Economic Development

• As rural areas were depopulated, towns grew. London grew from about 50,000 in 1500 to 200,000 in 1600. York, Exeter and Norwich all grew to about 20,000.
• The growth was largely brought about by immigration. The percentage of people living in towns rose by about 50% during the sixteenth century.
• London dominated the country as a magnet for trade. In the middle of the century, 90% of trade went through London.
• Goods from Berwick and Cornwall were regularly shipped to London markets.
• England had no internal trade barriers, unlike most continental countries, and therefore a national market for goods emerged.
• Trade and the development of towns and cities produced a growing middle class. This was recognised in the increased numbers of MPs during the century. The House of Commons increased in size by 50%
• Trade required bankers, lawyers and other professions; the nobility and gentry did not work and therefore this became an emerging middle class