Crime of Poverty and the Monarch

• How did Henry VII (1485 - 1509) respond to the "crime" of poverty?

  Henry VII (1485 - 1509) responded to the crime of poverty?

  • Beggars considered petty criminals.
  • Sent to the village stocks for three days and then sent them back to the village they came from.
• How did Henry VIII (1509 - 1547) respond to the "crime" of poverty?

  Henry VIII (1509 - 1547) responded to the crime of poverty?

  • Distinction made between beggars and the "worthy poor" (the elderly or disabled).
  • Worthy poor given a license to beg.
  • Begging without a license resulted in a whipping and return to one's home village and in rare cases repeat offenders were executed.
• How did Edward VI (1547 - 1553) respond to the "crime" of poverty?

  Edward VI (1547 - 1553) responded to the crime of poverty?

  • First time offenders whipped and branded with a V (for vagabond) on their forehead.
  • A second offense resulted in execution.
• How did Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603) respond to the "crime" of poverty?

  Elizabeth I (1485 - 1509) responded to the crime of poverty:

  • Collected taxes known as the "poor rate" to aid the "worthy poor" and the out of work able-bodied poor (funded apprenticeships and building materials so they could build goods to sell).
  • Rogues and Beggars were not helped by the poor rate.
  • Repeated offenders imprisoned or executed.