<
https://theconversation.com/how-elizabethan-law-once-protected-the-poor-from-the-high-cost-of-living-and-led-to-unrivalled-economic-prosperity-183392>
"In the closing years of Elizabeth I’s reign, England saw the emergence of
arguably the world’s first effective welfare state. Laws were established which
successfully protected people from rises in food prices.
More than 400 years later, in the closing years of Elizabeth II’s reign, the UK
once again faces perilous spikes in living costs. Perhaps today’s government
could learn something from its legislative ancestors.
Until the end of the 16th century, it was a given throughout medieval Europe
that when food prices rose there would be a consequent surge in mortality
rates, as people starved to death and diseases spread among the malnourished.
The Elizabethan Poor Laws of 1598 and 1601 turned the situation in England on
its head. Now when food became too expensive, local parishes were obliged to
give cash or food to those who could not afford to eat. For the first time in
history, it became illegal to let anybody starve."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
