Table of Contents
Why were there a lot of beggars in Elizabethan England?
Elizabethan England faced a mounting economic problem as the poor became poorer, and a growing army of vagabonds and beggars roamed the streets and countryside. In an attempt to curb the problem, the government passed a series of strict Poor Laws.
Why was poverty a problem for Elizabeth?
Poverty was one of the major problems Elizabeth faced during her reign….Increase in poverty.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Inflation | Prices for goods rose, but wages fell as there were more people around to do the work. |
Why was begging a crime during the Elizabethan era?
This was called the Poor Rate which was used to help the poor during the Elizabethan period. The Tudor and Elizabethan governments made begging a crime and therefore illegal and ‘poor beggars’ and as their punishment they would be beaten until they reached the stones that marked the town parish boundary.
How did Queen Elizabeth deal with the poor?
they brought in a compulsory nationwide Poor Rate system. everyone had to contribute and those who refused would go to jail. begging was banned and anyone caught was whipped and sent back to their place of birth. almshouses were established to look after the impotent poor.
Why would the King of Spain dislike Elizabeth so much?
To begin with, England was a Protestant country, and Spain was a Roman Catholic one. The Spanish made no secret of their hostility to the English Queen, who they believed was illegitimate and had no right to the English throne, and had been involved in plots to dethrone her.
Why was Mary not a threat to Elizabeth?
Mary, Queen of Scots was a threat to Elizabeth’s rule because she had two claims to the English throne: Many people believed Elizabeth to be illegitimate and so felt she had no right to be on the throne. Mary was a Catholic and many viewed her as their figurehead and a rightful replacement to the throne.
Did Elizabeth I help the poor?
The first 30 years of Elizabeth’s reign saw stability and prosperity but a rising population led to an increase in poverty and growing social problems, especially in towns. By the end of Elizabeth’s reign wide-ranging laws were passed to support the poor, which remained in place for the next 200 years.