Was England poor in the 1600s?
During the 16th Century the population rose dramatically and this, added to other economic pressures, meant that an increasing number of people were unable to support themselves. As the standard of living dropped, the problem of vagrancy worsened and this was to have repercussions for the country as a whole.
Why was there a growth of poor people in England in the 1500 and 1600s?
The population rose by a million during the Elizabethan period. More people meant there was more demand for goods, and so prices rose. Prices for goods rose, but wages fell as there were more people around to do the work.
What caused poverty in Elizabethan England?
The population rose by a million during the Elizabethan period. More people meant there was more demand for goods, and so prices rose. Prices for goods rose, but wages fell as there were more people around to do the work. Harvests were particularly bad in the 1590s leading to even higher demand and more rising prices.
What did the poor do in the Elizabethan era?
With nothing to do in the countryside, many poor drifted to towns and cities to look for work. Also landlords were moving away from growing crops like corn and turning to sheep farming as a growing population required more clothes and good money could be made from farming sheep.
What are the 3 poor laws?
The poor were classified in 3 brackets: a) The able poor who would work b) The able poor who would not work c) The poor who could not work, including children. The 1563 provisions meant that those who could (and would) work received some assistance in their own home: outdoor relief.
How were poor people treated in Tudor England?
Life for the poor in Tudor times was harsh. The poor had to work hard and struggled to survive. Many poor people lives lived in villages doing farm work or making cloth in their own homes for very little pay. They worked six days a week and only had holy days and public holidays off work.
How was life in Elizabethan England?
Many turned to small crime, such as begging, picking pockets, and prostitution, simply to avoid starvation. There was little help for the sick, elderly, and orphans. The life expectancy, or average life span, of an Elizabethan was only 42 years, but it was much lower among the urban poor.
What were the impotent poor?
Impotent poor – people unable to work due to age, disability or other infirmity. Limited relief was provided by the community in which they lived. Able-bodied poor – these were people who were physically able to work and were forced to, to prevent them from becoming vagrants, beggars or vagabonds.
What is idle poor?
those who could work but would not: these were the idle poor. They were to be whipped through the streets, publicly, until they learned the error of their ways. those who were too old/ill/young to work: these were the impotent or deserving poor.
Who is idle poor?
Those who would work but could not, called the able-bodied or deserving poor. Those who could work but would not: these were called the idle poor. Those who were too old, ill or young to work: these were the impotent or deserving poor.
What is a Poor Law school?
Workhouse Schools. Under the 1834 Act, Poor Law unions were required to provide at least three hours a day of schooling for workhouse children. Although the children could attend local outside schools, most unions set up their own schoolrooms and appointed a schoolmaster and/or schoolmistress.
Who are the deserving poor in British history?
There were the ‘deserving poor’, made up of the elderly and the very young, the infirm, and families who occasionally found themselves in financial difficulties due to a change in circumstance. They were considered deserving of social support.
How many poor people live in the UK?
The total number in these different categories, including adults, children and the casual poor comes to 69,810 individuals, out of a recorded population of 864,845 (this figure is taken from the Parliamentary returns, but is certainly too low).
Why was there so much poverty in the 16th century?
During the 16th Century the population rose dramatically and this, added to other economic pressures, meant that an increasing number of people were unable to support themselves. As the standard of living dropped, the problem of vagrancy worsened and this was to have repercussions for the country as a whole.
Where was poverty a problem in Elizabethan England?
Norwich, for example, was at that time the largest city outside London and consequently had a serious problem with poverty. In 1570 a census was compiled which detailed the name, age and status of every citizen in order to provide an overview of the population and measure the extent of the problem.