A Polarizing Society in Early Modern England, 1560-1640

Explore the economic and social changes in Early Modern England from 1560 to 1640 in this Yale University lecture. Examine how economic shifts and population growth led to increased wealth for some, particularly the gentry and land-holding classes, while simultaneously causing a rise in poverty and vagrancy. Analyze the economic pressures faced by different segments of society, including the emergence of a 'middling sort' between the poor and wealthy. Investigate the government's response to rising poverty levels, culminating in the Poor Laws. Gain insights into the human impact of these larger social and economic processes through specific examples and detailed discussions of various social classes. Delve into topics such as the effects of economic expansion on nobility and gentry, the tenantry, trade, social polarization, and further developments in this comprehensive examination of English society during the Tudor and Stuart periods.