Government Responses to Poverty in Elizabethan England
The Elizabethan government recognized the growing problem of poverty and implemented several measures to address it.
Categories of Poor:
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Impotent/deserving poor: Unable to work due to age or illness. Eligible for poor relief funded by a tax called the poor rate.
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Able-bodied/idle poor: Fit to work but did not. Often referred to as vagabonds or sturdy beggars. Treated harshly if caught.
Definition: Vagabonds were wandering poor people, often associated with criminal behavior.
Key Legislation:
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1563 Statute of Artificers: Aimed to ensure collection of poor relief.
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1572 Vagabonds Act:
Aimed to deter vagrancy
Harsh punishments for vagrants, including whipping and ear drilling
Established a national poor rate
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1576 Poor Relief Act:
Distinguished between able-bodied and impotent poor
Provided materials for the able-bodied poor to work
Introduced houses of correction for those refusing to work
Highlight: The 1572 Vagabonds Act established the first national poor rate in England.
These acts represented a shift in how poverty in Elizabethan England was addressed, moving from purely punitive measures to a combination of punishment and assistance. The government recognized unemployment as a growing problem and sought to provide opportunities for work while still maintaining harsh penalties for those deemed willfully idle.
Example: Types of vagabonds included "Anglers" who stole clothes from washing lines, and "Counterfeit Cranks" who pretended to have fits by swallowing soap.
The Elizabethan era saw significant changes in how poverty was perceived and managed, laying the groundwork for future poor relief systems. However, the harsh treatment of vagabonds and the distinction between "deserving" and "undeserving" poor would continue to influence social policy for centuries to come.
