poverty is the state of being extremely poor

monasteries are buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows

a rebellion is an act of armed resistance against a government or leader

The problem of poverty in Tudor 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?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

{{ }} are buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows.


This keyword is an act of armed resistance against a government or leader.


The closure of which buildings removed a valuable safety net for England’s poorest and most vulnerable?

more cow farming reduced the need for farm workers

crops failed for four years in a row during the 1590s

more sheep farming reduced the need for farm workers

Which of the following factors contributed to the increase in poverty in the Tudor period?

a phrase that describes increased competition for jobs

when landlords increased rents to unaffordable prices

Many people moved to the towns from the countryside.

England introduced some laws to try and help the most vulnerable.

The government intervened and resolved the impact of poverty.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of poverty in Tudor England. Select all of the correct statements.

a representation of someone or something in words or pictures.

the use of objects or pictures to represent ideas or qualities.

an historian’s opinion about past events.

the journeys that Elizabeth and her court made from one stately home to another

when Elizabeth won in a negotiation with another country

Whose right hand did Elizabeth I have chopped off in 1579?

The name given to the rousing speech that Elizabeth I gave in 1601 which increase her support was the {{ }}. 

She is one of England’s greatest rulers.

William Cecil, Lord Burghley, was the real power behind the throne.

She was merely a lucky queen who hated making decisions and so often didn’t.

Which of the following are examples of historians interpretations of Elizabeth I?

Elizabeth's portraits often contained {{ }}  to represent a particular message that she wanted to convey to her subjects.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The problem of poverty in Tudor England

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.