Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650
This book sets out the importance of charity in Scottish Reformation studies. Based on extensive archival research involving more than thirty parishes, it sheds new light on the practice of poor relief in the century following the Reformation.
John McCallum challenges the assumption that charitable activity was weak and informal in Scotland by uncovering the surviving records of welfare work carried out by the church. And he skilfully demonstrates that kirk sessions were key welfare providers in early modern Scotland and provided effective relief to a range of people who struggled in poverty. In addition to the analysis of specific parish activities, readers gain a rare insight into the lives of the poor Scots who looked to the church for assistance in the early modern era.

1128187698
Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650
This book sets out the importance of charity in Scottish Reformation studies. Based on extensive archival research involving more than thirty parishes, it sheds new light on the practice of poor relief in the century following the Reformation.
John McCallum challenges the assumption that charitable activity was weak and informal in Scotland by uncovering the surviving records of welfare work carried out by the church. And he skilfully demonstrates that kirk sessions were key welfare providers in early modern Scotland and provided effective relief to a range of people who struggled in poverty. In addition to the analysis of specific parish activities, readers gain a rare insight into the lives of the poor Scots who looked to the church for assistance in the early modern era.

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Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650

Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650

by John McCallum
Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650

Poor Relief and the Church in Scotland, 1560-1650

by John McCallum

Hardcover

$120.00 
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Overview

This book sets out the importance of charity in Scottish Reformation studies. Based on extensive archival research involving more than thirty parishes, it sheds new light on the practice of poor relief in the century following the Reformation.
John McCallum challenges the assumption that charitable activity was weak and informal in Scotland by uncovering the surviving records of welfare work carried out by the church. And he skilfully demonstrates that kirk sessions were key welfare providers in early modern Scotland and provided effective relief to a range of people who struggled in poverty. In addition to the analysis of specific parish activities, readers gain a rare insight into the lives of the poor Scots who looked to the church for assistance in the early modern era.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781474427272
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Publication date: 09/10/2018
Series: Scottish Religious Cultures
Pages: 288
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

John McCallum is a senior lecturer in History at Nottingham Trent University, and a specialist in the religious and social history of early modern Scotland. He is the author of Reforming the Scottish Parish (2010), editor of Scotland’s Long Reformation (2016), and has published various other pieces on aspects of Scottish Reformation history.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgementsConventionsAbbreviationsList of TablesMapIntroductionChapter 1. Ideas, Attitudes and Ambitions

Section I: The Development of Kirk Session Poor ReliefChapter 2. Urban Beginnings and Developments, c. 1560-c. 1610Chapter 3. Poor Relief Beyond the Main Burghs, c. 1590-c. 1650Chapter 4: Poor Relief under Stress

Section II: The Nature of Kirk Session Poor ReliefChapter 5. The Mechanics of ReliefChapter 6. Who Were the Poor? The Recipients of ReliefChapter 7. Who Was Deserving? Decision-Making and DiscriminationChapter 8. Beyond the Kirk Session: Mixed Economies of Relief

ConclusionAppendix: Equivalent Values from Wages and PricesBibliography

What People are Saying About This

This excellent study fundamentally challenges traditional views of early modern Scottish poor relief as ineffectual due to lack of state supervision. It demonstrates the vital role of the kirk sessions at the heart of poor relief, flexibly providing care for the local community they knew best.

Elizabeth Ewan

This excellent study fundamentally challenges traditional views of early modern Scottish poor relief as ineffectual due to lack of state supervision. It demonstrates the vital role of the kirk sessions at the heart of poor relief, flexibly providing care for the local community they knew best.

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