V

The breakup of feudal estates in England led to labor shortages which in turn resulted in the Statutes of Laborers, designed to stabilize the labor force by prohibiting increases in wages and prohibiting the movement of workers from their home areas in search of improved conditions. 23 Edw. 3, c. 1 (1349); 25 Edw. 3, c. 1 (1350). Later vagrancy laws became criminal aspects of the poor laws.

The series of laws passed in England on the subject became increasingly severe. See 3 J. Stephen, History of the Criminal Law of England 203-206, 266-275; 4 W. Blackstone, Commentaries *169. Ledwith v. Roberts, ...