Article based on a seminar presented by Dr Lorie Charlesworth (Reader in Law and History at the Law School, Liverpool John Moores University) at the IALS in February 2010 to launch the publication of her book of the same title. The author considers the role of the Poor Law as law, tracing the legal underpinnings of the early system of relieving poverty in England and Wales. Published in Amicus Curiae – Journal of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by SALS at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London
