FOOTNOTES:
[1] 27 Hen. VIII. c. 25, 1535-6.
[2] 14 Eliz. c. 5, 1572.
[3] Preamble to Orders and Directions of 1631.
[4] Bede's Eccles. Hist., Bk. III. c. VI. King Athelstan ordered the distribution of much help to the poor. He ordered each of his reeves every year to redeem one "wite theow" (penal slave) and to entirely feed one poor Englishman. Thorpe, p. 84.
[5] Asser, Bohn, p. 68.
[6] Athelstan the Atheling gave lands to Ely on condition that they fed a hundred poor men on his anniversary at the expense of his heirs. Kemble, The Saxons in England, II. p. 510.
[7] Ib. p. 545. Eadgar, Archbishop of York, and Aelfric in the canons which bear his name both order the same proportion of tithe to be set aside for the poor. Thorpe, pp. 326 and 345.
[8] 36 Edw. III. c. 8.
[9] Rolls of Parliament, 46 Edw. III. II. p. 312. Petition of the Commons.