The Poor Laws

This section explains the role of the Poor Laws during the reign of Elizabeth I. During the Elizabethan period, poverty was largely seen as a personal failing, with the belief that individuals were responsible for their own circumstances. However, by the end of Elizabeth I's reign, attitudes towards the poor began to shift, leading to government action in response to growing concerns about social unrest and the increasing number of people living in poverty. The government’s decision to intervene was motivated by several key fears:

Social Unrest
There was a growing concern that the increasing number of poor people could threaten the social order. If large groups of impoverished individuals began to organise, they might rise up in rebellion, posing a threat to the established authority.

The Risk of Crime 
Authorities feared that the rising number of vagabonds, beggars, and vagrants might turn to crime as a means of survival. There was a widespread belief that the poor were more likely to engage in criminal behaviour, particularly if they were left without any means of support.

Health Concerns 
Another significant concern was that the poor might spread disease, particularly in the overcrowded urban areas where poverty was most prevalent. Disease was often seen as a social problem, and the authorities feared that the poor could be a source of contamination for the rest of society.

Local Level: The Role of Justices of the Peace

At the local level, unpaid officials known as Justices of the Peace (JPs) were made responsible for dealing with issues related to poverty in their respective parishes. These JPs were given the authority to levy taxes to support the poor and unemployed. The authorities made a clear distinction between two categories of poor people:

• The Impotent Poor 
  These were individuals who were unable to work due to age, illness, disability, or other infirmities. The local community was expected to provide limited support for these individuals, often through charitable donations or aid from the parish.
• The Able-bodied Poor 
  These were individuals who were physically capable of working but were often seen as idle or unwilling to do so. The authorities viewed the able-bodied poor with suspicion, as there was a belief that they were a threat to the social order. Many were at risk of becoming vagrants, beggars, or vagabonds, and the government believed that strict measures were necessary to control them.

The 1572 Vagabonds Act introduced severe penalties for those found begging or wandering without work. This Act allowed authorities to:

• Whip beggars and vagrants as a punishment
• Bore through the ear (pierce their ear) to mark them as criminals
• Execute repeat offenders who were caught begging multiple times

These punishments were intended to deter vagrancy and maintain order by preventing the able-bodied poor from becoming a disruptive force in society.

National Level: The 1601 Poor Law

In 1601, the government took further steps to formalise poor relief with the Elizabethan Poor Law, also known as the Act for the Relief of the Poor. This was a significant piece of legislation that sought to provide a more systematic approach to poverty relief across the entire country. It established the foundation for future poor laws and had several key provisions:

The Poor Rate 
A compulsory tax, known as the Poor Rate, was introduced to ensure that everyone contributed to the support of the poor. This was the first time that poverty relief was funded through a national taxation system. Those who refused to pay this tax could face imprisonment, making it a legal obligation for all citizens to contribute.

Begging Was Banned 
Begging was officially outlawed, and anyone caught begging could face severe punishment. Those found begging were whipped and sent back to their place of birth, where they would be expected to receive support from their local parish.

Almshouses 
The establishment of almshouses, or charitable institutions, was another key feature of the 1601 Poor Law. These institutions were specifically designed to care for the impotent poor; those unable to work due to age, illness, or infirmity. Almshouses provided shelter, food, and basic care for the most vulnerable members of society.

Did Elizabeth I Successfully Look After the Welfare of the People?

During the first three decades of Elizabeth’s reign, the country experienced relative stability and prosperity, but this period also saw a rapid increase in population, which in turn exacerbated poverty, particularly in urban areas. The growing numbers of poor people, along with the increasing risk of social unrest, crime, and disease, forced the government to act.

By the end of Elizabeth's reign, a series of laws had been introduced to address the challenges of poverty. The 1601 Poor Law was the most comprehensive piece of legislation, formalising earlier attempts to relieve poverty and laying the groundwork for future efforts. This marked a significant shift in the role of the government in addressing the welfare of the poor. For the first time, the state took formal responsibility for ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society received some form of support.

However, while the Poor Laws marked a major shift in policy, most of the relief still came from private individuals and local communities rather than the government. The Poor Laws relied on local parishes to administer aid, and there were significant variations in how different areas implemented the laws. Some regions were more generous in providing support, while others were stricter, particularly when it came to punishing vagrants.

Overall, the Elizabethan Poor Laws represented a major step in the development of social welfare in England. While they did not provide a complete solution to the problem of poverty, they set a precedent for government intervention in the care of the poor, a model that would continue to evolve in the centuries to come.