T3: Structure of Society - the growth of poverty

Question 1

what does the ‘structure of society’ refer to?

Answer 1

hierarchy of people in society based on wealth, status, occupation and gender

Question 2

what does ‘change’ to the structure society refer to?

Answer 2

change in social mobility

Question 3

what was the structure of society like in 1625?

Answer 3

rigid hierarchy - difficult to move between different levels

Question 4

what fraction of the urban population lived below the poverty line?

Answer 4

2/3

Question 5

what 3 factors led to an increase in poverty in the early Stuart period?

Answer 5

• population growth
• falling wages
• inflation

Question 6

what are the settled poor?

Answer 6

poor who were established in one parish and did not move around to beg or find work

Question 7

what fraction of the overall population did the settled poor make up?

Answer 7

1/4

Question 8

by how much did price inflation outstrip wage rises in the first half of the 17th century?

Answer 8

2 to 1 (inflation = 4%, wage increase = 2%)

Question 9

when did inflation outstrip wage increases 2-1

Answer 9

first half of 17th cent

Question 10

in any decade of the 17th century, what proportion of a village would leave to find work?

Answer 10

1/3 of the population of each village

Question 11

what was a good job option for the poor?

Answer 11

servants

Question 12

what proportion of the poor took up jobs as servants in rural villages?

Answer 12

2/5

Question 13

what proportion of the poor took up jobs as servants in urban towns?

Answer 13

1/2

Question 14

how did Samuel Pepys treat his servants?

Answer 14

not well- beat them and shut them in the cellar if they upset him

Question 15

how many people migrated to America to escape poverty? was this typical?

Answer 15

200,000- last resort

Question 16

what was free labour as an indentured servant often in exchange for?

Answer 16

free passage to a new country

Question 17

how long would an indentured servant work for?

Answer 17

usually 7-14 years

Question 18

when was the Elizabethan Poor Law introduced?

Answer 18

1601

Question 19

what did the Elizabethan Poor Law introduce?

Answer 19

• defined ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor
• set up position of overseer to collect and distribute relief

Question 20

what was the result of the Elizabethan Poor Law?

Answer 20

led to a reduction in poverty and vagrants, and increased the efficiency of poor relief

Question 21

how widespread was the Elizabethan Poor Law?

Answer 21

widespread- nationwide

Question 22

how long-lasting was the Elizabethan Poor Law?

Answer 22

lasted through 17th century - shows stability of system

Question 23

what were the restrictions of the Elizabethan Poor Law?

Answer 23

• could only beg in home parish
• could only beg for food
• didn’t help the able-bodied poor who suffered from lack of jobs and inflation

Question 24

how is the success of 17th century poor laws defined?

Answer 24

• reduction in poverty
• improved conditions for poor
• effective administration
• order kept (no riots or rebellions)
• reduction in number/ threat of vagrants

Question 25

how successful was the Elizabethan Poor Law?

Answer 25

largely successful - provided aid for most vulnerable in society - set up efficient and fair system - national - widespread - but did not help ALL poor

Question 26

when did the Elizabethan Poor Law last until?

Answer 26

1662

Question 27

what Act was introduced in 1662?

Answer 27

The Settlement Act

Question 28

what did the Settlement Act introduce?

Answer 28

'settlement certificates' - proved residence in a parish and meant the poor were entitled to poor relief from that parish

Question 29

how could a 'settlement certificate' be obtained under the Settlement Act? what was the significance of this?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what was the significance of the Settlement Act?

Answer 30

created legal infrastructure for poor relief and standardised the system, making it fairer - success

Question 31

why was the Settlement Act introduced? what is the significance of this?

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

overall, how successful was the Settlement Act?

Answer 32

- successful for authorities and wealthy - reduced vagrancy and gave them greater power - less successful for improving the lives of the poor

Question 33

in what way did the Settlement Act suit landowners?

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

what was the definition of poor under the Settlement Act?

Answer 34

rented property worth less that £10

Question 35

Who introduced the Policy of Thorough?

Answer 35

Charles I

Question 36

when was the Policy of Thorough introduced?

Answer 36

1631

Question 37

what was CI's aim for poor relief?

Answer 37

to increase efficiency. motivated by CI's fear of rioting, rather than sympathy

Question 38

how was CI's Policy of Thorough enacted?

Answer 38

Book of Orders issued to all JPs in 1631 - included provisions for relief of the poor and treatment of vagrants

Question 39

in what ways was the Policy of Thorough successful?

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

in what ways was the policy of Thorough not successful?

Answer 40

- poor relief alone not enough - church + members of gentry had to plug the gap - contained no new principles - same as Elizabethan Poor Laws

Question 41

did poor relief continue in the Civil War?

Answer 41

yes, under original Elizabethan principals (policy of Thorough = redundant)

Question 42

example of church/ gentry plugging gap in poor relief?

Answer 42

Sir Hugh Cholmondeley in Yorkshire gave gifts of food x2 a week to the poor from the gates of his manor in the 1630s

Question 43

when did Sir Hugh Cholmondeley give food out from his manor?

Answer 43

1630s

Question 44

how often did Sir Hugh Cholmondeley give food out from his manor?

Answer 44

twice a week

Question 45

overall, how successful was CI's policy of Thorough at dealing with the poor?

Answer 45

partially successful - continues work of Elizabethan Poor Laws - oversees huge growth in poor relief - still not enough to deal with all the poor

Question 46

order of success of legislation on the poor in the 17th cent?

Answer 46

most successful Elizabethan Poor Laws Policy of Thorough Settlement Act least successful