The Centre for the Study of the Renaissance is delighted to invite you to our fourth community study day, where we will explore the world of Queen Elizabeth I and the Elizabethans. Talks by our expert speakers will introduce you to new perspectives on this intriguing queen’s reign, considering religion, art, cultural and diplomatic exchanges and encounters. Peter Marshall’s session will critically examine various myths around religious change, querying the longstanding myths of ‘religious stability’ and a moderate ‘middle way' ushered in by Elizabeth’s reign. In a shared session, Karin Sprang will examine the image of Elizabethan England as presented in friendship albums, and Daria Akhapkina will focus on the diplomatic exchanges between Russia and England during Elizabeth’s reign. Elizabeth Goldring will introduce you to Nicholas Hilliard's life and his art, exploring the ways in which his images have shaped perceptions of Elizabeth I and her court. The day will end with a session led by Aidan Norrie, who will focus on the progresses Elizabeth undertook during her reign, exploring the pageantry staged for Elizabeth in various places she visited.

This study day is a public event, open to Warwick staff and non-staff alike. Registration form HERE.

Schedule

10-10.50am: Session one, Professor Peter Marshall. Draft paper title, 'Religion in Elizabeth I's England'. This session will focus aspects of the Church and religious life in Elizabethan England. Several longstanding myths will be examined and found wanting, such as that Elizabeth's reign ushered in a period of religious stability after the ferment of the mid-Tudor decades, or that the Elizabethan Church represented a moderate 'middle way' between extremes of Protestant and Catholic conviction.

11-12 noon: Session two (consisting of two speakers), Karin Sprang. Draft paper title, 'All the Splendour of London': Alba Amicorum in Elizabethan England'. Alba amicorum, or friendship albums, rose to popularity in the middle of the sixteenth century. These small books - containing handwritten inscriptions, watercolour illustrations, pasted-in prints, and painted coats of arms - were primarily used by the German and Netherlandish elite and reflected their social networks. Rather than remaining within these regions, though, these album owners often took their booklets abroad as they travelled to foreign universities or visited famous sites. This paper will explore the manner in which Elizabethan England is presented in friendship albums: what image of England is sketched on the pages of early modern alba amicorum?

Daria Akhapkina. Draft paper title, 'Diplomatic relations between Russia and England'. This paper will explore the nature of diplomatic relations between Russia and England during the Elizabethan period, examining some interesting encounters between individuals that came to Russia from England, and vice versa.

12-1pm: Lunch break (provided)

1-1.50pm: Session three, Dr Elizabeth Goldring. Draft paper title, "The 'Queens Limner': Nicholas Hilliard and Elizabeth I". Nicholas Hilliard's fame derives chiefly from his miniatures (or 'limnings'): exceptionally detailed portraits executed in watercolours on vellum, many no larger than a modern watch face. Come learn about Hilliard's life and his art, including the ways in which his images have decisively shaped perceptions of Elizabeth I and her court.

2-3pm: Session four, Dr Aidan Norrie. Draft paper title, 'Elizabeth I on Tour: Progresses and Pageantry for the Virgin Queen'. This session will focus on the progresses Elizabeth undertook every year of her reign. A 'progress' is a formal term for the periods when the Queen travelled around her kingdom, visiting various towns and aristocrats. For many places, a progress might be the only time the Queen visited them, and so they sought to capitalise on her presence by lavishly entertaining their now-present sovereign. The iconography of the 'Virgin Queen' was first appeared in a civic entertainment, which is a reminder that they are essential to understanding the politics and culture of Elizabethan England. As part of this session, attendees will be able to engage with the published accounts of some of these progresses and the pageantry staged for Elizabeth.

3-3.30pm: conclusions and discussion