General facts Total population: 3 million 90% lived in rural communities Towns were very small and even though London was the largest, it still only had 60,000 residents. In places like the North, smaller settlements became very important hubs in order to run local government and trade.

Farming: Different parts of the country focused on different types of agriculture. For example: Hilly areas = livestock farming Woodlands = timber farming Southern England = arable farming (ploughed and used to grow crops) Most land divided into strips and then divided up for tenants with some common land given to graze animals. Issues with enclosure (fencing off of land) and caused various issues which often deprived villagers.

Cloth industry: Linked with farming and was a major industry. It provided over 80% of English exports. It created the most wealth due to its demands and home and abroad.

English society: Englishmen recognised their place in society as they believe it had been determined by God. Consequently, social status dominated society. This put the church in a powerful position of control and made them an important ally to the government. Monarchs ruled cooperatively with nobles as they relied on law and order being upheld by them and also formed his advisers. Commoners only suffered badly as a result of rise in prices and enclosure.

Catholic Church: Power of the church The most dominant religion in England at this time. They were very powerful as they owned 1/3 of the land and also had a lot of wealth. Had its own legal system, which meant they answered to the Pope and not the English system. Pope decided on all religious and political matters. Power grew from their beliefs and fears. This was because things like death proved to be the only certainty which made people follow the religious teachings so that they went to heaven after death. Teachings focused more on the good and bad as that is what people followed.

Catholic Church: Political Sphere Played a political role in the House of Lords. Kings often worked close with the church in order to stop challenges to the throne. Often made government or political advisers. Often the best educated, literate and skilled administrators.

Catholic Church: Church Community Gave people identity and a collective sense of purpose. 2/3 of churches were built and rebuilt in the 15th Century. Most attended Church regularly. In the 15th Century more and more people were becoming critical of the church. This was mainly centred around their conduct rather than what it stood for, such as being absent from the Parish or the clergy being considered immoral and ignorant.

Widening Horizons Time of discovering new lands and exploring new places such as Africa and America. These explorations were then published and shared with the help of the printing press. Tales of non-Christian civilisation later had an impact on European thinking and thoughts of the Church. New produce were also introduced , which included new plants (eg. Tea, tomatoes and coffee). These started to affect both the way of life and attitude to the wider world.

Printing Press Brought in from Germany in 1476 by Edward IV. It allowed more works to be translated from French to Latin to English. This helped to standardise the English Language and provided more opportunities for people to read. It increased the spread of new ideas, such as Humanism. However, tales of chivalry (Canterbury Tales, etc) were still much preferred well in to the Tudor period. This was seen to have a big impact as with more people reading it increased the demand for a wider range of books. This not only had an impact on culture, but also made England a more literate nation which eventually led to a cultural Renaissance.

Humanism Humanists believed it was possible to improve to improve human knowledge and behaviour through education. They also studied classical literature, architecture and ideas/beliefs. During the 15th and 16th Century the Renaissance ideas started to spread to England, where they emphasised the power and potential of mankind. During the 15th Century over 100 endowed schools were set up and Henry VII supported it by commissioning new buildings, etc. Henry VII also gave his own children a Renaissance education which focused on foreign language, classics, art, music and religion. Humanists also because more involved in religious debate as their concerns grew over the poor quality of the clergy. They felt that money was spent on luxury living rather than charitable works and believed the clergy lacked discipline and training. Overall, only some were under this influence as many medieval attitudes and traditional forms of worship still dominated.