<em>The period associated with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) that is for the Lord; a portion to support the local church; and the rest for their own us. The English alphabet in Elizabeth's time didn't look quite the same as it does today. Many turned to small crime, such as begging, picking pockets, and prostitution, simply to avoid starvation. There was little help for sick, elderly, and orphans. The life expectancy, or average life span, of an Elizabethan was only 42 years, but it was much lower among the urban poor.</em>
