Poverty Flashcards
What types of people were poor
Widows-women paid very little
The sick or elderly-incapable of work
Orphan children-40% of poor under 16
How did population growth increase poverty in England
Population in England grew from 3 mill in 1551 to 4.2 mill in 1602 due to increased birth rate and decreased death rate
Increases demand for food so food prices rose. Ordinary people coild no longer provide for families
1563-Statute of Artificers-set max daily wage for skilled workers like butchers. Made things even more difficult for workers-prevented wages from rising to match price increases
Population growth increase poverty (2)
Population growth increased demand for land. Drove up rents and resulted in entry fees. Many people couldn’t afford to pay these
Population increase in England (3)
Led to growth in towns such as London and Norwich- drove up cost of rents while food prices rose as food had to be brought in from rural areas to be sold
How did developments in agriculture leave many people unemployed
Traditional farming methods involved many farmers renting strips of land in large open fields. Substience level farming. Each farmer only grew enough crops to supply himself and his family- very inefficient however and in 16th century landowners began changing their farming techniques to try and make more money from land
How did developments in agriculture leave many people unemployed (2)
Instead of sharing open fields among many farmers they enclosed these fields to create a few large farms
These enclosed farms required fewer workers-farmers who rented land evicte
Leaving them unemployed and homeless
How did developments in agriculture leave peoplle unemployed (3)
Exploiting wool to Europe was more profitable than selling grain so many landowners stopped growing grain and began tearing sheep
Fall in grain production contributed to rising food prices
Country was more likely to suffer food shortages when there was a bad harvest
How did religious changes not support the poor
Between 1536 and 1541 Henry VIII had closed down english monasteries and sold off most of the land
The monasteries had performed important social functions including providing support for poor, ill and disabled people like providing food and shelter
The dissolution of the monasteries removed a value source of assistance for people in times of need. Now those struggling had no support and many had to wander in search of work
Why did attitudes change about the poor
Fear that poverty was a serious threat to law and order. As poverty levels increase crime rates increased so potential cause for rebellion
Population changes and enclosure meant that the poor were an increasingly visible presence in Elizabethan England
What catagories were the poor split into
The deserving poor- people who were unable to support themselves including young orphans, elderly, sick or disabled
The idle poor- those who could work but refused to do so. Beggars criminals and vagabonds
Why were vagrants or vagabonds treated harshly
Felt that the poor should be given every opportunity to better themselves.those who refused to do so we’re to be punish
Elizabethans remained suspicious of the poor and demonised them as counterfeits and criminals
Vagabonds and vagrants who deceived or threatened the public were dealt with severely-could be whipped,imprisoned or even hanged if caught begging
What we’re the progressive policies towards the poor in Elizabethan times
Statute of artificiers-1563-those refusing to pay the poor rates could be put in prison. Officials who failed to organise poor relief could pay a penalty of £20
Poor relief act 1576-JPs required to provide the poor with wool and raw materials to enable them to make and sell things. Poor who refused sent to special prison know as the house of correction
What we’re the repressive polices towards the poor in Elizabethan times
Vagabonds act-1572-vagrants we’re whipped and a hole drilled through each ear as a mark of shame to warn others of their vagrancy
Imprisoned if arrested again for vagranc
Given death penalty for third offence
Act introduced a national poor rate to provide support including money and work for the impotent poor
