poverty in the elizabethan era Flashcards
What was the general attitude towards the poor before elizabeth?
wealthy expected to help those below them, like god and his subjects, if someone was physically able to help themselves, then they were seen as undeserving.
What was the attitude towards the poor in elizabeth’s reign?
People began to recognise that some wanted to work but could not find it, so some wealthier people worked harder to provide more help, eg archbishop whitgift’s almshouses.
what were almshouses?
buildings provided food and accomodation to those in need
How did attitudes towards the “underserving poor” change?
Thomas Harman - a book abt criminals, hardening attitudes towards “underserving poor”, and ppl questioned beggar’s honesty
Give some examples of Harman’s vagabonds
clapper dudgeon- feigned injury
tom o’ bedlam- feigned madness (money sympathy + to leave alone)
baretop trickster- tricked men into buying meals by removing items of clothing. then he would be beaten+robbed
counterfeit crank- feigned fits by biting soap
how did the reformation affect poverty?
monks+nuns looked after poor+sick
now nowhere to go
still the case by E’s time
how did londons population increase?
60-20 thousand
what did ipswych do relating the the treatment of the poor?
beggar license system
more poor support
one of 1st towns w/ hospital 4 old + sick
correction house
youth training scheme: learn trade + escape poverty
what did norwich do relating the the treatment of the poor?
conducted a survey and found that 80% of people lived in povety
gave the idle poor work like knitting or sewing and the unfortunate poor food,care+support
this system was effective in limiting the numbers of people who received support, as they had to officially identified.
taxed to pay for this
what did york do relating to
the treatment of the poor?
issued beggar licenses. needed a badge
master beggar appointed in 1528 to check on others
those who refused work were sent to house of correction/their parish
what was a house of correction?
prison for those who refused work
what was bridewell palace?
london shelter for homeless
what was bedlam?
hospital for mentally ill. harsh conditions
What were the punishments for begging before elizabeths reign?
Often stocks, whipping, fines and then being returned to parish of origin.
what is a pauper?
person living off begging/charity from church
