6) Individual Contributions 1: Merchants Flashcards
What were merchants afraid of?
They were afraid that vagrants would break into their shops and steal their goods.
What did merchants shoulder responsibility for?
They shouldered most of the responsibility of contributing towards supporting the poor.
When were merchants particularly generous?
Before the Reformation.
What was different about merchants’ contributions after the Reformation?
They didn’t contribute as much after the Reformation, but to be fair they directed their contributions differently.
Before the Reformation, how much did the church receive from London charity?
45% of London charity went to the church before the Reformation.
How much the the church receive from London charity after the Reformation?
7%.
After the Reformation, where did charity money go?
It went directly to the poor without going through the church first.
Give three reasons for the generosity of merchants.
- Conscience - They felt a certain responsibility to help their lesser fortunate neighbours.
- Fear - They feared disorder and riots.
- Self-Interest - They would lose business if there was a rebellions and beggars might also steal their goods.
During the second half of the century, how did merchants contribute to the poor?
They left money in their wills and contributed to charitable events.
How many people in need did merchants’ contributions support?
6 out of 10 poor people.
How much was raised by merchants between 1480 and 1540?
Over £29,000.
How much was raised by merchants during the Elizabethan age?
Over £68,000.
