subsistence is the act of maintaining oneself at a most basic level

Growing population in Elizabethan England

History

In this unit, pupils studied the problem of poverty in the 16th century alongside attitudes and responses to this. In 'Post-war Britain: for whom did the United Kingdom become a ‘New Jerusalem'?', pupils will see how the idea of governmental responsibility for people's welfare became a critical aspect of attitudes towards poverty in the 20th century and led to very different types of responses.

In 'Local history: how similar were medieval lives in Norwich?', pupils studied inequalities in medieval society and the lives of the poor. In this unit, pupils will extend their understanding of the lives of the poor by considering different aspects of their lives, including the ways in which they were treated by others, in the early modern period.

In this unit, pupils assess the extent to which Elizabethan England represented a 'Golden Age' for the poor. They examine the causes of poverty in this period and learn about contemporary responses to this growing problem before evaluating whether things improved for this group.

Life in Tudor England: was there a 'Golden Age' for the poor?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

{{ }} means the act of maintaining oneself at a most basic level. 

Which two reasons explain the population growth England experienced during the 16th century?

The name of the fastest-growing city in England between 1500 and 1600 was {{ }}.

people who moved in order to find work, food and shelter

Which of the following two statements accurately describes how the Elizabethan ruling elite viewed vagabonds?

Food was increasingly expensive in the markets.

Conditions were better than in the rural areas.

Which of the following statements describes the impact of population increase in urban areas?

buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows

an act of armed resistance against a government or leader.

Why do people at the time and today regard Elizabeth’s reign as a ‘Golden Age’? Select all of the correct answers.

What does referring to the Elizabethan period as a ‘Golden Age’ fail to take into account?

The population increased from 2.3 million in 1524 to 4 million in 1599.

Sheep farming and enclosures became more popular.

Why did unemployment increased dramatically as the 16th century progressed? Select all of the statements that are correct.

It shrank from 200 000 in 1485 to just 50 000 people in 1603.

It increased from 50 000 people in 1500 to 200 000 people by 1603.

Lack of food meant London's population could not grow above 50 000 people.

What happened to London's population over the Tudor period (1485-1603)?

Which two countries experienced large-scale rebellions linked to poverty in the 1590s?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz