Elizabethan Society
Continuity and Change –
The title of ‘Duke’ had become more dangerous, as all four
dukes between 1549-72 died as traitors. Following this,
Elizabeth made no further Dukes.
The nobility became much less interested in the military and
chose instead to invest in large housing.
The Gentry continued to lack precise social definition but grew
in both size and wealth.
Under Elizabeth, the gap between rich and poor widened with
the creation of a consumer society.
Poor groups were affected by the decline in real wages, and by
the end of the reign.
Poverty –
An Act in 1572 forced local ratepayers to pay for poor relief.
The Poor Law Act of 1576 was the first attempt to create a
national system of poor relief.
Under the Elizabethan Poor Act of 1601, the Parish was
designated as the administrator of poor relief. They also cared
for the poor who couldn’t look after themselves.
In 1572 an Act was passed which legitimised punishment for
the undeserving poor (beggars and vagrants). In 1597 an Act
was passed that allowed for the execution of repeat offenders.
Continuity and Change –
The title of ‘Duke’ had become more dangerous, as all four
dukes between 1549-72 died as traitors. Following this,
Elizabeth made no further Dukes.
The nobility became much less interested in the military and
chose instead to invest in large housing.
The Gentry continued to lack precise social definition but grew
in both size and wealth.
Under Elizabeth, the gap between rich and poor widened with
the creation of a consumer society.
Poor groups were affected by the decline in real wages, and by
the end of the reign.
Poverty –
An Act in 1572 forced local ratepayers to pay for poor relief.
The Poor Law Act of 1576 was the first attempt to create a
national system of poor relief.
Under the Elizabethan Poor Act of 1601, the Parish was
designated as the administrator of poor relief. They also cared
for the poor who couldn’t look after themselves.
In 1572 an Act was passed which legitimised punishment for
the undeserving poor (beggars and vagrants). In 1597 an Act
was passed that allowed for the execution of repeat offenders.
