HIST 3130 Lecture Notes - Gordon Riots, Begging, Friendly Society
27 Nov 2013
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. vagrants explain all criminal behaviour, umbrella term for people who are doing inappropriate behaviour. organized charity moving along from 1740s, central government policies against vagrancyin 1740s- 1790s. crackdown on beggars in 1780s-90s because of gordon riots which led to crackdown on crime in general. A more negative view of beggars and vagrants by the 19th century especially from the 1780s. giving alms to beggars was traditionally seen as a christian duty. Giving to a beggar created a culture of obligation in which both giver and receiver gained. This was shaken by the reformation but the basic principles remained in tact. Vagrants usually stole food from carts and beggars begged for money to buy some, this gave some sympathy compared to others such as pick pockets. People in early modern era were concerned with beggars and vagrants who abandoned their family as then the parish would have to care for their children.
