the poor

• What defined poverty during Elizabeth's reign?

  Inability to feed, house, and clothe oneself
• How did the perception of poverty change during Elizabeth's reign?

  Poverty was believed to be the poor's fault
• Who were considered poor during Elizabeth's reign?

  Vagrants, elderly, orphans, disabled, widows
• What was a significant reason for the increase in poverty in Elizabethan England?

  Population growth from 3 to 4.2 million
• What impact did bad harvests have on poverty?

  Lower yields decreased food supply and raised prices
• How did economic problems contribute to poverty?

  Increased rents and entry fines reduced poor's money
• What was a common stereotype of vagrants during Elizabeth's reign?

  They were seen as lazy and dishonest
• What was the effect of sheep farming on poverty?

  Landlords profited more from sheep than grain
• What were the traditional attitudes towards poverty during Elizabeth's reign?

  • Seen as punishment from God for idleness
  • Belief in hard work leading to success
  • Sympathy for 'deserving poor' (impotent poor)
• Why were attitudes towards the poor changing during Elizabeth's reign?

  Increase in poverty and fear of social disorder
• What was the purpose of the Poor Law for the impotent poor?

  To provide relief for those unable to work
• What were the key features of the 1597 Act regarding the idle poor?

  • Harsh punishments to deter begging
  • First offence: whipped and branded
  • Second offence: imprisonment
  • Third offence: execution
• What did the 1601 Poor Law achieve?

  Made poverty a national issue with relief provisions
• Why did the government act in response to increasing poverty?

  To prevent rebellion and reduce tax burden
• How did the visibility of the poor affect government action?

  Provoked hostility and a desire for control
• What was the population of England by 1601?

  4.2 million
• What was the impact of rising prices and debased coinage on poverty?

  Made it harder for people to afford necessities
• Where was poverty particularly severe during Elizabeth's reign?

  London
• What were the successes and failures of government action on poverty?

  Successes:

  • Provided relief and prevented starvation
  • Established national poor laws

  
  

  Failures:

  • Did not address underlying causes of poverty
  • Poverty continued into the 17th and 18th centuries
• What was the role of local governments in poor relief?

  Responsible for administering poor laws and relief
• Why did the Elizabethan government want to reduce the tax burden?

  To alleviate financial strain from poor relief
• What was the long-term effect of the Poor Law Act of 1601?

  It remained in place for a long time
• What should you consider when explaining the causes of poverty in Elizabethan England?

  • Population growth
  • Bad harvests
  • Economic problems
  • Vagrancy
  • Changes in attitudes
• What should you include when discussing government actions to reduce poverty?

  • Poor Law Act of 1601
  • Local government responsibilities
  • Financial burden on taxpayers
  • Measures against vagrancy