This work investigates the evolution of charitable practices in London between 1480 and 1660 to determine how private philanthropy replaced medieval ecclesiastical structures. W. K. Jordan, a noted historian of the Tudor and Stuart periods, utilizes extensive archival records, including wills and parish accounts, to construct a detailed analysis of social welfare. He argues that the shift toward secular, private charity reflected a fundamental change in the urban social consciousness and the economic aspirations of the merchant class. The text provides a framework for understanding how individual wealth was redirected to address poverty, education, and public infrastructure during a period of significant religious and political transition.

Historians frequently cite this text as a foundational study for understanding the social and economic history of early modern London. Scholars often note the high density of statistical data and the rigorous archival methodology employed by the author throughout the volume.