Social Problems after 1588

Question 1

1)Poverty

Answer 1

June 1592-3 - plagues in London – 15000

1594 -1598- A run of bad harvests (mentioned in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream).

More vagabonds about. 555 were punished in London in 1600 compared to 209 in 1578

1593 -The Goose Fair is cancelled in 1593 due to food riots.

1595.- Several are executed for a riot outside the Tower of London

1596- food prices were double what they usually were.

1596- the government abandoned attempts to collect ship money.

1598 – 2nd poor relief act – jps msut help

1590s – Puritan help – Henry tooly sets up alms houses in Ipswich, Leicester sets up hospitals in Warwick, whitgift sets up alms houses

19th December 1601 poor laws- Poor tax for deserving , illegal to beg with no liscence, sent to corrections

1602- the army mutinied in Gloucester over having to pay for uniforms.

Question 2

2) Risings

Answer 2

November 21st 1596 – oxforshire rsing

Met on Enslow hill 21st November

Leaders are artisans , masons and carpenters in early 20s – Led by Carpenter Bartholomew steer

Directed at lord lieutenant lord Norris’ failure to remove land enclosures

Plan to take down land enclosures and march to London

General Sir Edward Coke advised that the ringleaders were liable for charges of treason, “making war against the Queen”, under 1571 treason act

5 leaders bought to London 20 others questioned

Burton, Bradshaw and 3 others executed, while steer others died in prison

Parliment pass Tillage act 1597 to remove enclosures since 1588

Question 3

3) Funding war

Answer 3

1588 - Takes 54000 from city of london at 10% per annun/74000 from wealthy subjects

1593 - Spent 7 million, need 300000 more
1600- sell 200000 crown lands

-Raleigh opposes taxation of poor, Bacon opposes gentry have to sell pots and pans

Question 4

Tillage act

Answer 4

November 27, 1597.

Question 5

Famine

Answer 5

1596 was not only the third bad harvest in a row – it was the worst harvest for 40 years, and the 2nd worst of the entire 16th century.

The index of food prices (with 1500 = 100) rose from 389 to 530 in this decade – meaning prices rose by 36%.

Only 4 men answered the call to rally at Enslow Hill and the group disbanded after 2 hours