Quality+of+Life+in+England+1500s+to+1700s+-+Catherine

= = =**__ Quality of Life in England (1500s to 1700s) __**=

<-Late 17th century United Kingdom
 * Early On Overall:**
 * During the early 1500s, quality of life for the poor was very low
 * malnutrition, plaque wiping out large population, little money
 * During the late 1500s, inflation rose dramatically leading to earnings falling
 * During the 16th century, England grew rapidly in trade and industry
 * The upper and middle class saw a big rise in their standard of living
 * while the lower class became worse (large population died of plague)
 * Tudor Society had four large groups: nobility, gentry and rich merchants, yeomen and craftsmen, laborers
 * After the plague, as population rose then jobs were harder to get
 * While quality of life looked good for high class, and the emerging middle class, poor were still doing badly


 * English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution:**
 * Life in England changed (and even improved for poor) after the English Civil War (1642 to 1651) and the Glorious Revolution (1688)
 * English Civil War: (broken down into three main wars, but debate was usually the same)
 * Constant debate over Parliament's power over the king
 * King Charles I started it off -- he was finally executed in 1649 - BIG DEAL!
 * In 1628 Oliver Cromwell and other members of Parliament the Petition of Right to King Charles in order to stop royal abuse of power
 * In response, in 1629, King Charles dissolved Parliament
 * Parliament reconvened in 1640 and the Civil War began in 1642
 * In between Charles I and Charles II, England attempted to be governed as a commonwealth and procreate but Parliament became corrupt
 * King Charles II came into rule and tried to restore British Monarchy-- raised taxes and also suspended Parliament -- finally executed
 * Constant fear of Catholics rising and trying to take over England
 * Trying to end accession of British Monarchy

Video that shows basic causes leading up to the English Civil War (Watch out, this is video it interpreting the 3rd Civil War to be the only part of it. Civil War really began after King Charles I ended Parliament) media type="youtube" key="zzh_7orEBU0" height="315" width="420" <-King Charles II King Charles I->
 * Glorious Revolution:
 * Major change of government without bloodshed – King James II fled England and William (ruler of Holland) was made king by Parliament
 * Parliament now had firm command of politics
 * William agreed to religious toleration (before a lot of hatred mainly towards Catholics)
 * Resulted in the British Bill of Rights in 1689 - limits power of king, sets rules for Parliament, freedom of speech, regular elections in Parliament
 * People starting to feel more secure and therefore happier
 * More rights are given to people, from high class to low class
 * People don't have to pay such crazy and high taxes because king has a check and balance from Parliament

http://www.constitution.org/bor/eng_bor.htm --- This website lists major items in the English Bill of Rights

<-King James II
 * During the 17th Century and Later Overall:**
 * During 17th century, England became steadily richer as trade and commerce grew
 * The port of London grew rapidly, England began to found colonies, the East India Company was founded in 1600
 * Banking developed as England grew more commercial and lending became more important
 * Status of merchants imporoved dramatically but political power and influence still held by rich landowners
 * Diet improved as variety of food and meat was available to more people
 * But, Stuart towns were dirty and unsanitary, at night dark and very dangerous
 * In comparison, London had improvement was a piped water supply as created but it was expensive to be connected to the supply, streets of London were lit for the first time
 * Improvement did not always apply to the poor
 * Their houses were very plain and basic but they did begin living in brick/stone versus wood which was warmer and drier
 * People began eating with forks for the first time in the early 17th century, showing increase in wealth and quality of life
 * Methods of agriculture greatly improved and farmers could produce more food for everyone (including themselves)
 * Weapons and technology begin to improve
 * Tea consumption reflected quality of life -- as quality of life rose, so did consumption of tea
 * overtime, tea consumption was throughout every part of English life
 * High Class members were annoyed that even the poor could consume tea while it used to be a sign of absolute wealth
 * tea and sugar intertwined - their consumption rose together
 * East India Company growth reflected trade and commerce growth as England expanded overseas
 * sugar planters encouraged the consumption of tea and the East India Company did the same for sugar because it was in their best interest
 * Tea and coffeehouses became a place for social and political topics


 * **Costume period** and fashion (especially of Elizabeth’s reign later on in the Golden Age) signals the slow but sure increase in quality of life

<-Dress circa 1708 <-Armor circa 1580 <- High Class Shoes circa 1690 <- In contrast, Lower Class Shoes circa late 16th century <- Porcelain made in China and imported, Gold made and put on in England ca. 1585 - Shows trade and commerce expansion <- Princess Elizabeth in 1606, she would later become Queen Elizabeth

media type="youtube" key="5vLwGzTEPfo" height="315" width="560"<-Fashion and some other aspects happening in 17th England (Mostly Talking) media type="youtube" key="pacvVYTg_Ck" height="315" width="560"<-Fashion (only really fashion) with pictures


 * Sources:**

Art found at artstor.org and metmuseum.org

Lambert, Tim. "Everyday Life in Tudor England." //Local Histories: A World History Encyclopedia//. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .

Knox, E.L. Skip. "English Civil War - The Glorious Revolution." //Boise State University//. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .

Lambert, Tim. "Everyday Life in the Stuart Era (17th Century)." //Local Histories: A World History Encyclopedia//. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .

Bernstein, William. //A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World//. London: Atlantic, 2008. Print.

Bell, Walter George. //The Great Fire of London.// London: Guild of St. Bride, 1957. Print.

Salgado, Garmini. //The Elizabethan Underworld//. [S.l.]: Wrens Park, 1992. Print.

"English Bill of Rights, 1689." //Montauk Magazine//. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. .