There were in England three principal factors in the development of the system; first the orders of the municipal governors, secondly the regulations of Parliament, and lastly the efforts made by the Privy Council to induce the justices of the peace to put the law in execution.
5. (b) Three periods.
These three factors help to create the English system of poor relief from the reign of Henry VIII. to that of Charles I. But they are not of the same relative importance throughout the whole period. Before 1569 the orders of the municipal governments are important, between 1569 and 1597 the history of legislation is more prominent, while after 1597 the orders directed by the Privy Council to the justices become the most powerful force in securing proper administration, and are therefore the predominant factor in the development of the whole system.
We will consider each of these periods in turn and we shall find that, while each contributed its share to the making of the English system of poor relief, it was only during the last that the success of the organisation was assured.
CHAPTER III.
1514-1569.
POOR RELIEF IN THE TOWNS.
- 1. Importance of municipal government in Tudor towns.
- 2. London Regulations for a constant supply of corn. 1391-1569.
- 3. Regulations for the repression of vagrants and the relief of the poor. 1514-1536.
- 4. Refoundation of St Bartholomew's and imposition of a compulsory poor rate. 1536-1547.
- 5. Completion of the Four Royal Hospitals and establishment of a municipal system of poor relief in London. 1547-1557.
- 6. Failure of the municipal system in London.
- 7. Provision of corn in Bristol and Canterbury.
- 8. Lincoln. Survey of poor and arrangements for finding work for the unemployed.
- 9. Ipswich. Survey of poor, imposition of compulsory poor rate and foundation of Christ's Hospital.
- 10. Cambridge. Survey of poor and assessment of parishioners.
- 11. Summary.