Altogether the almshouses of the time formed a very important part of the provision for the poor. In some towns like that of Hereford[502] they were extremely numerous. Other places like Morton Hampstead seem to have established a public almshouse for the poor, but as a rule these institutions were privately endowed, and the help given by them was thus free from the sting that is attached to legal and compulsory charity.
[502] There were endowments for at least ten almshouses in Hereford in 1642.
I. St Ethelbert's, an old foundation for ten poor people in the hands of the Cathedral authorities.
II. Sick Man's Hospital. A foundation partly managed by the Corporation and partly by the Vestry.
III. St Giles's, an old endowment in the hands of the Corporation.
IV, V, VI. Kerry's, Williams', and Price's Hospitals, endowed during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., and governed by the Corporation.
VII. Lingen almshouses founded 1609. } } VIII. Coningsby Hospital founded 1617 for eleven old soldiers, }Under mariners, or serving men. }private }management. IX. Mary Price's almshouses, 1636, for six poor widows or single } women. }
X. Weaver's almshouses, 1641. Under management of parochial authorities of All Saints'. _Charity Commissioners' Rep._ 32, Pt. II., pp. 6-56.
[Sidenote: 1 _d_. Pensions and gifts from endowed charities.]
But besides the almshouses many other charities were founded to help the aged poor, some of which have proved of doubtful benefit to their successors. Many pensions and gifts of small amount were distributed by public or semi-public bodies. The City Companies of London frequently received bequests of this kind. Thus the Clothworkers administer the gift of Sir Thomas Trevor. In 1622 he bequeathed £100 in order that six poor women might have 20s. a piece in quarterly instalments. At Bristol every week some one poor widow receives 10_s._ from Mr Whitson's charity, and two poor householders have 20_s._ each, though neither widow nor householder can have the gift more than once in the same year[503].
Innumerable smaller charities also exist in particular towns and parishes ordering the distribution of sixpences and shillings on particular Sundays or Feasts, or after the hearing of some sermon. Even more frequently bread charities were established. Thus in Hereford Cathedral twelve poor people receive a loaf every Saturday, and sixpence on twelve of the principal feasts and vigils of the year[504]. Sometimes so many poor men or women are "apparelled," or gowns, shirts and smocks are bought and distributed: more often fuel and wood are provided[505]. Bequests of this kind are very numerous, but the amount of relief afforded to each individual is often ridiculously small. Still the value of money was three or four times greater then than it is to-day, and a pension of 10_s._ or 20_s._ was a much greater contribution towards the maintenance of the poor person. Moreover, parochial authorities and officials of City Companies had comparatively few people to deal with, and it was possible for them to know something about the recipients of these charitable doles.