Henry VIII and Economic Development

Question 1

Increased trade

Answer 1

Exports of woollen items increased by 100%. London became the centre of trade. England’s key trading partner was the Netherlands.

Question 2

Disrupted trade

Answer 2

Trade could be disrupted by war and foreign policy. England was damaged by a trade embargo (block) in the late 1520s against Spain. This led to a fall in exports and contributed to unemployment in England.

Question 3

Lack of interest

Answer 3

Henry VIII did not think it was worthwhile to invest time and effort in the ‘New World’. The government did not encourage exploration.

Question 4

Growth of the New World

Answer 4

While Henry VIII was on the throne, Spain and Portugal were building a large empire in the Americas.

Question 5

Inflation

Answer 5

The population increased throughout the Tudor era. This lead to increased demand for food, land and goods, in turn leading to increased prices and rents. Henry VIII had debased the currency in the 1540s. Reducing the amount of silver in coins made them less valuable and so more were needed to purchase things.

Question 6

Poverty

Answer 6

The population was quickly growing under Henry VIII. Many were unemployed and this led to people moving to urban areas. Many who moved to towns and cities lived in poverty.

Question 7

Poor harvests

Answer 7

England was impacted by poor harvests between 1520-1521 and 1527-1529. The cost of some foodstuffs doubled.

Question 8

Efforts to stop enclosure

Answer 8

The state was anxious to prevent enclosure. The Muddled Acts were passed in 1489 and 1515 to prevent enclosure. Cromwell passed an act in 1534 designed to limit how many sheep an individual could own. But it was very difficult to stop enclosure.