Life in Elizabethan England Flashcards
The poor and attitudes to poverty
How was poverty viewed in Elizabethan era?
Poverty was considered to be the individual’s own fault
based on the belief in a divinely appointed social position
The poor and attitudes to poverty
How was the idea of a fixed place in society reinforced?
was taught every week at church
The poor and attitudes to poverty
What was the order of social hierarchy?
- God
- Angles
- kings and queens
- nobles
- peasants
- animals
- plants
- non-living things
Increase in poverty
What were the reasons for increase in poverty?
- Rising population
- Inflation
- Cloth trade collapse
- Wars
- Bad harvests
- Changes in farming
Increase in poverty
How did rising population cause more poverty?
More people meant higher demand for goods, so prices went up
Increase in poverty
How did inflation cause poverty?
Prices went up, but wages fell because more people were around to do work
Increase in poverty
How did the cloth trade collapse increase poverty?
Woollen cloth was England’s main export
Demand for woollen cloth fell, causing unemployment
Increase in poverty
How did wars increase poverty?
Taxes were increased to compensate for the price of waging war
Increase in poverty
How did bad harvests increase poverty?
Harvest were particularly bad in the 1590s
leading to even higher demand and more rising prices
Increase in poverty
How did Changes in farming increase poverty?
Landlords enclosed fields for sheep farming, reducing crop production - causing high unemployment
The Poor Laws
Why did government decide to take action in poverty?
- fears that the ‘social order’ might be threatened if the growing number of poor people ganged together and started a rebellion
- the risk that vagabonds and beggars might turn to crime
- fears that the poor might spread disease
- landowners giving more to the poor
A wandering beggar who often turned to crime
The poor laws
What actions were taken on a local level?
Unpaid local officials were responsible for poverty-related issues in their parish
* allowed to collect taxes to support the poor and unemployed
People in need were divided into two groups
1. Impotent poor
1. Able-bodied poor
The poor laws
What were impotent poor?
Impotent poor - people unable to work due to age, disability, or other infirmity
* recieved limited relief from their local community
The poor laws
What were able-bodied poor?
Able-bodied poor – people physically capable of working
* were forced to work to stop them becoming vagrants, beggars, or vagabonds
* The 1572 Vagabonds Act introduced harsh punishments for repeat offenders:
1. Whipping
1. Having their ear bored through
1. Execution for repeated begging
The poor laws
What was the significance of the 1601 Poor Law?
legalised earlier poor relief laws at a national level and became a key piece of legislation
The poor laws
What were the 4 features of the 1601 poor law?
- nationwide poor rate
- contribute or jail
- begging banned
- almshouses
The poor laws
What system did the 1601 Poor Law introduce across the country?
compulsory nationwide Poor Rate system
* people who refused to pay could be jailed
The poor laws
What was the punishment for begging under the 1601 Poor Law?
Whipped and sent back to their place of birth
The poor laws
Who were almshouses for?
impotent poor
to care for them
Rich and Poor
What was life like for the rich?
- Lived in large country houses or manor houses with many servants
- Wore expensive clothes made from silk, etc.
- Had access to private tutors or grammar schools
- Leisure activities included hunting, fencing, dancing, music, and attending theatre
- Ate lavish meals with a wide range of meats, fish, and imported goods
- Held positions of power
Rich and poor
What was life like for the poor?
- Lived in small, basic houses often with no glass windows or chimneys
- Worked as labourers, servants, apprentices, or in low-skilled jobs
- Little to no education – most were illiterate
- Ate a simple diet – bread, pottage - rarely meat
- Unemployment and poverty were widespread
- Divided into Impotent poor and Able-Bodied Poor
Entertainment
Why was popular entertainment important in Elizabethan England?
provided relief from hardship, brought communities together, and reinforced the social structure
Entertainment
What were popular types of cruel sports?
Bear-baiting - a bear chained and attacked by dogs
Cock-fighting - two roosters with metal spurs fought to the death
* enjoyed by all social classes
Entertainment
How did Queen Elizabeth I view cruel sports?
She enjoyed them - bear-baiting was even performed for her at court
