Economy

• What was the population of England in 1550?

  3 million
• What was the population of England in 1600?

  4 million
• What economic issue arose due to population growth?

  Inflation due to exceeded food supply
• What was the average birth rate between 1561 and 1586?

  34.5/1000
• How was the late Elizabethan period characterized in terms of morality?

  It was a golden period of low morality
• What caused outbreaks of epidemics during this period?

  Overcrowding in the population
• What was the impact of the debasement of coinage?

  Fallen confidence in the cloth trade
• What demographic issue arose in the second half of Elizabeth's reign?

  Demobilisation of the armed forces
• What social issue was prevalent due to young masterless men?

  Formation of gangs
• What caused the famine in the 1590s?

  Scale of wheat overseas
• How many poor harvests occurred from 1594 to 1597?

  4 successive poor harvests
• What percentage of the reign could be described as poor harvests?

  9 out of 44 years
• What happened to real wages by 1596?

  They dropped to less than half
• What was the situation in Newcastle regarding homelessness?

  25 homeless people buried presumed starved
• What was the poverty level in Norwich in 1570?

  25% of the population
• What was the impact of the growth of London on local areas?

  It affected local economies negatively
• What was the purpose of the Poor Law Act of 1536?

  To keep a list of poor rate contributors
• What could happen to persistent offenders under the Poor Law Act of 1536?

  They could be prosecuted
• What was the aim of the Statute of Artificers in 1563?

  Create employment and keep beggars off streets
• What was required of boys under the Statute of Artificers?

  Serve a seven-year apprenticeship
• What did the Vagabond Act of 1572 require?

  Levy of a compulsory poor rate
• What punishments were included in the Vagabond Act of 1572?

  Whipping and ear boring for first offence
• What did the Poor Relief Act of 1575 provide for the able-bodied poor?

  Raw materials to make and sell goods
• What were houses of correction established for?

  To send those who refused to work
• What did the 1598 Poor Law Act confirm?

  Compulsory poor rate
• What was the purpose of pauper apprenticeship in the 1598 Poor Law Act?

  To train boys until age 24 and girls 21
• What happened to vagrants under the 1598 Poor Law Act?

  They were whipped and returned to parish
• What was established by the 1601 Poor Law?

  Almshouses for the poor
• What was the administrative unit responsible for poor relief?

  The parish
• What materials were provided for the able-bodied poor?

  Flax, hemp, and wool
• What was the role of overseers in the poor relief system?

  To collect poor rates and attend meetings
• What was a benefit for landowners during this period?

  Material possessions from church property
• What industry was significant in York and Norwich?

  Shipbuilding
• What was the impact of unincorporated towns on industry?

  Allowed industry to develop without hindrance
• Which cities had a broad range of manufacturing industry?

  London and Newcastle
• What economic condition was indicated by falling real wages?

  Depression in the economy
• How many bad harvests occurred between 1494 and 1497?

  9 bad harvests
• Which regions were the poorest during this period?

  The north and west midlands
• How much more did labourers in Hertfordshire earn compared to the north?

  3 times as much
• What did the 1598 Act on husbandry and tillage ban?

  Further conversion of land