Henry VIII - Social/Economy Flashcards
(32 cards)
What did cloth exports look like?
Woollen cloth exports doubled accompanied by hides and tin
Raw wool market declined
Increase in cheaper materials like kersey
What did countrbalance imports of wine show?
Spending power of more prosperous class had increased
What happened to coinage?
Debasement of coinage created in 1546 - value of gold and silver reduced
Homelessness?
Some people made homeless due to engrossing, legislation against problem was ineffective
Bad Harvests?
Bad Harvests in 1520-21 and 1527-29 led to increased food prices, inflation almost doubled prices
What happened to real wages?
After a period of stability, real wages began to decline after debasement
What did assessment for subsidies show?
Substantial urban poverty - over half of Coventry recorded to have no personal wealth
How many people lived in poverty?
1/3 of population
What did dissolution of monasteries do for the poor?
Increased poverty - eliminated places of refuge and charity for the poor
What Act was passed in 1530?
1530 Vagabonds Act - only licensed beggars could beg legally
What power did JP’s have over poor?
To license impotent poor to beg. Only allowed disabled and elderly
What was set in place after the 1531 Act for the poor?
1536 Act of Punishment of Sturdy Vagabonds - more severe and said that if they were caught outside parish with no work they would be whipped in the streets
What would happen if caught a second/third time?
Ear cut off, execution
What happened to the profit of the cloth industry?
Did not always find its way into English pockets, 70% cloth transported by British merchants, much of trade was in foreign hands before this
Coal mining?
Some growth in mining industries, Cornish tin remained a prize export
How were jobs from wool industry?
Wool industry mainly in East Anglia and West County, jobs weren’t secure could lead to poverty
How many furnaces were there by the middle of the century?
26
What did massive increase in population induce?
Strain on food supply
Decline in real wages due to supply of cheap labour
Wealthy landowners benefited from increased agricultural practices
Some enjoyed better access to markets
Change in gentry?
Became richer from buying monastic land that had closed down during reformation, rented out this land, growth in wool trade made them richer
Importance of gentry?
Growing importance in 16th century, some land came with right to appoint minor clergy
Did reformation help lower class gentry?
Yes, helped growth of small local landowners, two chancellors were ‘low-born’ - Thomas Wolsey was son of a Butcher
What was the effect of dissolution of monasteries on the poor?
Many monasteries gave the poor shelter so dissolution caused distress of the loss of a social service
How much hospitality was given charitably by monasteries?
2% of an institution’s total income
16th century attitudes toward the poor?
‘Impotent poor’ - needed support
‘Able bodied poor’ - were forced to work to prevent beggars
