The World of the Small Farmer: Tenure, Profit and Politics in the Early Modern Somerset Levels (original) (raw)

This study examines the multifaceted issue of vagrancy in England from 1650 to 1750, exploring the interplay between legal frameworks, cultural representations in print, and local government policies. It challenges the prevailing notion that vagrancy diminished in significance after 1660, presenting evidence of its persistent impact on society and the legal system. The work highlights the often-neglected narratives of vagrants, particularly women, and suggests that these stories reflect broader societal attitudes and serve as critical lenses for understanding the management of poverty during the early modern period.