the myddest of May to the myddest of August halfe an houre at the most and at euery breakefast one halfe houre and all the sayde artifiters and laborers betwene the myddest of September and the middest of Marche shal be and continue at their worke from the sprynge of the daye in the mornynge vntyl the night of the same daye excepte it be in tyme afore appointed for breakefast and dynner vppon payne to lose and forfeyte one peny for euery houres absence to be deducted and defaulked oute of his wages that shall so offende And be it also enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde that euery artificer and laborer that shal be lawfully reteyned in or for the buyldyng or reparyng of any Church House Ship Mylne or euery other peece of worke taken in greate in taske or in grosse or that shall hereafter take vppon hym to make or fynyshe any suche thynge or worke shall continue and not departe from the fame onles it be for not payinge of his wages or hyer agreed on or otherwise lawefully taken or appointed to serue the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successours or for other lawfull cause or without lycense of the maister or owner of the worke or of hym that hath the charge therof before the finishyng of the sayd worke vpon payne of imprisonment by one moneth without bayle or mainprise and the forfeyture of the summe of fyue pounds to the partie from whome he shall so departe for the whiche the sayd partie may haue his action of debte againste him that shal so departe in any of the Quenes Maiesties courtes of record ouer besides such ordinary costes and damages as may or ought to be recouered by the comen lawes for or concernynge any suche offence In which action no protection wager of law or essoygne shal be admitted And that no other artificer or laborer reteyned in any seruice to worke wyth the Quenes Maiestie or any other person departe not from her sayde Maiestie or from the sayde other person vntyll suche tyme as the worke be fynished yf the person so reteynynge the artificer or laborer so longe wyll haue hym and pay hym his wages or other dueties vpon paine of imprisonment of euery person so departing by the space of one moneth And for the declaration and lymitation what wages seruauntes laborers and artificers eyther by the yeare or daye or otherwise shall haue and receaue Be it enacted by the auctoritye of this present Parliamente that the Iustices of peace of euery shyre rydynge and libertye within the lymittes of their seuerall commissions or the more parte of them beinge then resyant within the same and the Sheriffe of that Countie if he conueniently may and euery Maior Baylyfe or other head officer within anye Citye or towne corporate wherin is anye Iustice of peace within the lymittes of the saide Citye or towne corporate and of the sayde corporation shall before the tenth daye of Iune next commynge and afterwarde shall yerely at euery generall Sessions firste to beeholden and kepte after Easter or at sometyme conuenient within six wekes next folowing euery of the sayde feastes of Easter assemble them selues together and they so assembled callynge vnto them suche discrete and graue persons of the sayde Countie or of the sayd Citie or towne corporate as they shall thynke mete and confetrynge together respectynge the plentie or scarsitie of the tyme and other circumstaunces necessaryly to be considered shall haue auctoritye by vertue hereof within the lymittes and precinctes of theyr seuerall commissions to lymit rate and appointe the wages aswel of suche and so many of the sayde artificers handy craftes men husbandmen or anye other laborer seruaunte or woorkemen whose wages in tyme past hath ben by any lawe or statute rated and appointed as also the wages of all other laborers artificers workemen or apprentices of husbandry whiche haue not ben rated as they the same Iustices Maiors or head officers within their seuerall commissions or liberties shall thinke mete by theyr discressions to be rated lymitted or appointed by the yeare or by the daye weke monethe or otherwyse wyth meate and drynke or without meate and drynke and what wages euery workeman or laborer shall take by the greate for mowynge reapynge or thresshynge of corne and grayne and for mowynge or makinge of hey or for ditchinge palynge raylynge or hedgynge by the rodde perche lugge yarde pole rope or foote and for any other kynde of reasonable labours or seruice and shal yerelye before the xii daye of Iulye nexte after the saide assessement and rates so appointed and made certifie the same ingrosed in parchement with y e considerations causes therof vnder their handes and seales into the Quenes most honorable Court of Chauncery wherupon it shal be lawefull to the lorde Chauncelour of England or L. keper of the great seale for the tyme beyng vpon declaration thereof to the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successours or to the Lordes and others of the pryuye Councel for the tyme beinge attendaunt vpon their persons to cause to be printed and sent downe before the firste daye of September nexte after the sayde certificat into euery Countye to the Sheriffe and Iustices of peace there and to the sayde Maior bayliffes and head officers tenne or twelue proclamations or more conteynyng in euerye of them the seuerall rates appointed by the sayde Iustices and other head officers as is aforesayde with commaundement by the sayde proclamations to all persons in the name of the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successors straightlye to obserue the same and to all Iustices Sheriffes and other officers to see the same duelie and seuerely obserued vpon the daunger of the punishement and forfeytures lymitted and appointed by this estatute Vppon receypte wherof the sayde Sherifes Iustices of peace and the Maior and head officer in euery Citie or towne corporate shall cause the same proclamation to be entred of record by the clerke of the peace or by the clerke of the Citie or towne corporate and the sayde Sheriffes Iustices and other the sayde Maior and head officers shall foorthwith in open markettes vpon the market dayes before Michelmas then ensuynge cause the same proclamation to be proclamed in euerye Citie or market towne within the lymittes of their Commission and the same proclamation to be fixed in some conuenient place of the sayd Citie and towne or in suche of the most occupyed market townes as to the sayde Sherifes Iustices of peace and to the sayde Maior and head officer shal be thought mete And if the sayde Sherifes Iustices of peace or the Maior and head officers shall at their saide generall Sessions or at any tyme after within syxe weekes then folowynge vppon their assembly and conference togither thynke it conuenient to reteyne and kepe for the yere then to come the rates and proportion of wages that they certifyed the yere before or to chaunge or reforme them or some parte of them then they shall before the sayde .xii.
the saide feast of Pentecost shall occupy the mistery or occupation of a Cordwayner or Shoemaker shall make or cause to be made any bootes buskynnes shoes startvppes slyppers or pantofles or any part of them of Englishe leather wet curryed other then Deare skynnes Calues skynnes or Goates skynnes made or dressed or to be made or dressed lyke vnto Spanyshe leather but of leather well and truely tanned and curryed in maner and fourme aboue specified or of leather well and truely tanned onely and well and substauncially sewed with good threde well twysted and made and sufficiently waxte with waxe well rosened and the stytches harde drawen with handleathers as hath ben accustomed without mynglyng or mixyng of ouerleathers that is to saye parte of the ouer leather beyng of Neates leather and part of Calues leather nor shall put into any part of any shoes bootes buskynnes startvppes slyppers or pantofles any leather made of a sheepes skynne bull hyde or horse hyde nor into the vpper leather of any shoes startvppes slyppers or pantofles or into the neather parte of any bootes thinner sole and hee le of the shoe only except any part of any hyde from which the sole leather is cutte called the wombe necke shanke flanke poll or cheke nor shall put into the vtter sole any other leather then the best of the Oxe or Stere hyde nor into the inner sole any other leather then the wombes necke poll or cheke nor in the treswelles of the double soled shoes other then the flankes of any the hydes aforesayde nor shall make or put to sale in any yere betwene the last of September the .xx. of Apryll any shoes bootes buskynnes startvppes slyppers or pantofles wherein any drye mete for any person to weare excedyng the age of .iiii. yeres wherin shal be any drye Englyshe leather other then Calues or Goates skynnes made or dressed or to be made dressed lyke vnto Spanysh leather or any part therof nor shal shew to thintent to put to sale any shoes bootes buskinnes startvppes slippers or pantofles vpō the Sunday before the diuine seruice vsed in the forenone be done and ended vpon paine of forfaiture for euery payne of shoes bootes buskynnes startvppes slyppers or pantofles made solde shewed or put to sale contrary to the true meanyng of this Acte iii.s iiii d and the iust and full value of the same And be it further enacted for the true execution of this estatute that the Maior of the Citie of London and the Aldermen of the same for the tyme beyng or the more part of them vpon payne to forfait xl.li for euery yere that they make default the one halfe wherof to be to the Quenes Maiestie her heyres and successours and the other halfe to hym or them that wyll sue for the same shall yerely appoynt foure or more expert persons by theyr discressions to be searchers who shal be sworne before the sayde Maior and Aldermen for the tyme beyng to do theyr office truely Which said serchers shal by vertue of this Act foure times in the yere at the least that is to saye once euery quarter of a yere or oftener yf nede require as they shall thynke good make true search and viewe of for all bootes buskynnes and other wares and thynges whatsoeuer made of tanned leather in all and euery house houses place and places aswell within the sayde Citie and suburbes therof as in euery other place within three myles of the same Citie where any Shoemaker Sadler Gyrdler or other artificer vsyng cuttyng of leather doth or shall dwell or occupye any of thoccupations of cuttyng of leather and after euery such search and viewe to make true presentment in wrytyng before the sayde Maior Aldermen for the tyme beyng of euery default that they or any of them shall fynde in the makyng sellyng or puttyng to sale of any bootes buskyns startvppes shoes brydels saddels or other thynges stuffe or ware made of leather contrary to the true meaning of this estatut And be it further enacted that the sayd Maior of the sayde Citie of London Aldermen for the tyme beyng vpon lyke payne lykewyse to be leuyed and imployed shall lykewise yerely appoynt .iiii. or more other skylfull expert and honest persons wherof one shal be a sealer and kepe a seale for the sealyng of leather to be prepared who shall also be sworne before the sayde Maior and Aldermen for the tyme beyng to do theyr office truely Which sayd searchers and sealer shall viewe and search all and euery tanned hyde skynne or leather which shal be brought aswell to the market at Leaden hall as to any other lawefull fayer or market therefore vsually appoynted within three myles of the sayde Citie whether the same be well and sufficiently tanned accordyng to the purport and true meanyng of this estatute or no. And fyndyng it sufficiently and well tanned in such maner and fourme as by this estatute is appoynted and as it ought to be shall seale the same with the sayde seale for that purpose to be prouided and prepared AND be it further enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that all other Maiors Baylyffes and other head officers for the tyme beyng in all other Cities Boroughes and market Townes of this Realme and all Lordes of liberties fayres and markets out of the circuite or compasse of the sayde three myles shall vpon lyke payne of xl.li lykewyse to be leuyed and imployed euery yere that they make default herein appoynt and swere yerely .ii. iii. or more persons of the most honest and skylfull men within theyr seuerall offices or liberties by their discression to searche and viewe within the precinct of theyr sayde offices liberties and aucthorities which shall as often as nede shal be or they thynke good make lyke searche within theyr limittes and shall haue a marke or seale prepared for that purpose and that the sayde searchers or one of them shall kepe the same seale or marke and with the same shall seale or marke suche leather as they shall fynde sufficient and no other And if the sayde searchers or any of them do fynde any leather solde or offred to be solde or brought to be searched or marked insufficiently tanned or insufficiently curryed or any bootes buskynnes shoes startvppes slyppers brydels saddels or any other thing made of tanned or curryed leather insufficiently tanned curryed or wrought contrary to the true meanyng of this estatute it shal be lawfull to the saide searchers or any of them to sease as forfaited all such leather shoes and wares made of leather and to retayne the same in theyr custody vntyll the same be tryed by .vi. experte men appoynted by such Maior Baylyffe or other head officer or Lorde of libertie or his sufficient deputie within whose precinctes or liberties such seysour shall happen to be the same tryal to be within .xv. dayes after such seysour at the furthest vpon the othes of the sayde tryers And be it further
be brought or pursued by the sayde Churchwardens of the sayde Paryshe where they shall dwell in any court of Recorde or in the courte of any Lorde of any Manour within the sayde paryshe where the sayde gatherer shal be so chosen In which suite no protection or wager of lawe shal be alowed or admitted for the partie defendaunt And be it further enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that yf the sayde Churchwardens or eyther of them shall refuse to sue for the sayde forfayture or within two monethes next after the same cause of forfayture shal be geuen shall not sue or take the remedie for the recouery thereof in suche maner and fourme as before in this present Acte is limitted and appoynted that then the same Churchwardens so makyng default of suite shall forfayte and lose xx.li. of lawfull money of Englande the one moitie therof to him or them that wyll sue for the same by action of debt byll playnt or information in any court of Recorde or in the court of any Lorde of any Manour within the paryshe where the sayde Churchwardens shall dwell and the other moitie to the vse of the poore of the sayde paryshe In which suite no essoigne protection or wager of lawe shal be admitted or alowed for the partie defendaunt And for the better execution of this Acte touching the election of the Collectours for the poore Be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that euery Parson Vicar Curate or Minister of euery paryshe within this Realme shall yerely for euermore vpon the Sunday before Midsomer day in the Pulpit or some other conuenient place in the Church geue knowledge and warnyng at th end of some of the mornyng seruice to the parishioners then and there present to prepare them selues on the Sunday next after Midsomer day then next folowyng to come to the Churche and there to electe and chose Collectours and gatherers for the poore according to the tenor of this Acte And yf the Parson Vicar Curate or Minister shall make default in geuyng of the sayde knowledge that then he or they so makyng default to forfaite lose xl.s towardes the reparations of the sayde Churche And the Churchwardens of the sayde paryshe to sue and distrayne for the same in such fourme as before is appoynted for the other forfaitures AND further be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaide that the sayde gatherers or Collectours for the poore so to be chosen as is aforesayd shall make theyr iust accompt quarterly to the Maiors or chiefe officers of the sayde Cities Boroughes and Townes corporate and in euery parishe of the sayde Countrey to the Parson Vicar or Curate and Churchwardens of the paryshe at which accompt such of the paryshe as wyll may be present And when they go out of theyr office they shall delyuer or cause to be delyuered forthwith vpon th ende of their accomptes all such surplusage of money as then shall remayne of theyr collection vndistributed to be put in theyr common chest of the Churche or in some other safe place to the vse of the poore at the ouersyght and discression of the Maior officers and others before mentioned And if the said Collectours or any of them do refuse to make theyr sayde accompte within .viii. dayes nexte after request made to them for the same then the Bishop of the dioces or the Ordinary of the place Chauncelours or their Cōmissaries together with a Iustice of peace the Churchwardens of the sayd parishe or one of them shall haue aucthoritie by vertue of this Act vpon complaynt to them made to cōmit the sayde person or persons so refusyng to warde there to remayne without bayle or maynpryse vntyll he or they so refusyng shall make theyr sayd accomptes before suche persons as the sayde Byshop Ordinary Chauncellours or Commissaries Iustice of peace shall appoynt to make immediate payment of the summes wherwith by determinatiō of y e said accompt they shal be charged And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid that if any person or persons being able to further this charitable worke do obstinatly frowardely refuse reasonablye to geue towardes the helpe reliefe of the poore or do wylfully discourage other from so charitable a dede y e Parson Vicar or Curate Churchwardens of the parishe wherin he dwelleth shall then gentelly exhorte hym or them towardes the reliefe of the poore and if he or they wyll not so be perswaded then vpon the certificat of the Parson Vicar or Curate of the parishe to the Bishop of the dioces or Ordinary of the place Chauncelours or their Cōmissaries or Gardian of the Spiritualties the same Bishop Ordinary Chauncelours or Cōmissaries or Gardian of the Spiritualties shall sende for him or them to induce or persuade him or them by charitable meanes wayes to extend their charitie to the poore as in this Act is well ment intended And yf the person or persons so sent for of his or their frowarde or wylfull mynde shall obstinately refuse to geue wekely for the reliefe of the poore according to his or their habilities that then the Bishop or Ordinary of the diocesse Chauncelours or their Commissaries shall haue full power and aucthoritie by vertue of this Acte to bynde the said obstinate and wylfull persons so refusing vnto the Quene by recognisaunce in the sūme of ten poūdes with condition therevpon to be indorsed that the sayde obstinate person so refusyng shall personally appeare before the Iustices of peace of the Countie where the same person shall then inhabite and dwell yf it be out of any Citie Borough or Towne corporate and yf it be within any Citie Borough or Towne corporate then before the Maiors Baylyffes or other head officers of euery such Citie Borough or Towne corporate at the next generall sessions to be holden before the sayde Iustices within the sayde Countie or at the next Court to be holden before the sayde Maior Baylyffes or other head officers within euery suche Citie Borough or Towne corporate and that the same obstinate person shall not from thence depart without licence of the sayd Iustices if he dwell out of any Citie Borough or Towne corporate or of the sayde Maior Baylyffes or other head officers yf he dwell within anye suche Citie Borough or Towne corporate And yf any such obstinate person shall refuse to be bounde as is aforesayde that then the sayde Byshop Ordinary Chauncellour or Commissary shall haue aucthoritie by this Acte to commit the sayde obstinate person to pryson there to remayne without bayle or maynprise vntyl the sayde obstinate person shall become bounde as is aforesayde AND further be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that the sayde Iustices or such of them as shal be at the sayde Sessions or the Maior Baylyffes or other head officers of euery such Citie Borough or Towne corporate yf the sayde obstinate person do appeare before them shall charitablye and gentelly perswade and moue the sayde obstinate
persons to extende his or their charitie towardes the reliefe of the poore of the paryshe where he or she inhabiteth and dwelleth and if he or she shall obstinately and wylfully stande in the same and wyll not be perswaded therein by the sayde Iustices Maior Baylyffes or other head officers that then it shall and may be lawful to and for the sayde Iustices if it be out of any Citie Borough or Towne corporate and yf it be within any Citie Borough or Towne corporate for the Maior Bayliffes or other head officers of the same Citie Borough or Towne corporate with the Churchwardens where the sayde obstinate person shall inhabite or one of them to sesse taxe and limit vpon euery such obstinate person so refusyng according to theyr good discressions what summe the sayde obstinate person shall paye wekely towardes the reliefe of the poore within the sayde paryshe where he or she shall inhabite and dwell And yf the sayd person so sessed and taxed shall refuse to paye the summe that shal be so reasonablye limitted taxed and appoynted then the sayde Iustices of peace or two of them whereof the one to be of the Quorum or the sayde Maior Baylyffes or other head officers of euery suche Citie Borough or Towne corporate shall haue full power and aucthoritie by vertue of this Acte vpon complaynt and certificate to them by the Collectours and Churchwardens of the same paryshe where the sayde obstinate person shall dwell to commit the sayd obstinate person and persons so refusyng to paye to prison to the next gaole there to remayne without bayle or mainprise tyll he or they haue payde the sayde sūme so appoynted taxed limitted together with tharrerages therof yf any such shall fortune to be And for the better maintenaunce of this charitable Acte and worke it is ordeyned and establyshed by thaucthoritie aforesayde that where as the late kyng of famous memorye kyng Henry the viii his heyres or successours or any other person or persons by his or theyr seuerall lawfull erections and foundations hath or haue ordeyned appoynted any sūme or sūmes of money to the vse of the poore or for the repayryng or amendyng of hygh wayes or bridges not beyng taken away otherwyse by Acte of Parliament whether the same be in any Cathedrall Churche Colledge or els where the Bishop of the diocesse or Chauncelour for the tyme being shall from tyme to tyme examine howe and after what maner the sayd money is bestowed to call to accompt the parties which retayne the sayde money and therevpon to take such order as the same from thenceforth be distributed to the poore accordyng to the good entent and purpose of the saide noble kyng that graunted the same And yf they shall fayle yerely to call to accompt the persons aforesaid in fourme aforesaide and after accompt to order the distribution of the said money in maner before declared to forfait for euery such default xx.li to be employed to the vse of the poore by the ouersight of three Iustices of the peace within the said countie where the person that so should accompt dwelleth to be leuied by way of distresse or otherwyse as other forfaitures in this estatute are appoynted to be leuied And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesayde yf it shall chaunce any paryshe to haue in it mo poore impotent folkes not able to labour then the saide parishe is able to reliefe that then in euery such paryshe not standyng in any Citie or Towne corporate the Parson Vicar or Curate of the saide paryshe and two or three of the chiefe inhabitauntes of the same parishe and in euery Citie Towne corporate the Maior or chiefe officers of the same Citie or Towne corporat the Parson Vicar or Curate of the said paryshe calling to them two or three of the chiefe parishioners of the same parish such as the said Maior or head officers shal thinke mete shall certifie vnto the Iustices of peace of the countie where the same paryshe is the nombre and names of the persons with which they be surcharged vpon such certificat the sayd Iustices of the peace in the same countie or two of them wherof one to be of the Quorū shall consider examine the said certificat aswel by the oth of those that so certified inspection of the said poore persons to be taken and viewed at such day tyme place as to them shal be thought mete as by all other wayes and meanes and fynding the same true after such othe and alowaunce by inspection shall then graunt vnto such and as many of the saide poore folkes as by their discression they shal thinke good a sufficient licence vnder the seale appoynted for the limit to go abrode to begge get and receaue the charitable almes of the inhabitauntes of the countrey out of the sayde Paryshes Cities Townes so surcharged in which license thinfirmitie of the person the places townes paryshes to which such poore folkes are by that license licensed to resorte shall in the same license be named limitted and appoynted be it one Hundred or mo in the sayde Countie at the said discression of the same Iustices And yf any of the sayde poore folkes so licensed shall transgresse the limittes to them appoynted and resort to begge at other places then is in the sayde license named the partie so transgressyng offendyng to be taken for a valyaunt begger and punished according to the statute made in the sayde .xxii. yere of king Henry the eyght his or theyr license to be taken from them And if the sayde Iustices of the peace shal fayle to appoynt a day and tyme for inspection of the sayde poore and examination of the sayde certificatours within one moneth next ensuyng the day of receipt of the said certificat or shalt graunt or geue license to any person or persons so certified to go abrode and begge before such tyme as they shall haue viewed and sene the said poore persons haue receaued othe of the persons that so certified that the said poore persons for age impotencie or sickenes in theyr consciences to theyr knowledge are not able by any worke or labour to earne them necessary meate drynke and cloth and the same deposition put in wrytyng subscribed or marked by the persons deposed to forfaite for euery such default ten poundes to be employed to the vse of the poore of any paryshe or paryshes within the sayde Countie where the sayde Iustices dwell at the ouersyght appoyntment of the Bishop or his Chauncelour of the same diocesse to be leuied in sort fourme as other forfaitures in this Statute are appoynted And be it further enacted that where any of the sayde Cities Boroughes Townes corporate or paryshe so charged is scituate standyng in one countie or two coūties of this Realme or scituate and standyng in one and immediatly adioynyng to another countie of the Realme as the Citie of Brystoll
and the Townes of Ludloo and Stamforde stande that in those Cities the Parson Vicar and Curate of the sayde paryshe and the sayde Maior head officers and inhabitauntes of euery such Citie Borough Towne corporate and paryshe shall make certificat vnto the Iustices of the sayde counties adioynyng to the same Cities Boroughes Townes corporate paryshes and the same Iustices of the sayde adioynyng Countie or Counties to do geue license and folow the order aboue remembred according as other Iustices of the Counties in which the paryshe surcharged standeth is limitted and aucthorised to do And be it also enacted that in all Cities Boroughes Townes corporate within which be diuers paryshes the Maior head officers of euery the same Cities Boroughes Townes corporat shal consider the state abilitie of euery such parishe And yf the same Maior and officers shall vnderstande by their discretion that the parishioners of any one of the sayde paryshes is of such wealth and hauor that they haue no pouertie amongest them or be hable sufficiently to reliefe the pouertie of the paryshe where they inhabite dwell and also to helpe and succour pouertie els where further that then the saide Maior and officers with thassent of two of the most honest substaunciall inhabitauntes of euery such wealthy paryshe shall consider the nedynesse of thinhabitauntes of thother parishe or parishes within the same Citie or Towne corporate and moue induce and perswade the paryshioners of the wealthyer paryshe charitably to contribute somwhat accordyng to theyr habilitie towarde the wekely reliefe succour consolatiō of the poore nedy within the other paryshe or parishes aforesaid where nede is And be it also enacted that all and euery suche poore folkes as by any such license are to be licensed and aucthorised to resort out of the limittes liberties and frauncheses of all and euery such Citie Borough and Towne corporate into any the sayde Counties to begge get gather the charitable almes of good people shall at all tymes when the same goeth abrode to begge weare openly vppon hym or them both on the brest and the backe of his or theyr vppermost garment some notable badge or token to be assigned vnto hym by the Maior or head officers of the same Citie Borough and Towne corporate or Paryshe with thassent of the Iustices of the peace that shall graunt the same license vpon payne to be taken for a valyaunt begger and to be punyshed as afore is remembred and shall also carry his license with hym vpon the lyke payne This Acte to endure to the latter ende of the fyrst session of the next Parliament Prouided alwayes be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaide that all and euery summe and summes of money from henceforth to be collected or gathered within the Citie of London the liberties of the same by vertue of this Acte shal be payde ouer to the gouernours of the Hospytall called the Hospytall of Christes Churche within the sayde Citie of London for the tyme beyng and shal be by them from time to time distributed and bestowed for the reliefe of the poore of the sayde Citie accordyng to theyr wysdome and discressions Any thyng in this Acte mentioned to the contrarye notwithstandyng Prouided also and be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaide that all and euery sūme and sūmes of money from henceforth to be collected or gathered within the Citie of Couentrie and the liberties of the same by vertue of this Acte towarde the maintenaunce and reliefe of the Hospytall of poore people erected in the sayde Citie shal be payde ouer to suche gouernour or gouernours of the sayde Hospitall as nowe is or hereafter shal be admitted and appoynted by the Maior and Aldermen of the sayde Citie of Couentrie or the more part of them for the tyme beyng And such gouernour or gouernours so admitted and appoynted as aforesaid shall from time to tyme distribute and bestowe for the reliefe of thaforesayde poore within the sayde Citie the sayde summe or summes of money accordyng to theyr wysdomes and discressions Any thyng mentioned in this Acte to the contrary notwithstandyng Prouided alwayes and be it further enacted that the Curate Minister or Reader together with the Wardens of euery Chappel of ease and where no Wardens are the Warden or two of the chiefest of the inhabitauntes resortyng frequentyng the sayde Chappell of ease for hearyng diuine seruice the same inhabitauntes to be nominated and chosen by the same Curate Minister or Reader And also the Collectours and all and euery other person and persons to whom in this behalfe it shall appertayne by force of this estatute shall do execute perfourme and be liable to all and euery such ordinaunce clause article sentence and penalties specified and conteyned in this present Acte for and towardes the reliefe of the poore in like maner fourme as the Vicar Curate Church-wardens and Collectours of euery paryshe Church shall may or ought to do by force of this Act accordyng to the purport and true meanyng of the same not to be compellable to come or resort to theyr Paryshe Church for the same onely purpose or entent Any thing in this Act before specified to the contrary notwithstanding Prouided also that this Acte or any thyng therein conteyned shall not in any wyse extende or be preiudiciall to any gyft legacie conueyaunce or assignement of any maner of landes or other profite heretofore geuen assigned or bequeathed to the reliefe of the poore reparation of hygh wayes or bridges vppon any maner of condition but that the same shal be employed conuerted bestowed and accompted for in such maner and fourme and vpon such condition as the same lawfully was or ought to be before the makyng of this Acte ¶ An Acte touchyng diuers orders for Artificers Labourers seruauntes of husbandry and apprentises ¶ The .iiii. Chapter ALthough there remayne and stande in force presently a great number of Actes statutes concerning the reteynyng departyng wages and orders of apprentices seruauntes labourers aswell in husbandry as in diuers other artes misteries occupations yet partly for the imperfectiō contrarietie that is found do appeare in sundry of the said lawes and for the varietie number of them and chiefely for that the wages alowaunces limitted rated in many of the said statutes are in diuers places to small and not aunswerable to this time respecting the aduauncement of prices of all thinges belonging to the said seruauntes labourers the said lawes can not conueniētly without the great griefe burden of the poore labourer hyred man be put in good due execution And as the said seueral actes statutes were at the time of y e makyng of thē thought to be very good beneficiall for the cōmon wealth of this Realme as diuers of thē yet are So if the substaūce of as many of the said lawes as are mete to be continued shal be digested reduced into one
sole lawe statute in the same an vniforme order prescribed limitted concerning the wages other orders for apprētises seruaūtes labourers there is good hope y t it wyll come to passe that y e same law being duely executed shuld banyshe ydlenes aduaunce husbandry yelde vnto the hyred person both in the tyme of scarsitie in the tyme of plentie a conuenient proportion of wages Be it therfore enacted by thaucthoritie of this present parliamēt that as much of all the estatutes heretofore made euery braunch of thē as touch or concerne the hiring keping departing working wages or order of seruaūtes workmen artificers apprentices labourers or any of them the penalties forfaitures concernyng the same shal be frō after the last day of Septēber nexte ensuing repealed and vtterly voyde of none effect and that all the said statutes and euery braunch therof for any matter conteined in them and not repealed by this statute shal remayne and be in full force effect Any thing in this statute to the contrary notwithstanding AND be it further enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaide that no maner of person or persons after the foresayde last day of September nowe nexte ensuyng shall reteyne hyre or take into seruice or cause to be reteyned hired or taken into seruice nor any person shal be reteined or hired or takē into seruice by any meanes or colour to worke for any lesse tyme or terme then for one hole yere in any of the sciences craftes misteries or artes of Clothyers Wollen cloth weauers Tuckers Fullers Clotheworkers Sheremen Dyers Hosiers Taillers Shomakers Tanners Pewterers Bakers Brewers Glouers Cutlers Smythes Farrors Curryers Sadlers Spurryers Turners Cappers Hat-makers or Felt makers Bowyers Fletchers Arrowhead makers Butchers Cookes or Myllers And be it further enacted that euery person beyng vnmarryed and euery other person beyng vnder the age of .xxx. yeres that after the feast of Easter nexte shall marry and hauyng ben brought vp in any of the sayde artes craftes or sciences or that hath vsed or exercised any of them by the space of three yeres or more and not hauyng landes tenementes rentes or hereditamentes copy holde or free holde of one estate of inheritaunce or for terme of any lyfe or lyues of the clere yerely value of xl.s nor beyng worth of his owne goodes the clere value of x.li and so alowed by two Iustices of the peace of the countie where he hath most cōmonly inhabited by the space of one hole yere and vnder their handes and seales or by the Maior or other head officer of the citie borough or towne corporate where such person hath most commonly dwelled by the space of one whole yere and two Aldermen or two other discrete Burgesses of the same citie borough or towne corporate if there be no Aldermen vnder theyr handes and seales nor beyng reteyned with any person in husbandry or in any of the aforesayd artes and sciences accordyng to this Statute nor lawfully reteyned in any other arte or science nor beyng lawfully reteyned in householde or in any office with any noble man gentelman or others according to the lawes of this Realme nor hauing a conuenient ferme or other holdyng in tyllage whervpon he may employ his labour shall during the tyme that he or they shal so be vnmaried or vnder the sayde age of .xxx. yeres vpon request made by any person vsyng the art or mistery wherin the sayd person so required hath ben exercised as is aforesayde be reteyned and shall not refuse to serue accordyng to the tenor of this Statute vpon the payne and penaltie hereafter mentioned And be it further enacted that no person which shall reteyne any seruaunt shall put away his or her sayd seruaunt and that no person reteyned accordyng to this Statute shall depart from his maister maistres or dame before the ende of his or her terme vppon the payne hereafter mentioned vnlesse it be for some reasonable and sufficient cause or matter to be alowed before two Iustices of peace or one at the least within the sayde Countie or before the Maior or other chiefe officer of the Citie Borough or Towne corporate wherein the sayde maister maistres or dame inhabiteth to whom any of the parties greued shall complayne which said Iustices or Iustice Maior or chiefe office shall haue take vpon them or hym the hearyng and orderyng of the matter betwixt the said maister maistres or dame seruaunt accordyng to the equitie of the cause And that no suche maister maistres or dame shall put away any such seruaunt at th ende of his terme or that any such seruaunt shall depart from his said maister maistres or dame at th ende of his terme without one quarter warnyng geuen before th ende of his sayde terme eyther by the sayde maister maistres or dame or seruaunt the one to the other vpon the payne hereafter ensuyng And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesayd that euery person betwene the age of .xii. yeres the age of threescore yeres not being lawfully reteyned nor apprentice with any Fysherman or Mariner haunting the seas nor being in seruice with any kyddyer or carier of any corne grayne or meale for prouision of the Citie of London nor with any husbandman in husbandrye nor in any Citie Towne corporate or market Towne in any of the artes or sciences limitted or appoynted by this estatute to haue or take apprentices nor being reteyned by the yere or halfe the yere at the least for the dyggyng sekyng fyndyng gettyng meltyng fynyng working trying making of any Syluer Tin Lead Iron Copper Stone Sea cole Stone cole Moore cole or Cherk cole nor being occupied in or about y e makyng of any glasse nor being a gentelmā borne nor being a student or scoller in any of the vniuersities or in any scoole nor hauyng landes tenements rentes or hereditamentes for terme of lyfe or of one estate of inheritaūce of the clere yerely value of xl.s nor beyng worth in goodes and cattels to the value of x.li nor hauyng a father or mother then lyuyng or other auncestour whose heyre apparaunt he is then hauyng landes tenementes or hereditaments of the yerely value of x.li or aboue or goodes or cattels of the value of .xl. li. nor beyng a necessary or conuenient officer or seruaunt lawfully reteyned as is aforesayde nor hauyng a conuenient ferme or holdyng whervpon he maye or shall employe his labour nor being otherwyse lawefully reteyned according to the true meanyng of this statute shall after the foresaide last day of September nowe next ensuing by vertue of this estatute be compelled to be reteyned to serue in husbandrye by the yere with any persō that kepeth husbandry wyl require any such persō so to serue within the same shire where he shal be so required AND be it further enacted by the aucthoritie of this present Parliamēt that if any person after he hath reteined any seruaunt shall put away the
same seruaunt before th ende of his terme vnlesse it be for some reasonable and sufficient cause to be alowed as is aforesayde or if any such maister maistres or dame shall put away any such seruaunt at th ende of his terme without one quarters warnyng geuen before the said ende as is aboue remembred that then euery such maister maistres or dame so offending vnlesse he or they be able to proue by two sufficiēt witnesses such reasonable sufficient cause of putting away of their seruaūt or seruaūtes duryng theyr terme or a quarters warnyng geuen afore the ende of the said terme as is beforesaid before the Iustices of Oyer terminer Iustices of assise Iustices of the peace in the quarter Sessions or before the Maior or other head officer of any citie borough or towne corporate two Aldermen or two other discrete Burgeses of the same citie borough or towne corporate if there be no Aldermen or before the Lorde president counsell established in the marches of Wales or before the Lord president and counsell for the time being established in the North parties shal forfait the sūme of xl.s. And if any seruaunt reteyned according to the fourme of this estatute depart frō his master mastres or dames seruice before the end of his terme vnlesse it be for some reasonable sufficient cause to be alowed as is aforesaid or if any seruaūt at th end of his terme depart frō his sayd master mastres or dames seruice without one quarters warning geuē before th end of his said terme in forme aforsaid before .ii. lawful witnesses or if any persō or persōs cōpelable bounden to be reteined to serue in husbandry or in any other the artes sciences or misteries aboue remēbred by the yere or otherwise do vpō request made refuse to serue for the wages y t shal be limitted rated appoynted according to y e forme of this statute or promise or couenaūt to serue do not serue according to y e tenor of y e same that thē euery seruaūt so departing away euery person so refusing to serue for such wages vpon cōplaint therof made by the master mastres or dame of y e said seruaūt or by the partie to or with whō y e said refusal is made or promis not kept to .ii. Iustices of the peace of the countie or to y e Maior or other head officer of the citie borough towne corporate .ii. Aldermen or .ii. other discrete Burgesses of y e same citie borough or towne corporat if there be no Aldermē where the said master mastres or dame or the said partie to or with whō y e said refusal is made promis not kept dwelleth or to either of the said Lordes presidentes counsel of Wales the North the said Iustices lordes presidentes coūsels also the said Maiors or other head officers other persons of cities boroughes or townes corporate or any of thē as is aforesaid shall haue power by force of this statute to heare examine the matter and fyndyng the sayde seruaunt or the said partie so refusyng faultie in the premisses vpō such proufes good matter as to their discressiōs shal be thought sufficient to commit hym or them to warde there to remayne without bayle or maynpryse vntyll the sayde seruaunt or partie so offendyng shal be bounde to the partie to whom th offence shal be made to serue and continue with hym for the wages that then shal be limitted and appoynted according to the tenor fourm of this estatute and to be discharged vpon his delyuery without paying any fee to the gayler where he or they shal be so imprisoned AND be it lykewyse enacted by thaucthoritie aforesayde that none of the said reteyned persons in husbandry or in any the artes or sciences aboue remembred after the tyme of his reteynour expired shal depart forth of one Citie Towne or Parishe to another nor out of the Lathe Rape Wapentake or Hundred nor out of the Countie or Shire where he last serued to serue in any other Citie Towne corporate Lathe Rape Wapentake Hundred Shire or Countie vnlesse he haue a testimoniall vnder the Seale of the said Citie or Towne corporate or of the Constable or Constables or other head officer or officers and of two other honest householders of the Citie Towne or Paryshe where he last serued declaring his lawefull departure and the name of the Shire and place where he dwelled last before his departure accordyng to the fourme hereafter expressed in this Acte which certificat or testimoniall shal be wrytten and delyuered vnto the sayde seruaunt and also registred by the Parson Vicar or Curate of the paryshe where such maister maistres or dame doth or shall dwell takyng for the doyng thereof ii.d. and not aboue and the fourme thereof shal be as foloweth Memorand that A B. late seruaunt to C D. of E. husbandman or Taillour c in the sayd Countie is licensed to depart from his sayde maister and is at his libertie to serue els where accordyng to the Statute in that case made and prouided In witnesse wherof c dated the day moneth yere place c of the making therof And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid that no person or persons that shal depart out of seruice shal be reteyned or accepted into any other seruice without shewing before his reteinor such testimonial as is aboue remembred to the chiefe officer of the towne corporate and in euery other towne place to the Constable Curate Churchwarden or other head officer of the same where he shal be reteyned to serue vpon the paine that euery such seruaūt so departing without such certificat or testimonial shal be imprisoned vntyll he procure a testimoniall or certificat the whiche yf he cannot do within the space of .xxi. dayes next after the first day of his imprisonment then the said person to be whipped vsed as a vacanbond accordyng to y e lawes in such cases prouided And that euery person reteyning any such seruaunt without shewyng such testimonyall of certificat as is aforesayde shall forfeyte for euerye suche offence fyue poundes And yf any suche person shal be taken with any counterfeyte or forged testimoniall then to be whipped as a vagabound And be it further enacted by the auctoritye aforesayde that all artificers and laborers beinge hyred for wages by the daye or weeke shall betwixt the middes of the monethes of Marche and September be and continue at their worke at or before fyue of the cloke in the mornynge and continue at worke and not departe vntyll betwixt seuen and eyght of the clocke at night except it be in the tyme of breakefast dynner or drynkynge the whiche tymes at the most shall not excede aboue two houres and a halfe in the daye that is to saye at euery drynkynge one halfe houre for his dynner one houre and for his slepe when he is allowed to slepe the whiche is from
daye of Iuly yerely certifie into the sayde Court of Chauncerye their resolutions and determinations therin to the intente that proclamations may accordynglye be renued and sent downe And if it shall happen that there be no nede of anye reformation or alteration of the rates of the sayde wages but that the former shal be thoughte mete to be contynued then the proclamations for the yere past shall remayne in force vntill newe proclamations vppon newe rates concernynge the sayde wages shal be sent downe accordynge to the fourme of this Estatute And be it further enacted by auctoritie of this present Parlyament that if all the sayd Iustices of peace resiant within Countyes where they are or shal be Iustices of peace Maiors and head officers do not before the tenth daye of Iune nexte commynge and afterwarde yearelye appeare and assemble at the sayde generall Sessions or within syxe weekes nexte after the sayde generall Sessions and lymitte and rate the wages of the sayde seruauntes and laborers or shall not consider whether the former rates made be mete to be continued or to be altered and reformed in manner and fourme aforesayde or be negligent or remisse in the certificat therof in fourme aboue written that then euery Iustice of peace of the Countie and euery Maior and head officer of the Citie or towne corporate in whom any suche defaulte or negligence shal be founde beinge within the sayde countie Citie or towne corporate at the tyme of the sayde nexte assemblye or at the tyme of the saide Sessions or at the tymes of the sayde rates of wages to be set within syxe wekes nexte after euerye suche Sessions and not visited wyth any suche sickenes as he coulde not trauell thyther without perill and daunger of his lyfe or not hauynge anye other lawfull and good excuse to be allowed by the Iustices then assembled for the ratinge and taxynge of wages as is aforesayde or by the more parte of them vppon a corporall othe and affidauit to be taken and made openlye before the sayde Iustices vppon the holy Euangelistes by some credyble person assessed and taxed in the booke of Subsedye of that Countie to the cleare value of fyue poundes at the leaste or by suche other person as the most parte of suche Iustices shall allowe and accepte to take suche othe shall for suche defaulte or negligence forfeyte vnto the Queenes Maiestie her heyres and successours tenne poundes of laweful money of Englande And be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde that yf any person after the sayde proclamation shal be so sent downe and published shal by any secret waies or meanes directly or indirectly reteyne or kepe any seruaunt workeman or laborer or shall geue any more or greater wages or other commoditie contrarye to the true intent and purporte of this statute or contrary to the rates or wages that shal be assessed or appointed in the sayde proclamations that then euery persone that shall so offende and be thereof lawfully conuicted before any the Iustices or other head officers aboue remembred or eyther of the sayde Presidentes and Councelles shall suffer imprisonment by the space of tenne dayes without bayle or maynepryce and shall lose and forfeyte fyue poundes of lawfull money of England And that euery person that shal be so reteyned and take wages contrary to this estatute or any braunche therof or of the sayde proclamation and shal be thereof conuicted before the Iustices aforesayde or any two of them or before the Maior or other head officers aforesayde shall suffer imprisonment by the space of .xxi. dayes wythout bayle or mayneprice And that euery reteyner promyse gifte or payment of wages or other thinge whatsoeuer contrary to the true meanynge of this estatute and euery writinge and bond to be made for that purpose shal be vtterly voyde and of none effect And be it enacted by the auctoritie aforesaid that if any seruaunt workeman or laborer shall wilfully or maliciously make any assaulte or affray vpon his Maister Maistres or dame or vppon any other that shall at the tyme of suche assaulte or affray haue the charge or oversight of any suche seruaunte workeman or laborer or of the worke wherein the sayde seruaunt workeman or laborer is appointed or hyered to worke and beinge therof conuicted before any two of the Iustices Maior or head officer aforesayde where the sayde offence is committed or before eyther of the sayde Lordes Presidents and Councell before remembred by confession of the sayd seruaunt workeman or laborer or by the testimony witnesse and othe of two honest men that then euery suche offendor shall suffer imprisonment by the space of one hole yere or lesse by the discression of two Iustices of peace if it be without a towne corporate and if it be within any town corporate then by the discression of the Maior or head officer of the same towne corporate with two others of the discretest persons of the same corporation at the least And if the offence shal require further punishement then to receaue suche other open punishment so as it extend not to lyfe nor lymme as the Iustices of peace in open Sessions or the more part of them or the said Maior or head officer and sixe or foure at the least of the discretest persones of the same corparation before whom the offence shal be examined shall thinke conuenient for the qualitie of the sayde offence so done and committed Prouyded alwayes and be it enacted by the aucthoritye aforesayde that in the tyme of hey or corne haruest the Iustices of peace and euery of them also the Constable or other head officer of euery towneship vpon request for the auoyding of the losse of any corne grayne or hey shal may cause all suche artificers and persons as be mete to labour by the discressions of the sayd Iustices or Constables or other head officers or by any of them to serue by the daye for the mowing reapyng shearing gettyng or Innyng of corne grayne and hey accordynge to the skill and qualitye of the person and that none of the sayde persons shall refuse so to do vpon paine to suffer imprisonment in the stockes by the space of two dayes and one night And the Constable of the towne or other head officer of the same where the saide refusal shal be made vpon complainte to hym made shal haue auctoritye by vertue hereof to set the sayd offendour in the stockes for the tyme aforesayde and shal punishe hym accordingly vpon payne to lose and forfeyte for not doynge therof the summe of xl.s Prouided also that all persons of the counties where they haue accustomed to go into other Shires for haruest worke and hauynge at that tyme no haruest worke sufficient in the same towne nor countie where he or they dwelt in the winter then last past bryngynge with hym or them a testimoniall vnder the hand and seale of one Iustice of the peace of the shyre or other head officer of
huswyfes or houshold cloth only and none other cloth Fuller otherwyse called Tucker or walker burner of ore and woade ashes Thatcher or Shingler wheresoeuer he or they shal dwell or inhabite to haue or receaue the sonne of any persone as apprentice in maner and fourme aforesaid to be taught and instructed in these occupations only and in none other albeit the father or mother of any suche apprentice haue not any landes tenementes nor hereditamentes And be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayd that after the first day of May next comminge it shal not be lawfull to any persone or persones other then suche as nowe do lawfully vse or exercise any arte mistery or manuell occupation to set vp occupye vse or exercise any craft mistery or occupation nowe vsed or occupied within the Realme of England or Wales except he shal haue ben brought vp therin seuen yeres at the least as apprentice in maner and fourme aboue said nor to set any person on worke in suche mistery art or occupation beinge not a workeman at this day except he shal haue ben apprentice as is aforesaide or els hauing serued as an apprentice as is aforesaid shall or wil become a Iorneyman or be hyred by the yere vpon paine that euery person willingly offendinge or doinge the contrary shall forfeit and lose for euery default xl.s for euery moneth Prouided alwaies and be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayd that no person or persons vsynge or exercisyng the art or mistery of a wollen cloth weuer other then such as be inhabityng within the counties of Cumberland Westmerland Lancaster and Wales weauing Fryzes Cottons or houswyfes cloth only makyng and weauing wollen cloth commonlye solde or to be solde by anye clothe man or clothear shall take and haue any apprentice or shall teache or in any wyse instructe any person or persons in the science art or occupation of weauinge aforesaid in any village towne or place Cities townes corporate and market townes only except vnlesse such person be his sonne or els that the father or mother of suche apprentice or seruaunt shall at the tyme of the takynge of suche person or persons to be an apprentice or seruaunt or to be so instructed haue landes and tenementes or other hereditamentes to the cleare yerely value of three poundes at the least of an estate of inheritaunce or frehold to be certifyed vnder the handes and seales of three Iustices of the peace of the Shire or shires where the sayde landes tenementes and other hereditamentes do or shal lye The effect of the indenture to be registred wythin three monethes in the parishe where suche maister shall dwell and to paye for suche registringe iiii.v vpon paine of forfeyture of xx.s for euery moneth that any person shall otherwyse take any apprentice or set any suche person on worke contrary to the meanynge of this article And be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde that all and euery person or persons that shall haue three apprentices in any of the sayd craftes mysteries or occupations of a clothmaker Fuller Shereman Weuer Tailor or shomaker shall reteyne and kepe one Iorneyman and for euery other apprentice aboue the nomber of the said three apprentices one other Iorneyman vpon paine for euery default therin tenne poundes Prouided alwayes that this acte nor any thynge therin conteyned shall not extend to preiudice or hinder any liberties heretofore graunted by any acte of Parliament to or for the companye and occupation of Worsted makers and Worsted weuers within the Citie of Norwych and els where within the Countie of Northfolck which liberties be in force vntil the beginninge of this present Parlyament Any thynge herein conteyned to the contrary in any wyse notwithstandynge And be it further enacted that if any person shal be required by any housholder hauinge and vsynge halfe a ploughe land at the least in tyllage to be an apprentice and to serue in husbandry or in anye other kynde of art mistery or science before expressed and shall refuse so to do that then vpon the complaint of suche housekeeper made to one Iustice of the peace of the Countie wherin the sayd refusall is or shal be made or of suche housholder inhabitinge in any Citie towne corporate or market towne to the Maior Bayliffes or head officer of the saide Citie towne corporat or market towne if any suche refusall shall there be they shal haue ful power and auctoritie by vertue hereof to sende for the same person so refusyng And if the said Iustice or the sayd Maior or head officer shall thinke the saide person mete and conuenient to serue as an apprentice in that art labour science or mistery wherin he shal be so then required to serue That then the saide Iustice or the saide Maior or head officer shall haue power and auctoritye by vertue hereof if the said person refuse to be bounde as an apprentice to commit hym vnto ward there to remayne vntyll he be contented and wil be bounden to serue as an apprentice shulde serue accordinge to the true intent and meanynge of this present acte And if any suche maister shall mysuse or euill intreate his apprentice or that the said apprentice shall haue any iuste cause to complaine or the apprentice do not his duetie to his maister Then the said maister or prentice beinge greued and hauinge cause to complayne shall repaire vnto one Iustice of peace within the sayde Countie or to the Maior or other head officer of the Citie towne corporate market towne or other place where the saide maister dwelleth who shal by his wysdome and discretion take such order and direction betwene the saide maister and his apprentice as the equitie of the cause shall require And if for wante of good conformitie in the said maister the saide Iustice of the peace or the saide Maior or head officer can not compound agree the matter betwene hym and his apprentice then the saide Iustice or the saide Maior or other head officer shall take bande of the said maister to appeare at the next Sessions then to be holden in the said Countie or within the said Citie towne corporat or market towne to be before the Iustices of the said Countie or the Maior or head officer of the said towne corporate or market towne if the saide maister dwell within any such and vpon his apparaunce hearing of the matter before the said Iustices or the said Maior or other head officer if it be thought mete vnto them to discharge the saide apprentice of his apprenticehod that then the said Iustices or foure of them at the least wherof one to be of them Quorū or the said Maior or other head officer with the consent of three other of his brethren or men of best reputation within the said Citie towne corporate or market towne shal haue power by auctoritie hereof in writing vnder their handes and seales to pronounce and declare that they haue discharged the
saide apprentice of his apprenticehode and they cause therof and the said writing so being made and inrolled by the clerke of the peace or towne clerke amonges the records that he kepeth shal be a sufficient discharge for the said apprentice against his maister his executours and administratours the indenture of the said apprenticehode or any lawe or custome to the contrary notwithstanding And if the defaulte shal be founde to be in the apprentice then the saide Iustices or the saide Maior or other head officer with the assistentes aforesaid shal cause such due correction punishment to be ministred vnto hym as by their wysdome and discretions shal be thought mete Prouyded alwayes and be it enacted by aucthoritie of this present Parlyament that no person shall by force or colour of this estatute be bounden to enter into any apprenticeship other then suche as be vnder the age of .xxi. yeres And to th ende that this estatute may from tyme to tyme be carefully diligently put in good execution according to the tenure and true meanyng therof Be it enacted by auctoritie of this present Parliament that the Iustices of peace of euery Countie deuidyng them selues into seueral lymittes and lykewise euery Maior and head officer of any Citie or towne corporat shall yerely betwene the feast of Saint Michaell the Archangel the Natiuitie of our Lord and betwene the feast of the Annunciation of our Lady and the feaste of the Natiuitie of Saint Iohn the Baptist by all such wayes meanes as to their wysdomes shal be thought moste mete make a special and diligent inquirie of the braunches and articles of this estatute and of the good execution of the same and where they shal fynde any defaultes to see the same seuerely corrected and punished without fauour affection malice or displeasure And in consideration of the paines and trauell that the said Iustices of peace and the said Maior and head officer shal take and susteine in and about the execution of this estatute it is further ordeyned and enacted by auctoritie of this present Parlyament that euery Iustice of peace Maior or head officer for euery day that he shall syt in about the execution of this estatute shall haue alowed vnto hym fyue shyllinges to be alowed and payd vnto hym or vnto the sayde Maior or head officer of the fynes and forfeitours of the paynes and penalties that shal be forfeited and due vnto the Queenes Maiestie her heires or successors by force of this estatute in suche maner and fourme as the said Iustices haue ben heretofore commonly payed for their comming charges at the quarter Sessions so that the sytting of the said Iustices or Maior or head officer be not at any one tyme aboue .iii. dayes and for the matters conteyned in this estatute And be it enacted by auctoritie aforesaide that the one halfe of all forfeytures and penalties expressed and mentioned in this statute other then suche as are expresly otherwyse appointed shal be to oure soueraigne Ladye the Quenes Maiestie her heires and successors and the other moytie to hym or them that shall sue for the same in any of the Quenes Maiesties Courtes of record or before any of the Iustices of Oyer terminer or before any other Iustices or President and Counsell before remembred by action of debte Information bill of complainte or otherwise in whiche actions or suites no protection wager of lawe or essoygne shal be alowed that the said Iustices or two of them whereof one to be of the Quorum and the said Presidentes and Counsell as is aforesaid and the said Maiors or other head officers of Cities or townes corporate shall haue full power and auctoritie to heare and determine al and euery offence and offences that shal be committed or done againste this estatute or against any braunche thereof aswell vppon indictment to be taken before them in the Sessions of the peace as vpon Information action of debte or bill of complaint to be sued or exhibited by any person And shall and may by vertue hereof make proces against the defendaunt and award execution as in any other case they lawfully may by any the lawes and statutes of this Realme and shall yerely in Michelmas terme certifie by estreate the fynes and forfeitours of euery the offences conteyned in this estatute that shal be founde before them into the court of the Exchequer in like sorte and fourme as they be bounde to certifie the estreates for other offences and forfeitours to be loste before them Any thynge in this statute conteyned to the contrary notwithstandyng Prouided alwayes that this acte or any thinge therin conteyned or mentioned shall not be preiudiciall or hurtfull to the Cities of London and Norwych or to the lawfull liberties vsages customes or priuileges of the same Cities for or concerning the hauynge or takyng of any apprentice or apprentices but that the Citezins and Freemen of the same Cities shall and maye take haue and reteyne apprentices there in suche maner and fourme as they might lawfully haue done before the makynge of this statute This acte or any thing therein conteyned to the contrary in any wyse notwithstandynge And be it also further enacted that all Indentures couenauntes promyses and bargaynes of or for the hauing takyng or kepynge of any apprentice otherwyse hereafter to be made or taken then is by this statute lymitted ordeyned and appointed shal be clerely voide in the lawe to all intentes and purposes and that euery person that shall from henceforth take or newly reteyne any apprentice contrary to the tenour and true meanynge of this acte shall forfeit and lose for euery apprentice so by hym taken the summe of .x. li. And because there hath ben and is some question and scrupule moued whether any person beynge within the age of .xxi. yeres and bounden to serue as an apprentice in any other place then in the said Citie of London shuld be bounden accepted taken as an apprentice For the resolution of the saide scruple and doubte Be it enacted by aucthoritie of this present Parlyament that all and euery suche person or persons that at any tyme or tymes from henceforth shal be bounden by Indenture to serue as an apprentice in any arte science occupation or labor accordynge to the tenour of this estatute and in maner and fourme aforesaide albeit the same apprentice or any of them shal be within the age of .xxi. yeres at the tyme of makynge of their seuerall Indentures shal be bounden to serue for the yeres in their seuerall Indentures conteyned as amply and largely to euery entent as yf the same apprentice were of full age at the tyme of the makynge of suche Indentures Any lawe vsage or custome to the contrary notwithstandynge Prouided alwayes and be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaid that the inhabitaunts nowe dwellyng or inhabitynge or that hereafter shall dwell or inhabit within the towne of Godalmynge within the Countie of Surray
within the lymittes of the Watche of the saide towne may vse and exercise suche artes misteries and occupations and take and vse apprentices and seruauntes in suche maner and fourme as the inhabitauntes within market townes by this statute may lawfully do Prouided alwayes and be it enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde that all maner amerciamentes fynes issues and forfeitures whiche shall ryse growe or come by reason of any offences or defaultes mencioned in this acte or any braunche thereof within any Citie or towne corporate shal be leuyed gathered and receaued by suche person or persons of the same Citie or towne corporate as shal be appointed by the Maior or other head officers mentioned in this saide acte to the vse and maintenance of the same Citie or towne corporate in suche case and condition as any maner other amerciamentes fynes issues or forfeitures haue ben vsed to be leuyed and imployed within the same Citie or towne corporate by reason of any graunt or charter from the Quenes Maiestie that nowe is or of any her graces noble progenitours made and graunted to the same Citie borowe or towne corporate any thyng or clause before mentioned and expressed in this act to the contrary notwithstandyng Prouided alwaies that this acte or any thing therin conteyned shal not extend to any lawfull reteyninges or couenauntes had or made before the makynge of this acte but that all and euery the parties to suche reteyninges or couenauntes shall and may haue the same and lyke auantages of such reteyninges couenauntes and of the statutes heretofore in that behalfe prouided as if this acte had neuer ben had nor made Any clause of repeal or other matter whatsoeuer in this acte to the contrary in any wyse notwithstanding And be it further enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that if any seruaunt or apprentice of husbandry or of any arte science or occupation aforesaid vnlawfullye departe or flee into any other Shire that it shal be lawfull to the saide Iustices of peace and to the saide Maiors Bayliffes and other head officers of Cities and townes corporate for the tyme beinge Iustices of peace there to make and graunte writtes of Capias so many and suche as shal be nedeful to be directed to the Sheriffes of the Counties or to other head officers of the places whyther suche seruauntes or apprentices shall so departe or flee to take their bodies returnable before them at what tyme shall please them so that if they come by suche proces that they be put in prison tyll they shall finde sufficient suertie well and honestly to serue their maisters maistresses or dames from whome they so departed or fledde accordinge to the order of the lawe Prouided alwayes that it shal be lawful to the highe Constables of hundredes in euery Shire to holde kepe and continue petie Sessions otherwise called statute Sessions within the lymittes of their auctorities in all Shires wherein suche Sessions haue ben vsed to be kepte in suche maner and fourme as heretofore hath ben vsed and accustomed so as nothinge be by them done therein contrarie or repugnaunt to this present Acte ¶ An Acte touching certaine politique constitutions made for the maintenaunce of the Nauye The .v. Chapter FOr the better maintenaunce and encrease of the Nauye of this Realme of England Be it enacted by the Quenes most excellent Maiestie with the assent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the aucthoritie aforesaid that from the first daye of Aprill Anno Domini M.D.lxiiii and so from thense fourth it shal be lawfull to all and euery of the subiectes of our soueraigne Lady the Quene her heires and successours at his their will and pleasure to carry and transporte out of this Realme in the Shippes or other vessels of any the subiectes aforesaid all and euery kyndes of hearring and other Sea fishe to be taken vpon the Seas by any of the subiectes aforesayd and acte of Parlyament or lawe to the contrary notwithstanding and that all and euery person and persons which shal by vertue of this acte transporte or carry any hearringes or other Sea fishe from or oute of any porte or harborough of this Realme to any place out of the dominions of the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successours shal be free from payment of any custome subsedie or pondage monye for the same fyshe so carryed or transported duringe the space of .iiii. whole yeres beginning at the said first day of Aprill M.D.lxiiii and so further during her Maiesties pleasure And be it further enacted by the auctoritye aforesaid that from the first daye of Maye next commynge it shall not be lawfull to any person or persons in any port Citie towne market or other place within this Realme to set price make any restraynte or take or demaunde tolle or taxe of any Sea fishe to be brought into this Realme or any part hereof being taken by any of the subiects aforesaid in the Shippes or other vessels of the same subiectes vppon payne to euery person offendyng contrary to the meanyng hereof to forfeite the value of the fyshe so restrayned prysed tolled or taxed Any libertie custome graunte pryuiledge or other matter whatsoeuer to the contrary in any wyse notwithstandynge Prouided alwayes that this present acte nor any thinge therein conteyned shal be preiudiciall or hurtfull to the Maior and Burgesses of the Kynges towne vpon Hull or their successors Maiors and Burgesses of the same towne or to any other officer or minister of the same towne at any tyme hereafter but that they and euery of them maye receyue haue and take all and euery suche tolle customes and summes of money of all and euery suche persone and persons as is lymitted appointed and set fourth by them to be taken in an acte of Parlyament made in the .xxxiii. yere of the reigne of our late Soueraigne lord Kyng Henry the eyght And that neither the saide Maior and Burgesses of Kyngston vpon Hull nor any inhabitaunte there or any of them shal take any aduauntage of that article of this Estatute for the cariage of any hearrynges or salted fishe to anye the parties beyond the Sea Any thing in this present acte mentioned conteined specified or declared in any wyse to the contrary notwithstanding Be it also enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaid that no purueyour or other persone whatsoeuer shall from the said first day of Maye by vertue of any commission or otherwise take any hearring or Sea fishe from any of the subiectes afore mentioned that shall take the same in the Shippes or other vessels of the saide subiects as it is abouesaid otherwise then by agrement of the owners or sellers of the same fishe vpon payne for euery purueyour and other person whatsoeuer offending contrary to the tenour of this acte to forfeite the double value of the hearringes or fishe so to be taken And it shal be lawful for any person being owner or
meanyng and purport of this Acte or if any Shoemaker Cordwayner or Cobler within the Citie of London or three myles compasse of the same after the sayde feaste of Saint Michaell tharchangell nexte put any tanned leather into any shoes bootes buskynnes startvppes slyppers pantofles or other thinges made of tanned leather which shall not be well and perfectly tanned accordyng to the purport and true meanyng of this Acte or after the sayde feaste do put any curryed leather into any bootes buskynnes startvppes shoes slyppers pantofles or other thynges made of leather which shall not be well and sufficiently tanned and curryed and also sealed as is aforesayde or do make bootes buskynnes shoes startvppes slyppers pantofles or other thynges made of Englyshe tanned leather in other maner then is aboue specified and ordeyned or yf any Shoemaker Sadler or other artificer vsyng cutting or working of leather do make any wares of any tanned leather insufficiently tanned and of tanned or curryed leather beyng not sufficientlye tanned and curryed as is aforesaide or do not make theyr wares belongyng to theyr seuerall occupations sufficiently and substauncially That then the Wardens of euery of the sayde companyes of Sadlers Curryers Shoemakers and other artificers vsyng and exercysyng cuttyng of tanned leather for the tyme beyng shall forfaite lose for euery such default and offence to be committed or done by any person or persons vnder theyr order suruey or searche .v. li. Prouided alwaye and be it enacted that no maner of person or persons shall after the sayde feast of Saint Michaell vtter or sell or cause to be vttered or solde within the saide Citie of London or within three myles compasse of the same any maner of wares apperteynyng to the crafte or mistery of anye artificer cuttyng of leather but onely in open shoppe common fayer or market whereby the sayde Wardens may haue the true search of the same in aduoydyng the penalties vpon them by this Act set vpon paine of forfaiture of all suche wares so solde x.s for euery tyme. Prouided alwaye and be it enacted that all and euery artificer dwellyng or inhabytyng or which hereafter shall dwell or inhabite within the Citie of London or three myles compasse of the same vsyng or exercysyng any manuell occupation of cuttyng or workyng of leather into made wares shall contribute paye and be vnder the suruey and search of the Wardens of such companies of the sayde Citie of London as the artificers commonly vsing the lyke occupation beyng free men of the same Citie of London and of the same company be touchyng and concernyng onelye theyr wares and stuffe made of or with leather in lyke maner fourme as other free men of the same company doth to the Wardens of theyr company within the sayde Citie All which paynes penalties and forfaitures aforesayde of summes of money aforesayde excepte such paynes penalties and forfaitures as are before or hereafter by this Acte shall otherwyse be disposed shal be deuyded into three equall partes one parte whereof shal be to our Soueraigne Lady the Quene her heyres and successours and an other part to hym or them that shall fyrste sue for the same in any of the courtes of Recorde of the Quenes Maiestie her heyres and successours by action of debte byll playnt information or otherwyse In which suite no wager of lawe or essoigne shal be admitted or alowed and the thirde part therof shall go to the Citie Borough Towne or Lorde or Lordes of liberties where the offence shal be committed or done And all suche leather shoes bootes buskynnes startvppes slyppers pantofles wares stuffe and other thynges whatsoeuer made of tanned leather or curryed leather which shal be seased by vertue of this Acte or shal be founde insufficiently wrought tanned or curryed and declared by this Acte to be forfaited and shal be seased by the sayde searchers or any other person fyndyng the fault therof shal be distributed as hereafter ensueth That is to saye such leather or stuffe so seased within the Citie of London or within thre myles compasse of the same to be brought to the Guylde hall in London there to be praysed by indifferent persons and the value thereof to be deuided into three partes wherof one part to be to the first seaser and seasers of the sayde vnlawful stuffe and an other part to the vse of the Chamber of London and the other part to be distributed to the poore folkes aswell beyng within the newe Hospitall of S. Bartilmewes in London as to such poore housholders as shal be inhabiting within the Citie of London or the circuite aforesayd at the discressions of suche persons as the Maior of the same Citie and foure Aldermen of the same for the tyme beyng shall appoynt for the same And that al such leather bootes shoes saddels wares stuffe thinges made of or with leather as is aforesaide which shal be founde within any other citie borough towne or place win this Realme out of the sayd Citie of London and three myles compasse vnsufficiently wrought tanned or curryed as is aforesayd shal be seased taken as forfaited shal be brought to the cōmon hall of euery such Citie Borough Towne or to some conuenient and open place to be appoynted by the Lorde of the libertie or his deputie where no cōmon hall is there to be praysed as is aforesayde one part of the said value therof to be disposed vnto the poore and in other dedes of charitie in those parties after the discressiō of the Maiors Baylyffes Headboroughes Lordes of liberties an other parte to be delyuered to the Maiors Baylyffes other head officer of any Citie Borough or Towne corporate to the vse of the cominaltie of such citie borough or towne corporate where no suche officers be then to the Lorde or Lordes of the libertie where any such forfaiture shal be cōmitted or seasour had the third part to the fyrst seaser or seasers of such leather stuffe or wares insufficiently tanned curryed or wrought as is aforesayde for his theyr paynes Prouided alwayes that no person to whom any such vnlawefull leather or stuffe shal be geuen by this Act shall geue or sell any suche leather or stuffe to any person or persons that shall sell the same vppon payne that the byer shall forfaite for euery parcell of suche vnlawefull leather or stuffe to be solde contrarye to the true meanyng of this last clause iii.s.iiii.d Prouided alway that this Act nor any thing therin conteyned shal not in any wise be preiudicial or hurtful to the Chauncelours Vicechauncelours Proctours Taxours and Scholers their officers ministers assignes or fermers of the vniuersities of Oxforde or Cambridge or any of them of for or concernyng the aucthoritie of search of tanned leather or any of the forfaitures of the same which they lawfully had or myght haue had before the makyng of this present Act so as they do in all thynges obserue such order in about or
for searching sealing registring of leather as by this Acte is prescribed appoynted vpon the paynes herein conteyned Any thing therin conteined to the contrary herof notw tstanding And for the aduoydyng of all ambiguities and doubtes which may and do growe vpon the definition and interpretation of this worde Leather It is enacted and declared by these presentes that the hydes and skynnes of Oxe Stere Bull Cowe Calfe Deare red and fallowe Goates and Shepe being tanned or tawed and euery salt hyde is shal be and euer hath ben reputed and taken for leather And for the better execution of this present Acte be it further enacted that all Iustices of Assise Iustices of gaole delyuery Iustices of peace and Stewardes of frauncheses leetes and lawedayes within theyr seuerall precintes iurisdictions and liberties and Maior of London for the tyme beyng within the sayde Citie and within three myles compasse of the same Citie and all other Maiors Baylyffes and other head officers of Cities Boroughes and Townes within theyr seuerall iurisdictions liberties precinctes offices and aucthorities shall enquire of all the premisses in theyr sessions leete or lawe daye and heare and determine the same and also by theyr discressions examine all persons suspected to offende this Acte or any parcell therof And be it further enacted that where any manour libertie or fraunches immediatly appertayneth or shall appertayne to the Quenes Maiestie her heyres or successours the Stewarde for the tyme beyng of euery such manour libertie and fraunches shall haue the lyke aucthorities powers iurisdictions and aduauntages and also shall beare and pay all the lyke paynes penalties and forfaitures as are geuen appoynted limitted or layde by this estatute to or vpon the Lordes of liberties and frauncheses as in this statute is expressed And be it declared and enacted that all currying and dressyng of leather commonly called drye currying and freesyng shal be construed to be dressing and currying after the maner of Spanishe leather of what colour soeuer it be and that to all artificers other then Shoemakers yerely betwene the last of September and the xx of Apryll it shal be lawefull to vse all kyndes of leather dressed and curryed in that maner of drye currying and freesyng as they lawfully myght before the makyng of this Acte so that the same leather so to be vsed be well and sufficiently tanned accordyng to the fourme prescribed in this Acte and also well substauncially dressed curryed and freesed in the kynde of drye currying and freesyng abouesayde And be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that this Acte and euery part therof shal be construed and adiudged to extende to Wales as amplye as it doth to this Realme of Englande to all intentes constructions and purposes And forasmuch as notwithstandyng the good lawes and great penalties in that behalfe prouided great quantities of leather are dayly transported out of this Realme and specially by the negligence and corruption of comptrollers customers serchers their deputies Be it therfore enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaid that yf any leather wrought cut or vnwrought to the intent to be sold or bartred shall hereafter vnlawfully be transported or purposed to be transported into the partes beyonde the Sea from and out of any Porte Hauen or Creeke of this Realme or Wales euery Comptroller Customer Surueyour Collectour of tonnage and pondage and Searcher and the deputie of any of them or any other person hearyng or knowyng by any wayes of any leather ment to be transported from any place within his office and do not his best indeuour to sease the same or beyng transported do not disclose or cause to be disclosed the same within .xl. dayes next after suche knowledge or hearyng the same in some courte of Recorde so as the offendour may be punyshed accordyng to the lawes in that case prouided shall for euery the fyrst offence committed agaynst this article forfaite a C.li. and for the seconde offence shall forfait his office And be it further enacted that euery Customer officer or officers deputie that shall make any false certificat of the arriuall of any leather in any Port Creeke or place of this Realme shall also forfait for euery such offence a C.li. Prouided alwaye that neither this Acte nor any article exposition or thyng therein conteyned shall extende to any Scottishe hydes to be brought into the towne of Barwicke out of the Realm of Scotlande beyng registred in a booke therefore to be kepte by suche person or persons as the Maior of the sayde towne for the tyme beyng shall therevnto name and appoynt with the name and surname of the byer and seller to thintent the Englyshe hides maye be knowen from the Scottyshe but that the inhabitauntes of the sayde towne of Barwicke maye sende carry and transport suche Scottyshe hydes as they lawefully myght transport before the makyng of this Acte And forasmuche as the estatutes heretofore made touchyng Cordwayners Curriers Tanners and leather haue ben throughly considered and so muche of them and euery of them as semeth requisite and necessarye to be reuiued and continued is inserted and enacted in this present Acte Be it therefore enacted that the Statutes hereafter mentioned that is to saye one Statute made in the .xxv. yeare of Kynge Edwarde the thirde the fourth Chapter And one other Statute made in the twelfth yeare of the raigne of kyng Richarde the seconde the .xii. Chapter And one other Acte or Statute made in the fourth yere of kyng Henry the fourth the .xxxv. Chapter And one other act made in the second yere of kyng Henry the syxt the .vii. Chapter And one other Acte made in the fourth yere of kyng Edwarde the fourth intituled Cordwayners and Coblers And one other Acte made in the fyrste yere of kyng Henry the seuenth intituled an Act agaynst Tanners and Cordwayners And one other Acte made in the .ix. yere of the reigne of the sayd kyng Henry the seuenth entituled for Curryers and Cordwayners And one other Acte made in the thirde yere of the reigne of our late soueraigne Lorde kyng Henry the eygth intituled an Act for Curryers to haue searche of leather One other Acte made in the fyfth yere of our sayde soueraigne Lorde kyng Henry the eyght entituled an Acte for straungers for bying of leather in open market One other act made in the xiiii or .xv. yeres of our sayd late soueraigne Lord intituled an Act concernyng the libertie of Cordwayners and Shoemakers And one other act made in the .xxii. yere of our sayde soueraigne Lorde kyng Henry the eyght intituled an Acte concernyng Tanners and Butchers And one other Acte made in the .xxiiii. yere of our sayd late soueraigne Lorde kyng Henry the eyght intituled an Acte concernyng true tannyng and currying of leather And one other Acte made in the second and third yeres of the reigne of our late soueraigne Lorde kyng Edwarde the syxt the .ix. Chapter and reuiued in the fyrste yere of our soueraigne Lady the Quenes
or put the same into tyllage and hath or shall kepe the same grounde for that cause only in tyllage by the space of foure yeres togethers that this Act or any thyng therin conteined shal not compel any person or persons to continue or put in tyllage the said pasture heath barren or wast grounde so eared Any thing before expressed in this act to the contrary therof notwithstanding Prouided alwayes that this Act or any prouision clause or article therin conteyned shall not be vnderstand or expounded to extende or be in any wyse preiudiciall to those partes or porcions of groundes wherin any ower of Leade Tin or Iron or Coles comly called sea cole stone cole or moore cole haue ben are or hereafter shal be vsually gotten by meanes wherof the same groūdes can not conueniently be put kept in tyllage This Acte or any other law vsage or custome to the contrary in any wyse notw tstanding Prouided also that this Acte nor any thyng therein conteyned shal extende to compell any person or persons to put in tyllage any landes or groundes within any forest or chase excepte the forest of Snowden in Northwales otherwyse then before the makyng of this Statute he or they ought or were bounde to do This Acte to endure to the ende of the next session of Parliament Prouided alway y t this statute or any thyng therin conteyned shal not extend to cōpell any inhabitant of y e coūties of Northūberland Westmerland or Cūberland to reedifie maintein or to kepe in manurance any house or ground y t shal be ouerthrowē burned destroyed wasted or decayed by enemies or by any occasiō of warres or inuasiōs during y e warres or win .iiii. yeres after y e conclusiō of peace next folowing such ouerthrowing burning destructiō wasting or other thyng in this present Act to the contrary notwithstandyng And forasmuch as this Acte shall continue but to the ende of the nexte session of Parliament Be it therefore enacted by auctoriritie aforesayde that no person or persons shall from henceforth conuert from tillage to pasture any grounde whiche was in tillage the fyrst day of thys Parliament other then suche as they myght lawfully haue conuerted from tyllage to pasture before the makinge of this Act Any thynge contayned in thys Acte to the contrary notwithstandynge ¶ An Act for the reliefe of the poore ¶ The .iii. Chapter TO thintent that ydle and loyterynge persons and valiaunt beggers may be auoyded and thimpotent feble and lame whiche are the poore in very dede should be hereafter relieued and well prouyded for Be it enacted by the Quene our soueraygne Lady with thassent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the commons in thys present parliament assembled by thaucthoritie of the same that the statute made in the .xxii. yeare of the late kinge of famous memory kinge Henry theight and also the statute made in the thyrde and fourth yeres of the reigne of the famous kyng Edwarde the syxt concerninge beggers vagaboundes and ydle persons and euery article clause braunche sentence and other thynges conteyned in them and eyther of them other then suche thynges as shal be by thys present Acte otherwise ordayned and prouided for shall stande remayne and be in their full force and effect and shal be also from henceforth iustly and truely put in execution accordynge to the true meaninge of the sayde seuerall statutes and euery of them AND further be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaide that yerely vpon the Sunday next before the feast day of the Natiuitie of S. Iohn Baptist commonly called Midsomer day in euery Citie Borough and Towne corporate the Maior Bayliefes or other head officers for the time being in euery other paryshe of the coūtrey the Parson Vicar or Curate churchwardens shal haue written in a Register or boke to be prouided by them aswel the names of the inhabitaūtes housholders within their citie Borough Towne corporate or paryshe as also the names of all such impotent aged nedy persons as be within their citie Borough Towne corporate or paryshe which are not hable to liue of them selues nor with their owne laboure shal openly in the church quietly after diuine seruice call y e said housholders inhabitantes together among whō y e Maior or other head officers and two of the chiefe inhabitauntes in euery suche Citie Borough and Towne corporate suche as the Maior or other head officers shall thynke meete And the Parson Vycar or Curate and Churchwardens in euery other paryshe shall elect nominate and appoynt yerely two hable persons or mo to be gatherers and Collectours of the charitable almes of all the residue of the people inhabytyng in the paryshe wherof they be chosen Collectours for the reliefe of the poore Which Collectours the Sunday next after their election or the Sundaye folowing yf nede require when the people are at the Church at diuine seruice shal gentelly aske and demaunde of euery man and woman what they of theyr charitie wyl be contented to geue wekely towardes the reliefe of the poore and the same to be wrytten in the sayde Regester or booke And the sayde gatherers so beyng elected and chosen shall iustly gather and truely distribute the same charitable almes wekely by them selues or theyr assignes to the sayde poore impotent persons of the sayde Cities Boroughes Townes corporate and Paryshes without fraude or couin fauour or affection and after such sorte that the more impotent may haue the more helpe and suche as can get part of theyr lyuyng to haue the lesse and by the discression of the Collectours to be put in such labour as they be fyt hable to do but none to go or syt openly a beggyng vpon payne limitted in the aforesaid Statutes And yf the sayde Maiors Baylyffes head officers Parson Vicar Curate and Churchwarden or any of them faile in the doyng and executyng of the premisses in fourme aboue declared he or they so makyng default to forfeyte for euery suche default xl.s to be employed to the vse of the poore of that paryshe where he or they do inhabite to be leuyed by the Collectours of the same paryshe by way of distresse or otherwyse as is appoynted in this Acte for leuying of lyke forfaitures And be it enacted by thauctoritie aforesayd that no person or persons so elected nominated appoynted to be gatherer or gatherers as is aforesayd shall refuse the sayd office but shall iustlye and truelye execute the same by the space of one whole yere next ensuyng such election vppon payne to forfaite x.li th one moitie therof to the Churchwardens of the paryshe where he or they shal be elected Collectour and thother moitie therof to the vse and reliefe of the poore of the saide parishe to be leuied by the Churchwardens where they or he dwelleth of the goodes of the sayde gatherer or gatherers so refusyng by distresse or els by action of debte byll playnt or information to
the town or place that he or they come from testifiynge the same for the which he shall pay not aboue one peny other then such persons as shal be reteyned in seruice accordyng to the fourme of this estatute may repayre and resorte in haruest of hey or corne from the countryes wherin their dwellynge places are into any other place or Countie for the only mowynge reapynge and getting of hey corne and grayne and for the onely workyng of haruest workes as they might haue done before the makynge of this estatute Any thynge herein conteyned to the contrary notwithstandynge And be it further enacted by the auctoritye aforesayde that two Iustices of peace y e Maior or other head officer of any citie borough or towne corporate two Aldermen or two other discrete Burgeses of the same Citie borough or towne corporate yf there be no Aldermen shall and may by vertue hereof appoint any such woman as is of the age of .xii. yeres and vnder the age of .xl. yeres and vnmaryed and forth of seruice as they shall thynke meete to serue to be reteyned or serue by the yere or by the weke or day for suche wages and in such reasonable sorte and maner as they shall thynke mete And if any such woman shall refuse so to serue then it shal be lawfull for the sayde Iustices of peace Maior or head officers to comit such woman to ward vntill she shal be bounden to serue as is aforesaide And for the better aduauncement of husbandry and tillage and to the intente that such as are fyt to be made apprentices to husbandry may be bounden therevnto Be it enacted by the auctoritie of this present Parliament that euery person being an housholder and hauing and vsynge halfe a ploughe land at the least in tillage may haue and receaue as an apprentice any persone aboue the age of tenne yeres and vnder the age of .xviii. yeres to serue in husbandry vntil his age of xxi yeres at the least or vntill the age of .xxiiii. yeres as the parties can agree and the saide reteynour and takyng of an apprentice to be made and done by indenture And be it further enacted that euery person being an housholder and .xxiiii. yeres olde at the least dwelling or inhabityng or whiche shall dwell and inhabite in any cytie or towne corporate and vsynge and exercisyng any arte mystery or manuell occupation there shal and may after the feaste of Saint Iohn Baptist next comminge durynge the tyme that he shall so dwell or inhabite in any such Citie or towne corporate and vse and exercise any suche art mystery or manuell occupacion haue and reteyne the sonne of any free man not occupying husbandry nor being a labourer inhabiting in the same or in any other Citie or towne that now is or hereafter shal be and continue incorporate to serue and be bounde as an apprentice after the custome and order of the Citie of London for seuen yeres at the least so as the terme and yeres of suche apprentice do not expire or determine afore suche apprentice shal be of the age of .xxiiii. yeres at the leaste Prouyded alwayes and be it enacted that it shall not be lawfull to any person dwellynge in any Citie or towne corporate vsynge or exercisynge any of the mysteries or craftes of a marchaunt trafficquinge by trafficque or trade into anye the partes beyonde the Sea Mercer Draper Goldsmyth Irenmonger Inbroderer or Clothear that doth or shal put clothe to makynge and sale to take anye apprentice or seruaunt to be enstructed or taught in any of the arts occupations craftes or mysteries whiche they or any of them do vse or exercise except suche seruaunt or apprentice be his son or els that the father or mother of suche apprentice or seruaunt shall haue at the tyme of takynge of suche apprentice or seruaunt landes tenements or other hereditamentes of the clere yerely value of xl.s of one estate of enheritaunce or free hold at the leaste to be certified vnder the handes and seales of three Iustices of the peace of the shire or Shires where the said landes tenementes or other hereditamentes do or shal lye to the Maior Bailyf or other head officers of such Citie or towne corporate and to be enrowled amonge the recordes there And be it further enacted that from and after the saide feast of Saint John the Baptist nexte it shal be lawfull to euery person beinge an housholder and .xxiiii. yeres olde at the least and not occupying husbandry nor beynge a laborer dwellinge or inhabitynge or that shall hereafter dwell or inhabit in any towne not beynge incorporate that nowe is or hereafter shal be a market towne so longe as the same shal be wekely vsed kept as a market towne and vsyng or exercisynge any arte mysterye or manuell occupation durynge the tyme of his abode there and so vsyng and exercisyng suche art mystery or manuell occupation as aforesayde to haue in like maner to apprentice or apprentices the child or children of any other artificer or artificers not occupying husbandry nor beyng laborer whiche nowe doe or hereafter shall inhabyte or dwell in the same or in anye other suche market towne within the same Shyre to serue as apprentice or apprentices as is aforesayd to any suche arte mystery or manuell occupation as hath ben vsually exercised in any suche market towne where suche apprentice shal be bounde in maner and forme aboue sayd Prouided alwayes and be it enacted that it shall not be lawfull to any person dwellynge or inhabitynge in any suche market towne vsinge or exercisynge the feate mistery or art of a marchant trafficquinge or trading into the parties beyond the Seas Mercer Draper Goldsmith Irenmonger Imbroderer or Clothear that doth or shal put cloth to making sale to take any apprentice or in any wise to teach or instructe any persone in the artes sciences or misteries last before recited after the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist aforesaid except such seruaunt or apprentice shal be his sonne or els that the father or mother of suche apprentice shall haue landes tenementes or other hereditamentes at the tyme of taking of suche apprentice of the clere yerely value of three poundes of one estate of inheritaunce or freeholde at the least to be certifyed vnder the handes and seales of three Iustices of the peace of the Shyre or shyres where the sayd landes tenementes and other hereditamentes do or shall lye to the head officers or head officer of suche market towne where suche apprentice or seruaunt shal be taken there to be enrolled by suche head officer alwayes to remayne of recorde And be it further enacted that from and after the saide feast it shal be lawfull to any person vsynge or exercisinge the art or occupation of a Smith whelewright Plowewright Mylwright Carpenter Rough mason Plasterer Sawyer Lyme burner Brycke maker Bricklayer Tyler Slater Helyer Tylemaker Linnen weuer Turner Couper Myllers Earthen potters Wollen weuer weuinge
feaste of saint Michael the Archangell next comming it shal be lawfull to all and euery person and persons beinge subiectes of the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successours only out of such portes or crekes as by the Quenes Maiesties proclamation hereafter shal be published and appointed and not els where to lode carrie or transporte any Wheate Rye Barley Malte Pease or Beanes into any partes beyonde the Seas to sell as a marchaundise in shippes Crayers or other vessels whereof any Englishe borne subiect then shal be the only owners so that the price of the sayde Cornes or graynes so caryed or transported exceade not the prices hereafter followinge at the tymes hauens and places where and when the same Corne or grayne shal be shipped or laden Vide. the quarter of Wheate at x.s the quarter of Rye Pease or Beanes at viii.s the quarter of Barley or malte at vi.s.viii d. of curraunte money of England Any lawe vsage or estatute heretofore made to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstandyng And where doubte hath heretofore ben whether the statute in the xviii yere of the reigne of Kyng Henry the .vi. heretofore made against Souldiours reteyned which departe from their Captaines without lycense did or ought to extended vnto Mariners gonners seruing on the Seas takynge wages of the kinge or Quene of this Realme Be it expressed ordeined enacted and declared by aucthoritie of this present Parlyament that the said estatute made in the saide .xxiii. yere of the reigne of Kynge Henry the .vi. in all paynes forfeytures and other thinges did doth and hereafter shall extende aswell to all and euery Mariner and gonner hauinge taken or shall hereafter take prest or wages to serue the Quenes Maiestie her heires or successours to all intentes and purposes as the same did or doth vnto any souldyer Any diuersities of opinion doubte matter or thing to the contrary hereof in any wyse notwithstandyng And where an estatute concernynge sowyng of Flaxe and Hempe was made and prouided in the Parlyament holden the .xxiiii. yere of the reigne of our late soueraigne Lorde Kynge Henry the eyght to be vniuersall through euery Countie of this Realme for the better prouision of nettes for helpe and furtheraunce of fishinge and for eschewinge of Idelnes Be it ordeined enacted by aucthoritie of this present Parliament that in euery suche Countie of this Realme or parte of such Countie where by the Quenes Maiesties proclamation it shall hereafter be published the saide estatute to be commodious or profitable for the common wealth The said estatute and euery clause article and prouision therein conteyned be and shal be reuyued and stande in full force and strength to be executed and perfourmed from the feaste of saint Michaell the Archangell nexte comminge in all thinges other then in the proportion of a Roade or fourth parte of an acre in the paine of iii.s.iiii.d by the said estatute limitted In place whereof be it ordeyned and enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaid that in euery case and degree where by the saide former estatute one Roade or fourth parte of an Acre is lymitted to be sowne with lynseade otherwise flaxe seade or hempe seade from the saide feaste of Saint Michaell the Archangel nexte comming In steade and lewe of the saide Roade or iiii parte of an Acre one whole Acre or lesse as by proclamation in fourme aforesaide shal be limitted shal be sowen with lynseade otherwise flaxe seade or Hempe seade vpon payne of forfeyture of fyue poundes for euery suche defaulte or offence And further be it ordeyned and enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaide that all and euery suche of the offences before mentioned as hereafter shal be done on the mayne Sea or costes of the Sea beinge no parte of the bodye of any Countie of this Realme without the precincte iurisdiction and liberties of the Sinque portes and out of any hauen or peere shal be tryed and determined before the Lorde Admirall of England or his Lieuetenaunt deputie or deputies other Iustices of Oyer and terminer according to the fourme of the saide estatute of Anno .xxviii. Henrici .viii. for causes of pyracie And if the same shal be done on the mayne Sea or costes of the Sea within the iurisdiction or libertie of the Synque ports out of any hauen or porte then the same to be tried and determined before the sayde Lord warden of then sayd Syncque portes or his Lieuetenaunt or Iudge or before Iustices of Oyer and terminer according to the true fourme of the sayde estatute of Anno .xxxviii. Henry .viii. for causes of pyracie And for all and singuler suche other of the offences before mentioned as shal be done in the lande or within any hauen or peere all Iustices of the peace in their Sessions and Maiors Sheriffes and Bailifes and other head officers in Cities and townes corporate in their Sessions or other Courtes within the limittes of their commissions or aucthorities shal haue full power and aucthoritie to inquire of the offenders of this acte aswel by the othes of .xii. men as otherwise by information and therevpon to heare and determine the same And if any person or persons shal be presented before the saide Iudges Iustices or officers within the lymittes of their auctorities or anye information gyuen to them of any offender of this acte that then they shal haue ful power and aucthoritie vpon any suche presentment or Information to make proces againste the offenders of this acte lyke as is commonly vsed vpon enditementes of Trespasse And yf any be presented and afterwarde be conuicted by confession or otherwise that then euery suche person shall suffer no lesse forfeiture or punishement then herein is before lymitted All whiche forfeytures to be leuied in maner and fourme following That is to saye suche forfeytures concernyng eatyng of fleshe as are before lymitted to certeine vses to be to the same vses in that behalfe before expressed and all such forfeytures as accordinge to the tenour of this acte shal be determinable before the saide Iudges Iustices or other officers of the Admiralties aforesaide or before Commissioners of Oyer and terminer in that behalfe shal be to the vse of the Lord Admirall of England or Lord warden of the Syncque ports where such offence shal be presented or where as the Iurisdiction of the cause shal apperteyne And all such forfeitures as accordyng to the tenour of this acte shal be determinable before Maiors Sheriffes Bayliffes or other head officers of Cities or townes corporate shal be to the common vse of the Corporation of the saide Citie or towne corporate where suche offences shal be presented or wheras the Iurisdiction of the cause shall apperteyne And all suche forfeytours as accordynge to the tenour of this acte shal be determinable before the Iustices of the peace shal be to the vse of the Quenes Maiestie her heires and successours And if any person shal be conuict by confession or otherwise vpō any
contrarye notwithstandyng And for the true sure payment of this Subsedy graūted by your said prelates Clergie of the prouince of Cantorbury according to the tenour purport effect true meanyng of this present graunt your said Prelates and Clergie most humbly desire your highnes that this theyr said gift graunt Subsedy euery matter sūme of money clause prouisions sentences in this instrumēt conteyned cōcerning the said Subsedy may be ratified established confirmed by aucthoritie of this your hyghnes court of Parliament Wherefore for the true and sure payment of the sayde Subsedye graunted by the sayde Prelates and Clergie of the sayde prouince of Cantorbury according to the tenour effect and true meanyng of the sayde instrument Be it enacted by the Quenes Maiestie with thassent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the aucthoritie of the same that the sayde gyfte and graunt and euery matter summe of money prouision clause and sentence in the sayde instrument conteyned may be ratified establyshed and confirmed by the aucthoritie aforesayde And furthermore be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid that euery person that shal be appoynted to the collection gatheryng of the sayde Subsedye shall haue full power and aucthoritie to leuie take and perceiue the same Subsedye by thaucthoritie of the censures of the Churche in maner and fourme as in the sayde instrument of graunt is conteyned without daunger of the lawes of this Realme or by distresse vpon the possession of the fermours or occupyers of the landes and tenementes chargeable by the said instrument for or to the payment of any summe or summes of money or otherwyse by the discretion of the Collectour therof And that no Repleuie Prohibition or Supersedeas shal be alowed or obeyed for any person or persons makyng default of payment of the sayde Subsedye contrary to the tenour of the graunt therof vntyll such time as they haue truely satisfied and contented all such part and portions as to them in that behalfe appertayneth And that euery such fermour and fermours theyr executours and assignes that shall fortune hereafter to be charged to and with the payment of the sayde Subsedye or any parte thereof shall by thaucthoritie aforesayd be alowed and retayne in his handes as much of his yerely rent and ferme as the summe whiche he shall fortune to paye for his Lorde or Leassour shall extende vnto Excepte the sayde fermour or fermours theyr executours and assignes by the lease and graunt that they haue of any parte of the landes tythes profites and tenementes chargeable to this sayde Subsedye or by force of any couenaunte or article therein conteyned be bounden and charged to pay the same thereof to discharge theyr Leassour and Landelorde duryng the tearme mentioned in the sayd Leasse Prouided alwayes and be it enacted by the aucthoritie of this present Parliament that euery laye person hauyng a spirituall promotion chargeable by this Acte and also hauyng temporall possessions goodes cattelles and debtes chargeable to the Subsedye graunted in this Parliament by the Temporaltie shal be charged taxed and sette for his sayde spirituall promocions with the Clergie and for his temporall possessions and cattelles with the Temporaltie and not otherwyse Any thyng before mentioned to the contrary notwithstandyng And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesayde that all and euery graunt and grauntes of all and euery summe and sūmes of money which hereafter shal be graunted to the Quenes Maiestie by the Clergie of the prouince of Yorke shal be of the same strength force and effect in all thynges as the sayde graunt made by the sayde prouince of Cantorbury shal be taxed certified collected leuyed gathered and payde accordyng to the tenour fourme and effecte of this present Acte of Parliament to all intentes constructions and purposes in such maner and fourme as though it were specially playnely and particulerly expressed and rehearsed in this Acte by expresse wordes tearmes and sentences in theyr seuerall natures and kyndes Prouided alwayes and be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesayde that all prouisos before rehearsed conteyned in the sayde graunt of the Prelates and Clergie of the prouince of Cantorburye and the lyke of the same prouisions hereafter to be conteyned in the graunt of the Prelates Clergie of the prouince of Yorke shal be good and effectuall and to be obserued and kepte in euery poynt and article accordyng to the true purport and meanyng of the same ¶ An Acte of the Quenes Maiesties most gracious generall and free Pardon ¶ The .xxxi. Chapter THE Quenes moste excellent Maiestie perceauyng y e good wylles and faythfull hartes of her louyng and obedient Subiectes at al times towardes her hyghnes for the good gouernaunce and defence of this her Realme and doubting that the same her obedient subiectes haue manye and sundrye wayes fallen into the daunger of diuers penalties and forfaitures by the lawes and Statutes of this Realme Hath thaught mete to extende her clemencie and pitie towardes her sayde louyng and obedient subiectes with her liberall and free pardon accordyng to her Princely and Kyngly power and thereby to discharge some parte of such great paynes penalties and forfaitures wherewith her sayde subiectes stande nowe burdened and charged trustyng assuredly that they wyll continue in theyr due obedience and faithfulnesse towardes her Maiestie and hereafter in such fort obey the good lawes Statutes of this Realme and specially such as in this session of Parliament are deuised as to them euery of them of ryght and duetie appertayneth And therefore her Maiestie is well pleased and contented that it be enacted by the aucthoritie of this present Parliament in maner and fourme folowyng That is to saye that all and euery of her sayde Subiectes aswell Spirituall as Temporall of this her hyghnes Realme of Englande Wales the Isles of Iernesey and Gernesey the Townes of Barwicke Newehauen in Normandy theyr heyres successours executours and administratours of them and euery of them And all and singuler bodyes in any maner of wyse corporated Cities Boroughes Shires Rydynges Hundredes Lathes Rapes Mapentakes Townes Vyllages Hamlettes and Tythynges and euery of them and the successour and successours of euery of them shal be by aucthoritie of this present Parliament acquited pardoned released and discharged agaynst the Quenes Maiestie her heires successours and executours and euery of them of al maner of Treasons Felonyes Robberyes offences contemptes alienations trespaces Intrucions Entrees wronges deceiptes misdemeanours forfaitures penalties and profites summes of money paynes of death paynes corporall and pecuniary and generally of all other thynges causes quarrels suites iudgementes and executions in this present Acte hereafter not excepted nor forprysed whiche maye be or can be by her hyghnes in any wyse or by any meane pardoned before and vnto the first day of Ianuary in this present fyfth yere of her moste gracious raigne to euery or any of her sayde