Who bore the responsibility for relief of the poor in the middle ages?

• A. The monarchy
• B. The church
• C. The guild
• D. The family

Answer: (B)

Relief of the poor in the Middle Ages came mainly from the church because social welfare was organized through religious institutions rather than a centralized state or family-based system. Parishes, monasteries, and convents collected alms and ran hospitals, hospices, and almshouses to feed, clothe, shelter, and care for the sick and needy. The Christian duty of charity—to help the hungry, the homeless, and the sick—was put into practice through church networks, giving it the authority and reach to aid people across towns and regions. While families and guilds did provide aid, their efforts were local and limited, and the monarchy did not preside over a broad welfare system. The church’s wheels of charity were the primary mechanism for relief, making it the best answer.