The Poor

• The Impotent Poor: People who were unable to provide for themselves because they were too young, old or too ill and were often greeted with sympathy.
• The Idle Poor: People who were often seen as dishonest and referred to as sturdy beggars. Considered immoral and of criminal class that were too lazy to find a job.
• Vagabonds: Often referred as sturdy beggars. Another word for the Idle Poor.
• Vagrants: Homeless, unemployed person who wanders from place to place to beg.
• Indoor Relief: Basic work provided by parishes.
• Outdoor Relief: Parishes providing help for people in their own homes.
• Poor Law 1601

  • First time in the whole country.
  • Sill punishes people seen as lazy.
  • Poor rate paid by everyone. Helps the poor.
  • Government helping for the first time - before it was just wealthy.
  • Everyone's responsibility to help - starts to create jobs, more people caring, more money for food and for homes.