Poverty Flashcards
When was the poor rates act created
1563
What did poor rates aim to do
To support the deserving poor
What was the features of the poor rates
justice of the peace would collect the poor rates to give to deserving poor
When was the statue of artificers created
1563
What was the aim of statue of artificers
Ensured poor relief was created
What would happen to someone refusing to pay poor relief (statue of artificers)
Imprisoned, officials failing to organise relief could be fined £20
Was the statue of artificers a change or a continuity and why
Continuity because no support provided to the unemployment
When was the vagabonds act created
1572
What was the aim of the vagabonds act
To deter vagrancy
What were the punishment of vagrancy
First arrest: whipped and holes drilled in each ear
Second arrest: prison
Third arrest: death penalty
Who was to keep records to national poor rates, what were town responsible for
Justice of peace, find work for abled bodied
Was the vagabonds act a change or a continuity
Change= recognition to the unemployment rather than laziness Continuity= strict punishment for vagrancy
What year was the poor relife act
1576
What did the Poor relief act do
Justices of peace provided able-bodied poor with wool and raw materials which enabled them to work/sell
In poor relief act what would happen to people who refused to help
They would be sent to prison Called the houses of correction (paid for by poor rates)
Was the poor relief act a change or a continuity and why
Change= they recognised the impact of unemployment causing poverty. Continuity= Strict laws remained for vagrants.
What did the poor relief act aim for
Aimed to distinguish between able bodied and impotent poor and to help find work
What were the 2 typed of poor
Idle poor and deserving poor
6 reasons why elizabethans where worried about poverty
- fear
- spread of disease
- challenge to existing hierarchy
- increase in ‘idel’ poor
- existing support failing
- crime
Fear - 2 pieces-of evidence (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Some may feel sorry for beggars and believe that rich people are being too greedy and cruel
Others may be frightened as they could be robbed ( gave poor a bad name)
Danger of rebellion - 3 ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Always worried about rebellion as there was no permanent army
Powerful people might try to win the support of poor and rebels against Elizabeth
Rising number of poor people increased threat of rebellion

Crime - 2ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Beggars turned to crime (robbed + broke into houses)
Jsp responsible for enforcing law + thought beggars were a serious problem
Existing support failing- 2ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Rich and powerful not only expected to control power class, duty to help poor locals
Many Landowners gave gifts money food support however couldn’t cope with number of poor people
Increase in idle poor - 2ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Puritans felt strongly about hard work, (idleness was a sin)
Anyone who refused to work should be severely punished (puritans view)
Challenge to existing hierarchy + 3ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
Everyone expected to obey social supervisors (protects wealthy) 10s of thousands of poor people may rebel and overthrow ruling class Beggars threatened social class
Spread of disease- 2ev (why Elizabeth was worried about poverty)
In the 16th century there was many outbreaks of plague another infectious diseases
Many died at an early age and blamed on wondering groups of vagabond spreading disease
5 reasons poverty increased
- inflammation and rising prices
- closure of monasteries
- changes in farming
- harvest
- poverty growth and urbanisation
When did henry close the monasteries
1530s
What did monasteries provide for homeless and unemployment
Food and shelter
What did the closure of monasteries lead to
Less help for poor, many left to wander roads and go to towns in search of work
How did closure of monasteries increase poverty
Increased poverty because there was less help for poor and had to but own food they could barely afford
Why was money worth less in the Elizabethan period
Because henry debased the coin system by taking half the gold and sliver out of the coins. He made nearly half a million pounds.
Food prices across Europe were increasing, what did this cause
People of lower income struggles to afford basic food as prices are rising yet there wages arnt
How did inflammation amd rising prices increase poverty
Food prices were higher wich resulted in less money to spend on other things
What year was there a bad harvest
1570s
What did the bad harvest of the 1570s cause
Food shortages, food prices went back up, poor struggled the most as the struggled to afford higher food prices
What century did population begin to increase
16th
Where did population grow the most
The country side
What did population growth lead to / impacted
More jobs needed
Impacted jobs as there were less jobs in the farming (sheep farming switch) and cloth industry, and more people so more people couldnt earn money (impacted on food as it was very hard to reach this damand)
How did population growth increase poverty
Less Jobs = less money = poverty
What did they enclose land using
Hedges
What is rack renting and what did it cause
Some landlords also increase the rent on their land they rented out to farmers
many couldn’t afford to pay higher rents then move to Towns in search of work
After the monasteries closed what was there rise in why (farming)
Sheep farming as it was cheaper
Why was sheep farming cheaper than crops
Didn’t require as many workers
What did the switch to sheep farming lead to
The land became fertile and grassy and many people lost jobs as the lack of work is needed tend sheep 
How did changes in farming increase poverty
As the landlord increase rent which mainly couldn’t afford led to less money to spend on food increasing poverty
