T3: Structure of Society - the growth of poverty Flashcards
what does the ‘structure of society’ refer to?
hierarchy of people in society based on wealth, status, occupation and gender
what does ‘change’ to the structure society refer to?
change in social mobility
what was the structure of society like in 1625?
rigid hierarchy - difficult to move between different levels
what fraction of the urban population lived below the poverty line?
2/3
what 3 factors led to an increase in poverty in the early Stuart period?
- population growth
- falling wages
- inflation
what are the settled poor?
poor who were established in one parish and did not move around to beg or find work
what fraction of the overall population did the settled poor make up?
1/4
by how much did price inflation outstrip wage rises in the first half of the 17th century?
2 to 1 (inflation = 4%, wage increase = 2%)
when did inflation outstrip wage increases 2-1
first half of 17th cent
in any decade of the 17th century, what proportion of a village would leave to find work?
1/3 of the population of each village
what was a good job option for the poor?
servants
what proportion of the poor took up jobs as servants in rural villages?
2/5
what proportion of the poor took up jobs as servants in urban towns?
1/2
how did Samuel Pepys treat his servants?
not well- beat them and shut them in the cellar if they upset him
how many people migrated to America to escape poverty? was this typical?
200,000- last resort
what was free labour as an indentured servant often in exchange for?
free passage to a new country
how long would an indentured servant work for?
usually 7-14 years
when was the Elizabethan Poor Law introduced?
1601
what did the Elizabethan Poor Law introduce?
- defined ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor
- set up position of overseer to collect and distribute relief
what was the result of the Elizabethan Poor Law?
led to a reduction in poverty and vagrants, and increased the efficiency of poor relief
how widespread was the Elizabethan Poor Law?
widespread- nationwide
how long-lasting was the Elizabethan Poor Law?
lasted through 17th century - shows stability of system
what were the restrictions of the Elizabethan Poor Law?
- could only bed in home parish
- could only beg for food
- didn’t help the able-bodies poor who suffered from lack of jobs and inflation
how is the success of 17th century poor laws defined?
- reduction in poverty
- improved conditions for poor
- effective administration
- order kept (no riots or rebellions)
- reduction in number/ threat of vagrants
how successful was the Elizabethan Poor Law?
largely successful
- provided aid for most vulnerable in society
- set up efficient and fair system
- national - widespread
- but did not help ALL poor
when did the Elizabethan Poor Law last until?
1662
what Act was introduced in 1662?
The Settlement Act
what did the Settlement Act introduce?
‘settlement certificates’ - proved residence in a parish and meant the poor were entitled to poor relief from that parish
how could a ‘settlement certificate’ be obtained under the Settlement Act? what was the significance of this?
had to be a resident in the parish for 40 days with no complaints. sent back to original parish if complained about.
significance - reduced the threat of vagrants- success.
limited migration of the poor - couldn’t find work - didn’t help to reduce poverty- not a success
what was the significance of the Settlement Act?
created legal infrastructure for poor relief and standardised the system, making it fairer - success
why was the Settlement Act introduced? what is the significance of this?
introduced because of complaints from wealthier parishes about vagrants claiming their poor relief.
shows that the act wasn’t necessarily introduced to help the poor, rather to benefit the wealthy. more of a success for wealthy than the poor.
overall, how successful was the Settlement Act?
- successful for authorities and wealthy - reduced vagrancy and gave them greater power
- less successful for improving the lives of the poor
in what way did the Settlement Act suit landowners?
could hire farm hands from other parishes for less than 40 days then fire. would not have to then pay taxes for their poor relief.
what was the definition of poor under the Settlement Act?
rented property worth less that £10
Who introduced the Policy of Thorough?
Charles I
when was the Policy of Thorough introduced?
1631
what was CI’s aim for poor relief?
to increase efficiency. motivated by CI’s fear of rioting, rather than sympathy
how was CI’s Policy of Thorough enacted?
Book of Orders issued to all JPs in 1631 - included provisions for relief of the poor and treatment of vagrants
in what ways was the Policy of Thorough successful?
evidence of increasingly widespread and efficient collection + distribution of poor relief: state relief increased from £30,000 in 1614 to £188,000 in 1650 (x6)
shows is widespread and reaching more people so reducing poverty. effective administration.
in what ways was the policy of Thorough not successful?
- poor relief alone not enough - church + members of gentry had to plug the gap
- contained no new principles - same as Elizabethan Poor Laws
did poor relief continue in the Civil War?
yes, under original Elizabethan principals (policy of Thorough = redundant)
example of church/ gentry plugging gap in poor relief?
Sir Hugh Cholmondeley in Yorkshire gave gifts of food x2 a week to the poor from the gates of his manor in the 1630s
when did Sir Hugh Cholmondeley give food out from his manor?
1630s
how often did Sir Hugh Cholmondeley give food out from his manor?
twice a week
overall, how successful was CI’s policy of Thorough at dealing with the poor?
partially successful
- continues work of Elizabethan Poor Laws
- oversees huge growth in poor relief
- still not enough to deal with all the poor
order of success of legislation on the poor int he 17th cent?
most successful
Elizabethan Poor Laws
Policy of Thorough
Settlement Act
least successful
