11) Economic development

Describe the woollen trade industry under HVIII? (2)

> grew initially in the early 16th century before passing to more specialist treatment e.g. fulling/dyeing which existed as small-scale industries.

> Overall wool exports declines towards the end of HVIII's reign - being used for the increasing cloth trade.

In relation to small-scale industries (fulling/dyeing) where was the greatest growth seen?

West Riding of Yorkshire, East Anglia and West Country (Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Devon)...

Describe the cloth trading industry?

> woollen cloth exports nearly doubled by the end of HVIII's reign - remained major employer of 'cottage industry'?

> 70% of cloth exports were transported by English merchants from the 1550s.

Cloth trade - profit & social mobility? (2)

> profit available, particularly for entrepreneurial clothiers (gentry) - able to acquire wealth + enhance social status.

> e.g. William Stumpe of Malmesbury who became an MP, high sheriff, wealthy landowner & beneficiary from the dissolution of the monastery...

Describe trade routes?

> Antwerp remained main export destination (particularly for cloth as was sent to customers in central Europe & Baltic) + London grew in importance as a result with a decline in regional ports e.g. Bristol & Hull.

> Southampton experienced a temporary boom, especially in trade with Venice, but was short-lived.

Describe other trading areas/industries? (2/4)

> MAJOR: increase in cheaper fabrics such as kersey...

> growth in mining industries...

>>> Cornish tin remained an export + coal mining continued to develop.

>>> development of the blast furnace (26 in total) - produced an increasing amount of iron ore in the Weald of Sussex & Kent.

Evidence against prosperous trading? (3)

> market for raw wool declined...

> before the 1550, much of the cloth trade was (transported) in foreign hands.

> work in specialist areas of the cloth industry (dyeing/fulling) was not secure & could lead to poverty.

Describe exploration? (2)

> HVIII uninterested in exploration...

> Robert Thorne, a Bristol trader, continued involvement in an Iceland and Newfoundland fishery BUT other merchants seeking further exploration were unable to gain royal support for any venture.

> Sebastian Cabot stayed in Spain for most of HVIII reign - visited England twice & returned after throne was assumed by Edward VI - assisted by Robert Thorne's son.

Describe prosperity & depression? (3/4)

> population grew significantly from 1525, allowing for fluctuations, a decline in the rate of mortality.

> from the 1520s, agricultural prices rose significantly = good for producers but bad for consumers.

>>> increase in farming incomes, sometimes enhanced by practice of engrossing.

> debasement of the coinage created a short-term artificial boom in 1544 to 46 BUT a long-term decline to living standards with labourers seeing a 10% decline in purchasing power showing benefits went to landowners.

What is John Guy's quote about prosperity?

'England was economically healthier, more expansive and more optimistic under the Tudors than at any time since the Roman occupation.'

define 'engrossing'?

the joining together of two or more farms to make a single agricultural unit; it could be seen as improving efficiency and output at the cost of rendering families homeless.

Evidence against prosperity? (4/5)

> bad harvests e.g. 1520-21 & 1527-29 led to temporary but large increases in food prices - doubled across HVIII's reign.

>>> John Guy suggests this caused problems for urban workers?

> real wages began to decline - worst at the end of HVIII's reign when the effects of debasement were particularly evident.

> Urban poverty grew - Coventry saw 50% in absolute poverty.

> Rural unemployment grew (population growth + enclosure) - 5000 p/a migrated to London as a result.

Describe the impact of enclosure?

> perceived as moral problem as resulted in the poor being forced to leave their homes.

> enclosure largely a regional practice - mostly in East Midlands.

> Common land was vital as 1/3rd of land was left fallow yearly, allowing it to recover as crop rotation/modern fertilisers were unknown.

> main damage from enclosure took place before 1485.

> legislation passed in 1534, attempting to limit sheep ownership & engrossing - limited results.

Impact of enclosure - Thomas More & Wolsey?

Thomas More's Utopia (book) published in 1516 emphasised enclosure's harmful societal effects. In response, Wolsey launched a commission in the following year to ascertain the scale of the problem - proceedings were launched successfully against approximately 188 defendants who were found to have enclosed illegally.

Describe the population? (6/7)

> increased population - underlying cause of economic distress.

> 90% of the population continued to live off the land in agricultural roles - typically producing little more than needed to survive (subsistence farming).

> put strain on food supply, making it difficult at times to meet the rising demands.

> wages were stagnating/decreasing, with plentiful supply of cheaper labour.

> beneficiaries were wealthier farmers and landowners...

> society became polarised - undermined traditional ideals of good lordship & responsibility.

>>> upper class assumed the poor were in that situation due to own idleness, leading to stricter measures against vagrancy & beggars.

why were wealthier farmers/landowners beneficiaries? (population) (2)

> agricultural prices rose

> growing class of substantial farmers who were able to adapt to changing market conditions = better material conditions.