#english_history 

By the coronation of Henry VII, the [[Class system|class system]] had already taken shape and form.
## Agricultural issues
Even in 1485 much of the countryside was still untouched. Few towns had more than 3000 people, with London having little over 60000 people by 1500.

In the 16th century, the picture changed rapidly. The poplulation rapidly increased (1603 - 4 million), **the unused land was cleared for sheep, and large areas of forest were cut down to provide wood for the growing shipbuilding industry** -> large social and economic crises, inflation.

In the countryside the [[The century of plagues in Medieval England|yeomen]] farmers used this lucrative opportunity and raised their prices due to lack of supply. 
Each yeoman had at least 100 acres of land, while an average person had around 20.

Many landowners found they could make more money from sheep farming -> started enclosing communal land -> against the law, but many landowners were JPs themselves.

All these problems climaxed in poverty and crime, as it is that the Henry VIII hanged around 7000 thieves. Many vagabond unemployed used to seek help at the monasteries, but because of the Reformation they could not do that.

The only thing that saved England from a catastrophical debacle were good harvests through most of the century.


## Societal & Economic issues
Many of the poor moved to towns, where there was a danger they would join together to fight against their rulers. As such, all the economic crises led to many revolts, especially during bad harvests.

The clothmaking industry was still the most important, with the successful men of this new [[Capitalism|capitalist]] class showing off their success by building magnificent houses and basking in their affluence.

By using coal instead of wood fires, Tudor England learnt how to make greatly improved steel. Henry VIII replaced the longbow with the musket. Coal was unpopular, but it burnt better than wood. It was thanks to coal that by the end of 16th century London had almost 200000 people living in there, although the constant presence of coal residue made London insalubrious.

## Governmental solutions
In **1547** Parliament gave magistrates the power to take any unemployed person and give him for 2 years to any local farmer. Any person found homeless and unemployed a 2nd time could be executed. This did not help the problem at all.

In **1563** Parliament made JPs responsible for deciding on fair wages and working hours. A worker was expected to start at 5 AM and work until 7-8 PM with 2,5 hours allowed for meals. In order to control the growing problem of wandering homeless people, workers were not allowed to move from their birth parish without permission.

In **1601** Parliament passed the first Poor Law. This made local people responsible for the poor in their own area. This law was in operation until 1834.