The Arts Society of Bishop’s Stortford explores poetry, plays, presents and portraits at the court of Elizabeth 1
The glamourous entourage of Gloriana, the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty, is the subject of The Arts Society of Bishop’s Stortford’s March 11 lecture.
The title of guest speaker Alison Barker’s talk is The Culture of the Elizabethan Court in Four Aspects: Poetry, Plays, Presents and Portraits.
Each month member Mick Fitch reviews the latest talk and looks forward to the next subject for Indie readers.
“Taking these four aspects of Elizabethan court culture, Alison will explore the richness of 16th-century royal and aristocratic life by bringing it alive through the poetry, plays, presents and portraits of the time.
“We will get to know the key figures who made the court of Elizabeth 1, their idea of fashion, what they did for entertainment and how they wished to be remembered.
“Shakespeare, Robert Dudley and the Queen are just some of the people we will meet in this colourful and memorable exploration of life 500 years ago.”
Elizabeth I’s main palace was at Whitehall in London. Elizabeth had over 60 residences in total and also held court at Whitehall, Windsor, Nonsuch, Greenwich and Richmond.
Mick said: “Our March lecture follows a fascinating February lecture by Caroline Knight on The Grand Tour: Travel and Collecting in the 18th Century, where young gentlemen completed their education by travelling in Europe and especially to Italy.
“Caroline illustrated her lecture with pictures of what they saw and what they brought back with them.
“Many of their Grand Tour purchases are still in the country houses of their descendants many of which have been taken over by the National Trust and English Heritage so that we can now see them.”
The Arts Society Bishop’s Stortford, founded in 1976, meets monthly at South Mill Arts on the second Tuesday of the month, with coffee from 10am. The lecture starts at 10.40am. Visitors are welcome to attend for a suggested £7 donation. To find out more see info@tasbs.org.uk.
