You need a time period to be entered here because the Maximum Land area
(million Km to the power of 2) list the British Empire as 35.5 to the power of 3, while the Soviets only have a 22 or so. According to this information, the British Empire is larger in land mass than the Soviet Union. Again, we need a time period for an accurate answer.
With the invention of the printing press the knowledge was made easier to spread which led to greater education and greater social mobility. This also made the Bible accessible to more people. People were looking for more personalized approach to their spiritual needs. It was Martin Luther who made openly challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church by posting his famous thesis against the selling of indulgences. After they branded him a heretic he denied the idea that the Church is a mediator between God and man.
Answer:
The Poor Laws passed during the reign of Elizabeth I played a critical role in the country's welfare. They signalled an important progression from private charity to welfare state, where the care and supervision of the poor was embodied in law and integral to the management of each town.