★ Somerset's Domestic Policy Flashcards
1
Q
What were the Economic and Social problems present in Edward’s reign?
A
★ Inflation
★ Agrarian issues - enclosures and harvest failures
★ Taxation
2
Q
What are enclosures?
A
★ The fencing off of arable land to provide pastures for sheep
★ Was often done as wool was more profitable than crops due to the rising demand for woolen cloth
★ Meant less work for farm labourers
3
Q
What did Somerset do about enclosures?
A
★ Set up a commission to investigate enclosing
★ Put a tax on sheep
★ Created huge pressures for farmers in upland areas who relied on sheep
4
Q
How high was Inflation?
A
★ 200%
5
Q
What was the Vagrancy Act?
A
★ Any able-bodied person out of work for 3 days would be branded with a V and sold into slavery
★ Any children would be taken away and given as apprentices
