Poor Relief

Poor Relief refers to the historical system of providing assistance to individuals and families facing economic hardship. It aimed to help those unable to support themselves through government or local authority aid, often including food, shelter, and clothing. This system was particularly prominent in medieval and early modern England, where local parishes managed the distribution of aid. Over time, Poor Relief evolved into more structured welfare programs, but its core purpose was ensuring basic needs were met for the poor, preventing extreme deprivation and social unrest.