Crisis in society/economy?

Examples of CRISIS regarding population growth? (3)

• Reduction in population in 1550s - due to the spread of plague & other diseases - not that severe!

  • massive epidemic - outbreak of influenza 1557 & 1558 - death toll worst since black death!

• Poor harvests in 1549 + 1550 + 1555 + 1556.

• Growing towns = pressure on food production with less people living in rural areas to produce them.

Evidence of NO CRISIS regarding population growth? (2)

• Despite some bad harvests, also had many good harvests and many without any epidemics.

• Worry over depopulation of the countryside/ rural farming area - urban pop doubled between 1520 to 1600 BUT still accounted for 10% of total pop.

  • English pop in 1520s was less than 2.5 million but rose to 3 million in 1550s.

Evidence of CRISIS in AGRICULTURE? (5)

> Both England and Wales mostly agricultural (95% ish) + experienced multiple acute food shortages + serious rebellions in some rural areas.

> development of specialised farming e.g. dairy farming in Wiltshire localised grain shortages that were exacerbated by transport difficulties.

> Increased demands for productivity in urban areas = drained soil/fertility quailty.

> High prices for commodities in industry, e.g. wood or leather, made enclosure an attractive option.

> taxation on Sheep (introduced by Somerset) whilst intended to discourage enclosure, led to financial pressure on small farmers in upland areas who had no choice but to farm sheep.

Evidence of NO CRISIS in agriculture? (2)

> Enclosure was serious political issue - Somerset set up a commission to investigate problems related to enclosure and issues a proclamation against it - investigation largely ineffective BUT rate of enclosure seemingly slowed independently.

> shortages never became famine = rebellions quelled easily.

> Relatively small population = insufficient farming could still meet demands of food production.

Evidence of CRISIS in economy in relation to FINANCE? (5)

• Problems with financing major wars - assessment of taxation based on 'expired' valuations of land, enclosure and custom duties = led to decline in tax revenue.

• Prices doubled between 1540-60 (rents too) - growing population + decrease in arable farming exacerbated problems?

• HVIII & Somerset & Northumberland were all reduced to debasements & by 1551, silver content down to 25% of its value in 1526.

• HVIII & Edward borrowed heavily - large loans from trading communities, especially the Merchant Adventurers, BUT came at high interest payments, exacerbating loan problem.

• Mary remitting Edward's final installment of subsidy - meant to win popularity BUT further weakened royal finances + forced Mary to rely on new taxes later (more unpopular & hard to obtain!)

Evidence of NO CRISIS in economy in relation to FINANCE? (5)

> Short term - Somerset's policy of debasement was successful in financing war in Scotland - raised £ 537,000.

> Northumberland stopped wars so resulted in reduction in Crown expenditure + negotiated payment from French of £133,333 in return for Boulogne.

> Northumberland produced commission analysing the failures of the royal financial administration + plans were made for streamlining - came to fruition under Mary.

> Under Mary, Sir Thomas Gresham secured lower interest rates on loans, stabilised the exchange rate, restored creditworthiness etc...

> Parliamentary subsidies + sale of former monastic lands and their treasures + debasements all paid for wars in the short term.

Outline some of the financial reforms that took place under Mary following Northumberland's commission? (2)

> the Court of Exchequer took over the Court of First Fruits and Tenths + Court of Augmentations - adopted some of the recent courts' superior/ more effective methods.

> financial administration under Lord Treasurer Winchester was competent.

Explain Marian government's involvement in poor relief? (2)

> due to huge mortality rate due to influenza epidemic + series of bad harvests + high taxation to pay for war in France.

> Emphasis placed on enforcement of laws against grain hoarders + strong encouragement to convert pasture land to tillage.