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Poverty in Elizabethan England: Life, Laws, and Struggles - BBC Bitesize and GCSE Insights

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1/12/2023

History

Poverty - Elizabethan England

Poverty in Elizabethan England: Life, Laws, and Struggles - BBC Bitesize and GCSE Insights

Poverty in Elizabethan England: Causes, Impacts, and Government Responses

Poverty was a significant issue in 16th century England, affecting a large portion of the population. Key factors contributing to poverty included population growth, inflation, changes in agriculture, and limited job opportunities.

  • Population increase led to higher demand for food and jobs
  • Inflation caused food prices to rise faster than wages
  • Shift to sheep farming reduced available farmland and jobs
  • Enclosure of common lands further limited resources for the poor
  • Government implemented several acts to address poverty and vagrancy
...

1/12/2023

381

Vagabonds - criminal layer of society
Definition of Poverty in 16th century England:
• Spent over 80% of income on food
●
●.
●
●
Daily life

View

Government Responses to Poverty in Elizabethan England

The Elizabethan government recognized the growing problem of poverty and implemented several measures to address it.

Categories of Poor:

  1. Impotent/deserving poor: Unable to work due to age or illness. Eligible for poor relief funded by a tax called the poor rate.
  2. Able-bodied/idle poor: Fit to work but did not. Often referred to as vagabonds or sturdy beggars. Treated harshly if caught.

Definition: Vagabonds were wandering poor people, often associated with criminal behavior.

Key Legislation:

  1. 1563 Statute of Artificers: Aimed to ensure collection of poor relief.
  2. 1572 Vagabonds Act: Aimed to deter vagrancy Harsh punishments for vagrants, including whipping and ear drilling Established a national poor rate
  3. 1576 Poor Relief Act: Distinguished between able-bodied and impotent poor Provided materials for the able-bodied poor to work Introduced houses of correction for those refusing to work

Highlight: The 1572 Vagabonds Act established the first national poor rate in England.

These acts represented a shift in how poverty in Elizabethan England was addressed, moving from purely punitive measures to a combination of punishment and assistance. The government recognized unemployment as a growing problem and sought to provide opportunities for work while still maintaining harsh penalties for those deemed willfully idle.

Example: Types of vagabonds included "Anglers" who stole clothes from washing lines, and "Counterfeit Cranks" who pretended to have fits by swallowing soap.

The Elizabethan era saw significant changes in how poverty was perceived and managed, laying the groundwork for future poor relief systems. However, the harsh treatment of vagabonds and the distinction between "deserving" and "undeserving" poor would continue to influence social policy for centuries to come.

Vagabonds - criminal layer of society
Definition of Poverty in 16th century England:
• Spent over 80% of income on food
●
●.
●
●
Daily life

View

Daily Life and Causes of Poverty in Elizabethan England

Daily life of the poor in 16th century England was characterized by harsh living conditions and limited resources. Most poor people lived in rural areas in thatched cottages with basic amenities.

Highlight: Poor families typically spent over 80% of their income on food.

Living conditions for the poor included:

  • Thatched cottages with holes for windows
  • Fire in the middle of the home with a hole in the roof for smoke
  • Limited possessions like pots, spoons, and straw mattresses

Example: A typical daily diet consisted of bread, butter, cheese, meat, fish, and ale.

Why did poverty increase in Elizabethan England? Several factors contributed:

  1. Rising population: England's population grew by 35%, leading to fewer jobs and more mouths to feed.
  2. Inflation: Food prices, especially bread, rose faster than wages.
  3. Sheep farming: The profitable wool industry led to land use changes, reducing crop farming and common land.
  4. Enclosures: This process improved farming efficiency but led to rural unemployment and loss of common land for villagers.

Vocabulary: Enclosure refers to the process of fencing off land that was previously open to common use.

These factors disproportionately affected certain groups:

  • Women, who were paid less and often headed poor families
  • Elderly people, particularly women over 60
  • Those relying on poor relief or charity

Quote: "1/4 of poor were people over 60 usuallywomenusually women"

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History

381

Jan 12, 2023

3 pages

Poverty in Elizabethan England: Life, Laws, and Struggles - BBC Bitesize and GCSE Insights

Poverty in Elizabethan England: Causes, Impacts, and Government Responses

Poverty was a significant issue in 16th century England, affecting a large portion of the population. Key factors contributing to poverty included population growth, inflation, changes in agriculture, and limited job... Show more

Vagabonds - criminal layer of society
Definition of Poverty in 16th century England:
• Spent over 80% of income on food
●
●.
●
●
Daily life

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

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Government Responses to Poverty in Elizabethan England

The Elizabethan government recognized the growing problem of poverty and implemented several measures to address it.

Categories of Poor:

  1. Impotent/deserving poor: Unable to work due to age or illness. Eligible for poor relief funded by a tax called the poor rate.
  2. Able-bodied/idle poor: Fit to work but did not. Often referred to as vagabonds or sturdy beggars. Treated harshly if caught.

Definition: Vagabonds were wandering poor people, often associated with criminal behavior.

Key Legislation:

  1. 1563 Statute of Artificers: Aimed to ensure collection of poor relief.
  2. 1572 Vagabonds Act: Aimed to deter vagrancy Harsh punishments for vagrants, including whipping and ear drilling Established a national poor rate
  3. 1576 Poor Relief Act: Distinguished between able-bodied and impotent poor Provided materials for the able-bodied poor to work Introduced houses of correction for those refusing to work

Highlight: The 1572 Vagabonds Act established the first national poor rate in England.

These acts represented a shift in how poverty in Elizabethan England was addressed, moving from purely punitive measures to a combination of punishment and assistance. The government recognized unemployment as a growing problem and sought to provide opportunities for work while still maintaining harsh penalties for those deemed willfully idle.

Example: Types of vagabonds included "Anglers" who stole clothes from washing lines, and "Counterfeit Cranks" who pretended to have fits by swallowing soap.

The Elizabethan era saw significant changes in how poverty was perceived and managed, laying the groundwork for future poor relief systems. However, the harsh treatment of vagabonds and the distinction between "deserving" and "undeserving" poor would continue to influence social policy for centuries to come.

Vagabonds - criminal layer of society
Definition of Poverty in 16th century England:
• Spent over 80% of income on food
●
●.
●
●
Daily life

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Daily Life and Causes of Poverty in Elizabethan England

Daily life of the poor in 16th century England was characterized by harsh living conditions and limited resources. Most poor people lived in rural areas in thatched cottages with basic amenities.

Highlight: Poor families typically spent over 80% of their income on food.

Living conditions for the poor included:

  • Thatched cottages with holes for windows
  • Fire in the middle of the home with a hole in the roof for smoke
  • Limited possessions like pots, spoons, and straw mattresses

Example: A typical daily diet consisted of bread, butter, cheese, meat, fish, and ale.

Why did poverty increase in Elizabethan England? Several factors contributed:

  1. Rising population: England's population grew by 35%, leading to fewer jobs and more mouths to feed.
  2. Inflation: Food prices, especially bread, rose faster than wages.
  3. Sheep farming: The profitable wool industry led to land use changes, reducing crop farming and common land.
  4. Enclosures: This process improved farming efficiency but led to rural unemployment and loss of common land for villagers.

Vocabulary: Enclosure refers to the process of fencing off land that was previously open to common use.

These factors disproportionately affected certain groups:

  • Women, who were paid less and often headed poor families
  • Elderly people, particularly women over 60
  • Those relying on poor relief or charity

Quote: "1/4 of poor were people over 60 usuallywomenusually women"

Vagabonds - criminal layer of society
Definition of Poverty in 16th century England:
• Spent over 80% of income on food
●
●.
●
●
Daily life

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

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Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

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Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user