Anno quinto reginæ Elizabethe. At the parliament holden at Wesmynster the .xii. of Ianuary, in the fyfth yere of the raigne of our soueraigne lady, Elizabeth by the grace of god, of England, Fraunce, and Irelande, quene, defendour of the the fayth. [et]c. To the hygh pleasure of almyghtye God, and the weale publique of this realme, were enacted as foloweth

¶ An Acte touchyng diuers orders for Artificers, La∣bourers, seruauntes of husbandry, and apprentises. ¶ The .iiii. Chapter. (Book 4)

ALthough there remayne and stande in force presently a great number of Actes & statutes concerning the retey∣nyng, departyng, wages, and orders of apprentices, ser∣uauntes, & 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 be∣longing to the said seruauntes & labourers, the said lawes can not conueniētly, without the great griefe & burden of the poore labou∣rer & hyred man, be put in good & due execution. And as the said se∣ueral 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, shalbe digested & reduced into one sole lawe & statute, & in the same an vniforme order prescribed & limitted, concerning the wages & other orders for apprētises, ser∣uaūtes, & 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 scarsi∣tie, & 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 & la∣bourers, or any of them, & the penalties & forfaitures concernyng the same, shalbe frō & after the last day of Septēber nexte ensuing, repealed and vtterly voyde & of none effect, and that all the said sta∣tutes and euery braunch therof, for any matter conteined in them, and not repealed by this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 Sep∣tember nowe nexte ensuyng, shall reteyne, hyre, or take into ser∣uice, or cause to be reteyned, hired, or taken into seruice, nor any person shalbe 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 Clothy∣ers, Wollen cloth weauers, Tuckers, Fullers, Clothewor∣kers,

Sheremen, Dyers, Hosiers, Taillers, Shomakers, Tanners, Pewterers, Bakers, Brewers, Glouers, Cutlers, Smythes, Far∣rors, 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 af∣ter 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, accor∣ding 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 ex∣ercised, as is aforesayde) be reteyned, and shall not refuse to serue, accordyng to the tenor of this Statute, vpon the payne and penal∣tie 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, vp∣pon the payne hereafter mentioned, vnlesse it be for some reaso∣nable and sufficient cause or matter, to be alowed before two Iu∣stices 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 thende of his terme, or that any such seruaunt shall depart from his said maister, maistres or dame, at thende of his terme, without one quarter warnyng ge∣uen before thende 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 kyd∣dyer or carier of any corne, grayne, or meale, for prouision of the Ci∣tie 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 hereditamen∣tes, for terme of lyfe, or of one estate of inheritaūce, of the clere yere∣ly value of .xl.s. nor beyng worth in goodes and cattels to the va∣lue 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 fore∣saide 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 shalbe 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 thende of his terme, vn∣lesse it be for some reasonable and sufficient cause, to be alowed as

is aforesayde, or if any such maister, maistres, or dame, shall put a∣way any such seruaunt at thende of his terme, without one quar∣ters 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 reasona∣ble & 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 & ter∣miner, Iustices of assise, Iustices of the peace in the quarter Sessi∣ons, or before the Maior or other head officer of any citie, borough, or towne corporate, & two Aldermen, or two other discrete Burge∣ses of the same citie, borough or towne corporate, if there be no Al∣dermen, 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 thend of his terme depart frō his sayd master, mastres, or dames seruice, without one quarters warning geuē before thend of his said terme, in forme a∣forsaid, & before .ii. lawful witnesses, or if any persō or persōs cōpel∣able & bounden to be reteined & to serue in husbandry, or in any o∣ther 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 pre∣misses, vpō such proufes & good matter, as to their discressiōs shalbe

thought sufficient, to commit hym or them to warde, there to re∣mayne without bayle or maynpryse, vntyll the sayde seruaunt or partie so offendyng, shalbe bounde to the partie to whom thoffence shalbe made, to serue and continue with hym for the wages that then shalbe 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 shalbe 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 ex∣pired, 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 here∣after expressed in this Acte, which certificat or testimoniall shalbe 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 shalbe 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 wher∣of .&c. dated the day, moneth, yere, & place .&c. of the making therof.

And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid, that no per∣son or persons that shal depart out of seruice, shalbe reteyned or ac∣cepted 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 Consta∣ble, Curate, Churchwarden or other head officer of the same where he shalbe reteyned to serue, vpon the paine that euery such seruaūt so departing without such certificat or testimonial, shalbe impriso∣ned, 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 shalbe 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 de∣parte, 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 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, shalbe 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 breake∣fast 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 arti∣ficer and laborer, that shalbe 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 ap∣pointed 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 with∣out 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, shalbe 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 Par∣liamente, that the Iustices of peace of euery shyre, rydynge, and li∣bertye, 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 corpo∣rate, 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 yere∣ly 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 necessa∣ryly 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 appoin∣ted, 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 ma∣kinge 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 shalbe 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 Iu∣stices, and other head officers as is aforesayde, with commaun∣dement by the sayde proclamations to all persons, in the name of the Quenes Maiestie, her heires or successors, straightlye to ob∣serue 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 esta∣tute. Vppon receypte wherof, the sayde Sherifes, Iustices of peace, and the Maior and head officer in euery Citie or towne corpo∣rate, 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 cor∣porate: 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 proclama∣tion 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 of∣ficer, shalbe 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 af∣ter, 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. 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 shalbe thoughte mete to be contynued: then the proclamations for the yere past, shall remayne in force vntill newe proclamations, vppon newe rates con∣cernynge

the sayde wages, shalbe sent downe, accordynge to the fourme of this Estatute.

And be it further enacted by auctoritie of this present Parlya∣ment, that if all the sayd Iustices of peace, resiant within Coun∣tyes, where they are or shalbe 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 Ses∣sions, 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 shalbe 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 vi∣sited 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 as∣sembled 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 Eng∣lande.

And be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde, that yf any person, after the sayde proclamation shalbe so sent downe, and published, shal by any secret waies or meanes, directly, or indirect∣ly, 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 shalbe assessed or appointed in the sayde proclama∣tions: 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 Coun∣celles, shall suffer imprisonment by the space of tenne dayes, with∣out

bayle or maynepryce, and shall lose and forfeyte fyue poundes, of lawfull money of England. And that euery person, that shalbe so reteyned and take wages, contrary to this estatute, or any braunche therof, or of the sayde proclamation, and shalbe 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, shalbe 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, worke∣man, 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 fur∣ther 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 cor∣paration, before whom the offence shalbe examined, shall thinke conuenient for the qualitie of the sayde offence so done and com∣mitted.

Prouyded alwayes, and be it enacted, by the aucthoritye afore∣sayde, 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 imprison∣ment 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 shalbe 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 coun∣tie, 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 Iu∣stice of the peace of the shyre, or other head officer of 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 shalbe reteyned in seruice, accordyng to the fourme of this estatute) may repayre and re∣sorte in haruest of hey or corne, from the countryes wherin their dwel∣lynge places are, into any other place or Countie, for the only mow∣ynge, reapynge and getting of hey, corne and grayne, and for the onely workyng of haruest workes, as they might haue done before the ma∣kynge 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 Alder∣men, 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 shalbe lawfull for the sayde Iu∣stices of peace, Maior or head officers, to comit such woman to ward, vntill she shalbe 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 pre∣sent 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 occu∣pacion: haue and reteyne the sonne of any free man, not occupying hus∣bandry, nor being a labourer, & inhabiting in the same, or in any other Citie or towne, that now is, or hereafter shalbe, and continue incor∣porate, 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 shalbe 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 traffic∣quinge 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 appren∣tice or seruaunt, to be enstructed or taught in any of the arts, occupa∣tions, craftes or mysteries, whiche they or any of them do vse or exer∣cise, except suche seruaunt or apprentice be his son, or els that the fa∣ther 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 enheri∣taunce, 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 shalbe lawfull to euery person be∣inge an housholder, and .xxiiii. yeres olde at the least, and not occu∣pying husbandry, nor beynge a laborer, dwellinge or inhabitynge, or that shall hereafter dwell, or inhabit in any towne, not beynge incor∣porate, that nowe is, or hereafter shalbe a market towne, so longe as the same shalbe 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, my∣stery, 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 ap∣prentice, or apprentices, as is aforesayd, to any suche arte, mystery, or manuell occupation, as hath ben vsually exercised in any suche mar∣ket towne, where suche apprentice shalbe 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, traffic∣quinge or trading into the parties beyond the Seas, Mercer, Dra∣per, 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 shalbe his sonne, or els that the father or mother of suche apprentice, shall haue landes, tenementes, or other he∣reditamentes, at the tyme of taking of suche apprentice, of the clere yerely value of three poundes, of one estate of inheritaunce, or free∣holde, 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 appren∣tice or seruaunt shalbe taken, there to be enrolled by suche head offi∣cer, alwayes to remayne of recorde.

And be it further enacted, that from and after the saide feast, it shalbe lawfull to any person, vsynge or exercisinge the art or occupa∣tion of a Smith, whelewright, Plowewright, Mylwright, Car∣penter, Rough mason, Plasterer, Sawyer, Lyme burner, Brycke maker, Bricklayer, Tyler, Slater, Helyer, Tylemaker, Linnen weuer, Turner, Couper, Myllers, Earthen potters, Wollen weuer, weuinge huswyfes or houshold cloth only, and none other cloth, Fuller, other∣wyse called Tucker, or walker, burner of ore and woade ashes, That∣cher, 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 on∣ly, and in none other, albeit the father or mother of any suche appren∣tice 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 per∣sone 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 with∣in 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 oc∣cupation, 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 con∣trary, shall forfeit and lose for euery default .xl.s. for euery moneth.

Prouided alwaies, and be it further enacted, by the auctoritie afore∣sayd, 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, wea∣uing 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 tene∣mentes, or other hereditamentes, to the cleare yerely value of three poundes, at the least, of an estate of inheritaunce or frehold, to be cer∣tifyed 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 for∣feyture 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 de∣fault therin tenne poundes.

Prouided alwayes, that this acte nor any thynge therin con∣teyned, shall not extend to preiudice or hinder any liberties hereto∣fore 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 notwith∣standynge.

And be it further enacted, that if any person shalbe 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 shalbe 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 con∣uenient to serue as an apprentice in that art, labour, science, or mistery, wherin he shalbe so then required to serue: That then the saide Iu∣stice, or the saide Maior or head officer, shall haue power and aucto∣ritye by vertue hereof, if the said person refuse to be bounde as an ap∣prentice, to commit hym vnto ward, there to remayne vntyll he be contented, and wilbe 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 re∣paire 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 bre∣thren, or men of best reputation within the said Citie, towne corporate or market towne, shal haue power by auctoritie hereof, in writing vn∣der 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 apprentice∣hode, or any lawe or custome to the contrary notwithstanding. And if the defaulte shalbe founde to be in the apprentice, then the saide Iu∣stices, 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 shalbe thought mete.

Prouyded alwayes, and be it enacted, by aucthoritie of this pre∣sent Parlyament, that no person shall by force or colour of this esta∣tute, be bounden to enter into any apprenticeship, other then suche as be vnder the age of .xxi. yeres. And to thende that this estatute, may from tyme to tyme be carefully diligently put in good exe∣cution, 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 shalbe 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 se∣uerely corrected and punished, without fauour, affection, malice or displeasure.

And in consideration of the paines and trauell that the said Iu∣stices of peace, and the said Maior, and head officer, shal take and su∣steine, in, and about the execution of this estatute, it is further ordey∣ned 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 shalbe 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, shalbe 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 Presi∣dent and Counsell before remembred, by action of debte, Informa∣tion, bill of complainte, or otherwise: in whiche actions or suites, no protection, wager of lawe or, essoygne shalbe 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 shalbe 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 per∣son. And shall, and may by vertue hereof, make proces against the de∣fendaunt, 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 shalbe founde be∣fore them, into the court of the Exchequer, in like sorte and fourme, as they be bounde to certifie the estreates for other offences and for∣feitours to be loste, before them: Any thynge in this statute, con∣teyned 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 ta∣kyng 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, shalbe clerely voide in the lawe to all intentes and purposes, and that euery person, that shall from henceforth take, or newly reteyne any apprentice, con∣trary 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 en∣acted, by aucthoritie of this present Parlyament, that all and euery suche person or persons, that at any tyme or tymes, from hence∣forth shalbe 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 appren∣tice, or any of them, shalbe within the age of .xxi. yeres, at the tyme of makynge of their seuerall Indentures: shalbe bounden to serue, for the yeres in their seuerall Indentures conteyned, as amply and lar∣gely 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 cu∣stome to the contrary, notwithstandynge.

Prouided alwayes, and be it enacted by the aucthoritie aforesaid, that the inhabitaunts nowe dwellyng or inhabitynge, or that here∣after shall dwell, or inhabit within the towne of Godalmynge, with∣in the Countie of Surray, within the lymittes of the Watche of the saide towne, may vse and exercise suche artes, misteries and occu∣pations, and take, and vse apprentices and seruauntes, in suche ma∣ner 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 men∣cioned in this acte, or any braunche thereof, within any Citie, or towne corporate, shalbe leuyed, gathered and receaued, by suche person or per∣sons of the same Citie or towne corporate, as shalbe 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 progeni∣tours, made and graunted to the same Citie, borowe, or towne cor∣porate,

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 be∣fore 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 occu∣pation aforesaid, vnlawfullye departe or flee into any other Shire, that it shalbe 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 shalbe 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 shalbe lawful to the highe Constables of hundredes in euery Shire, to holde, kepe, and continue petie Ses∣sions, 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 re∣pugnaunt to this present Acte.