EE4: Poverty in Elizabethan England

What were the main causes of poverty in Elizabethan England? (2 correct answers)

• Population increases
• Enclosure of fields
• Warfare abroad
• Government policies promoting welfare

Which groups of people were most affected by poverty during this period? (2 correct answers)

• The elderly
• Children
• Nobility
• Wealthy merchants

What was the purpose of the Poor Law of 1601? (2 correct answers)

• To promote trade and commerce
• To increase taxes on the wealthy
• To punish vagrants
• To provide aid to the deserving poor

What types of work were available to the poor in Elizabethan England? (2 correct answers)

• Artisan craftsmanship
• Professional sports
• Domestic service
• Agricultural labour

How did the Elizabethan government respond to poverty? (2 correct answers)

• Establishing Houses of Correction
• Implementing the 1601 Poor Law
• Creating the Liberal reforms
• Encouraging migration to the colonies

Which of the following were considered 'deserving poor'? (2 correct answers)

• Criminals
• Able-bodied beggars
• Orphans
• The sick and disabled

Why did a higher population lead to greater poverty? (2 correct answers)

• Rents increased as demand rose
• There were more workers but fewer jobs, so wages lowered
• There were more people asking for benefits
• There were not enough places in schools, so taxes had to go up

What was the impact of the enclosure movement on the poor? (2 correct answers)

• Loss of common land
• Increased food prices
• Improved living conditions for all
• Greater job opportunities in cities

How did attitudes towards the poor change during Elizabeth's reign? (1 correct answer)

• A belief that poverty was a punishment from God
• Complete acceptance of poverty as normal
• Increased sympathy for the poor
• More people voted for the Labour Party in elections

Which of these ideas were used to help the poor in York? (2 correct answers)

• Begging licences were introduced
• Beggars were expected to work, and if they refused were sent to a House of Correction
• A youth training scheme
• A hospital was founded to look after the mentally ill, called Bedlam