The Poor and Attitudes to Poverty in Elizabethan England

This section explores the attitudes to the poor in Elizabethan England. The Elizabethan era is often remembered for the wealth and luxury enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers, as well as the cultural flourishing seen in the arts, literature, and exploration. However, for ordinary people, life was often challenging, and poverty was a widespread issue. The number of poor people increased during Elizabeth's reign, largely due to factors such as population growth, rising food prices, and economic instability. Unlike the modern welfare state, there was no system of social security or government support for those who fell on hard times.

In Elizabethan England, poverty was generally seen as a personal failing, and attitudes towards the poor were shaped by a strong belief in social hierarchies and divine order. The prevailing view was that poverty was often the result of an individual’s own moral weakness or lack of effort. This attitude was deeply ingrained in society and was reinforced through religion, social structures, and legal frameworks.

The Great Chain of Being and Social Hierarchy

One of the key ideas that shaped Elizabethan attitudes to poverty was the concept of the Great Chain of Being, a hierarchical structure that ranked all forms of life in a strict order. This concept was rooted in medieval philosophy and Christian doctrine, and it suggested that every person had a divinely ordained place in society. According to this belief, people were born into their social status, and this status was not to be questioned or altered. The chain extended from God at the top to inanimate objects at the bottom, with humans positioned between angels and animals.

At the pinnacle of this hierarchy were the monarchs and nobility, followed by the gentry, merchants, tradesmen, and labourers. The lowest ranks were occupied by the poor, beggars, and those who were "idle" or "vagrants." This structure of society reinforced the idea that those in positions of power and wealth had been appointed by God to rule, while those who were poor were often seen as deserving of their situation. The idea of a "divinely appointed" position was reinforced every week in church, where clergy preached about the importance of accepting one’s place in the social order. This belief was a cornerstone of Elizabethan society and influenced how the poor were viewed and treated.

The Role of Religion in Shaping Attitudes to Poverty

Religion played a significant role in shaping attitudes towards poverty in the Elizabethan period. The Church of England, established under Elizabeth’s father Henry VIII, taught that poverty was a test of faith, and that those who suffered were often being tested by God. There was also a widespread belief in the concept of charity; the idea that helping the poor was an act of Christian virtue. However, this charity was often seen as a voluntary act rather than a duty of the state or society at large. The poor were encouraged to rely on the charity of the wealthier classes, who were expected to give alms or donations to help those in need.

However, this charity was also often conditional, with the poor expected to demonstrate their worthiness for assistance. There were various poor laws in place that aimed to regulate the relief of the poor, but these laws were sometimes harsh and punitive. Those who were seen as "undeserving" of help; such as able-bodied men who were seen as lazy or vagrants; were often punished rather than helped. This reflected a widespread belief that poverty could be overcome through hard work and moral integrity.

The Impact of Poverty on Society

Poverty was a significant issue for many ordinary people in Elizabethan England. The population had grown substantially during Elizabeth’s reign, and while this led to economic growth and expansion in some areas, it also created significant pressures on resources. Food prices rose, and many people found it difficult to make a living, particularly in rural areas where farming conditions could be unpredictable.

As the gap between the rich and the poor widened, the number of poor people in urban areas increased. Cities such as London saw significant population growth, and with this came a rise in homelessness, crime, and social unrest. While some people managed to make a living through trades and crafts, many others were forced into begging or vagrancy.

In response to the growing problem of poverty, the Elizabethan government introduced a series of laws aimed at regulating poverty and providing some relief. The Act for the Relief of the Poor (1601), also known as the Elizabethan Poor Law, was one of the first pieces of legislation to formalise the treatment of the poor. It created a system for poor relief that required local parishes to care for the poor in their communities. However, the law also reinforced the idea that poverty was something to be controlled, and those who were seen as "idle" or "unwilling to work" could be punished or even imprisoned.

The Social Stigma of Poverty

Despite the charitable impulses of some, poverty was often stigmatised in Elizabethan society. The poor were seen as a burden, and there was a widespread fear that poverty could spread through society, threatening the stability of the social order. Beggars, vagrants, and the homeless were often viewed with suspicion, and harsh laws were passed to control them. In many cases, people were required to wear distinctive clothing or badges to signify their status as poor, which further reinforced their social stigma.

The idea of charity was often more about reinforcing social hierarchies than about addressing the root causes of poverty. The poor were often seen as dependent and passive recipients of charity, rather than active participants in their own social and economic improvement. The focus was on maintaining the existing social order rather than addressing the structural causes of poverty, such as unequal distribution of wealth, economic instability, or lack of access to education or healthcare.

Conclusion

In the Elizabethan era, attitudes towards poverty were shaped by a rigid social hierarchy and the belief that each person had a divinely ordained place in society. Poverty was largely seen as the result of personal failure, and the poor were often viewed with suspicion and disdain. Religion and the Great Chain of Being reinforced these attitudes, and while charity was encouraged, it was often conditional and could reinforce the social divisions of the time. Despite the efforts of some to provide relief, the poor in Elizabethan England were largely left to fend for themselves, with little formal support from the state.