Elizabeth Chapter 4- The poor Flashcards
Paupers
- Those without work who relied on charity.
- Survived by begging or seeking help from local churches.
- Life was difficult for many without job security.
What were the main causes of rising poverty in Elizabethan England?
-Actions of previous monarchs (e.g., closure of monasteries).
-Changes in agriculture (e.g., enclosure & bad harvests).
-Population increase (from 2.8 million to 4 million).
-1556 flu outbreak killed 200,000, including many farm workers.
How did the actions of previous monarchs contribute to poverty in Elizabethan England?
-Henry VII limited private armies, leaving soldiers unemployed.
-Henry VIII’s Reformation closed monasteries, leaving monks & church employees jobless.
-Economic issues under Henry VIII & Edward VI collapsed the cloth trade, leading to job losses.
How did changes in agriculture contribute to poverty in Elizabethan England?
-Bad harvests (1594-1598) led to food shortages & inflation.
-Enclosure: landlords kept sheep instead of crops, reducing jobs.
-Unemployed farm workers flocked to cities, but jobs were scarce.
How did population increase contribute to poverty in Elizabethan England?
-England’s population grew from 2.8 million to 4 million.
-Shortage of housing led to rack renting as landlords raised rents.
How were the deserving poor viewed in Elizabethan England?
-‘Great Chain of Being’ believed Nobles were better than the poor
-Many thought their duty was to help those below them
-Many recognised paupers couldn’t help their situation.
-Charities grew & almshouses were established.
How did the flu outbreak contribute to poverty in Elizabethan England?
-In 1556, a flu outbreak killed 200,000 people, including many farm workers, worsening poverty.
How were the undeserving poor viewed in Elizabethan England?
-Some paupers: seen as untrustworthy beggars with no interest in honest work.
-Thomas Harman’s Warning Against Vagabonds (1567) portrayed many as tricksters & criminal; viewed as idle or lazy.
What were some examples of vagabonds described by Thomas Harman?
-Counterfeit Crank: Faked illness for sympathy & money
-Baretop Trickster: Lured men to be robbed by accomplices.
-Clapper Dudgeon: Faked injuries for money.
-Tom O’Bedlam: Pretended to be mad for sympathy.
Counterfeit Crank
-bit soap so that he frothed at the mouth
-for sympathy & money
Baretop Trickster women
-tricked men into following them; removing clothing
-men would be beaten & robbed by her accomplices
The Clapper Dudgeon
-would cut himself & tie dirty bandages around wounds
-for sympathy
Tom O’Bedlam
-would pretend to be mad
-might stick a chicken’s head in his ear or bark like a dog
How did earlier laws address poverty before Elizabeth I?
1495: Beggars punished in stocks or sent home.
1531: Beggars whipped; repeat offenders faced severe punishments.
1576: The ‘Act for setting the poor on work’ made local authorities responsible.
What attempts were there to deal with poverty in 1495?
-Beggars punished in stocks
-Or sent back home
What attempts were there to deal with poverty in 1531?
-Beggars whipped
-2nd time caught- hole burned in ear
-3rd offence- hanged
What attempts were there to deal with poverty in 1576?
-‘Act for setting the poor on work’ made local authorities responsible.
How did London respond to poverty in Elizabethan times?
-Bridewell Palace used as a homeless shelter.
-Bedlam Hospital built for the mentally ill.
-Hospitals opened for the sick & orphans, but conditions were poor.
How did York address poverty during the 16th century?
-1515: Beggar licences & badges introduced.
-1528: Master Beggar appointed to control beggars.
-Beggars refusing to work were sent to the House of Correction.
How did Ipswich address poverty in the 16th century?
-1569: Beggar licensing system introduced.
-Opened a hospital for the old & sick.
-Introduced youth training schemes to help children escape poverty.
How did Norwich address poverty after its 1570 survey?
-Separated the poor into ‘idle poor’ & ‘unfortunate poor.’
-‘Idle poor’ given work like knitting or sewing.
-‘Unfortunate poor’ provided with food & care.
-Rich citizens taxed to support the vulnerable.
How much of the population of Norwich lived in poverty in 1570
80%
What did the 1601 Poor Law state?
-Wealthy taxed to care for the sick & vulnerable.
-Fit & healthy paupers given work in exchange for food.
-Idle poor punished & sent to a House of Correction.
How effective was the 1601 Poor Law?
-Helped some but was poorly enforced in many areas.
-Begging decreased, possibly due to fear of the House of Correction.
-Each area was responsible for its own paupers, leading to inefficiencies.
The helpless poor
(sick and old)
-given food & accomodation
The able-bodied poor
(those considered fit)
-had to work in exchange for food
The idle poor
-punished & sent to a House of Correction
