01355383 Varieties of English and Cultures of English Native Speakers 04 | Page 23

Welcome to the
English Renaissance
(the late 15 th - the early
17 th century).
This is the time of the Tudor Period,
King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and
William Shakespeare. Despite the
religious/political tension between
Protestantism and Catholicism, in the
Elizabethan Era (1558-1603) England
was going strong. It had just stopped
an invasion by the powerful Spanish
Armada. With its naval strength and
confidence, England was ready to
explore the world. Meanwhile, at home
its literature and arts were flourishing.
English was growing rapidly.