Theatres & Poverty

Question 1

What were actors seen as?

Answer 1

Vagabonds

Question 2

What happened in 1580 which was a sign from God to being angry at the theatre?

Answer 2

An earthquake

Question 3

What was the law passed in 1572 that affected actors?

Answer 3

It saw them as vagabonds and all groups of actors had to be licensed

Question 4

When was the Globe opened?

Answer 4

1599

Question 5

How did the theatre reflect social hierarchy?

Answer 5

The poor would be in the ‘yard’ whereas the rich were high up in the galleries - having the luxury of a roof and seats

Question 6

Name the supposed first great English actor of theatre

Answer 6

Richard Burbage

Question 7

Name a famous playwright

Answer 7

Christopher Marlowe

Question 8

What is patronage?

Answer 8

A system in which a person with a lot of wealth grants favours to support people whom must promise support in return

Question 9

What did the flag in the theatre do?

Answer 9

Signal a performance that day

Question 10

What was “the hut” in the theatre?

Answer 10

A storage space for props

Question 11

What was “the heavens” in the theatre?

Answer 11

Where they directed special effects

Question 12

What do Elizabeth’s government do to plays?

Answer 12

They put in propaganda and made the plays censored

Question 13

How did theatre make rebellions less likely?

Answer 13

They distracted the poor and discontented lower classes

Question 14

What is the definition of a vagrant?

Answer 14

A person without a settled home or regular work

Question 15

What was enclosure?

Answer 15

Fields which were surrounded by hedges - eliminating common land

Question 16

What was rock-renting?

Answer 16

To produce an extortionate rent

Question 17

What was inflation?

Answer 17

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money

Question 18

What were the Idle Poor?

Answer 18

Seen as lazy because they were fit and healthy but could not be bothered to work

Question 19

How did people react to the idle poor?

Answer 19

Were worried as the situation was getting out of hand

Puritans saw them as sinful because of their laziness and dishonesty

Question 20

How were the impotent poor?

Answer 20

The poor who were I’ll, young or old so couldn’t be blamed for their situation

Question 21

How were the impotent poor seen?

Answer 21

The government were sympathetic to them

Question 22

How much did the population grow from 1500 - 1600?

Answer 22

43%

Question 23

What were the consequences of war on the poor?

Answer 23

They increased taxes

Question 24

What were the consequences of enclosure on the poor?

Answer 24

Meant the landless poor couldn’t graze their animals

Question 25

What were the consequences of exploration on the poor?

Answer 25

More silver was in circulation so raised the prices of produce even more

Question 26

How did overpopulation affect the housing prices?

Answer 26

They increased as land lords took advantage by raising rents

Question 27

What were Alms?

Answer 27

Charity money collected for the poor

Question 28

Name an Elizabethan hospital

Answer 28

Bartholomew OR Bethlehem (bedlam)

Question 29

Why was The Poor Law (1601) successful?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Why was The Poor Law (1601) unsuccessful?

Answer 30

Poverty continued to increase

Some argue that the law was harsh; focusing too much on punishment rather than supporting the poor

Question 31

What was Recoinage?

Answer 31

It slowed down the rate of inflation but freezing wages and living cost so rent and food was more affordable

Question 32

What was the Statute of Artificers?

Answer 32

Wage limits on skilled workers in order to decrease the rate of inflation which meant there was more money to go around

Question 33

When was the Statute of Artificers?

Answer 33

1563

Question 34

What was the Act of Husbandry and Tillage?

Answer 34

Decreased the trend for enclosure to prevent unemployment

Question 35

When was the Act of Husbandry and Tillage?

Answer 35

1598

Question 36

What was the Act for the relief of The Poor?

Answer 36

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

Question 37

When was the Act for the relief of The Poor?

Answer 37

1601