The Early History of English Poor ReliefLeonard, E. M., of Girton College
History
The Early History of English Poor Relief
Leonard, E. M., of Girton College
Poor laws -- Great Britain -- History
[223] J. Kirkpatrick, _History of Religious Orders, &c. of Norwich_, p.
219. The accounts of the Bridewell begins in 1565. In 1598 the House of
Correction was removed to St Andrew's.
[224] The following account of the transactions at this time concerning
the poor of Norwich is derived from two large folio volumes. They are
in manuscript and are bound in leather. One is entitled "The Maiores
Booke for the Poore." Inside the cover is written "This booke made in
the feaste of St John the Baptiste 1576. In the xviii^{th} yere of the
rayne of our soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of god quene of
Enland, France and Irelande defender of the faithe and dothe containe
certaine orders made for the poore of the Citie of Norwiche as allso
the names of everie of them, the saide poore regestrede in everie
warde vewede. Beginnynge the xx^{th} day of June 1571 according to a
statut made. And allso what searcementes ware made for the wekelye
contribution unto suche as had neede of whome the same sholde be
receivede, and lykewise to whome the same sholde be payede. With the
names of the Deaconnes and collectors, tharefore appoyntede, in everie
warde to receive and make distribution thereof, according to the
same orders, and accordinge to the commandemente of Mr Maior and the
Justices from tyme to tyme." This book is continued down to the year
1579. The second book contains the proceedings from 1571 to 1580. Both
volumes often contain the same entries in almost the same words; the
census is given only in the first volume, the orders are fully quoted
only in the second. The contents of the "wrighting" to the Archbishop
of Canterbury are given in different versions in both books. Besides
this there is a little book containing in rougher notes the list of
poor who are to depart the City, to receive money or to be placed
with the "select women." Lastly there is a loose paper containing the
accounts of the different collectors, with the aldermen of the wards.
The condition of affairs here depicted shows that the relief of the
poor was an urgent practical necessity, and that when the existing law
proved insufficient the citizens had no hesitation in imposing other
regulations of their own.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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