The Elizabethan Era is often referred to as the Golden Age of English history. This era started during Queen Elizabeth’s reign in 1558 through 1603. Children were sent to ‘Petty Schools’ or ‘Dame Schools’. According to an online page, “The word "petty" is said to have been derived from the French word "petit"’(Mahabal). These schools were generally very small, as said from their origin of the word. As boys reached the ages of five to seven they were allowed to attend ‘Petty School’. Girls could be taught at home if their families were wealthy. General education and lessons were taught at these schools. During the Elizabethan Era, boys were expected to attend ‘Petty School’ to learn basic grammar, arithmetic, proper manners, and their place at the table.
Throughout the Elizabethan Era education was essential to many. ‘Petty Schools’ or ‘Dame Schools’ were offered to the …show more content…
According to the “Elizabethan Era England Life,” “England childhood education for five to seven year-old boys in Elizabethan period was mostly conducted inside the house of an educated housewife or so-called teacher”(Mahabal). Some boys could attend these schools if they were not needed at home to work. Although some did not have enough money they could still attend, because most of these schools were run with little to no money. However, private schools were charging fees to their students. Many of the noble or upper class attended private schools instead of Petty Schools. The text states, “Only very wealthy people allowed their daughters to be taught, but only at home with a restricted curriculum”(Wagh 36). If girls went into the schools they would get kicked out, because the education was only for boys. Only few wealthy families allowed their daughters to be educated, because they were not taught the some of the same subjects as boys