The Vagabonds Act of 1531, enacted in England, distinguished between able-bodied vagrants and the impotent poor, allowing licensed begging for those unable to work. This legislation reflected the evolving attitudes toward poverty and social responsibility during the Tudor period. By recognizing the plight of the truly needy, the act aimed to provide some measure of support while also attempting to control vagrancy and its associated social issues.

The English Vagabonds Act of 1531, which distinguished between 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor, influenced Tudor poetry's portrayal of beggars and social order. Poets like Thomas Nashe and John Milton examined themes of charity and societal responsibility, reflecting the complexities of early modern England.