Poor Culture Flashcards
Who were the gentry?
People who had no title but had status and power based on their wealth
How did the rise of the gentry effect England
More manor houses were developed and fashions began to change
How many theatres were there in England in 1559
0
What law was passed against actors in 1572 and why
That actors were to be punished as vagabonds as they were immoral people who caused trouble wherever they went
In what year was the first Theatre opened
1576
Name three theatres
The Rose, The Swan and The Globe
How were Elizabethan theatres designed
There was an uncovered circular pit with surrounding covered galleries
Name one famous playwrights
William Shakespeare
Name a famous actor
Richard Burbage
Why did the rich like the theatre?
It was a chance to have an exciting night out – often theatres were built in areas with a bad reputation
They could be entertained but could do so while being separated from the poor
Why did the poor like the theatre
Because it was cheap and they were often built in poor areas so it was close to where they live.
Who disliked the Theatre and why
Puritans – they thought it encourage immoral behaviour
Why did Elizabeth and her government support the theatre after initially disliking it?
London had a population of 200,000 1600 – entertainment kept them occupied and less likely to rebel
A plays content could be policed so that present the Queen and her government in a positive way
Which Play presented the Tudors (including Elizabeth) in a positive way?
Richard III
What was the Great Chain of Being
The idea that everything and everyone had a correct place in the world and that if this was challenged it would lead to chaos
What were 2 causes of Poverty
The population rose by 43% between 1550 and 1600. Things like food and jobs became more difficult to get causing poverty.
Prices went up but wages stayed the same meaning people had less money
Why did poverty become worse in the 1590s?
Because there were poor harvest 1593-97 meaning there was less food and increasing prices.
Why did poverty become a more serious issue in Elizabethan England?
The monasteries had been closed by Henry VIII and this is where most of the poor were looked after meaning there was no one to look after them and nowhere to go.
Which group of poor people were seen to deserve help
The impotent poor - those unable to provide for themselves because they were too young, too old or too ill.
Which group of poor people were seen to be NOT deserving of help
The idle poor- vagabonds, those who were fit to work but chose not to and committed crimes.
How did local government deal with the poor?
In Norwich Alms (money for the poor) was collected and work was provided them in the workhouse (a house where people worked0
What was the Elizabethan Poor law
The governments solution to the problem of poverty
When was the Poor Law passed
1597
How did the Elizabethan Poor Law work
A “poor rate was collected (a tax) and this paid for the workhouse and relief payments for the deserving poor”
