Queen Elizabeth I ruled England from 1558 to 1603.

The Renaissance: a period in English life and literature when the windows were flung open and light poured in. It was the light of continental Europe — Italy, France, Portugal — and the light of technological innovation: the printing press. It was also the light of the Bible, which for the first time was being translated into English, so all could read it.

This light dispelled the gloom of the Dark Ages. The Tudor sovereigns came to power, starting with Henry VII and ending with the glorious reign of Queen Elizabeth I, whose poems and speeches are included here. You'll also meet Edmund Spenser, who set a standard English writers forever after would try to meet.

But why were so few women writing in this 16th century? Look for the answer in "Shakespeare's Sisters." Shakespeare himself gets his own course, so don't look for him here — although his influence, of course, is everywhere.

This was a time of poetical experimentation. Bards until now had relied mainly on alliteration to hold their epic poems together. Now, form becomes important. In the workshop, you can read about it and then join in with other novices to test your talent against the sonnet.