Women collecting soup from Alscot
Park, late 19th century.
Each parish had a duty to provide
work and 'poor-relief' for those parishioners unable to support themselves and
their families. This often provided little more than basic sustenance – the
parish would stop people from starving, but little more.
The plight of the poor raised
controversy and debate for centuries. 'Sturdy beggars' were stripped and
whipped. Those who refused work were imprisoned. But those genuinely unable to
work – sickness and disability resulting from poor living conditions, malnutrition,
endemic disease and crippling work were very common, and many young widows were
left with large families to provide for – received Christian charity.
The poor were also remembered in the wills of wealthier people; most would
bequeath money, corn or bread to the poor families of their home parish. With
the forthcoming Judgement Day in mind, this final good deed was particularly
important.
The West family, lords of the manor
of Preston from the 18th century, were known for their altruism
towards the poor. They provided soup for poor families in winter, collected in
large pans as shown in the photograph. In harsh weather it could literally be a
life-saver. For a few pennies, people could also buy dripping left over from the
elaborate roasts in the house.
The family also distributed
blankets, shawls and flannelling to the villagers on St Thomas' Day [21st
December]. It was a long-standing tradition for the poor to go from door to
door on St Thomas' Day, collecting money or food – known as 'a-Thomasing' or
'a-gooding'. This was a relic of the winter solstice celebrations which had
been celebrated in Britain since the Iron Age.
This ancient tradition, along with
many others, came to a sudden and permanent end following the outbreak of the
First World War.
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