3.2.2
Paupers & Charity under Elizabeth
Paupers and Poverty
Paupers and Poverty
People who didn’t have jobs in Elizabethan society were called paupers. Paupers were at the bottom of the social ladder (or hierarchy). During the Elizabethan age, poverty rose significantly.
The poor under Henry VIII
The poor under Henry VIII
- Under Henry VIII, the use of private armies was restricted, and lots of soldiers were without work.
- Furthermore, the Dissolution of the Monasteries left monks, nuns and church employees without their jobs (and way of life).
- Monasteries also helped the poorest people in society. So the closure of the monasteries also hurt the poorest people.
Food shortages
Food shortages
- Bad harvests between 1594 and 1598 contributed to the problem of poverty.
- Food shortages increased prices, leading to inflation.
- Keeping livestock became more common than growing crops and farming sheep needed less workers.
Flu outbreak and population growth
Flu outbreak and population growth
- A flu outbreak in 1556 killed 200,000 people, including a lot of farmers. Subsistence farming (growing enough to feed only yourself and your family) was very inefficient.
- The country’s population increased from 2.8 million to 4.1 million during Elizabeth’s reign, leading to a housing shortage and higher rents.
Charities in Elizabethan Society
Charities in Elizabethan Society
Charity had traditionally been the main source of support for the poor. However, during this period charity donations by the rich became insufficient (not enough) for dealing with the problem. This led to greater intervention by the government to deal with the problem.
The Great Chain of Being
The Great Chain of Being
- A common social belief in Elizabethan times was “The Great Chain of Being”. This explained the structure of society.
- Nobles were seen as being ‘better’ than poor people.
- However, others believed they had a duty to help those below them.
Charity
Charity
- People began to understand that paupers were not to blame for their own poverty.
- Charities and almhouses to assist the poor became more common.
Beggars and vagabonds
Beggars and vagabonds
- One group of paupers was looked on less favourably. People did not trust beggars, who were seen as having no interest in honest work.
- The book Warning Against Vagabonds (1567) by Thomas Harman helped to perpetuate the view that vagabonds were tricksters.
- Harman described different stereotypes of vagabond, such as Tom O’Bedlam (a beggar who pretended to be mad) and Clapper Dudgeon (who would hurt himself and use dirty bandages on the wounds to get sympathy from passers by).
Early laws against beggars
Early laws against beggars
- For most of Elizabeth’s time on the throne, laws from earlier monarchs to deal with beggars remained:
- From 1531, beggars were whipped in public.
- If caught more than once, beggars would have their ear burned until a hole was formed.
- Further offences led to hanging.
Government Efforts to Help the Poor
Government Efforts to Help the Poor
Governments had to help the poor more because of bad conditions. Overall, poverty got worse from the 1590s onwards. This was due to more failed harvests, and resulting shortages and higher prices.
Poor law legislation
Poor law legislation
- In 1572, a Poor Law let local officials (magistrates) raise money from local people to help the poor.
- This was a first step towards a system of taxation to help the poor.
- In 1576, the ‘Act for setting the poor on work’ made local authorities responsible for poverty in their local area.
Cities
Cities
- In London, Bridewell Palace was used as a shelter and Bedlam hospital was built as an asylum for the insane. Conditions across these institutions were poor.
- In York, beggars’ licenses had been issued since 1515. A Master Beggar was even appointed from 1528 to oversee the others. Those who refused to work were required to go to the House of Correction.
Research and tax
Research and tax
- Research was done to see which cities had best dealt with the problem of poverty. The Privy Council used this research to shape national laws.
- Compulsory poor rates (taxes) were introduced in many cities during Elizabeth’s reign, including London, Norwich and York.
The Poor Law
The Poor Law
- There were few real reforms before 1588. In 1601, the Poor Law was the first law taxing the wealthy to pay for the care of the poor. Those who were fit and healthy were required to work, as the poor were divided into three groups:
- the helpless poor (sick and old);
- the able-bodied poor, who were required to work in order to get food;
- the idle poor, who were sent to the House of Correction.
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
Jump to other topics
1Queen, Government & Religion
1.1Elizabeth I & her Court
2Challenges to Elizabeth at Home & Abroad
2.1The Religious Settlement
3Elizabethan Society 1558-88
3.1Education & Leisure
3.2The Poor & Living Standards
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