Orders and directions, together with a commission for the better administration of iustice, and more perfect information of His Maiestie how, and by whom the lawes and statutes tending to the reliefe of the poore, the well ordering and training vp of youth in trades, and the reformation of disorders and disordered persons, are executed throughout the kingdome: which His royall Maiestie hath commanded to be published and inquired of, by the body of his Priuie Councell, whom he hath made principall commissioners for this purpose.

Preface.

FOr the better admini∣stration of Iustice, and more perfect Informati∣on of His Maiesty, how, and by whom the Lawes and Statutes tending to the reliefe of the poore, and the reformation of dis∣orders and disordered persons are exe∣cuted throughout the Kingdome; His Royall Maiestie hath Commanded this Commission aforesaid, together with these Orders and Directions follow∣ing, to be published by the Body of His Priuie Councell, whom Hee hath made principall Commissio∣ners for this pur∣pose.

ORDERS.

I.

THAT the Iustices of Peace of euery Shire within the Realme doe diuide themselues, and allot amongst themselues what Iustices of the Peace, and what Hundreds shall attend monethly at some certaine places of the Shire. And at this day and place, the High Constables, Petty-Con∣stables, and Churchwardens, and Ouerseers for the Poore of

those Hundreds, shall attend the said Iustices. And there in∣quirie shall be made, and Infor∣mation taken by the Iustices, how euery of these Officers in their seuerall places haue done their duties in Execution of the Lawes mentioned in the Com∣mission annexed, and what per∣sons haue offended against any of the said Lawes.

II.

WHere neglect or defect is found in any of the said Officers, in making their Presentments, condigne pu∣nishment to be inflicted vpon

them by the Iustices according to Law.

III.

WHen offences are pre∣sented at one meeting, then the penalties of the Lawes offended, to bee leauied and brought to the Iustices at their next meeting.

IIII.

WHen the penalties are leauied, the Iustices are to take care that the same be imployed accordingly as by the Statutes are appointed.

V.

FOr incouragement to men that doe informe and pro∣secute others for offending a∣gainst these Lawes or any of them, libertie to bee left to the Iustices of Peace that doe meete to reward the Informer or Prosecutor, out of part of the money leauied vpon his, or their Presentments, or Infor∣mation.

Though the Statute doe not prescribe this, yet this is not against the Law that giues the penaltie to the

Poore, which penaltie nor no part thereof would else come vnto the poore but by this meanes.

VI.

THat the seuerall Iustices of Peace of euery Shire, doe once euery three moneths cer∣tifie an account in Writing to the high Sheriffe of the Coun∣tie, of their proceedings in this way, whom they haue puni∣shed, what they haue leuyed, and how they haue imploy∣ed it.

VII.

THat the High Sheriffe within foureteene dayes after this Account deliuered, do send the same ouer to the Iu∣stices of Assize for that County, or to one of them, and the Iu∣stice or Iustices that receiue the same, to certifie it in the begin∣ning of euery Terme next after, to the Lords Commissioners. And if any of the Iustices of Peace shall faile to make such account to the Sheriffe, then the Sheriffe shall certifie such de∣fault to the Lords Commissio∣ners.

VIII.

THe Iustices of Assize in e∣uery Circuite, are to en∣quire, and specially to marke, what Iustices of the Peace are carefull and diligent in executi∣on of these Lawes, and the Di∣rections giuen, and who are neg∣ligent and remisse. And what other things of note happen in their Circuits, to make report thereof to the King, vpon their returne from their Circuits e∣uery halfe yeere.

DIRECTIONS.

I.

THat the Lords of Manors and Towns, take care that their Tenants, and the pa∣rishoners of euery Towne may bee releeued by worke, or otherwise at home, and not suffered to straggle, and beg vp and downe in their pa∣rishes.

II.

THat Stewards to Lords and Gentlemen, in keeping their

Leetes twice a yeere, doe specially enquire vpon those Articles that tend to the reformation, or punish∣ment of common offences and abu∣ses: As of Bakers and Brewers, for breaking of Assizes: Of Fore∣stallers, and Regraters: Against Tradesmen of all sorts, for selling with vnder weights, or at excessiue prises, or things vnwholesome, or things made in deceipt: Of people, breakers of houses, common theeues, and their Receiuers; haunters of Tauerns, or Alehouses; those that goe in good clothes, and fare well, and none knowes whereof they liue; those that bee night-walkers; buil∣ders of Cottages, and takers in of

Inmates; offences of Ʋictuallers, Artificers, Workemen and Labou∣rers.

III.

THat the poore children in e∣uery Parish be put forth Ap∣prentices to husbandry, and other handy-crafts, and money to be rai∣sed in the Parishes for placing them, according to the Law; and if any party shall refuse to take the said Apprentice, being put out accor∣ding to the Law; such party as shall refuse to take the said Apprentice, to be bound ouer to the next quarter Sessions, or Assises, and there to be

bound to his good behauiour, or o∣therwise ordered, as shall bee found fit.

IIII.

THat the Statute of Labou∣rers, for retaining of Ser∣uants, and ordering of Wages, be∣twixt the Seruant and the Ma∣ster be not deluded by priuate Con∣tracts, before they come to the Sta∣tutes, and the common fashion of Essoyning many absent, not to bee allowed of course, as is vsed.

V.

THat the weekely taxations for reliefe of the Poore, and

other purposes mentioned in the Statute of 43. Eliz. bee in these times of scarcitie raised to higher Rates in euery Parish, then in times to fore were vsed. And Contribu∣tions had from other Parishes, to helpe the weaker Parishes, especi∣ally from those places where depo∣pulations haue beene, some good Contribution to come, for helpe of other Parishes. And where any money or Stocke hath beene, or shall bee giuen to the reliefe of the Poore in any parish, such Gift to be no occasion of lessening the Rates of the Parish.

VI.

THat the petty Constables in all Parishes, be chosen of the abler sort of Parishioners, and the office not to bee put vpon the poorer sort, if it may be.

VII.

WAtches in the night, and Warding by day, and to bee appointed in euery Towne and village, for apprehension of rogues, and vagabonds, and for safety and good order.

VIII.

AND because it is found by dayly experience, that the re∣missenesse and negligence of petty-Constables is a greate cause of the swarming of Rogues and Beg∣gers, therefore the high Consta∣bles in their seuerall Diuisions are specially to be charged to looke vnto the petty-Constables, that they vse diligence in their Offices, and the High Constables to present to the Iustices of Peace, the defaults of the petty Constables, for not punish∣ing the Rogues, or not presenting those that are Relieuers of the Rogues and Beggers, the Law

inflicting a Penalty vpon the Con∣stable for not punishing them, and vpon such party as shall releeue them.

IX.

IF in any Parish there bee found any persons that liue out of Ser∣uice, or that liue idly and will not worke for reasonable wages, or liue to spend all they haue at the Ale∣house, ••hose persons to bee brought by the High Constables, and petty Constables to the Iustices at their meetings, there to be ordered and punished as shall be found fit.

X.

THat the Correction houses in all Counties may bee made adioyning to the common Prisons, and the Gaoler to be made Gouer∣nour of them, that so he may imploy to worke Prisoners committed for small causes, and so they may learne honestly by labour, and not liue idly and miserably long in prison, where∣by they are made worse when they come out then they were when they went in, and where many houses of Correction are in one County, one of them at least to bee neere the Gaole.

XI.

THat no man harbour Rogues in their Barnes, or Out∣houseings. And the wandring per∣sons with women and children, to giue account to the Constable or Justice of Peace, where they were marryed, and where their children were Christened; for these people liue like Saluages, neither marry nor bury nor Christen, which licen∣tious libertie makes so many delight to be Rogues and Wanderers.

XII.

ANd because the High wayes in all Counties of England are in great decay, partly so growen, for that men think there is no course by the Common Law, or Order from the State to amend the same: And the worke-dayes appointed by the Statute are so omitted, or idly performed, that there comes little good by them. Therefore the Iusti∣ces of Peace at these monethly meetings, are to take speciall care of: and not onely to cause the Sur∣ueyors of the High wayes to pre∣sent the same; but by their owne view, to informe themselues, that

at the next Quarter Sessions after euery meeting, they may present all such neglects, and offences (as vpon their owne view) and the Of∣fenders there to bee pu∣nished according to Law.