Elizabethan Era Essay Example

increased by the end of Elizabeth's reign. This era of peace and prosperity allowed for attractive advancements that were celebrated as part of the "Golden Age." From both a modern perspective and a viewpoint influenced by 19th-century humanism, England during this period stood out positively when compared to contemporary continental European societies. While physical punishment still existed within the English legal system, torture was rare and reserved for serious offenses like treason [6]. Instances of persecution against witches in English society were not as prevalent as in certain European societies [7].Spanish and Italian visitors frequently noted the greater freedoms women experienced in England. Elizabeth's methods of respecting privacy and reducing religious persecution had a pacifying effect on English society as a whole, addressing both the Catholic persecution during Henry VIII and Edward VI's reigns, as well as the Protestant persecution under Mary.

Despite some exceptions, Catholic clergy in England were widely regarded as traitors and were aggressively targeted. They often faced torture or execution if captured unless they collaborated with the English authorities. Public supporters of Catholicism were barred from certain professions and could be fined or imprisoned. Although Elizabethan England has been described as a harsh dictatorship, it was relatively less severe compared to other brutal regimes.