The "Poor Law" refers to a series of laws in England designed to provide assistance to the impoverished population. Established in the 16th century, these laws aimed to ensure that the needy received support, often through local parishes. The most notable reform came with the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which introduced workhouses where the poor could live and work in exchange for basic necessities. Under the Poor Law system, assistance was often conditional, and the aim was to discourage reliance on public aid. The laws reflected societal attitudes towards poverty, emphasizing work and self-sufficiency while often stigmatizing those who sought help.