Poor Act 1575 facts for kids
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| Citation | 18 Eliz. 1. c. 3 |
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The Poor Act 1575 was an important law passed in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was part of a series of laws known as the Tudor Poor Laws. These laws aimed to help poor people and also to manage those who were unemployed. This act was a key step towards the later and more famous Elizabethan Poor Laws.
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What Was the Poor Act of 1575?
This law was created to deal with poverty and unemployment in England. It tried to make sure that people who were able to work had a way to earn a living. It also aimed to control people who were seen as "vagabonds" or beggars.
Helping the Poor Find Work
One main goal of the 1575 Act was to help poor people find work. The law required local areas, called parishes, to set up a special supply of materials. These materials included things like wool, hemp, flax, and iron. The idea was that poor people could use these materials to make things. This way, they could learn a skill and earn some money.
Houses of Correction
The Poor Act 1575 also introduced something new: "houses of correction." These were places where people who refused to work, or who were not careful with their work, could be sent. The purpose of these houses was to teach people discipline. They were made to work and follow rules, hoping they would become more responsible.
Building on Earlier Laws
This act didn't appear out of nowhere. It built upon earlier laws, especially the Vagabonds Act 1572. That earlier law had focused more on punishing beggars and vagrants. The 1575 Act added the idea of providing work and training. Together, these two laws formed a strong foundation for the more complete poor laws that came later under Queen Elizabeth I.
