a social historian is a historian who is interested in studying the lives of ordinary people

Was there a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor 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?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

This keyword is a type of historian who is interested in studying the lives of ordinary people

What term is the generally accepted historical interpretation of Elizabeth I’s reign?

Theatre as a form of entertainment was established.

The population gained access to all the benefits of education.

Elizabeth managed to calm religious tensions in England.

There was an increase in popularity of blood sports.

Which of the following three features of the Elizabethan period that can be used as evidence of it being a ‘Golden Age’?

wealthy people making charitable donations

Which group of people were seen to be responsible for the poor during the Elizabethan period?

The poor got to experience a great deal of entertainment.

The Elizabethan Poor Law supported those who were unable to support themselves.

The growth of the economy meant that nobody went hungry during this period.

Why does James Sharpe think the Elizabethan period was a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor?

Which of the following opportunities were seen to benefit at least some of the poor in Elizabethan England? 

the negative attitudes of the lords towards poor farmers

the concern that blood sports attracted criminals and drunken behaviour

What was the 1601 Poor Law was designed to eliminate? 

Many people were forced to become vagrants and beggars.

Poor people were unable to use religious buildings.

Government had to find alternative buildings to support vagrants and beggars.

Which one of the following was a significant consequence of the dissolution of the monasteries?

The name of the most far-reaching act to support those living in poverty, passed in 1601 is {{ }}. 

Which monarch passed the Vagabonds Act in 1572?

Under which of the three categories outlined in the 1601 Poor Law could orphaned children become apprentices to craftsmen?

The group of poor people who were able to work but chose not to were the called the {{ }}.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

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

Was there a ‘Golden Age’ for the poor in Elizabethan England?

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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