The English Poor Law, 15311782 [Paperback]

A concise synthesis of past work on a unique and important system of social welfare.This text provides a concise synthesis of recent scholarly work on the Poor Law, which was designed to reform the poor as much as to relieve poverty. It explains the origins of the unique system of welfare, and shows how it played a central role in English social and political development.This text provides a concise synthesis of recent scholarly work on the Poor Law, which was designed to reform the poor as much as to relieve poverty. It explains the origins of the unique system of welfare, and shows how it played a central role in English social and political development.The Poor Law had a profound impact on English society. Designed to reform the poor as much as to relieve poverty, it also shaped institutions of government and determined people's expectations and assumptions about social welfare. The English Poor Law, 1531-1782 provides a concise synthesis of recent scholarly work together with full references, explaining the origins of this unique system of welfare, and showing how it played a central role in English social and political development from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution.Introduction; 1. Defining strategies; 2. Implementing the law; 3. The failure of reform; 4. The law in context; Appendix: statutes relating to the poor; Notes; Select Bibliography; Additional bibliographical note; Index. Paul Slack's The English Poor Law, 1531-1782 is a well-informed and concise survey of recent scholarly research about social welfare legislation in early modern England. Elisabeth Cawthon, H-Net Reviews ...this is an excellent book, especially for young scholars wishing to research the Old Poor Law. It provides a brief, yet thorough historical account, helpful bibliographic tools, and even a checklist of relevant statutes. David McCarter, Sixteenth Century Journal