what they could wear. "Sumptuary laws set fines for people who wore clothing above .
their station. They were usually ineffective because they added the additional status of .
having been able to pay the sumptuary tax on the inquestion" (1). The wealthy middle .
class acted as if they were nobles, which they intended to do so they might have a .
chance to raise their social standing.
The nobles were high status knights, earls, coutness, etc., who comprised the .
"highest class". Often in attendance of the queen the nobles clothing reflected their .
wealth and their respect for the Queen (1). "Clothing at that time approximately the .
same value that cars do today for reflecting social and financial status" (1). Noblemen .
might actually cover their clothing in jewelry that might be equivalent to hundreds and .
eve thousands of dollars. The highest person in the land, next to god, was the Queen .
herself. She gave herself beyond human looks simply for propaganda. At this time with .
Queen being single, the most handsome gentlemen that caught the Queen's eye .
became very important to the queen. "All of these factors led to one of the most clothes .
conscious cultures ever. To a costume, few periods offer the range of challenges that .
this one does" (1).
Another important factor of living was the entertainment that the people had. .
"Leisure was an important part of the lives of the English people during the Elizabethan .
age. Most of the leisure came either after church on sundays or on the Holidays" (Kareti .
1). The wealthy hired musicians to play music during dinner. In the Elizabethan age, .
drama was at the pinnacle of its cultural achievement for all time. New styles of .
entertainment were being created faster than the society realized. Before they knew it, .
they were the first to witness the entertainment industry, especially in theater. Sports .
were a big part of this time period. Indoor games such as chess, checkers, dice, and a .