The Poor in Elizabethan England

There were 4 classes in the Elizabethan Era, What percent of people were in the lowest class ( the laboring poor)

50 Percent

How much of their money as a percentage did the laboring poor spend on food and drink

80 percent

Reasons for High Poverty Rates

A rapid increase in population put heavy pressure on resources which caused inflation

Poor Harvests

Wages stayed the same for workers as there was a surplus of them

Devaluation of coinage from Henry VIII

Who were the idle poor?

People who were fit to work but too lazy, they would instead make a living off of illicit activities such as begging and petty crime.

E.G. Clapperdugeons pretended to be injured in order to gain more sympathy and money

The government saw this group as a threat as they may riot/ rebel and cause social unrest in towns.

Who were the impotent poor

People who were unable to work due to a number of reasons (age, disability, injury or illness)

The government were sympathetic to the impotent poor as they were not to blame for their situation

Who were the able-bodied poor?

Officially recognised in the poor law of 1563, they were people who were able and willing to work but couldn’t due to a lack of jobs.

The Poor laws

1563- Able bodied poor was recognised

1576- Parishes were required to provide materials for the able-bodied poor to work with

1601-Collected poor rates nationally. Amalgamated the previous poor laws and created the overseer of the poor.

What was the Vagabonds act of 1572?

Introduced a local poor rate to help the impotent poor and able-bodied poor of that parish

Punishments for the idle poor were introduced with punishments getting harsher each time they were convicted.

E.G. Civil misconduct, begging, loitering

How did the poor’s relationship with the Government and Elizabeth change over time?

Relations became BETTER over time