2.2-The poor Flashcards
What percentage of all Elizabethan families were part of the labouring poor?
50%
Between 1550 and 1600 how much did the population rise by?
43%
What reduced the value of all currencies?
Following Spanish Exploration there was more silver in circulation throughout Europe
What did Henry VIII do that added inflation?
He debased the coinage
What removed a key source of Charity?
The dissolution of the monastries in 1530
What were the impotent poor?
Old, Sick the disabled and children
What was done to help the impotent poor?
They received a sum of money and some food each week, if they were unable to collect it was delivered to their house
Who were the Able bodied poor?
People who could work but also wanted to work
What was done to help the able- bodied poor?
.Each Parish was meant to build a workhouse where the poor would benefit the parish
.They got paid out of poor rate and received basic shelter and food
.They would remain in the workhouse until they found a normal job
Who were the Idle Poor?
Viewed as Vagabonds- People who could work but who preferred to beg or steal
What was done with the idle poor?
.The government made begging illegal-if you were caught you were flogged until your back was bloody
What did Elizabeth do in 1560?
Carried out a full recoinage
Which law in 1563 placed wage limits on skilled workers?
The statue of Artificers
Name three local measures that were used to help the poor
.Alms were collected for the poor
.Census were carried out to make registers for the poor
.Workhouses provided work for the poor
.Efforts were made to stop begging
.In London several hospitals were set up which catered to different groups/needs
When was the poor law passed through?
1597 Amended in 1601
What was the poor laws aim?
.It stated that every parish was responsible for the poor and unemployed in that parish
Give the two benefits of the poor rate
.Made the poor feel something was being done about them and keeps social order
.Some good work could be done by the poor to help the parish
Give two ways how the government policies to help the poor were successful
.Important milestone-first time in history the government accepts responsibility for the welfare of the poor
.Poor law fills the gap after the dissolution of the monasteries
.It would last until 1834
.Provides help for the impotent and able bodied poor
.Helped maintain peace- no major rebellions
How were government policies not successful in helping the poor?
.Poverty continued to increase despite new laws
.The government were very harsh on the idle poor-at worst they were hanged
Give four ways poverty affected Elizabethan England
.Rising poverty caused by inflation, enclosure and population growth meant half of all people were poor
.People became worried about the dangers of poverty-fearing discontent and rebellion
.Government were forced to act
.Elizabethans drew distinctions between different types of poverty
.First time in history a government accepted responsibility for the welfare of the poor
.Poor law filled the gap after the dissolution of the monasteries
.Poor law would act for the next 200 years
