Why were the Elizabethan Poor Laws significant?

The Elizabethan Poor Laws were significant as they established a national system for the relief and support of the poor in England.

The Elizabethan Poor Laws, enacted in the late 16th century, marked a significant shift in the way society dealt with poverty. Prior to these laws, the responsibility for the poor was largely a matter of local and private charity. However, the Poor Laws established a system where the responsibility for the poor was shared by the entire community, funded by local taxes. This was a significant development, as it recognised poverty as a societal issue that required a collective response.

The Poor Laws were also significant in that they categorised the poor into 'deserving' and 'undeserving' groups. The 'deserving' poor, such as the elderly, sick, and orphaned, were to be cared for in almshouses or poorhouses, while the 'undeserving' poor, those deemed able-bodied but unwilling to work, were to be put to work in workhouses. This distinction reflected societal attitudes towards poverty and work, and has had a lasting impact on social policy.

Furthermore, the Poor Laws were significant in their establishment of a system of 'settlement' and 'removal'. Under this system, the poor were entitled to relief in their place of legal settlement, usually their place of birth or long-term residence. If they moved and became in need, they could be forcibly removed back to their place of settlement. This system was designed to prevent the poor from moving to areas with more generous relief, but it also restricted the mobility of the poor and tied them to their local area.

In conclusion, the Elizabethan Poor Laws were significant as they established a national, tax-funded system for the relief of the poor, categorised the poor into 'deserving' and 'undeserving' groups, and established a system of 'settlement' and 'removal'. These laws marked a major shift in societal attitudes towards poverty and had a lasting impact on social policy.