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Early Elizabethan England (1558-1588): Vagabondage

Level:
GCSE
Board:
AQA, Edexcel, OCR

Last updated 15 Jul 2024

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Vagabonds were those people who were homeless and went around the country looking for money, and often stole from people in order to live.

Vagabondage was something which fast became a problem in Elizabethan society. Many in Elizabethan society thought that Vagabonds should be treated harshly so that law and order would not break down in society as a result.

The government introduced the 1572 Vagabonds Act in an attempt to deal with problem of vagrancy. One punishment it set out for vagrants was whipping and those caught having a hole drilled in their ear. Repeat offenders were also sentenced to prison and eventually death.

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