University of Essex historian Dr Alison Barker holds court on the poetry, plays, presents and portraits of Elizabeth I’s reign for the Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford at South Mill Arts

A historian from the University of Essex took a Bishop’s Stortford audience back in time to the exciting world of the Elizabethan court, writes Grace Kennedy.

Dr Alison Barker, frontline support assistant at the university’s Albert Sloman Library, explored the culture and traditions of one of history’s most captivating figures through four different features.

She was giving the monthly lecture – entitled ‘The Culture of the Elizabethan Court in Four Aspects: Poetry, Plays, Presents and Portraits’ – to the Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford at South Mill Arts on Tuesday (March 11).

Presents were one of many significant customs in the royal courts, with the monarch receiving countless gifts during a formal ceremony every January 1.

During her reign (1558-1603), Elizabeth I held 45 of these ceremonies and was presented with more than 4,400 presents, ranging from perfumed gloves and nautical-themed jewellery to an edible marzipan chess set and a 7cm (3in) tall painting.

In addition to the prestigious gifts, the queen was the subject of several poems, the most noteworthy being ‘By this noble throne’, written by George Puttenham.

The poem, outlining the queen’s countless virtuous qualities, was structured in the shape of a pillar, a method Puttenham used to highlight Elizabeth’s strength and stability on the throne.

The imagery of pillars was used throughout many portraits of the queen to emphasise the solidity of her reign.

These portraits, usually commissioned by her courtiers and other advisors, also are clear evidence of the enormous wealth disparity that existed in Elizabethan England and are reminiscent of the contemporary inequality that is rife within today’s society.

Another important aspect of the Elizabethan court was attending plays. Whilst it was not uncommon for actors to travel to Greenwich Palace and perform for a royal audience, ordinary people would observe performances from the balcony of an inn. However, this was only until the first purpose-built theatre was completed in 1576. This was a forerunner of the Globe Theatre, which was built in 1599 at Southwark by William Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

Elizabeth was a passionate patron of the theatre and even ordered actor Edward Alleyn to return to the stage after his retirement. Although he did eventually resume acting, this was not until after Elizabeth’s death in March 1603.

More than 420 years after her death, Elizabeth continues to be an integral figure in English history and is still regarded as one of the most respected and admirable monarchs.

Grace Kennedy, 16, is a Year 12 A-level student in history, politics and economics at Simon Balle School, Hertford, who is spending a week with the Indie on work experience.