Henry VII - Economy Flashcards
What was the population of England at the beginning of the 15th century?
Around 2.2 million
Where did the majority of people live?
Countryside - 90%
How many towns were there and was was the population?
Only 20 towns
As many as 3000 people
What were the populations of some larger cities?
Norwich - 10,000
Bristol, York, Coventry - 8-10,000
London - 50,000
What were the main urban industries?
Wool and cloth
Also mining, metal working, leather work, shipbuilding, paper making
What changes occurred to the agrarian economy?
Arable farming declined as smaller population from Black Death
Sheep farming increased 1480-90s because increased demand to wool
Population growth and overseas trade developed
What farming was most common in the south east and East Midlands?
Open-field husbandry
What farming was most common in woodlands?
Pastoral farming
What farming was most common in south and east (lowland zone)?
Mixed farming
What change occurred in the south east and midlands and what did this lead to?
Sheep farming more profitable
Peasants lost access to land and common rights, often left destitute
How much of English exports was cloth trade?
90%
How much did cloth trade increase during the reign?
60%
What did earlier trade focus on?
Raw wool through Calais by Merchants of the Staple
What did later trade focus on?
Finished cloth
Development of weaving, dyeing
Agrarian income could be supplemented by domestic industry
What did smaller market towns become?
New manufacturing centres
