Chapter 18- the early years of Elizabeth Flashcards
what is significant about the economic hardship when Elizabeth came to the throne?
when Elizabeth came to the throne the economy was in a difficult place with bad harvests and high mortality rates, during the first parliament of Elizabeth there were a number of incentives to ease the hardship, yet nothing was passed into law. Mary Tudor also left a debt of £300,000. Central government has the weak powers of instructions issued to the JPs, other officials and the use of proclamation’s.
There was also the issue that in the early 1500’s England’s trade with Antwerp had collapsed.
Away from central government, local government also took control of the matter, the Council of the North tried to deal with matter, 113 laborer’s were charged with unlawfully high wages.
The statute of Artificers 1563, was a national attempt to deal with the problem, this saw rules such as compulsory labour and the setting of maximum wage rates by JPs in every county.
what was the issue of the government at this time?
they were legislating on matters that they knew little about, the government also lacked the power of enforcement, even the JPs couldn’t manage their counties.
what is the significance of poor relief?
the problems of poverty and vagabondage was widespread during this time. The increase in population made the issue of poverty worse, there was also falling wages and bad harvests.
There was also a different view between the deserving and the underserving poor- the latter were viewed as simply idle. The deserving poor were people such as widows and those that were tarnished by the Reformation.
The local provision that was offered to the poor in places such as Ipswich were more effective than the legislation.
what is the significance of stabilizing the currency?
the government was more successful in restoring confidence in the currency, there was the scheme for the removal of the debasement of coinage and replacing this with minted coins, some still struggled but the government was no longer blamed.
what is the impact of religious developments?
The issues that Elizabeth faced, religiously stemmed from the fact that Elizabeth was unwilling to be staunchly protestant as some would expect her to be. Some of Elizabeth’s most fervent supporters had protestant zeal which was at odds with what Elizabeth believed.
Most of the new bishops were returning exiles and their appointment represented how Elizabeth wanted to change the structure of the church.
the Erastian nature of the church was valued, Elizabeth also had her own qualms such as clerical marriage.
how was the religious settlement viewed?
it was believed that the church represented spiritual renewal, this was upheld by people such as Cecil.
- in 1562 there was the publication of an apology of the church of England, this was the belief that the church was returning to its true position.
- the publication of the 1563 39 articles, this sought to define the difference between the church of england and the catholic church. Though, the church of england was becoming Calvinist it was seen to be only half reformed in its structures, with measures such as the episcopal system being upheld.
was there a mid-tudor crisis?
There is the reading that the mid-tudor years were unproductive , there is also a sense that these years are nothing in comparison to the long and dutifil years that Henry 8th enjoyed.
Though, historians such as Eamonn Duffy have noted the importance of Mary’s reign
