population growth

what was the population in England in : 1625, 1656 and 1688

* 1625 - 4.1 million
* 1656 - 5.3 million
* 1688 - 4.8 million

why did the population rise?

* the country had enjoyed domestic peace since 1485 and the end of the War of the Roses - 16th century population rose from 3 million to 4 million, and the trend continued during the first half of the seventeenth century
* changes in agriculture, such as enclosure of land and the growth of areas under cultivation, ensured a state supply of food for the growing population.
* during the 17th century many protestants migrated from Europe to escape religious persecution.

why did population growth slow and decline in the second half of the 17th century?

* the large number of deaths during the civil wars
* the Great Plague of 1665, which caused up to 100,000 deaths in London alone.
* many no-conformists migrating to America, where they could worship freely
* marriage often being delayed until people were in their late twenties, which reduced the average size of families

what was the impact of population growth on urbanisation

* 1625 - most people lived in the countryside, and at the majority of the population was concentrated in the south-east of England
* this changed during the 17th century - young people moved from southern parishes to more open parishes in the Midlands and the North.
* the enclosure of agricultural land that had begun under the Tudors continued in Stuart Britain - fewer people were needed to work the land, leading to the depopulation in several areas of southern England.
* overpopulation and limited job market in the country, attracted rural migrants to London.
* 1625 - 5.8% of the population lived in towns - urban and industrial development meant that by the end of the century this had risen to 13.3% (11.5% of this in London)

what was the population of London in 1625 and 1688?

* 1625 - risen above 200,000
* 1600 - it had doubled again
* 1688 - 500,000 and on the verge of becoming the largest city in Europe

why did London grow so much?

* its geographical position for trade
* significant aspects of national life:
* govt.
* finance
* industry
* culture
* partly due to people moving there from the rest of England and from Europe

which were the other large towns in England?

* London was larger than the next 50 English towns put together
* the next largest English towns with populations between 10-30,000 were:
* Norwich (important for cloth trade)
* Bristol (port)
* Newcastle (coal)
* York
* Exeter