DEDICATION

To the Boards of Guardians of the English Poor Law Unions in the hope that the explanations herein given of the Progress of the Poor Law, in connection with the State of the Country and the Condition of the People, may prove useful to them and their successorsthis Work is inscribed,

By their faithful Servant,

LONDON, February 1860.

THE AUTHOR.

THE SAXON PERIOD, AND NORMAN INVASION, TO THE

END OF ELIZABETH'S REIGN

CHAPTER I

A. D. 924-1066-1399

Early legislation-State of the population prior to the Conquest-Under

the Norman kings-In the time of Henry II.-Conquest of Ireland-

Magna Charta-Feudalism-Laws of Henry III.-Laws of Edward I.

-"Statute of Winchester"-"Statutes of Merchants"-Slavery of

the people-The Crusades-Annexation of Wales-Condition of the

Welsh people-Rise of a middle class, temp. Edward II.-Mingling of

the races-Advance of freedom-Increase of vagrancy-Laws of

Edward III. "Statute of Northampton "-The great plague—

"Statute of Labourers "-Sumptuary law-Prevalence of violence and

disorder-Laws of Richard II.-Popular progress-Wat Tyler's re-

bellion-Population in 1377-Regulation of wages-Scarcity of agri-

cultural labourers-The impotent poor-First game-law. Pages 13-61

CHAPTER II

A. D. 1399-1509

Laws of Henry IV.-Progress of improvement-Wealth and intelligence

of towns-Enactments relating to the Welsh-Apprenticing in towns

-Increase of vagrancy-Transition from vassalage to independence-

Necessity of relief for poverty-Laws of Henry V.-Population-

VII

Abuse of charities-Wars with France-Laws of Henry VI.—

Regulation of wages-Threatening letters-Restrictions on foreign

merchants-Scale of wages-Price of wheat-Cade's insurrection—

Laws of Edward IV.-Sumptuary laws-Remarks by Adam Smith

and Blackstone-Commercial prohibitions-State of agriculture-Laws

of Richard III.-Restrictions on Italian merchants-Wars of York

and Lancaster-Decline of feudalism-Laws of Henry VII.-Increase

of wealth and general improvement-Alarm at increase of pasturage-

Vagabonds and beggars-Modification of apprenticeship laws-Scale

of wages-Maritime adventure-Vagrancy-Death and character of

Henry VII.-Population

Pages 62-106

CHAPTER III

A. D. 1509-1558

Accession of Henry VIII.-Sumptuary laws-Prices of provisions-

Consolidation of farms and increase of pasturage-State of Manchester

-Gipsies-Vagrants and beggars-"Ruffelers "-Limitation of alms-

giving-Employment of children-Management of the poor-The

Reformation, and suppression of religious establishments-Condition

of the people-Accession of Edward VI.-Loiterers and wanderers-

Beggars' children-Aged and impotent poor-Collectors of alms-

Combinations-Pasture and tillage-"Gigge-mills ""Act of Uni-

formity "-Book of Common Prayer-Accession of Mary-Restoration

of popery-Licensed begging-Sumptuary law-Gipsies-Exportation

of corn prohibited-Prices of cattle, poultry, and wheat-General

increase of prices-Influences of popery and of the Reformation-Death

of Mary
Pages 107-148

CHAPTER IV

A. D. 1558-1603

Accession of Elizabeth-First compulsory assessment-Service and

wages-Sturdy beggars-Aged and infirm poor-Overseers-Bastardy

law-"Collectors and governors "-Houses of correction-" Censors

and wardens "-Gipsies-Exportation of corn-Preservation of game-

Regulation of buildings-Vagrancy in London-Overseers of the

poor-Rate in aid-Liability of parents and children-Rogues, vaga-

bonds, and sturdy beggars-Scotch and Irish vagrants-Ship-

wrecked mariners, etc.-Progress of legislation-Provisions of 43

Elizabeth-The Reformation-Progress of legislation with respect to

the poor-State of the country-Condition of the people-Prices of

provisions Rates of wages Social improvement · Death of

Elizabeth

-

-

Pages 149-206

PART THE SECOND

FROM THE ACCESSION OF JAMES THE FIRST TO THE
END OF THE REIGN OF ANNE

ness-

CHAPTER V

A. D. 1603-1625

Accession of James I.-Rates of wages-Dangerous rogues-Proclamation

against incorrigible rogues-Overseers of the poor-Tippling in ale-

houses-Conjurations and witchcrafts-Regulation of manufactures—

Fisheries-Exportation of corn-The plague-Gunpowder Plot-

Exportation of beer-Killing of game-Enactments against drunken-

s—" Levellers ”—Apprenticing poor children-Desertion of families

-Houses of correction-Working-houses for the poor-Abolishment of

monopolies Women convicted of "small felonies"-Laws relating to

Wales-Rate of interest-Prohibition of profane swearing-Infanticide

--Exportation of corn-Advance in prices-State of England and

Ireland-Commerce-Progress of the Poor Law. Pages 207-246

CHAPTER VI

A. D. 1625-1660

Accession of Charles I.-Observance of Sunday-Enactment against tip-

pling-" Petition of Rights"-Dread of popery-Parish apprenticeship

-Disuse of parliaments-Commission for relief of the poor, and punish-

ment of rogues, etc.-" Orders" and "Directions" of the commissioners

-Proclamations-Fasts-Sports and pastimes-Ship-money-The Long

Parliament-Tunnage and poundage-Poll-tax-Irish rebellion—“ Re-

monstrance of the State of the Kingdom "—The civil war-Population

in 1660-Proclamation of Charles II.-State of England during the

Commonwealth and Protectorate-Colonisation-Trade of Manchester

in 1641-Increase of London-Hackney coaches-A post established—

Navigation Act-Reduction of interest-Improvements in agriculture

-Woollen trade-Price of wheat-Rate of wages-Comparison of

wages and cost of subsistence-Constitutional principle finally estab-

lished
Pages 247-273

CHAPTER VII

A. D. 1660-1688

Charles II.-Act of Indemnity-Reduction of interest-The army dis-

banded-Character of the soldiery-Navigation Act-Dutch War-

Cultivation of tobacco and exportation of leather prohibited-The