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Vagabonds Act 1530

The Vagabonds Act 1530 (22 Hen. 8. c. 12) was an act of the Parliament of England passed under Henry VIII and is a part of the Tudor Poor Laws of England. In full, it was entitled "An Act directing how aged, poor and impotent Persons, compelled to live by Alms, shall be ordered; and how Vagabonds and Beggars shall be punished."

Under this act, vagabonds were subject to the harsher punishment of whipping, rather than the stocks. However, it also created provisions for those who were unable to work due to sickness, age, or disability.[1] These "impotent" beggars could become licensed to beg by their local Justices of the Peace. For this reason, this statute is recognised as the first English poor law to be at least partially aimed at providing relief, rather than punishing vagrancy, because it made the Justices of the Peace responsible for the licensed poor within their district.[2]

Legacy

The act was repealed by section 1 of the Vagabonds Act 1547 (1 Edw. 6. c. 3), but was revived and made perpetual by section 1 of the Vagabonds Act 1549 (3 & 4 Edw. 6. c. 16).

The punishment of vagabonds by whipping was revived by section 7 of the Continuance, etc. of Laws Act 1592 (35 Eliz. 1. c. 7).

The whole act was repealed by section 11 of the Continuance, etc. of Laws Act 1623 (21 Jas. 1. c. 28).

Notes

  1. ^ Section 1. The Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

References

  1. ^ Moore, Amanda (31 May 2012). "Punishment of Beggars and Vagabonds 1531". Intriguing History. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ Sidney & Beatrice Webb, English Local Government: English Poor Law History Part 1, p. 45 [ISBN missing]