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2 Was Elizabeth a golden age for the lower classes?, ], Poor Law 1601 -…
2 Was Elizabeth a golden age for the lower classes?
Reasons for poor people
Rising population: The population rose by 1,000,000 people during the Elizabethan period. More people meant there was more demand for goods, so prices and poverty levels went up
Wars: Taxes were increased to compensare for the price of waging war
Inflation: Prices for goods rose, but wages feel as there were more people around to do the work required.
Cloth trade collapse: woollen cloth was the England's main export. There was a decline in demand and this led to unemployment
Bad Harvest: Harvests were particularly bad in the 1590s leading to even higher demand for more rising prices
Changes in farming: Many landlords decided to enclose their fields and keep sheep instead of growing crops which led to higher unemployment
Education
In Elizabethan England, there was no compulsory schooling. Most children's lives revolved around the family, church or workshop. However, the renaissance spread from the continent, including the idea that society could be improved through education and learning. This means that the demand for education grew.
Wealthier boys were better educated than ever before
New universities and schools were opened
The ability to read and write became a highly desirable asset
What did this mean for poor people?
This meant that many poor people were not educated as they could not afford to get an education. This led to their skills and employment options being limited and put numerous people in an endless poverty cycle.
The SOCIAL HIERARCHY
Angels
Kings and Queens
GOD
animals
plants
non-living things
Poor Laws:
Compulsory nation wide poor rate system
Anyone who did not contribute would be sent to jail
Anyone who begged would be whipped and sent back to their birth place
Alm-houses were established to look after the poor
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Poor Law 1601