Leisure and the Merchant Class of England
Merchants, by nature of their occupation, were travelers. During the 16th and 17th century, they were responsible for the increase in wealth of their own class, and the stimulation of economic growth in England. Thus, this mobile class was exposed to a variety of cultures and able to take part in a great deal number of leisure activities. Wealthy merchant families, such as the Fuggers, who dominated European business, were able to gain prestige and power and thus enjoyed leisure activities similar to those of the nobles.
Post Plague and the Boom of the Middle Class
The fortunes of merchants improved, allowing them enough money to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. This led to a desire for more luxurious homes, fine art for these residences, sumptuous clothing to show off their wealth in public, and exotic delicacies to eat. These desires of the middle class in turn, stimulated the economy.The middle-class population used their leisure time on education and entertainment. Education became essential for most middle-class professions. Those trading with other countries needed knowledge of foreign currencies and languages. Reading was critical for anyone who needed to understand a contract. In their leisure time, middle-class men and women enjoyed timeless pastimes such as reading for pleasure, learning to play musical instruments, and studying for pure interest.
The fortunes of merchants improved, allowing them enough money to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. This led to a desire for more luxurious homes, fine art for these residences, sumptuous clothing to show off their wealth in public, and exotic delicacies to eat. These desires of the middle class in turn, stimulated the economy.The middle-class population used their leisure time on education and entertainment. Education became essential for most middle-class professions. Those trading with other countries needed knowledge of foreign currencies and languages. Reading was critical for anyone who needed to understand a contract. In their leisure time, middle-class men and women enjoyed timeless pastimes such as reading for pleasure, learning to play musical instruments, and studying for pure interest.
Style and Fashion
To a wealthy merchant, clothing was often the source of fines. However they continued to wear their rich clothing, despite the outrage of the nobility and the clergy. It created an indistinguishable line between the merchant and noble classes. The merchant class was satisfied with the arrangement because, regardless of the cost of the fine, the detailed clothes allowed them to look prosperous and noteworthy. It allowed the merchant class to, at least visually, reach beyond their status.
Plays of the Elizabeth Period
Elizabethan London attracted a large population of merchants and artisans from France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Elizabethans enjoyed masques, jousts, tournaments, processions, pageants, bear-baiting, executions as forms of entertainment. By the 1590s, competition and the habitual play-going of their audiences created a prosperous market for new plays and the idea of rejection of recreation seem to bury itself in the abounding hub of culture in England.
To a wealthy merchant, clothing was often the source of fines. However they continued to wear their rich clothing, despite the outrage of the nobility and the clergy. It created an indistinguishable line between the merchant and noble classes. The merchant class was satisfied with the arrangement because, regardless of the cost of the fine, the detailed clothes allowed them to look prosperous and noteworthy. It allowed the merchant class to, at least visually, reach beyond their status.
Plays of the Elizabeth Period
Elizabethan London attracted a large population of merchants and artisans from France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Elizabethans enjoyed masques, jousts, tournaments, processions, pageants, bear-baiting, executions as forms of entertainment. By the 1590s, competition and the habitual play-going of their audiences created a prosperous market for new plays and the idea of rejection of recreation seem to bury itself in the abounding hub of culture in England.