What was the extent of social & economic change under Mary I?

What were 5 Economic Problems that England experienced throughout Mary I’s reign?

• Population Growth

• Inflation

• Drop in value of wages

• Bad harvests

• Sweating Sickness

What Epidemic was ongoing throughout Mary I’s reign?

Sweating sickness - form of influenza which swept through the country in 1557 and 1558

Why was the Sweating Sickness Epidemic such a problem during Mary I’s reign?

• death toll was worst of the century - possibly worse since the Black Death

• 1 in 10 people were killed by the disease & death rate doubled

• population fell from 5% between 1556 & 1561 as a result of death from famine and illness

When did Bad Harvests occur during Mary I’s reign?

1555 & 1556

What were the effects of the Bad Harvests (1555 & 1556) which occurred during Mary I’s reign?

brought severe food shortages & strain on wages for the poor

• harvest of 1556 was the worst of the century!

What was the impact of population rise and inflation during Mary I’s reign?

rapid population increases = increase in demand (particularly for food and produce)

What was a cause of inflation that was still being felt by Mary I’s reign?

debasement of coinage

What was there a drop of value of during Mary I’s reign?

rural labourers - around 40% more in comparison to earlier years

Did Mary I attempt to support the poor?

Yes

How did Mary I attempt to help the poor?

• poor relief introduced - licenced beggars to display badges

• laws introduced against grain hoarders during the time of famine

• strong encouragement to convert land used to graze animals into lands to produce food

• 1557 - Mary experimented in Yorkshire with JP’s taking on the role of Overseers of the Poor

Was there an agricultural revolution in the early 16th century?

No

• crop production decreased during Mary’s reign - poor harvests

• methods & crops remained largely the same

• BUT Mary did put measures in place to stop grain hording because of famine during 1555 & 1556

What happened with Royal Finances during Mary I’s reign?

Expenditure at court rose at first

• cut by 1557 - modest surplus in the Exchequer from ordinary revenue

How much did Mary I receive for selling off Crown Lands?

£5000 per annum in 1554 & £8000 per annum in 1557

• made sense in short term, but not in the long term

How did Mary I improve Financial Administration?

Exchequer expanded & took over the Court of First Fruits and Tenths

• set up to deal with funds previously gone to the Pope & Court of Augmentations (set up to deal with the income from new monastic land)

What did Mary I have plans for which were only brought by Elizabeth’s reign?

recoinage - to ease inflation

Did Custom duties increasing during Mary I’s reign?

increased substantially from £29,000 to £83,000 - new Book of rates set out new levels of export tax on a wider range of products

Did Mary I use Attainders during her reign?

Yes - against some nobles & gentry

• Duke of Northumberland & Sir Thomas Wyatt - £20,000 per annum & 18,000 in cash & plate

How much debt did Mary I inherit?

£185,000

How much did Mary I’s inherited debt rise to?

£300,000 - pay for war against France

What Rebellion occurred during Mary I’s reign?

Western Rebellion

When did the Western Rebellion occur?

1554

Why did the Western Rebellion occur?

• fear of England becoming Catholic again

• opposition to Mary’s Marriage