The classification of the poor, Origins of the Poor Law system

For much of the period of the Poor Law, the dependent poor were classified in terms of three groups:

The impotent poor could not look after themselves or go to work. They included the ill, the infirm, the elderly, and children with no-one to properly care for them. It was generally held that they should be looked after.


The able-bodied poor normally referred to those who were unable to find work - either due to cyclical or long term unemployment in the area, or a lack of skills. Attempts to assist these people, and move them out of this category, varied over the centuries, but usually consisted of relief either in the form of work or money.


The 'vagrants' or 'beggars', sometimes termed 'sturdy rogues', were deemed those who could work but had refused to. Such people were seen in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as potential criminals, apt to do mischief when hired for the purpose.


They were normally seen as people needing punishment, and as such were often whipped in the market place as an example to others, or sometimes sent to houses of correction. This group was also termed the idle poor.

Origins of the Poor Law system
Tudor Poor Laws aimed to deal with vagrancy were harsh towards the able-bodied poor who were not trying or finding work - whippings and beatings were acceptable punishments.

• 1552 - Parishes began to register those considered 'poor'.

• 1563 - Justices of the Peace began to collect money for poor relief. The poor were grouped for the first time into the impotent poor, idle poor and able-bodied poor (unemployed).

• 1572 - First local poor tax to fund poor relief.

• 1576 - Idea of a workhouse first suggested. It is first suggested that JPs could provide materials for which the able-bodied could work in return for relief.

• 1579 - Justices of the Peace authorised to collect funds for poor relief. The post of Overseer of the Poor was created.

• 1595 - 'Buttock Mail', a Scottish Poor Rate is levied.