An "ordinance of labourers" refers to a historical term associated with medieval England. It is a legislative measure or law that was enacted to regulate and control wages, prices, and labor conditions during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The primary purpose of these ordinances was to address the social and economic consequences caused by labor shortages after the Black Death (a devastating pandemic in the mid-14th century).
The ordinance of labourers sought to fix wages at pre-plague levels, preventing workers from demanding higher wages due to the scarcity of labor. It aimed to stabilize the economy by reinstating the social order that existed prior to the plague outbreak. These ordinances were usually established by local authorities, but they were also influenced by royal proclamations and statutes.
Under these regulations, workers were bound by law to accept the wages offered by employers. Violation of the ordinance could result in punishment, including imprisonment or fines. The statutes also controlled prices and restricted individuals from seeking employment opportunities outside their native areas.
The ordinances of labourers were met with resistance from workers who viewed them as oppressive and inflexible. Their implementation often led to labor disputes and social unrest. However, despite the challenges, these ordinances persisted for several decades and significantly affected labor relations and economic policies during that era.
In summary, the "ordinance of labourers" refers to a set of laws enforced in medieval England to govern wages, prices, and labor conditions. It sought to address the labor shortages caused by the Black Death but generated conflicts due to its rigid regulations and restrictions on workers' bargaining power.
