Part 2 - Life in the Elizabethan Times Flashcards
Reasons for poverty in Elizabethan England?
- Actions of previous monarchs.
- Changes in agriculture
- Flu outbreak
- Population increases
How did the actions of previous monarchs lead to poverty?
- Henry VII limited the right of nobles to have armies, this left many soldiers unemployed.
- The Reformation meant many clergy members were unemployed.
- The Reformation left the sick and poor helpless.
-Economic problems led to the collapse of the cloth trade.
How did changes in agriculture lead to poverty?
- Bad harvests between 1594 and 1598 led to food shortages and starvation.
- A new farming technique known as enclosure meant less workers were needed.
How did the flu outbreak lead to poverty?
The flu outbreak killed 200,000 people including farm workers.
How did the population increase lead to poverty?
- The population increased from 2.8 million to 4 million.
- This meant there were few places to live and lead to rack renting.
What were the two categories of the poor?
- Deserving poor
- Undeserving poor
Attitudes to the deserving poor?
- Many believed it was their duty to help those below them in society.
- They recognised that many paupers couldn’t help their situation.
- Charities for the poor grew and almhouses were established.
Attitudes to the undeserving poor?
- Some paupers were seen as underserving: untrustworthy beggars who had no interest in honest work.
Methods used by vagabonds?
- The Counterfeit Crank bit soap so he frothed at the mouth and gained sympathy and money from people.
- The Baretop Trickster would remove clothing to make men follow them then their accomplices would beat the man.
Attempts to deal with poverty before Elizabeth?
- From 1495 beggars were put in the stocks.
- From 1531 beggars were publicly whipped, those caught a 2nd time would have a hole burnt in their ear, a 3rd offence would mean they were hanged.
What happened in 1576?
The ‘Act for setting the poor on work’ was passed and place the responsibility of the poor on local authorities.
How did York deal with the poor?
- In 1515 the city issued beggar licences.
- From1528 a master beggar was appointed to keep order
- If beggars refused to work they were sent to the House of Correction.
How did Ipswich deal with the poor?
- in 1569 a licensing system was introduced.
- A hospital was opened to help the old and sick.
- A youth training scheme was introduced to help children learn a trade to escape poverty in the future.
How did Norwich deal with the poor?
- In 1570 poor were separated into ‘idle poor’ and ‘unfortunate poor’
- The ‘idle poor’ were given work, the ‘unfortunate poor’ were given food and care.
- Rich citizens were taxed to pay for the care of the vulnerable.
What happened in 1601?
The 1st ever national Poor Law was introduced.
What happened under the Poor Law?
- The poor were divided into 3 categories: the helpless poor (sick and old), the able-bodied poor (fit to work), the idle poor (won’t work).
- The wealthy were taxed to help the vulnerable.
- Fit paupers given work.
- Idle poor sent to the House of Correction.
How effective was the 1601 Poor Law?
It did make a difference to some paupers and begging seemed to decrease.
HOWEVER
Some argue the law was unsuccessful because people were being sent from one area to another without receiving help.
Who was Sir Francis Drake?
Drake was a Puritan English sailor and pirate, from 1577-1580 he completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.
What did Drake achieve on his circumnavigation?
He mapped all of the South Americas, he raided Spanish ports (Valparaiso, Callao) and ships (Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion), he capture £40000 worth of treasure.
What happened to Drake when he returned home?
He was knighted by Elizabeth on the Golden Hind.
Who was Sir Walter Raleigh?
He was a English sailor who colonised Northern America.
What did Walter Raleigh do?
- In 1584 e was given permission to colonise America for England.
- He stablished several colonies and brought wine and sugar back to England.
Who was John Hawkins?
- He was the cousin of Sir Francis Drake.
- He was a key part of the slave trade.
- He was also a successful privateer.
What did John Hawkins do?
- In 1564 he kidnapped several hundred West Africans and sold them in South American which gained him lots of wealth.
