Complex sentence: This system was made more formal by the "Poor Law Act 1601", which made parishes responsible for administering the "Poor Law"; overseers were appointed to charge a rate to support the poor of the parish.
Split into simpler sentences: This system was made more formal by the "Poor Law Act 1601", which made parishes responsible for administering the "Poor Law". They appointed overseers, who could charge a rate to support the poor of the parish.