Theme 3 - Society

• Causes of population growth:

  • Migration (Economic and religious migrants)
  • Fertility (Rise in younger families)
  • Agriculture (Farmers modernising land)
  • Mortality (less wars so the death rates were lower)
• Consequences of population growth:

  • Less jobs —> vagrancy
  • More food needed
  • Inflation
  • Increase in poverty
  • Urbanisation
  • Economic benefits (demand for agriculture, consumers and large population)
• Poor Relief - action to relieve those who were struggling economically. This relief can be provided by the state, charities or faith groups (church).
• Why was poverty growing?

  • Growing population (2.5m —> 5m)
  • Competition for work (underemployment - still struggling although they had a job e.g. agricultural work)
  • Inflation (prices up by 8x but wages only up by 3x)
  • Low wages
  • Devastation of Civil War
• Settled poor - those established in one parish. They did not travel to beg or look for work. Approximately 1/4 of the 17th century population.
• Vagrant Poor - travelled to sustain themselves. Treated as a criminal, considerably fewer in numbers.
• Attitudes towards women:

  • Common characteristics: weak, irrational, devious.
  • Women were seen as a threat to society
  • Enforcing obedience such as the brank (a common punishment for women for gossiping, a cage on her head and mouth, a public humiliation for both husband and wife)
  • Unmarried women seen as dangerous as they didnt have a man to control them.
  • Women were meant to be Godly, moral and subordinate.
• Witchcraft

  • Witchcraft laws of 1542, 1563 and 1604 defined witchcraft as a serious felony.
  • Witch hunts were a tool of male domination.
  • Women were disproportionately targeted .
  • Scotland were the most brutal for witch hunts.
• Impact of Puritanism:

  • A number of richer Puritans advocated for more widespread education and grassroots schooling became influenced by Puritans.
  • Made it necessary for women to read and instruct their children in religious education.
  • Women who were highly educated were seen as dangerous.
  • 6000 women petitioned parliament for peace in August 1643.
• Professionals

  • Educated and skilled individuals who usually had certified qualifications in their field.
  • Examples include lawyers, doctors and academics.
  • Growing population and growth in wealthier classes increase demands for legal, healthcare and educational services.
  • Growth of trade and foreign wars created a need for professional government administrators.
• Merchants

  • Individuals who traded.
  • Domestic and international traders.
  • Population growth = consumer boom.
  • Urbanisation = plenty to sell to.
  • Empires = more colonies, very specific who they buy and sell to.
  • Could become wealthy, buy land and into power, new money copied old money.
• The Gentry:

  • Just below the aristocracy.
  • Lots of land and wealth.
  • Lack of hereditary titles.
  • Growing in power.
  • Members of Parliament (HOC).
  • Increased when parliament won the Civil War.
  • Connections to professionals and trade.
• Nobility

  • Just under the monarchy.
  • High status - land, property, titles.
  • In decline: taxation and high spending.
  • Wealth tied in assets, not enough ready cash.
  • Refused to stop spending due to their status.
  • Power lost due to being Royalists in the Civil War (they lost).
  • Some living comfortably compared to the ordinary people.