4) Tudor Legislation 3: Edward VI 1: 1547 Slavery Act Flashcards
What was one of the main incentives of the 1547 Slavery Act?
Fear of rebellion was one of the main incentives for the act, as Edward VI was afraid people would rebel against his Protestant changes.
Under the 1547 Slavery Act, what would happen to any vagrant if they were caught?
If any vagrant was caught, they would be forced into 2 years of compulsory labour and if they re-offended they could be forced into slavery or executed.
What was a vagrant classified as?
A vagrant was classified as anyone unable to work for 3 or more days.
What would happen to Vagrants?
Vagrants would be branded with the letter V and forced to work for the person who had informed upon him. If they refused, they would be whipped and placed in chains or imprisoned in iron rings.
What could happen if a slave tried to escape?
If a slave tried to escape, they could be enslaved for life and if they re-offended, they could be imprisoned or executed.
What were the children of the poor to do?
Children of the poor were to learn a craft and be put to work. Anyone could seize this opportunity and there was no need to communicate with the parents.
How long would boys and girls work as apprentices?
Boy would work until the age of 24 and girls until the age of 20.
What happened if the parents tried to recover their children?
They could be enslaved too.
Although seizing children may have been cruel, what did it mean?
Although seizing children may have been cruel, it did mean they were being prepared for work and receiving an education and being given regular meals.
Although the 1547 Slavery Act was very repressive, what were some of the more enlightened clauses?
There was an attempt to prepare housing for the disabled poor and raise money for them.
What were people given the right to do on behalf of those suffering illness or disease?
They were given the right to beg on behalf of those suffering illness or disease, which was far more enlightened than the attitudes towards the able-bodied poor.
Despite some of the enlightened clauses, what was the act overall?
It was overall very repressive and cruel, and it’s no surprise it was repealed in 1550.
