Economic and Social Change

Question 1

overview

Answer 1

Marys’s reign had a brief economic record. On one hand, various trends continued to produce inflation during the period. On the other hand, the crown made several improvements in financial administration in the long term the country largely benefitted from those

Question 2

key problems facing Mary economically

Answer 2

1. Rapid increase in population increased demand for goods which led to further inflation, this was a long-term factor
2. Harvest failures in 1555 and 1556 brought severe food shortages and a severe strain on wages for the poor. They dropped by 58% for agricultural workers. The 1556 harvest was the worst in the Tudor period
3. Outbreak of plague - sweating sickness - and killed many - one in ten - continued into Elizabeth’s reign
4. High taxes to pay for war with France
5. People in England suffered extreme hardship and illness during the period

Question 3

Royal Financies

Answer 3

1. Mary had given away several crown lands back to the church which made the crown lose money
2. There was a streamlined administration with different courts that were now all under the Exchequer. By 1556 2/3rds of crown income was handled centrally, compared to 1/3rd under Edward - which brought more money to the crown
3. A new book of rates was introduced in May 1558 to improve crown income from customs duties. Custom revenue rose from £29,315 in 1556 to £82,797 in 1558-59. (triple its income) Though it provoked hostility from the merchant community since the new rates coincided with the collapse of the cloth marker
4. Plans were drawn to revalue the currency after the great debasement of the 1540s, which boosted the long-term financial security of the crown
5. A full survey of all crown lands was carried out in 1555. Rents and entry fines were raised in 1557
6. Cost of garrisoning Calais was removed
7. Elizabeth benefitted most from these financial reforms which have been drawn up by N.
8. Royal debt increased from £185,000 to £300,00 because of the French war

Question 4

how successful was Mary’s financial reform

Answer 4

Pursued crown debtors such as Thomas Egerton who owed £7997. The debasement was completely removed, rents were raised because of crown lands, and income increased. Because of the Book of Rates and removing garrisons in Calais. For a government at war, its financial record was satisfactory

Question 5

Poor Relief

Answer 5

Marian’s government became more active in areas relating to poor relief. She passed the 1555 poor law which extended the Act of 1552 and ordered licensed beggars to wear badges. This was to encourage those in the local community to give more alms to the poor. Though, there is very little evidence to suggest that it worked

Question 6

enclosure and farming

Answer 6

Under Mary, the government became more active in this area due to the poor harvests and illness. She encouraged the conversion of pasture to crop farming and emphasized the enforcement of laws against grain hoarders

Question 7

coinage

Answer 7

Mary drew up plans to remove debased coinage from circulation and revalue the coinage. However, this did not properly take effect until after Mary’s death