Why was the rise of poverty such a problem for Elizabeth?

• War and Violence:

  > If Elizabeth did not address the problem of poverty it could lead to the overthrow of the Queen. Poor people may resort to crime or even worse rebellion which would seriously threaten Elizabeth’s rule. For example, food riots broke out in Norfolk and East Anglia in 1596-97.
• Ideas:

  > People were desperate and this led to the fear amongst the upper classes that more crimes would be committed and there would be more violence and a threat to the social order.
• Ideas:

  > Most people thought that beggars set a bad example because some refused to work. They thought idleness was a sin and that these people should be punished. These homeless people were considered to be an immoral, criminal class who caused disruption in society.
• Government:

  > There were more poor people in England due to inflation and population growth and this was important because the government had to reform the Poor Law to cope with the problem.
• Social:

  > Disease was also widespread at this time. There were major outbreaks of plague in 1563, 1583 to 1586 and 1590 to 1593, on top of other illnesses such as smallpox and influenza. The wandering

  poor were seen as a large part of the problem, helping to spread illness around the country.