 The moving force behind the bill was probably Mr Secretary, Robert Cecil who wrote his policy in "Notes for the Parliament" on the basis of a speech to be made on November 5.The Ninth Parliament of Elizabeth's reign had opened on October 24, 1597, and it promised to be one of its most productive.Cecil was concerned that the dearth of corn, high prices, rising homelessness, and "the lamentable cry of the poor, who are like to perish" was causing considerable distress, riot and even rebellion