The Elizabethan Era - A brief history!

It is initially thought that A Midsummer Nights Dream was written in 1595 by Shakespeare, along with the works of Romeo and Juliet. Here is a look at what was happening at that point in history.

KEY POINTS
In 1595 England was in the Elizabethan period. Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne. Seven years prior to this date in 1588 the Spanish armada was defeated by England. A year later Sir Francis Drake was executed. Eight years on from 1595 Elizabeth will die and is replaced by King James. We then moved forward and became the Stuart period. 

Image from Wikipedia.

The Elizabethan era is often called the 'golden era' in history for Britain. In terms of the entire century, the historian John Guy (1988) argues that 
"England was economically healthier, more expansive, and more optimistic under the Tudors" than at any time in a thousand years."
This period in time played a key roll of development of music, art and theatre in England. Looking back to my visit to the National portrait Gallery earlier this term, a lot of pieces relevant to my project look back to the Elizabethan era, along with the Tudor Gallery, which was a centrepiece in the National Portrait, and showcased incredible works from Tudor times, right through Elizabethan Monarchs and up to the Stuarts. Also obviously Shakespeare was born in this period and developed what I would call The most influential theatrical works in history and prompted a love of theatre around the country and then the world!!!
The era also was one of peace, after such turbulent times of Catholic and Protestant wars (which was settled by The Elizabethan Religious Settlement), The Monarchy and Parliament disagreements. England had built up a strong navy due to the events of the Spanish Armada which was one essence of unrest that occurred in the period. The Spanish and Portuguese went on to support Ireland throughout their period of conflict with England thereafter.
The first stock exchange was founded in 1565 and set England up to be a key trading country, and we became monetarily well off, compared to the likes of Italy whose great Renaissance had come to an end and left the country broken.
Amongst the peace there were conspiracy, one being that high officials in Madrid, Paris and Rome wanted Elizabeth - a protestant killed and replaced with Mary Queen of Scots - a catholic. In the end the 'Babington Plot' which consisted of Queen Mary directly consenting the assassination of Elizabeth to take place was foiled and she was beheaded.
Other developments included education beginning at home where children would be instructed to learn proper etiquette and manners, something which echoes into the 19th and early 20th centuries. Food was always plentiful throughout Elizabeths Reign and there were no famines. 
Overall the period was one of peace and austetity for Britain and this is something that will aid elements of my project based on nature and has a light hearted fairy based theme which echoes happier elements of high fashion rather than that of negative elements.