EN 2250 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Act For The Relief Of The Poor 1601, Poor Relief Act 1662, Noblesse Oblige
Document Summary
A walk (1850) and a night (1866) Those unable to provide labour were reliant on the state. Each parish was responsible for its own relief: the poor relief act 1662. Britain was spending 7 million per year on outdoor relief. Noblesse oblige - landowners were responsible for unable to work. Does not take stock of those born into poverty, and those born into wealth. Made the workhouse as terrible as possible to induce the poor to work. Conditions in workhouses should be in terrible conditions. If the work and discipline was so awful, they would find work to support themselves and their families. Work was particularly monotonous and difficult; had to be worse than anything outside. All jobs were intended to punish the poor. Once you were in the workhouse it was hard to get out. Came to light that the workhouse was worse than the prisons. Born into a middling family, that was on the brink of poverty.
