Difficult Times

The period following the Napoleonic Wars was a time of severe economic and agrarian depression, Many workers in industrial areas returned to their country homes but found themselves unable to find work due to the introduction of machinery.

A succession of poor harvests combined with heavy taxation necessary to offset huge national debt and the unpopular tithe system (a tax on land that was often paid to wealthy English speaking landowners in addition to rent) resulted in terrible hardship and destitution.

An already desperate situation was further aggravated by the reform of the Poor Laws. The Poor Laws, which originated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, said that responsibility for assisting the poor fell entirely on the parish. Relief varied according to the generosity of individual parishes and the efficiency of overseeing magistrates, but the sums given were small and usually awarded for a specific purpose.

During 1770 and 1815, Poor Law taxes increased by over 400%. This resulted in relief becoming extremely stringently applied. Any items which could be sold that belonged to the sick and old were seized. Paupers' possessions were sold on death and the money used for parish funds. Expectant mothers were forcibly removed from parishes.

In 1832 the Government reformed the Poor Law and Workhouses were built to house the destitute in appalling conditions. Men, women and children were separated on entering the Workhouses. No one outside the Workhouse System was allowed relief. In Carmarthen for example, it was noted by the Times newspaper that prisoners in the town's jail were better fed than those in the Workhouse.