56. Government Action For Poverty

Question 1

When was the problem of unemployment discussed in Parliament?

Answer 1

1559 Parliament

Question 2

When was the statute of artificers passed?

Answer 2

1563

Question 3

What was the statute of artificers?

Answer 3

Those under the age of 30 who were unmarried were bound to serve any employer who needed them

Question 4

What were the exceptions to having to work on land according to the statute of artificers?

Answer 4

Unless a scholar, at sea or in a skilled occupation

Question 5

Who settled wage rates?

Answer 5

JPs

Question 6

What years were the rents unchanged from in Kent?

Answer 6

1563 to 1589

Question 7

What was enforced under the statute of artificers?

Answer 7

Hours of work from 5am to 7pm or 8pm in summer

Question 8

What happened if workers were absent?

Answer 8

They would forfeit 1d per hour

Question 9

How well was the forfeit for being absent enforced?

Answer 9

Not clear how widely it was enforced

Question 10

What apprenticeship did the statute of artificers enforce?

Answer 10

A seven year apprenticeship for all who had a craft or occupation, but was not widely enforced

Question 11

How old were the majority of vagrants?

Answer 11

Between 15 and 25

Question 12

Did the statute of artificers succeed in preventing migration?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What was the first act established by the government?

Answer 13

1563 Alms act

Question 14

What was the 1563 alms act?

Answer 14

Revived punishments for sturdy beggars, and introduced a poor rate (tax) for the impotent poor

Question 15

What was the second act that was passed?

Answer 15

The 1572 vagabonds (poor relief) act

Question 16

What was the 1572 vagabonds (poor relief) act?

Answer 16

-Contributions to the poor rate became compulsory
-begging was licensed in parishes where poor relief couldn’t be provided
-anyone over 14 found begging without a license was to be whipped and burned through the ear

Question 17

What was the third act passed?

Answer 17

The 1574 act for the relief of the poor

Question 18

What was the 1574 act for the relief of the poor?

Answer 18

-licenses to beg were extended for those considered deserving
-all large towns were to provide places where the idle poor could be put to work
-persistent beggars were to be sent to the houses of correction and disciplined to labour

Question 19

What was the fourth act passed?

Answer 19

1598 act for the relief of the poor

Question 20

What was the 1598 act for the relief of the poor?

Answer 20

-begging was forbidden
-pauper children were to be apprenticed until they were 24 (males) or 21 (female)
-JPs were given a greater role to ensure work was provided for the able bodied and relief for the impotent poor
-families of the impotent poor were encouraged to provide for them

Question 21

What was the fifth act passed?

Answer 21

The 1598 act for the punishment of rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars

Question 22

What was the 1598 act for the punishment of rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars?

Answer 22

-ear boring was ended but sturdy beggars were to be whipped and returned to their birthplace and sent to a house of correction or prison

Question 23

What was the sixth act passed?

Answer 23

The 1601 act for the relief of the poor

Question 24

What was the 1601 act for the relief of the poor?

Answer 24

Made the 1598 act permanent