Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The state and the poor: reasons for the growth of poverty in Tudor…
Full specification wording
State control and popular resistance, 1509–88: The state and the poor: reasons for the growth of poverty in Tudor England; punishments for beggars and vagrants; the importance of charities and local authorities in the provision of poor relief.
Tudor poverty grew due to population rise, inflation, enclosure, bad harvests and the dissolution of the monasteries, which removed a traditional source of charity.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Tudor poverty grew due to population rise, inflation, enclosure, bad harvests and the dissolution of the monasteries, which removed a traditional source of charity. The state responded with harsh punishments for beggars and vagrants, including whipping, branding and even execution for repeat offenders. However, local authorities and charities became increasingly important in providing poor relief. Justices of the peace administered poor laws, collecting compulsory rates to support the deserving poor, while almshouses and private donations helped the impotent poor. This mix of repression and relief reflected growing concern about social order and the need to manage the poor.
What earns the marks
- Identifies multiple causes of poverty, such as demographic growth, economic change and the dissolution of the monasteries.
- Explains the nature and purpose of punishments for beggars and vagrants, including whipping, branding and execution.
- Assesses the role of charities and local authorities in providing poor relief, including the use of poor rates and almshouses.
- Evaluates the changing attitudes of the state towards the poor, from repression to limited relief.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that all poor people were treated as criminals.
Put it right: The deserving poor received some relief, while vagrants faced punishment.
Ignoring the role of local initiatives.
Put it right: Local authorities and charities were crucial before national poor laws.
Assuming the dissolution of the monasteries had no social impact.
Put it right: It removed a major source of charity and increased poverty.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples of poor laws, such as the 1572 Act, to show changing government policy.
- Distinguish between the deserving and undeserving poor when discussing relief and punishment.
- Link poverty to broader themes of state control and popular resistance.
Try the lesson
The start of the State control and popular resistance, 1509–88: The state and the poor: reasons for the growth of poverty in Tudor England; punishments for beggars and vagrants; the importance of charities and local authorities in the provision of poor relief. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a major reason for the growth of poverty in Tudor England?
Listen
Tudor poverty grew due to population rise, inflation, enclosure, bad harvests and the dissolution of the monasteries, which removed a traditional source of charity. The state responded with harsh punishments for beggars and vagrants, including whipping, branding and even execution for repeat offenders. However, local authorities and charities became increasingly important in providing poor relief. Justices of the peace administered poor laws, collecting compulsory rates to support the deserving poor, while almshouses and private donations helped the impotent poor. This mix of repression and relief reflected growing concern about social order and the need to manage the poor. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies multiple causes of poverty, such as demographic growth, economic change and the dissolution of the monasteries. Explains the nature and purpose of punishments for beggars and vagrants, including whipping, branding and execution. Assesses the role of charities and local authorities in providing poor relief, including the use of poor rates and almshouses. Evaluates the changing attitudes of the state towards the poor, from repression to limited relief. A common slip: claiming that all poor people were treated as criminals. Instead, the deserving poor received some relief, while vagrants faced punishment. Exam tip: Use specific examples of poor laws, such as the 1572 Act, to show changing government policy.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Social and economic change
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State repression versus charity
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Local versus national responses to poverty
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The deserving and undeserving poor
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See every definition
- Social and economic change
- Poverty grew due to population rise, inflation, enclosure, bad harvests and the dissolution of the monasteries, which removed a traditional source of charity.
- State repression versus charity
- The state responded with harsh punishments for beggars and vagrants, while charities and local authorities became increasingly important in providing poor relief.
- Local versus national responses to poverty
- Justices of the peace administered poor laws, collecting compulsory rates to support the deserving poor, while almshouses and private donations helped the impotent poor.
- The deserving and undeserving poor
- The deserving poor received some relief, while vagrants faced punishment, a mix of repression and relief reflecting concern about social order.
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