why did population of britain increase in the yrs 1625-88 and what impact did this have Flashcards
8 themes why did the population of britain increase in the years 1625-88 and what impact did this have?
> Migration > mortality and fertility > London growth > Other towns growth > impact on rural life > growth of poverty > changes to poor laws
population 1520 - 1680 figures
2.5 million - 5 million (doubled)
what percentage of population outside of london lived in towns (town if pop greater than 5,000)?
5% 1700
2 reasons for the increase in population
migration
mortality and fertility
migration as a reason for population growth?
17th many escaped religious persecution.
Economic migrants - migration from 1651+ over commonwealth era due to relative religious freedom (refugees from holland, flanders and france= Huguenots)
Skilled weavers from low countries
-towns = greatest influx (Norwich pop = 35% immigrants by 1700)
- internal migration very high
- merchants, journeymen often migrated seasonally
Several thousands immigrants from the Netherlands and northern France arrived in 1651
migration as a reason for population growth?
17th many escaped religious persecution.
Economic migrants - migration from 1651+ over commonwealth era due to relative religious freedom (refugees from holland, flanders and france= Huguenots)
Skilled weavers from low countries
-towns = greatest influx (Norwich pop = 35% immigrants by 1700)
- internal migration very high
- merchants, journeymen often migrated seasonally
Several thousands immigrants from the Netherlands and northern France arrived in 1651
mortality and fertility as a reason for population growth
decline in mortality rates
- decline in incidents of plague (gradual recovery from black death)
- decline in child mortality, women in childbirht and mid life mortality
-greater public awareness of how to manage plague (importance of isolation & now procedures to enforce like closing taverns when outbreaks)
increased fertility rates
- coincides with decline of mortality rates
increase in FECUNDITY rates (actual number of live births to fertile adult couples)
-decline in age of marriage = more children per couple
age of marriage during ECW compared to protectorate?
ECW 24-26
protectorate 26-28 (increased)
impact of population growth on urban areas (stats)
london = 1650 overtook paris and naples to be largest city in W Eurpoe
400,000 - x10 bigger than next largest town)
population of london:
- 1520 2.25%
- 1700 9%
london growth fuelled by
- trade, commerce and colonial empire growth
- attraction from oversea migrants
increase in number of towns
- 8 in 1600
- 30 in 1700
growth in specialist towns newcastle york & norwich ipswich chester
coal, iron, smelting
linen, flax, cloth
textiles grew from 4,000 to 7,500 1600-1680
Leather 4,600 - 7,100 1600-1680
impact of population (negatives)
why was there a growth of poverty
> Inflation - food prices rose,
Farmers - couldnt invest in their farm = big landowners brought them, enclosure led to less common land for grazing animals of the poor - lack of food.
increase in poverty due to shortage of work
2/3 of urbans lived near poverty line.
Arguments and evidence that migration played a significant role in the population
growth experienced by Stuart Britain in the years 1625–88
and evaluated. Relevant points may include:
Population growth was affected by an influx of foreign migrants in 1651,
notably Sephardic Jews, when religious toleration appeared to be an
established policy
Economic migration also had an impact on population size in particular
areas, e.g. skilled weavers from the Low Countries settled in Norwich
Internal migration to the towns during the 17th century often resulted in
greater job security, which often led to more children being born
The influx of French Huguenots following the Revocation of the Edict of
Nantes (1685) contributed to population growth, as did slaves who were
brought back from imperial possessions to work in England.
Arguments and evidence that migration did not play a significant role/other
developments played a significant role in the population growth experienced by
Stuart Britain in the years 1625–88
During the 17th century it is likely that more people emigrated from, than
came to, Britain, e.g. some 330,000 left for the West Indies, Virginia,
Maryland and New England
Outbreaks of plague and other epidemic diseases occurred less frequently
during the 17th century than in the late Middle Ages, partly due to better
isolation and containment methods, and this lowered mortality rates
When afflicted by disease, the population was often able to recover rapidly,
e.g. some areas such as Eyam in Derbyshire had replaced their losses due
to the 1665 plague within a decade
Before 1650 and after 1680 fertility rates were relatively high, driven by the
early average age of men and women at marriage, which tended to produce
more children.
Growth of poverty?
prices increased by 800% however wages increased by 300
Increased proportion of pop dependent reliant on wage labour
living standards decreasing
seasonal employment due to agri = srtuggle for full time jobs
a
According to taxation record in 1670 what fraction of the pop was in poverty?
1/3 population
How do u escape from poverty?
JObs = servants domestic - protects from rising prices
Migration = some servants were also given passage to America then after a few years working off the travel, free to start own place in America
Settled Poor
vagrant poor
- settled poor = 25% of population
- vagrant poor = illegal so no real statistics, alot fewer but heavily feared (around 0.5% pop convicted for vagrancy)
when was elizabethan poor laws made
1601 (codified much of tudor poor beliefs)
elizabethan poor laws
Help for those who could not work due to disability. Able poor – punished
• Overseers of poor – collected poor relief and decided who should receive it
• Collection of poor relief more robust
• Poorhouses in some areas – financed by local parishioners
• Begging allowed in home parish only. (If found in different parish – vagrants).
Book of Orders 1631
Book of Orders issued to all JPs (Justices of the Peace/Magistrates)
Covered poor relief and treatment of vagrants but based on 1601 Act BUT no new ideas.
Issued more due to Charles 1st’s fear of rioting than as a way to improve the lives of the poorest.
How was it clear by 1662 that there was an awareness among the propertied classes that poverty had grown and needed to be dealt with?
There was an increasing complaints from wealthier parishes about influx of vagrants from poorer districts.
What legislation was introduced that protected the rights of settled poor?
1662 cavalier P passed settlement act
How far did this lead to social change?
- Rights of settled poor protected
- poor will be issued with a certificate proving they live in a parish, thus entitling them to poor relief if they moved and got into difficulties.
Why was the settlement act passed 1662?
Economic depression -
1661 harvest problems = $x3 than 1654
1661 - the army was disbanded (restoration -MPs were royalists) — greater no. Of migrant poor
In what way could the act be seen as having a negative impact on the poor?
1- manipulated by local offices, who would send their poor to other parishes ( however, the authority saw this was happening so if the poor change parish they need to announce publicly)
2- gave more power to local administrators and attempted to restrict the movement of individuals claiming poor relief.
3- the labour force was not as mobile as it had been, and the poor had less economic and personal freedom
Give two reasons why the settlement act was significant?
1) The settlement certificate meant that for the first time, a poor person could prove where they lived
2) A definition of what constituted ‘poor’ had been given for the first time - as ppl renting property worth less than £10 were considered worthy of help.
How did owner of large estates benefitted more than any other group from the settlement act?
1- they were able to demolish empty houses on their land, thus preventing the return of those who left.
3- hire workers form outside the parish as they don’t stay there for 40days therefore they would not be entitled to poor relief
2- labourers from other parishes could be hired in their place, reducing the amount paid by landowners in poor relief if these workers were laid off, as they were officially ‘settled’ in other parishes, who were responsible of their welfare.
Why might local ppl who could afford it will be willing to continue pay taxes towards poor relief during civil war?
Some saw it as their duty
If they don’t than the poor would be seen as a threat to society, therefore, they needed to preserve order
Fill in the gaps
The ____ in poverty was reflected in the rise in the ____ ____, from £_____ per year in 1650 to £_____ per year by the end of 17th century.
Growth Poor rate £250,000 To £700,000
What were vagrants seen as?
Sources of crime and instability
