Topic 4; Theme 4, Social and Economic Distress Flashcards
(28 cards)
When were the bad harvests and why was this an issue?
1594-97, a series of bad harvests meant that there was no opportunity to replenish gran stores.
Why was the bad harvests particularly brutal?
it was a content-wide dearth that meant that they couldn’t so easily replace these lacking harvests with cheap imports.
Why was the return of soldiers so problematic?
There was unemployment and desperation for returning soldiers and many of them turned to violent gang crime.
When did the price of wheat double?
1595, then again in 1596
When was there an outbreak of plague in London?
1593-94
What happened at the Oxfordshire rising?
Planned to storm the Lord Lieutenants house and take his guns and kill him, then storm London, but only four showed up.
When was there a food riot in London and where?
1595, South East and South West London
When was the Oxfordshire rising?
1596
What happened to the participants of the Oxfordshire Rising?
1596, two were hung, drawn and quartered showing the insecurity of the government. Wanted to make sure there was no gentry involvement.
What had the population grown to by this time from 1520?
2 million to 4 million since 1520.
What was the percentage decrease of real wages?
50-30% less than in 1500
How many grain riots were there in Kent and when?
1594-1603, 8 grain riots.
How many brothels were there by the 1590s in London?
100
When did Soldiers mutiny in Chester on their way to Ireland? (3 dates)
1594, 1595, 1602
Which poor laws made alms available for the poor?
1597-1601
What position and institution was expanded upon from 1572?
Overseer of the Poor and Houses of Correction.
What new type of beggar was introduced and what would they sometimes be supplied with?
‘Labouring Poor’
Sometimes supplied with wool to turn into cloth to supplement their income.
What was the 1598 Poor Law?
Gave Overseers the power to collect a compulsory poor rate from the rich and distribute wealth between the richer and poorer parishes.
What was the 1601 Poor Law?
Meant that the poor could now be convicted for drunkenness, swearing and bastard bearing as well.
What happened to the poor who complained about the system?
They could lose the alms they were receiving.
When and what was the Tillage act?
1597, put enclosed land back under the plough so that crops would be grown instead of sheep -increasing food production.
Why was London not so affected by the food shortages?
They could import grain from the Baltic quite easily.
When did the Harvests start to get better?
After 1598
Why were the Yeomen and Husbandmen on the government’s side?
They sought stability.
