Elizabeth I & the Poor

Question 1

What is the Elizabethan era usually associated with? (2)

Answer 1

Wealth & Luxury

Question 2

What was life actually like in Elizabethan England & why? (3)

Answer 2

Life for ordinary people was often hard and the number of poor people increased during Elizabeth’s reign.

Unlike now, there was no welfare system or support for anyone who fell on hard times.

Poverty was mostly considered to be your own fault in Elizabethan times.

Question 3

Why was there an increase in poverty during Elizabethan times? (6)

Answer 3

Rising population
Inflation
Cloth trade collapse
Wars
Bad harvests (1590s)
Changes in farming (enclosure).

Question 4

Why did attitudes change towards the Poor towards the end of Elizabeth’s reign? (3)

Answer 4

There were fears that the ‘social order’ might be threatened if the growing number of poor people ganged together and started a rebellion.

The risk that vagrants and beggars might turn to crime.

Fears that the poor might spread disease.

Question 5

When was the Vagabonds Act passed ?

Answer 5

1572.

Question 6

What was the Vagabonds Act?

Answer 6

It introduced severe action against vagrants who could now be whipped, bored through the ear and put to death if they were repeatedly caught begging.

Question 7

What were Almshouses?

Answer 7

Buildings were established to look after the “impotent” poor.

Question 8

What were “impotent” poor people? (2)

Answer 8

People unable to work due to age, disability or other infirmity.

Limited relief was provided by the community in which they lived.

Question 9

When were the Poor Laws passed?

Answer 9

1601

Question 10

What were the Poor Laws? (4)

Answer 10

They brought in a compulsory nationwide Poor Rate system.

Everyone had to contribute and those who refused would go to jail.

Begging was banned and anyone caught was whipped and sent back to their place of birth.

Almshouses were established to look after the impotent poor.