Key features of early modern Britain
There were some changes relating to The health of the population as a whole, and methods used to prevent disease and keep people healthy. in early modern Britain. As in the medieval period, how society was run and what people believed had important impacts on health.
Daily life
Work
Britain’s population increased from around 2.5 million in c.1500 to almost 6 million by 1750. However, Britain was still a pre-industrial society, and most people lived and worked in the countryside. The wool industry remained important, but spinning and weaving were still carried out in people’s homes.
Food and farming
In the 16th and 17th centuries, bad harvests could still lead to An extreme shortage of food. Several famines hit Britain in the 1590s and 1620s. However, by the 18th century, new techniques in farming meant that there was usually enough food to feed everyone. This was despite the fact that the population was growing.
Religion and science
The Reformation
By 1600, England had become a Christians who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. They believe in the teachings of the Bible but reject the authority of the Pope. country. This period became known as the The 16th century religious revolution that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches. The Church was under the control of the monarch and the monasteries had fallen into ruin. However, despite these changes, religious belief was still a major part of people’s lives.
Science and technology
New inventions were introduced, such as the printing press and the microscope. People were debating new ideas and searching for more rational explanations of the world. The printing press allowed these ideas to spread quickly across Europe.
Beliefs
Although there were new inventions and advances in technology, most people continued to look to old ideas to explain disease, such as God, the Four bodily fluids – yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm – used in ancient times to analyse and describe people's state of health. and Smells from decomposing material, such as animal and human waste, that were thought to cause disease. Many people also believed in witches as a cause of disease and bad harvests. At the time, witchcraft was believed to be a special kind of magic used to cause harm to people or property. Witches were often accused of obtaining their power from the Devil.
Towns and trade
Growing towns
By 1750, towns had grown as many people moved to find work. Some areas of towns became overcrowded, although this was minor compared to later changes between 1750 and 1900. Only around 20 per cent of people lived in towns.
New products
The growth of coal mining led to more use of coal in towns. There was also a rise in international trade. In the 17th century, England established its first overseas colonies in North America. It began to trade across the Atlantic Ocean in enslaved people, metal goods, sugar and tobacco. New spices and fabrics came from India. Increased trade led to the growth of ports such as Bristol.
Power and people
Parliament
This was a period of huge change in the monarch’s power. One of the most significant events was the civil war fought between the Royalists (who were loyal to Charles I) and The law-making body of a country. between 1642 and 1648. The king was executed in 1649. Although the monarchy was restored in 1660, Parliament was far more powerful that it had been in the Middle Ages. However, only around 3 per cent of the population had any say in choosing Members of Parliament.
People
People were still divided by a social hierarchy, although this had started to break down slightly by 1750:
- Nobles owned vast amounts of land. They held a lot of power and sat in the The House of Lords is the second chamber of UK Parliament. Its members are not elected MPs. Until 1999, lords all inherited their titles and positions.
- The gentry were also a class of incredibly wealthy landowners, although with smaller estates than the nobles. They were often MPs or Someone responsible for maintaining law and order in a county. Often abbreviated to JP.(JPs).
- Merchants, lawyers and doctors were part of a growing class of people who earned their wealth in ways other than through owning land. They usually had important roles in town authorities, as mayors or People who assisted mayors in running towns and cities.
- The description - commoner - could be applied to many people during this period including,A farmer who owned their own land.craftspeople and labourers. Though many people continued to live in poverty, they were no longer unfree peasants who were connected to their lord as Someone who worked without pay for their lord in return for land. had been in medieval times.