Poor Act 1555 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Citation | 2 & 3 Ph. & M. c. 5 |
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Quick facts for kids Other legislation |
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| Amends | Poor Act 1552 |
The Poor Act 1555 was an important law passed in England during the reign of Queen Mary I. It was part of a series of laws known as the Tudor Poor Laws. These laws aimed to help people who were struggling and had no money or food.
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What Was the Poor Act 1555?
This law was an update to an earlier rule called the Poor Act 1552. It added new rules about how people could get help. The main goal was to make sure that local communities supported those in need.
Why Was This Law Created?
In England during the 1500s, many people were very poor. There was no system like today's welfare or social security. If someone couldn't work, they often had to beg for food and money. The government wanted to find ways to help these people. They also wanted to manage begging and make sure help was given fairly.
What Did the Law Change?
The Poor Act 1555 made some key changes. It built on the ideas of the 1552 law. That earlier law had tried to encourage people to give money to their local church, called a parish. This money would then be used to help the poor in that area.
Badges for Beggars
A new rule in the 1555 Act was about beggars. If someone was allowed to beg, they had to wear a special badge. This badge showed that they were officially permitted to ask for help. The idea behind the badges was to encourage people to donate more. When people saw someone with a badge, it was hoped they would feel more encouraged to give money to their parish. This money would then go towards helping the poor in their community.
