Poor Laws

What was the Poor Law?

The Poor Law was a law that taxed the wealthy in order to pay for the care of the poor.

Why was the Poor Law introduced?

There were four main reasons why Elizabeth introduced the Poor Laws.

• ❖ There were fears the social order might be threatened if the growing number of poor started a rebellion.
• ❖ There was a risk vagabonds and beggars might turn to crime.
• ❖ There were fears the poor were spreading disease.
• ❖ The landowners were giving more to the poor.

What were the main provisions of the Poor Law?

There were four main provisions in the Poor Law.

• ❖ Justices of the peace had to appoint four overseers of the poor in each parish.
• ❖ Almshouses were provided for the old or sick to work in.
• ❖ Beggars had to be returned to their place of birth or put into a house of correction.
• ❖ A poor rate was charged to pay for these measures.

How were the poor divided under the new Poor Law?

The poor were divided into three groups.

• ❖ The helpless poor were the sick and old. They were provided with food to live on and placed in almshouses where they could be cared for.
• ❖ The able-bodied poor were those who were considered fit, including children. They were expected to work. They were given food and drink as payment, and sometimes somewhere to sleep.
• ❖ The idle poor were seen as lazy and were whipped. They were also sent to a house of correction where they would be forced to work.

What three towns was the Poor Law based on?

Elizabeth's government based the Poor Law on its research of three main cities.

• ❖ York was a very prosperous city with a large number of beggars. The council in York put many of those beggars to work, which helped boost industry. Those who refused were sent to the houses of correction.
• ❖ Ipswich introduced a licensing system for beggars and increased support for the poor in 1569. There were hospitals set up specifically to help the old and sick who could not afford treatment.
• ❖ Norwich separated its poor into two categories: 'idle poor' and 'unfortunate poor'. The idle poor were given work, while the unfortunate poor were given food and other forms of support.

What were the positives to come out of the Poor Law?

There were several positive outcomes achieved by the Poor Law.

• ❖ The Poor Law continued to recognise people who wanted to work but were unable to find employment.
• ❖ The Poor Law filled the 'care' gap that had been left by the monasteries a generation earlier.
• ❖ No rebellion caused by poverty occurred during Elizabeth's reign. In this sense, the laws achieved their main aim; social order was preserved.
• ❖ The Poor Law was an important milestone. For the first time in England, the government took direct responsibility for the welfare of the people.
• ❖ Despite criticism, the Poor Law remained in effect until it was reformed in 1834.
• ❖ Orphans had apprenticeships, paid for by the parish, so they learned a trade. Almshouses were also provided for the old and ill to live in and they could receive handouts of money, food, and clothing. This was called outdoor relief.
• ❖ Instances of begging seemed to decrease.
• ❖ Although charitable giving was still encouraged, the new Poor Law stated that everyone had to pay towards a local poor rate, making it fair.

What were the negatives to come out of the Poor Law?

There were three main negative outcomes of the Poor Law.

• ❖ Some have argued that the extent of poverty in this period has been wildly exaggerated, so giving the Elizabethan Poor Law more credit than it deserves.
• ❖ There was still a strong belief that many of those in poverty were lazy and much of the legislation focused on preventing laziness by punishing those who were able, but unwilling, to work.
• ❖ Poverty continued to grow after the Poor Law was introduced. As each area was responsible for its own poor, there were arguments over which area paupers belonged to. Without a clear home, some paupers were simply sent from one area to another.