An archaeology of Tudor poor law

Abstract

This thesis applies the methods of analysis and concepts derived from Michel Foucault to the scrutiny of Tudor poor law. It includes an overview of the literature on Tudor poor law, a discussion of the relevant insights of Foucault and an analysis of the statutes, proclamations, handbooks, journals and census that relate to poor relief and poor discipline in this period. I examine these sources to unearth the relationships upon which poor relief and poor control mechanisms functioned. I conclude that poor relief (for example, poor rates, distribution of alms) and poor control (for example, whipping, houses of correction) were not only closely related activities, but were parallel structures within a single discursive formation.