Poverty in Elizabethan Times (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

Why was poverty an issue in the Tudor period? - Summary

Poverty was an issue throughout the Tudor period. The monarchs of this time all contributed to the problem in different ways. For example, both Henry VII and Henry VIII contributed to unemployment. Henry VII focused on the threat of rebellions and sought to contain it. Therefore, he limited the right of nobles to have armies, which created unemployment. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, this resulted in the loss of employment and eviction for anyone working there. 

Throughout the Tudor period, the country experienced economic hardships and high taxes. Henry VIII's wars with France created taxes, and debasement during Edward VI’s reign hurt trade and jobs. This resulted in the collapse of the cloth trade.  

When Elizabeth came into power, there was mass unemployment, and the economy was weak. Other factors throughout her reign, such as poor harvests, made poverty worse in England.  

The Classification of the Poor in Elizabethan Times

• The Tudor government classified the two into two categories: 

  • The ‘impotent poor’

    • Those unable to work due to a disability or illness

    • They were given poor relief

  • The ‘able-bodied poor’

    • Those able to work but were unable or unwilling to find a job

Causes of Poverty in Elizabethan Times

• Poverty became worse during Elizabeth’s reign

  • Charitable systems were unable to keep up with demand for help  

• Unlike the monarchs before Elizabeth, the increase in poverty during her reign was not necessarily caused by her actions 

  • Poor harvests between 1594 and 1598 resulted in:

    • Food shortages

    • Death from starvation

  • The introduction of a new farming system called enclosure meant that:

    • Less land was used for growing crops

    • Fewer workers were needed 

  • The population of England increased

    • The population in England grew from 2.8 million to 4 million during Elizabeth’s reign 

  • Inflation was high

    • Poor harvests resulted in food prices increasing 

  • There was an outbreak of flu in 1556

    • The epidemic killed approximately 200,000 

    • It reduced the number of workers growing food 

Unemployment & Vagrancy in Elizabethan Times 

• As unemployment and economic issues increased, so did homelessness and vagrancy

  • Many people in Elizabethan society disliked these vagrants

    • They blamed them for the increase in crime during this period 

• Many Elizabethans believed that the poor were 

  • Lazy 

  • The cause of increasing taxes to pay for poor relief 

  • Spreading diseases 

  • More likely to rebel

  • Willing to turn to a life of crime 

Vagrancy 

• In 1566, Thomas Harman published a book called A Caveat or Warning for Common Cursitors 

  • It identified 23 different types of vagabonds, including: 

    • The Counterfeit crank 

    • The Baretop Trickster 

    • Tom O’Bedlam  

    • The Clapper Dudgeons  

• Many wealthy Elizabethans started to help the deserving poor by creating:

  • Almshouses 

  • Charities

  • Orphanages 

    • For example, St Thomas’ Hospital in London opened an orphanage 

  • Taxes on the wealthy 

    • In cities such as Norwich and Ipswich 

Government Legislation 

• Previous Tudor monarchs attempted to deal with the poor through punishments 

  • In 1496, Henry VIII placed beggars in stocks or sent them back to their hometowns 

  • Whereas in 1531, beggars (without a licence) were whipped in public 

    • If they were caught a second time, they would have a hole burned in their ear 

    • If caught a third time, they were hanged 

• At the start of Elizabeth’s reign, the punishments of 1531 were still enforced

• However, Elizabeth’s government started to accept responsibility for the poor

  • The fear of social unrest and rebellion forced the Elizabethan government to act 

• They saw a difference between the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor

  • Eventually, assisting the ‘undeserving’ poor through poor relief and helping the ‘deserving’ poor to find a job

Elizabethan Poor Laws

• Between the years 1563 and 1601, the Elizabethan government introduced a series of acts of parliament (laws) which became known as the Poor Laws 

They included a nationwide compulsory system to reduce The Statute of Artificers, 1563

• The act 

  • Ensured all Elizabethans contributed to poor relief 

  • Provided all boys with a seven-year apprenticeship in a trade or craft 

  • Set a maximum wage limit

• It attempted to reduce vagrancy by 

  • Creating employment 

  • Tie men down to one area 

The Vagabonds Act, 1572 

• The act   

  • Gave penalties against vagrants 

  • Provided shelter for the old and sick

  • Forced local people to pay a poor rate 

  • Registered the poor with Justices of the Peace (JPs)

  • Appointed an overseer to help JPs 

• It attempted to reduce vagrancy by 

  • Giving harsh punishments such as whipping and the death penalty to deter vagrancy

• However, the Act did nothing to remove the causes of poverty 

The Act for the Relief of the Poor, 1576

• The act 

  • Made JPs keep materials in local areas for people to find a job

  • Placed those who refused to work in a House of Correction

  • Forced JPs to create two Houses of Correction in each county

• It reduced vagrancy by 

  • Providing work to able-bodied vagrants 

  • Punished those who refused to work 

• However, the act did nothing to remove the causes of poverty 

The Act for the Relief of the Poor, 1598 

• The act 

  • Appointed four overseers to each parish 

  • Gave the overseer the responsibility of collecting and administering the poor relief 

  • Taught poor children a craft or trade 

  • Introduced a compulsory poor rate, which was to be paid by everyone 

• It attempted to reduce vagrancy by 

  • Attempting to provide jobs 

• The act remained a law until 1834 

• However, it did not support those in need of help 

The Act for the Punishment of Rogues, 1598 

• The act 

  • Made JPs create a House of Corrections for rogues and vagabonds 

  • Forbade anyone from begging 

• It attempted to help poverty and vagrancy by 

  • Containing the problems 

  • Reducing the risk of social unrest 

The Act for the Relief of the Poor 

• The act 

  • Made the 1598 Poor Law permanent 

• This showed a change in attitudes as the government realised that it had a responsibility to help the poor 

  • This provided a legal framework to end poverty 

How successful were the Poor Laws? 

• The Elizabethan poor laws had a mixed success rate 

• The poor laws were successful as they 

  • Helped thousands in need of support 

  • Provided trade and craft opportunities to children  

  • Saw a change in the attitudes towards the poor

  • Prevented rebellions and social unrest  

  • Created a system that was enforced for 200 years 

• However, they were also unsuccessful as 

  • Poverty continued to rise 

  • They failed to address the cause of poverty