The Restoration: Key Issue 2 Flashcards
Describe the economy and population of England
London’s pop went from 350K to 750K in 50 yrs. England population was 5m. London was the economic centre and Westminster was the focus of political power.
Most worked in industry or as servants for wealthy ppl.
What happened in the great plague of 1665?
spread by rats and fleas, the disease mutated in the body and was v unpredictable.
People thought it was Gods punishment, bad miasmas and unbalanced humours (bodily fluids)
State measures taken to deal with the plague
incoming ships and households were quarantined for 40 days and travellers had to get a health certificate form a priest or doctor. Houses fumigated.
Few pest houses were built w/ space for 600 victims, but were expensive and invoked fear in locals
People were ordered to clean up streets
lodgers and public events were banned to reduce overcrowding. Plague pits held up to 1200 ppl in Aldgate.
Doctors published pamphlets and the wealthy fled eg the king moved to Sailsbury and then Oxford
What were the impacts of the plague?
130k ppl died- an underestimate because only Anglican records were kept.
75k ppl died in London, 25% of pop
Colchester saw a 66% decline in cloth production in 1666
Government unable to collect taxes, bad for Dutch war which had a 400k shortage.
Dissenters were back until 1667.
Many populations fully recovered and new immigrants filled jobs and houses. births/marriages increased.
Why was London a fire risk?
There were narrow lanes, jettying houses.
Workhouses stored highly flammable goods like oils, rope and gunpowder. Open flame was constantly used.
There was warm weather and strong winds when the fire started.
There were no trained firemen and ppl volunteered to line the streets and pass down buckets of water- ineffective.
People pulled down houses to create a firebreak, but it wants effective and they had to pay for damage.
How did the Great fire start? What followed?
Thomas Fariner’s pudding Lane bakery. Lack of fire safety and organisation from mayor Thomas Bloodmoth worsened the fire, as he said “a woman might piss out the fire” and refused people to firebreak.
The duke of York was assigned to control the fire that was still smouldering by the end of the week.
Fires still found months later in cellars.
Give the financial and longer term impacts of the fire
£25k worth of cloth burned, London’s most important industry.
£20k worth of coal burned, prices soared in winter and shortages worsened with the Dutch War.
1/5 houses burned, prices almost tripled.
What did people think caused the fire?
Wrath of God, Dutch, Catholics.
Frenchman Robert Hubert falsely confessed to setting the fire.
There were rumours that french agents stockpiled weapons to be used by Catholics in a revolt, causing fear and hysteria.
Describe the roles of women as a housewife and midwife.
housewives organised servants and oversaw gardens. “The Queen’s closet that opened” advised running houses including medicine and even fishing.
Midwives aided pregnancy, but male doctors started to encroach this. Eg: Chamberlains father invented the forceps that improved mortality rate and his reputation compared to midwives.
Describe the roles of women as a mistress and explorer.
Mistresses indirectly ruled through influence of the king. Eg : Barbra Villiers was mistress to many and had influence at court, but she was catholic and her mannerisms made her unpopular. Charles lost interest. Louise de Kerouelle got £10k a year and bore illegitimate kids. Ppl thought both were involved in the Popish Plot.
Celia Fiennes travelled on horseback and was v curious about urban life. She had independence as she was brought up in an upper class family.
Describe the roles of women as an actress or businesswoman/writer
Nell Gwynn: became an orange girl in 1664 at the Dury Lane theatre. She later became a mistress to an actor and entertained the king, so she was admitted to the inner circles of his court.
Constance Play made sails for ships and created a v successful business. Jane Sharp wrote a book on midwifery. They were viewed negatively by men, discouraging more businesswomen.
Why was theatre important in Restoration England?
It used to be a pastime for all members of society, but a cultural shift meant it became entertainment for smaller and wealthier audiences.
It was v fashionable
more women participated in theatre such as Nell Gwynn
