The 1572 act provided that justices of the peace were to register the names of the "aged, decayed, and impotent" poor to determine how much money was required to care for them.

Those refusing to contribute to poor relief would be confined to the gaol.

[2] Justices of the Peace were allowed to license beggars if there were too many for the parish to provide for.

[3] It further provided that any surplus funds could be used to “place and settle to work the rogues and vagabonds.” Combined with the Poor Act 1575, the 1572 act formed the basis for the subsequent Elizabethan Poor Laws.

[4] The act was an incentive for itinerant playing companies to find sponsors who could provide them with a permanent play house and thus avoid prosecution as vagabonds.