and a Parson A Counterfeit Crank

Chapter XI. The Sea

England’s Naval Power A Merchant The Sailor’s Life The Story of the Revenge Discovery Colonization Travellers’ Tales

Conclusion. An Elizabethan Day Glossary and Notes Index of Authors

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