THEMES Artifacts, objects and documents

Edward VI and Vagrancy Act 1547 Poor Laws

VAGRANCY ACT

The Vagrancy Act 1547 was an uncaring response to a complicated social and economic situation after the death of King Henry VIII. The poor were penalized for a series of poor decisions by the Privy Council.

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Statute Punishment of Beggars and Vagabonds 1531

This entry is part 2 of 8 in the series Law - Poor Law

Was Henry VIII and his rule kind to Beggars? How does this act reflect the longer timeline of legislative events that lead to our current day Welfare State and how far back do the roots go, a snippet in a series of linked posts, designed to piece together the evidence that led to the British Welfare State. With great relevance and resonance with our current and hard pressed economic climate…

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The Intriguing Parish Chest

parish chest

What intriguing documents did your parish chest hold? For family historians the parish chest holds a wealth of social details that give context to your own family history story

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