Vagabondage was a widespread issue during the Early Modern period, especially in times of social unrest and economic hardship. Authorities viewed vagabonds as a threat to social order, leading to various laws and punishments aimed at controlling or punishing them. This timeline explores the key developments in how vagabonds were perceived and treated from the 16th to the 17th centuries.

Below is a chronological timeline of key events and legislation related to vagabondage during the Early Modern period:

1547: The Vagabonds Act was introduced, making vagrancy a punishable offence.

1572: The Vagabonds Act was revised to include harsher punishments and the requirement for local authorities to take action.

1598: The Poor Law passed, emphasizing the need to control vagrants and poor relief.

1601: The Elizabethan Poor Law was enacted, establishing a system of poor relief and stricter vagrancy laws.

1640s: Increased social unrest and economic hardship led to more vagrant crimes.

1662: The Poor Law Act was further amended to enforce the containment of vagrants.

Use this timeline to answer the questions below.

The laws controlling vagabonds had significant social impacts. They often resulted in harsh punishments such as whipping, branding, or imprisonment. Some vagrants were also sent to workhouses or transported abroad. These measures aimed to deter vagrancy but also reflected societal fears of social disorder. Consider how these laws affected different groups within society and the overall social stability during the period.

Consider how the laws and attitudes towards vagabonds during the Early Modern period reflect broader social and economic changes of the time. Think about the balance between social control and charity, and how this impacted society as a whole.