Christ's Hospital of London, 1552-1598

The purpose of this book is to examine the circumstances surrounding the foundation of Christ's Hospital and to study how this orphanage/school functioned as a charitable institution from its foundation in 1552 until the advent of the first great Elizabethan poor law in 1598. Christ's Hospital was not established as a foundling hospital but as an orphanage and school for "the fatherless children & other poor men's children that were not able to keep them..." It was not a warehouse for unwanted children, but a safe place where they received more than just physical care. The goal of Christ's Hospital was to return these children back to society as useful and productive members. It is a unique institution in that it also performed as an agent of general poor relief, giving money and pensions to elderly and sick adults, even if they were childless. It appears that Christ's, in concert with St. Thomas and Bridewell, operated as the first line of defense against poverty in London.