56. Government Action For Poverty Flashcards
When was the problem of unemployment discussed in Parliament?
1559 Parliament
When was the statute of artificers passed?
1563
What was the statute of artificers?
Those under the age of 30 who were unmarried were bound to serve any employer who needed them
What were the exceptions to having to work on land according to the statute of artificers?
Unless a scholar, at sea or in a skilled occupation
Who settled wage rates?
JPs
What years were the rents unchanged from in Kent?
1563 to 1589
What was enforced under the statute of artificers?
Hours of work from 5am to 7pm or 8pm in summer
What happened if workers were absent?
They would forfeit 1d per hour
How well was the forfeit for being absent enforced?
Not clear how widely it was enforced
What apprenticeship did the statute of artificers enforce?
A seven year apprenticeship for all who had a craft or occupation, but was not widely enforced
How old were the majority of vagrants?
Between 15 and 25
Did the statute of artificers succeed in preventing migration?
No
What was the first act established by the government?
1563 Alms act
What was the 1563 alms act?
Revived punishments for sturdy beggars, and introduced a poor rate (tax) for the impotent poor
What was the second act that was passed?
The 1572 vagabonds (poor relief) act
What was the 1572 vagabonds (poor relief) act?
-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
What was the third act passed?
The 1574 act for the relief of the poor
What was the 1574 act for the relief of the poor?
-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
What was the fourth act passed?
1598 act for the relief of the poor
What was the 1598 act for the relief of the poor?
-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
What was the fifth act passed?
The 1598 act for the punishment of rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars
What was the 1598 act for the punishment of rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars?
-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
What was the sixth act passed?
The 1601 act for the relief of the poor
What was the 1601 act for the relief of the poor?
Made the 1598 act permanent
