<P> The problem of poverty in England was exacerbated during the early 16th century by a dramatic increase in the population . This rose `` ... from little more than 2 million in 1485 , ... ( to ) about 2.8 million by the end of Henry VII 's reign ( 1509 ) '' . The population was growing faster than the economy 's ability to provide employment opportunities . The problem was made worse because during the English Reformation , Henry VIII severed the ecclesiastical governance of his kingdoms of England and Ireland and made himself the `` Supreme Governor '' of the Church of England . This involved the Dissolution of the Monasteries in England and Wales : the assets of hundreds of rich religious institutions , including their great estates , were seized by the Crown . This had a devastating impact on poor relief . According to the historian Paul Slack , prior to the Dissolution `` it has been estimated that monasteries alone provided 6,500 pounds a year in alms before 1537 ( equivalent to £ 3,400,000 in 2015 ) ; and that sum was not made good by private benefactions until after 1580 . '' In addition to the closing of the monasteries , most hospitals ( which in the 16th century were generally almshouses rather than medical institutions ) were also closed , as they `` had come to be seen as special types of religious houses '' . This left many of the elderly and sick without accommodation or care . In 1531 , the Vagabonds and Beggars Act was revised , and a new Act was passed by parliament which did make some provision for the different classes of the poor . The sick , the elderly , and the disabled were to be issued with licences to beg . But those who were out of work and in search of employment were still not spared punishment . Throughout the 16th century , a fear of social unrest was the primary motive for much legislation that was passed by parliament . </P>
<P> The problem of poverty in England was exacerbated during the early 16th century by a dramatic increase in the population . This rose `` ... from little more than 2 million in 1485 , ... ( to ) about 2.8 million by the end of Henry VII 's reign ( 1509 ) '' . The population was growing faster than the economy 's ability to provide employment opportunities . The problem was made worse because during the English Reformation , Henry VIII severed the ecclesiastical governance of his kingdoms of England and Ireland and made himself the `` Supreme Governor '' of the Church of England . This involved the Dissolution of the Monasteries in England and Wales : the assets of hundreds of rich religious institutions , including their great estates , were seized by the Crown . This had a devastating impact on poor relief . According to the historian Paul Slack , prior to the Dissolution `` it has been estimated that monasteries alone provided 6,500 pounds a year in alms before 1537 ( equivalent to £ 3,400,000 in 2015 ) ; and that sum was not made good by private benefactions until after 1580 . '' In addition to the closing of the monasteries , most hospitals ( which in the 16th century were generally almshouses rather than medical institutions ) were also closed , as they `` had come to be seen as special types of religious houses '' . This left many of the elderly and sick without accommodation or care . In 1531 , the Vagabonds and Beggars Act was revised , and a new Act was passed by parliament which did make some provision for the different classes of the poor . The sick , the elderly , and the disabled were to be issued with licences to beg . But those who were out of work and in search of employment were still not spared punishment . Throughout the 16th century , a fear of social unrest was the primary motive for much legislation that was passed by parliament . </P>
which act or law defined the three classes of the poor
which act or law defined the three classes of the poor
Vagabonds and Beggars Act
Vagabonds and Beggars Act