Board of guardians

bodies that administered Poor Law in the UK

Boards of guardians ran the Poor Law system in England, Wales and Ireland from 1835 to 1930. They took over from parishes. [1] Boards administered workhouses within a poor law union which was a group of parishes.

The guardians were elected by the owners and occupiers of land in the parish who had to pay the poor rate.

The Public Health Act 1875 gave them the job of managing drains and water.[2]


References change

  1. "The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act". www.workhouses.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. "Public Health Act 1875". Legislation.gov.uk. 1875. Retrieved 17 Feb 2023.