What caused poverty and how did Elizabeth deal with poverty?

• Causes of poverty :

  Population increase:

  The population rose from three to four million people. This placed pressure on resources. The increased demand allowed people to take advantage. For example, tenants became the victims of greedy landlords through unfair rent racking which let to spiralling rent prices.
• Causes of poverty :

  Long term impact of Henry VIII:

  > In the past, the monasteries had been a key source of charity for the

  poor. However, Henry VIII had closed down the monasteries in the 1530s thereby removing this traditional form of help. This meant that poor people suffered even more.
• Causes of poverty :

  Changes to agriculture:

  >There was an increased demand for wool which led to many landowners closing off traditional crop farming fields with sheep farming instead. This became known as enclosure. While good for rich landowners, sheep farming was not labour intensive, which meant many farm labourers lost their jobs and fell into poverty.
• How does Elizabeth deal with poverty?

  Government:

  > Elizabethans showed a change in attitude to the poor. In the time of Elizabeth’s father, poverty and beggars were punished. From 1576, an act of Parliament allowed the able-bodied poor to be helped to find work or paid ‘outdoor relief’.
• How does Elizabeth deal with poverty?

  Government:

  > The government took responsibility for the welfare of people and from 1598 it was established that poor relief would be paid for by a compulsory poor rate.
• How does Elizabeth deal with poverty?

  Government:

  > The idle poor who were seen as lazy were whipped and sent to a House of Correction where they would be forced to work. The able-bodied poor were given food and helped with money collected by a Poor Rate. Some towns, like Ipswich, in 1569 licensed beggars and trained children in a trade.