Following the dissolution of the monasteries , the power to levy a rate to fund relief of the poor was conferred on the parish authorities by the 1601 Act for the Relief of the Poor and before and after this optional social change local ( vestry-administered ) charities are well-documented .
After the dissolution of the monasteries , the power to charge ( levy ) a rate to fund relief of the poor was given to the parish authorities by the 1601 Act for the Relief of the Poor .