Abstract
Under the old poor law mothers and fathers shared responsibility for their illegitimate children: fathers were expected to provide financial maintenance and mothers to care for and rear them. The new poor law sought to shift all responsibility on to mothers. This article focuses upon the impact of the new legislation upon poor women and their children and their interactions with poor law guardians. Using data drawn from applications to guardians and workhouse records for Hertford and Hatfield poor law unions this study analyses the welfare provision offered to unmarried mothers and their infants. The article considers all forms of assistance but with a particular focus on lying-in provision in the workhouse.
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