Welcome back all you wonderfully curious lil’ devils to Bawdy Ballads and today’s episode,  “Taking dem kids, or the Poor Act of 1601" where we will look at one of the most important laws in terms of ballad sellers, often considered vagrants, but we will begin by looking at the letter home of Richard Frethorne, sold into an "apprenticeship" by his local council or parrish when his parents could no longer afford to care for him during a period of economic recession. Show transcript and Bawdy Ballads Blog. Poor Law of 1601 Letter home from Richard Frethorne A light hearts A Jewell. Support the show