Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

Impact of Socioeconomic Change During Elizabeth I's Reign

Socioeconomic changes had been accelerating throughout the 1500s. The impact of these changes was considerable for ordinary people under Elizabeth I.

Inflation

Elizabeth I inherited the problem of inflation from her predecessors.
Elizabeth I tried to tackle this. She did this by seizing revenue from the Church to Rome, which Mary I had reintroduced.

Farming

Most commoners were subsistence farmers. This meant that they produced enough food to look after their own family, but little more.
Small-scale farmers were still being threatened by enclosure. The government was trying to limit enclosure.

Poor Law

Attempts had been made to reduce poverty by Edward VI in 1552. For example, beggars had to register to be allowed to beg.
In 1563, Elizabeth I's government tried to reduce the number of roaming paupers. It passed the Statute of Artificers which intended to make apprentices stay for seven years.
The Poor Law was rudimentary and many people did not believe there was much of a difference between the impotent poor (those unable to work) and idle poor (those able to work).

Taxation

Taxation had been a major grievance which triggered rebellion during the reigns of Elizabeth I's predecessors.
To avoid such conflict, Elizabeth I avoided reforming the taxation system.

Impact of Religious Change During Elizabeth I's Reign

Elizabeth I tried to find a middle ground between Catholicism and radical Protestantism. Inevitably, not everyone would be happy with her settlement.

A compromise

Elizabeth was trying to find a compromise between Catholicism and radical Protestantism.
Through the Act of Supremacy, Elizabeth was the head of the Church.
But many aspects of religious worship contained the traditional rituals of the Catholic Church.

Protestant opponents

Many hardline Protestants were dissatisfied with the Elizabethan settlement and wanted her to pursue further reform.
Protestant reformers tried to pressure Elizabeth I.
- Margaret Aston has analysed a painting called 'Edward VI and the Pope' which used Edward VI's reputation as a strong Protestant to pressure Elizabeth I to further her own reforms.

Catholic opponents

Almost all the Catholic bishops that were installed by Mary refused to accept Elizabeth's settlement and were dismissed from their positions.
Some ministers refused to use the new Prayer Book and continued to use the Catholic Prayer Book.

A successful settlement?

But the opposition to Elizabeth's settlement was relatively minimal and non-violent.
Elizabeth's settlement was also accepted internationally. Arguably, this is because figures such as the Pope and King Philip II believed Elizabeth I could be eventually persuaded back to Catholicism.

Historical assessment

Historian Christopher Haigh argues that by the 1580s/ 90s evangelicals' hopes that the 'ignorant multitude' could be converted to the "true religion" had been dashed. They were as ignorant as they ever had been; preaching and the deployment of scripture had had little effect.
A contemporary evangelical, Perkins said, 'we in England have heard the calling of God more than forty years, and yet very few of us are moved to change or amend our lives.'

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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