The Early History of English Poor Relief

"The Early History of English Poor Relief" by E. M. Leonard, is a historical exploration of how England grappled with poverty and its public assistance programs, starting mainly in the 1500s. The story shows the path England took to tackle problems like homelessness through laws and city-led initiatives. Initially, the book looks at the earlier times before organized systems were in place, when the church was mainly in charge of charity during the Anglo-Saxon era. It carefully observes the changes as charity transitioned from church-based actions to government control, with focus on the Tudor period which saw a rise in homelessness which created the need for official state-run assistance. The beginning of the book, by referencing the laws and city actions throughout the years, serves an introduction to how helping the poor became a key part of English governance and social direction.