Theatres & Poverty Flashcards
What were actors seen as?
Vagabonds
What happened in 1580 which was a sign from God to being angry at the theatre?
An earthquake
What was the law passed in 1572 that affected actors?
It saw them as vagabonds and all groups of actors had to be licensed
When was the Globe opened?
1599
How did the theatre reflect social hierarchy?
The poor would be in the ‘yard’ whereas the rich were high up in the galleries - having the luxury of a roof and seats
Name the supposed first great English actor of theatre
Richard Burbage
Name a famous playwright
Christopher Marlowe
What is patronage?
A system in which a person with a lot of wealth grants favours to support people whom must promise support in return
What did the flag in the theatre do?
Signal a performance that day
What was “the hut” in the theatre?
A storage space for props
What was “the heavens” in the theatre?
Where they directed special effects
What do Elizabeth’s government do to plays?
They put in propaganda and made the plays censored
How did theatre make rebellions less likely?
They distracted the poor and discontented lower classes
What is the definition of a vagrant?
A person without a settled home or regular work
What was enclosure?
Fields which were surrounded by hedges - eliminating common land
What was rock-renting?
To produce an extortionate rent
What was inflation?
A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
What were the Idle Poor?
Seen as lazy because they were fit and healthy but could not be bothered to work
How did people react to the idle poor?
Were worried as the situation was getting out of hand
Puritans saw them as sinful because of their laziness and dishonesty
How were the impotent poor?
The poor who were I’ll, young or old so couldn’t be blamed for their situation
How were the impotent poor seen?
The government were sympathetic to them
How much did the population grow from 1500 - 1600?
43%
What were the consequences of war on the poor?
They increased taxes
What were the consequences of enclosure on the poor?
Meant the landless poor couldn’t graze their animals
What were the consequences of exploration on the poor?
More silver was in circulation so raised the prices of produce even more
How did overpopulation affect the housing prices?
They increased as land lords took advantage by raising rents
What were Alms?
Charity money collected for the poor
Name an Elizabethan hospital
Bartholomew OR Bethlehem (bedlam)
Why was The Poor Law (1601) successful?
Lasted over two hundred years (until 1834)
Was the first time the government took direct responsibility for the welfare of the people
No rebellion caused by poverty occurred over Elizabeth’s reign
Why was The Poor Law (1601) unsuccessful?
Poverty continued to increase
Some argue that the law was harsh; focusing too much on punishment rather than supporting the poor
What was Recoinage?
It slowed down the rate of inflation but freezing wages and living cost so rent and food was more affordable
What was the Statute of Artificers?
Wage limits on skilled workers in order to decrease the rate of inflation which meant there was more money to go around
When was the Statute of Artificers?
1563
What was the Act of Husbandry and Tillage?
Decreased the trend for enclosure to prevent unemployment
When was the Act of Husbandry and Tillage?
1598
What was the Act for the relief of The Poor?
Everyone paid towards a poor rate There were overseers of the poor All houses were introduced As well as The House of Industry and House of Correction
When was the Act for the relief of The Poor?
1601
