Looking after the Poor – 1200 -1948
Phil George
- Region:
- Essex
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: £30 plus travelling
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 14th March 2026
This illustrated talk explores the lived experience of poverty from 1200 to 1948. It reveals the often-stark realities faced by individuals seeking help in a system based on religious and political ideas, philosophical concepts and economic theories of the time.
It looks at the parish-based system of poor relief which for several centuries classified people seeking help as able‑bodied, impotent, or idle. It then moves to the Poor Law of 1834 and the grim reality of the union workhouse. It concludes with more enlightened attitudes and the creation of a “cradle to grave” national welfare system.
Views: 2 | Enquiries: 0About Phil George
I have always had an interest in history, local history and family history. In the 1980s I studied at the Open University and achieved an honours degree in history.
Since then, I have carried out a great deal of research as a writer for both print and online. For 15 years I was a self-employed genealogist which included research for the television programme Who Do You Think You Are.
I have written a book on the history of Kelvedon Hatch, and I give guided tours of Kelvedon Hall which is the subject of one of my talks.
For the last ten years I have organised a local history group, so I appreciate the difficulty of finding speakers and I thought it was now time to help out other groups and organisation by becoming a speaker myself.
I am willing to do emergency, short notice or regular talks. If I am available, then I'll do it!
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