Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
England in 1509 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Life in Tudor England - Summary
England in Tudor times was very different to England today. The population of England was roughly 2.2 million. In comparison, the population of England in 2024 is approximately 57 million. In Tudor times, London was England’s biggest city, with a population of 60,000. Other cities included Norwich, Exeter, York and Coventry. In 1509, only 6% of people lived in cities. The other 94% lived in the countryside. Living standards in Tudor England depended on people's social status. The nobility and wealthy landowners enjoyed comfortable lifestyles with luxurious homes. A meal could easily be twelve courses in a nobleman’s castle or the Royal Court. The majority of the population worked on farms or in trades to make a living. Many people in Tudor England lived in small, timber-framed homes. They had limited access to education and healthcare. During Tudor times, England's economy was largely dependent on agriculture. A successful harvest meant prosperity for farmers and ensured food security for the entire community. Poor weather conditions or crop failures could lead to food shortages and poverty. Two or three bad harvests in a row led to illness, even death from starvation. This reliance on the harvests made Tudor England's economy and society vulnerable. |
The Tudor Social System
People in Tudor England had a clear understanding of their place within society
In Tudor times, this was called the 'Great Chain of Being'
Why was the hierarchy of society important?
The hierarchy depended on both giving and receiving
Those lower down in the hierarchy had to respect those at the top and worked for them
The richer people in society needed the workers' services. They paid the workers
The hierarchy enforced law and order
There were many more people at the bottom of the hierarchy than at the top
The people at the top used their power and influence to maintain law and order
Around 94% of the population lived in the countryside
These people were furthest away from the monarch's influence
The monarch depended upon the hierarchy in the countryside to maintain control over the masses
Tudor society worried about the people at the bottom of society because:
Vagrants had no employer, which meant they were not workers
They did not own land or a business, which meant they were not a yeoman or a craftsman
The hierarchy affected Tudor beliefs
People in the 16th century did not believe in social mobility or equality
Many people believed that God had given them their place in society
Only a few exceptional people in the 16th century moved up in society
Tudor Government
The king had the most power in Tudor times
Each section of government had responsibility over certain aspects of the country
Areas of Tudor government
Area of government | Who worked here? | What role did they have? |
|---|---|---|
Privy Chamber | The Privy Chamber were Henry's closest friends |
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The Royal Household | The Royal Household were nobles, servants and Henry's closest family members |
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The Royal Council | The Royal Councils were nobles and clergymen who helped Henry govern England | They met with the monarch frequently to:
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The Court | Members of nobility who the monarch invited. People who attended the court were called courtiers. The court also included the monarch's closest friends and servants | The roles of courtiers were:
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Parliament | Parliament met and closed under the King's wishes. There could be several years between parliament. Members of the House of Commons were all wealthy men |
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Justices of the Peace | Large landowners chosen by Lord Lieutenants. It was an unpaid, voluntary position. Justices of the Peace held a lot of status and power | Justices of the Peace played a vital role in keeping law and order:
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The Wool & Cloth Trade
In Tudor times, England relied on the wool and cloth trades
London was a growing centre of trade, especially weaving and the wool trade
People from London traded with European countries, including the Netherlands, Spain and Russia
Trade in Tudor England
Material | Places in England | Where was it exported to? | Who did this trade benefit? |
|---|---|---|---|
Wool | London and Bristol | The Netherlands |
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Cloth | Yorkshire and the south-east of England | Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands |
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Religion in 1509
By the time Henry became King, England had been a Catholic country for nearly a thousand years
Religion played an incredibly important role in Tudor people’s day-to-day lives
The Church controlled people’s lives from ‘cradle to grave’
People went to Church every Sunday
As a baby, the Church would christen them
The Church would marry them
When they died, they would have a funeral at the Church
Tudors believed in the importance of celebrating festivals
Harvest festivals thanked God for a successful harvest and the avoidance of famine
Holy Days like All Saints Day called for Catholics to take Mass
The Church gave support to the local community
The Church taught their congregation the values needed to lead a good life
People in Tudor times strongly believed in the concepts of heaven and hell
The Church told the people that, if they committed sins, they would go to hell. This scared many people in Tudor society to follow and respect the authority of the monarch and the Church
They provided food and shelter for the poor
Worked Example
Describe one feature of English society in 1509
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of English society by 1509 was that the majority of people lived in the countryside (1). Many people either worked as labourers or tenant farmers (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When answering ‘Describe one feature of…’ questions, two marks are given to you for:
Identify - write a relevant point based on the question topic (1)
Describe - add some specific own knowledge about the point you have made (1)
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
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