Life in Elizabethan England

• What was Elizabeth's reign seen as in terms of culture and exploration?

  A 'golden age'
• What characterized society during Elizabeth's reign?

  Extremes of rich and poor
• What major problem arose due to the increasing population during Elizabeth's reign?

  Rising poverty
• What was lacking for those who fell on hard times in Elizabethan society?

  No welfare system or support
• How was poverty viewed in Elizabethan times?

  As mostly one's own fault
• What were the key aspects of life for ordinary people during Elizabeth's reign?

  • Life was often hard
  • Increase in the number of poor people
  • No welfare system or support
  • Poverty viewed as personal failure
• What was a significant issue during Elizabeth's reign?

  Increase in poverty
• Why was Elizabeth's reign seen as a 'golden age'?

  Culture and exploration flourished
• What societal extremes characterized Elizabethan society?

  Rich and poor
• By how much did the population increase during the Elizabethan period?

  By a million
• What was the effect of the rising population on demand for goods?

  Increased demand for goods
• What happened to prices as a result of increased demand?

  Prices rose
• What was the impact of inflation on wages during this period?

  Wages fell
• What was England's main export during the Elizabethan period?

  Woollen cloth
• Why were taxes increased during Elizabeth's reign?

  To compensate for war costs
• What led to unemployment in the cloth trade?

  Decline in demand
• What was the effect of bad harvests in the 1590s?

  Higher demand and rising prices
• What farming change contributed to high unemployment?

  Enclosure of fields for sheep
• What were the main reasons for the increase in poverty during Elizabeth's reign?

  • Rising population
  • Inflation
  • Cloth trade collapse
  • Increased taxes due to wars
  • Bad harvests in the 1590s
  • Changes in farming practices
• What fears led to changing attitudes towards poverty towards the end of Elizabeth's reign?

  Threat to social order and disease spread
• What is a vagabond?

  A wandering beggar who often turned to crime
• What actions were taken at the local level to address poverty?

  Justices of the Peace managed poverty issues
• Who were the 'impotent poor'?

  People unable to work due to infirmity
• Who were the 'able-bodied poor'?

  People physically able to work
• What was the perception of the able-bodied poor during Elizabeth's reign?

  They were thought to be lazy and idle
• What severe actions were introduced by the 1572 Vagabonds Act?

  Whipping, boring through the ear, death
• What significant law was formalized in 1601 regarding poor relief?

  The 1601 Poor Law
• What was the purpose of the Poor Rate established by the 1601 Poor Law?

  To finance the relief of the poor
• What happened to those who refused to contribute to the Poor Rate?

  They would go to jail
• What happened to begging under the 1601 Poor Law?

  Begging was banned
• What were almshouses established for?

  To look after the impotent poor
• Did Elizabeth successfully look after the welfare of the people?

  She passed laws but poverty continued
• What role did private charity play in poverty relief during Elizabeth's reign?

  More relief money came from private charity
• How long did the laws supporting the poor remain in place after Elizabeth's reign?

  For the next 200 years
• What was the status of education in Elizabethan England?

  • No compulsory schooling
  • Children's lives revolved around family, church, and work
• What influenced the demand for education during the Renaissance?

  The idea that society could be improved through education
• What became a highly desirable asset during the Renaissance?

  The ability to read and write
• Who received better education during Elizabethan times?

  Wealthier boys
• What types of schools were opened during Elizabeth's reign?

  New universities and schools
• What is the name of the two main universities in England during Elizabeth's reign?

  Oxford and Cambridge