Economic change + Social impact under Mary

Question 1

Explain the key economic + social problems that span Marys Reign (1554-1558)

Answer 1

Marys reign had mixed economic record as many converging trends continued to produce inflation;

• The continued pressure on demand brought about by rapid increases in population was a key long-term factor in inflation
• The inflammatory impact of debasement of the coinage
• Harvest failure in 1555 + 1556 brought serve food shortages + a strain on real wages or the poor
• Devastating impact of influenza + sweating sickness swept across England in 1557 + 1558 and death toll was worst of the century.

Question 2

Explain the improvements in the Financial Administration sector during Marys reign

Answer 2

Improvements to Revenue Administration;
- Duke of Northumberland sought to improve administration of crown finances by setting up a Commission to investigate shortcomings of the system + then recommend reforms but Edwards premature death prevented any being implemented. However some changes were implemented in 1554;

• The court of the Exchequer took over both the Court of the First Fruit and Tenths + the Court of Augmentations
• Though the level of royal ineptness rose during the reign it didn’t do so dramatically(England+France at war) but regardless its financial record was satisfactory for a government at war.
• The long-term security of crown finances was boosted by the plans which were drawn up in 1556 + 1558 but implemented under Elizabeth

Question 3

Explain the failure’s of Marys Financial Administration

Answer 3

• Inflammatory pressures that had been caused by the proliferation of debased coins in circulation.
• Mary made a large mistake by remitting the final part of Edwards last subsidy - which bought her some cheap popularity but at a financial cost

However it was the thoroughness of Mary which enabled Elizabeth’s implementation + nevertheless it wads Elizabeth who reaped the benefited from the introduction of the New Book of Rates in 1558 which raised customs revenue dramatically.

Question 4

Did Mary help the poor during her reign?

Answer 4

Marys government became more active in areas of poor relief. This was in response to the extent of problems England was facing between 1556-8 which were dreadful years with very high mortality rates from Influenza + failed harvests. However it was also due to the high taxation in order to finance the war against France.