Martin Mark-all, beadle of Bridevvell; his defence and answere to the Belman of London Discouering the long-concealed originall and regiment of rogues, when they first began to take head, and how they haue succeeded one the other successiuely vnto the sixe and twentieth yeare of King Henry the eight, gathered out of the chronicle of crackeropes, and (as they tearme it) the legend of lossels. By S.R.

The Runnagates Race, or the O∣riginall of Regiment of Rogues, when they first began to take head, and how they haue suc∣ceeded one the other successiuely, vntill about the sixe and twentieth yeare of King HENRY the eight, collected out of the Legend of LOSSELS.

AT what time King Henry the sixt of famous memo∣rie bare rule ouer the Britanes, there was one Iohn Mendal (alias Iack Cade) an Irish man,* 1.1 that named himselfe by the name of Iohn Mortimer, cousen to the Duke of Yorke, whereupon hee gathering together a great company out of Kent, assured and perswaded them, that the enterprise he tooke in hand, was both ho∣nourable to God and the King, and profitable to the whole Realme: the Kentish men moued with these per∣swasions and other faire promises, marched to blacke heath, where they lay for a month pilling the Countrey round about.

At the same time, which was about one thousand foure hundred and fiftie, two vnruly fellowes (the one named Blewbeard, the other Hugh Roberts) which were lately come ouer from France, who had béen souldiers vnder the Duke of Somerset and the Earle of Shrewsbury in the winning and loosing of Constance, Guysons, Roane

and diuers other Cities in France: the which Blew∣beard in a Commotion, shortly after he came ouer, being made their Captaine,* 1.2 before he had attempted any thing at all, was taken and executed: But Roberts kéeping in Kent, gathered a number of Rakehels and Vagabonds together to the number of an hundred in that Countrey, to whom likewise masterlesse men after they heard of his fame, came cluttering on heapes, so that he had in a short space to the number of fiue hundred followers.

These sturdie Vagabonds ioyning with Iacke Men∣dall in this rebellion, march toward London, and enter Southwarke, and there lodged at the white Harte for a night or two, prohibiting al from Rape, robery and mur∣der, the more to allure the hearts of the people to fauour his enterprise. After, they come into London, and there they play Rex. and returne backe into Southwarke a∣gaine, where, after many conflicts betwéene them and the Citizens, the Kings pardon was proclaimed: at which hearing, the poore people were so glad, and so rea∣dy to receiue it, that without bidding farewell to their Captaines, withdrew themselues euery man towards his owne home.

Iack Mendall despairing of succours, and fearing the reward of his lewd dealings, fled away into the woods. But Proclamation made, that whosoeuer could bring Iacke aliue or dead to the King, should haue a thousand Markes for his paines, was after slaine by a Gentleman in Kent, and so brought to the King.

But Roberts kept himselfe in the woods closely a long time after, although not with so great a company as he had before, and there liued by robbing and spoyling in the night, and kept themselues close in all the day. And thus by the space of a twelue moneth, they passed their time in villany, robbing and spoyling the Country peo∣ple of their poultry, pigges and other sustenance, where∣with they sustained themselues and their families. In

which time he set downe lawes and customes to be kept and obserued among them, and to kéepe them in awe and fashion, who are prone of themselues to liue out of all rule and fashion.

• 1 First he appointed that of euery thing that they got, he had first the taking and leauing of the best thereof at his pleasure.
• 2 That if any of their fellowes could not purchase any victuals or necessities for foode that night, that then they shold be in cōmons with the rest the day following.
• 3 That no robbery or violence bee vsed vpon any man within foure miles of the wood, or the place of their aboade.
• 4 That none be so hardy, as to run to the wood for succor or reléefe, after he hath perpetrated any thing, lest that hugh and crie follow, and so discrie the whole com∣pany.

Thus after a yeare and vpward was spent by them in this sort, they brake vp their Campe, and Proclamati∣on was made, to méete there in that place euery thrée yeares for a memoriall, if they then liued: In the meāne time they spread themselues abroad in the Countrey, some remaining there, others trauelling North-ward, and ioyne themselues with the Duke of Yorke, and ge∣nerally in all Commotions and rebellions. These in me∣mory of there first acquaintance and loue to their new found Captaine, called themselues by the name of Ro∣berts-men, as the seruants of Hugh Roberts their Com∣maunder.

This Roberts liued rouing vp & down the country for the space of ten years: in which time he kept his Court daies as himselfe listed, and in which time there came to him diuers new followers, and as some decay∣ed and died, some hanged & dead of the poxe (for to that end they all come) so others succéeded in their places.

In the first yeare of Edward the fourth, this Roberts in

the warres against Henry the sixt in the North partes (who was deposed) was there slaine, besides 36776. per∣sons all Englishmen.

Hereupon presently (their late Captaine now dead) all that were left aliue of this company, hye themselues to their wonted place of méeting, where, by the generall assent, they chose one (Ienkin Cowdiddle) to bee their ring-leader.

This Ienkin Cowdiddle was a man giuen much to swearing, drunkennesse and lechery:* 1.3 he was neuer out of England as souldier or traueller, but from his first be∣ginning he continued a wandring rogue, he was stout of stomacke, audacious and fierce, hee was knowne to all the damned crew for a boone companion, and therefore chosen as fittest for their Captaine: hee first ordained, that none were so hardy as to haue the vndooing of a maid wanderer, or any thing to do with her, vnlesse first she were brought to him to be broken vp, or to some of his assignes, that could obtain the same of him by friend∣ship or bribery.

Hee commaunded likewise that all beggers should spend all their gettings in the day past,* 1.4 in good Béere or Ale at night, or at the fardest by saterday night: and if any were found or knowne to haue aboue two pence half peny in his purse on munday morning, he shold for∣feit a dousen of béere, to any whatsoeuer of their compa∣ny would challenge it. He exercised his commaund about tenne yeares, vntill the time that the great rebel∣lion and vprore was in the Western parts, as Summer∣setshire, Wilshire, Dorset-shire and Cornewall, about the crowning of Prince Edw. son to K. H. 6. who had béen all this while in France: and this fell out about the 11. yeare of Edw. 4. then this Ienkin Cowdiddle accompanied with 300. tottered knaues,* 1.5 ioyned in battell against the K. with the westerne men, in which battell at Teuxbury he was slaine, and buried there with the rest of the dead bodies.

The battel ended, these Robert-men (for so they were termed a long time after) hye them to their Kandauow, their vsuall and knowne place,* 1.6 and there with the full consent of the whole company, They chose one Spysing to be his successour.

And now when as the feast and solemnizing of this new made squire was newly ended, news was brought to this Spising, how that one Thomas Neuell sonne to Fankenbridge (who had béene at Sea as a Pirate, and robbed diuers Merchants) was newly arriued in Eng∣land, and got a great company of Marriners out of all parts of the land, and many traytors and misgouerned people to follow him, whereunto as fitly for his turne this Spising accompanies and enters into league and fa∣miliarity, besides diuers also forth of other Countries that delighted in theft and robberies.

And now his strength encreased daily, for hauing bin at Callice, and brought from thence into Kent many e∣uill disposed persons, he began to gather his power in that Country, meaning to attempt some great and wic∣ked enterprise against King Edward and his Kingdome, but his quarrell he pretended, was to haue King Henry the sixt out of the Towre, and to restore him to his Scep∣ter againe. Thus accompanied with seuentéene thou∣sand men, they marched into London by shippes which lay betwéene Blacke wall and Redriffe: and then came Spising with his hand at Algate, who behaued them∣selues stoutly, that they wan the Bulwarke there, and draue the Citizens backe within the Port cullis, and en∣tred the gate with them to the number of a dousen; but some of them were slaine with the fall of the Port cullis, that was let downe vpon them to kéepe the residue out: but those that were within the wals was suddenly dis∣patcht.

To be short, at last the Bastard was vanquished and vtterly dispaired; for hearing the King comming with

thirtie thousand men, durst stay no longer, but brake vp and dispersed themselues some one way, and some ano∣ther. The Bastard with his Mariners and such rebels, robbers & wicked persons, as sought nothing but spoile, got them to Ship-board as fast as they could. Those that were left behinde, and those of Spysings company lurked a day or two about the Contrey secretly in woods, vn∣till they thought the coastes to be clear, and after met at their wonted place, where they, as merry as pot and canne passe their time in villany and robbery.

This Spising was a man giuen to voluptuousnesse, pleasure, and delight in Bowsing and Venery: He or∣dered, that euery one that professed himselfe a Wande∣rer, and taking vpon him the occupation of begging, shal be stauled to the order of rogues; that is,* 1.7 hee shall bee brought to the chiefe Commander then being, and there he shall shew the cause of his going abroad, and what Countrey man he is: which done, he payes a dousen of béere as a fine for his fréedome and Instaulment, and so is permitted to liue and die a rogue: but if he be borne a rogue: that is, if his Grandfather were one, so that con∣sequently he must be one also, such a one shall bee fréely discharged from such enstaulement, as being made frée by his fathers copie. This Spising about the first yeare of King Edward the fift, committed a robbery and murder (néere High-gate in Middlesex) where after he fledde and tooke sanctuary at Westminster,* 1.8 for these places in that time were wonderfully abused by wicked men: rable∣ments of Théeues, Murderers and Traytors would thither flocke when they had atchieued any villany, vn∣thrifts ryot and runne in debt vpon boldnesse of these places, rich men runne thither with poore mens goods; there they build and there they spend, and bid their cre∣ditors goe whistle, mens wiues runne thither with their husbands plate, and say they dare not abide with their husbands, for feare of beating: Theeues bring in thi∣ther

their stolne goods, and there liue vpon them vntill al is spent, and when nothing is left, they againe in the night range abroad to séeke other booties: there they de∣uise new plots to rob and kill, and then to come in again at their pleasure: so those places did not only giue them safegard for their villanies, but a license also to do more. Such a one was this Spysing for a yeare or two before he was hanged; for being taken the second time at Wom∣burne in Stafford shire, for killing a man in a drunken humour, was presently apprehended, and carried to the Goale, and after hanged all saue the head: he Dominée∣red about eleuen yeares.

Not long after, when certaine newes was blased a∣broad of their Captaines confusion, they chose a nota∣ble swaggering rogue called Puffing Dicke, to reuell o∣uer them,* 1.9 who plaid reuell rout with them indéede: in this Squire there were no villanies left vnattempted, but he was still at the one end.

He first gaue termes to robbers by the high way, that such as robbe on horse-backe were called high lawy∣ers,* 1.10 and those who robbed on foote, he called Padders: the difference of these two sorts of villanes is this.

The first sort are called Gent. robbers or théeues; and these ride on horses well appointed, and goe in shew like honest men: the other robbe on fooke, and haue no other helpe but a paire of light héeles and a thicke woode, Concerning the first sort, that delight in the credite of a high Lawyer, that with their swords fréeboote abroad in the countrey like Cauileroes on horse-backe, are com∣monly such men, that eyther are younger brethren, who being brought vp in idlenesse and gaming, when their friends are dead, do fall to this kind of life to maintaine the maine chance: others againe being left well by their friends, hauing no gouernement of themselues, but ban∣queting with Whores, and making late suppers, doe greatly impouerish and begger themselues: and when

all is spent after this manner, and their money wasted like snow against the Sunne: they for their Vltimum re∣fugium, as forced to vndertake this wretched and abhor∣red profession, robbing honest poore men, and taking all their money from them, yea and often more then is their owne, to the vtter vndoing of their poore man, his wife and children for euer, who when they haue it, wast it as vain∣ly as they wickedly purchast it. And others, that hauing béene souldiers when they come from the warres, ey∣ther by breaking vp of the Campe, or by running away from their colours to sée their friends, or what way soe∣uer, cannot betake themselues to any honest trade of life, but louing to liue in idlenesse, betake themselues to rob∣bing and stealing, vntill they be taken and carried west∣ward there to make their rehersall.

These fellowes first that they may not be knowne, be∣speake and get such artificial beards and heads of haire, that although you ride, dine, and sup with them from day to day, you shall not be able to discerne them, nor e∣spie their falshood. And in this practise all their villany consists: for I haue heard and partly know a high-way lawyer rob a man in the morning, and hath dined with the martin or honest man so robbed the same day at an Inne being not descried, nor yet once mistrusted or su∣spected for the robbery.

Their knauery is on this manner; they haue alwaies good geldings and trusty, which they can make Cur∣tailes when they list, and againe set too large tailes, hanging to the fetlockes at their pleasure, yea and so ar∣tificially, that it shall not be perceiued or spied of the Ostler that dresseth them: besides they haue clokes Tor∣mosant, as they call them, made with two out-sides, that weare them howsoeuer the right side will bee alwaies outward: now their artificiall beards and heads of haire withall, will make them séeme to dance in a net a long time ere they be espied. Now how easie it is for

them to escape all dangers, all Hues and Cries, it may easily be perceiued, for the complexion of the man, and his beard, the garments that he weares, and the making of his horse, thrée things which are the especiall markes whereby notice is taken to make enquiry: which being chaunged and altered, they may escape as safely as they did the robbery.

The other sort of robbers, that hauing no meanes to relieue them, in stead of swift courses to eschue danger, flie away vpon their trustie tenn-toes into woodes and close places, there to continue vntill Hue and Crie bee past: these fellows we are counterfeit beards and heads of haire, as the other sort doe, vsing not many words, but Stand and deliuer: some will haue curst and man kind Masties following them, to further and helpe them in this enterprise: some vnder the name of the vpright man or souldier as they goe through townes, begge the chari∣table deuotion of people, they will goe also strongly with thrée or foure in a company to a farme house, where of∣tentimes they are relieued more for feare then deuotion: but when they can come in place where they may con∣ueniently take a purse, it shall goe hard but that they will eyther win the horse or loose the saddle▪ although their hardy aduenture be paid home with a cracke of the best ioynt they haue after.

* 1.11But to returne againe to Puffing Dicke; this diuell incarnate, as he was bold to attempt any wicked enter∣prise, so he wanted not wit first to lay the plot to atchieue it, and to bring it to passe. He vsed first the cousenage at dice, and to inuent for that purpose false dice, whereby he got much money. But as it was ill got, so was it as ill spent in all manner of vice that could bee named, wherein he excelled all before him: yet this by the way, it is reported of him, that he was frée from murder, and commanded, that whosoeuer vnder his conduct, was so cruell as to murder any man or woman in the attempt

of robbing them, should forthwith be discouered to be ap∣prehended: he likewise ordered that all high lawyers, padders, Lifts, Foists, Cheaters or Cony-catchers,* 1.12 shal not presume to purchase any landes or reuenues, nor whord vp their money to the hinderance of good fellow∣ship, maintenance of good natured damsels, and im∣peachment of the fraternity: but that they shall hearti∣ly spend it, among good company and fellowes, such as themselues are, and as they came lightly by it, so lightly to let it flie: he was a man crafty and bolde, yet he died miserably; for after he had commanded now fully eight years, he had the pyning of the Poxe and Neapolitane Scurffe. And here an end of Puffing Dicke.

* 1.13In his place was chosen by the consent of the rable∣ment, one not much inferiour in vice to the former, but in regard of manhood a méere crauant, called Lawrence Crosbiter, or long Lawrence. This Lawrence had béene brought vp all his daies a Seruing-man, and now being about fiftie or thrée score, at what time Seruingmen are past the best, and commonly grow lasie, was cast out of seruice, and so was faine to liue among the wicked, sometimes a stander for the padder, sometimes a verser for the cony-cacher, somtimes a stale for a foyst, but most commonly an Apple-squire for a trudging house: he first vsed that art which now is named Crosbiting, and from whose name, this damned art (Crosbiting) tooke her first call, as of Lawrence Crosbiter that first inuented the same. The manner in breefe is thus: Some base rogue without the feare of God or man, that kéepeth a whore as a friend, or marries one to be his maintainer, consents or constraines those creatures to yéelde the vse of their bodies to other men, that so taking them together, they may strip the leacher of all the money in his purse or that he can presently make.

He commaunded about sixe yeares, and then as he li∣ued in filthinesse, so was his end, for it was reported that

his bowels were eaten out with the poxe, whilst he was yet aliue, so miserable was the end of this wretch.

All these sixe yeares that this Lawrence liued in his controulment, he durst neuer be so hardy as once to aide Perken VVarbeck, in the attempting of the Crowne: so slauish was his mind, and giuen to cowardize, for all the time that he bare rule among his companions, which was from 1491. vntil 1497. did Perkin VVarbeck assay to win the kingdom, fayning himselue to bee the Duke of Yorke, son to K. Edw. 4. deceased: to the bringing to passe of which deuise, he assayed many waies, plotted diuers deuises, and attempted mighty matters, and yet all in vaine, for after almost sixe yeares (all which time he was busied about this enterprise) he was taken prisoner, af∣ter he had taken Sanctuary at Bewdly not farre from Southampton.

To set down the whole story of this Perkin Warbeck it would be long, & besides from the matter now in hand: but because the sequell of the story a little concerneth vs, I will bréefely runne it ouer: and thus it was.

* 1.14He was a man base of stocke, a Flemin by birth, and prouoked to faine himselfe the sonne of K. Edward 4. by the Duches of Burgony, sister to King Edward 4.

He first went into Ireland out of Fraunce, to entice the Irish to rebell, after called backe by the French King to goe against King Henry the seuenth then inua∣ding Fraunce: after this he lands in Kent, purposing to prooue the people, how they were affected towards him: hereupon hee sends some of his men out of the Shippes to know their minds: but they were sudden∣ly taken by the Sheriffe of Kent, and railed in ropes like horses in Carts, were adiudged most to be hanged; but Perkin hoysts vp his sails at these tydings,* 1.15 & away sailes he again into Ireland, where he staies not long, being a place not sit for his turne, the people being poore & naked, he sayles into Scotland, where after a smooth long Ora∣tion,

to the King hee is royally entertained by the said King: afterward the King to perswade the world y^e all was true, espouseth the La. Katharine,* 1.16 daughter to Alex∣ander Earle of Huntley his nigh kinseman, to him: then go they both against England, wasting all Northumber∣land, & committing many outrages and enormities:* 1.17 but when they saw no aid to come from England they retire; after Perkin (vpon the truce betwéen England and Scot∣land) with his wife saile into Ireland again:* 1.18 from thence cuts ouer into Cornwal, wher he gathered to him aboue 3000. persons, all promising him to take his part, and fol∣low him till death.

* 1.19First then by the aduise of his Councellours, Iohn Heron Mercer, a Bankrout, Richard Skelton a Taylor, and Iohn Asteley a Scriuener, they assay the winning of Exeter, where for lacke of Munition for Warre, and Ordnance to breake open the Gates, they endeuoured by casting of stones,* 1.20 lifting with I∣ron barres, and kindling of fires vnder the Gates, to bring to passe their purpose: much a doo there was heere about this enterprise: But when hee heard the King comming with his power, hee remooues to Taunton, and the King after him:* 1.21 vppon this hee flies to Bewdley, and there takes Sanctuary, but after péeldes himselfe to the mercy of the King, who being deliuered to the Kings Guard carefully to be kept, not∣withstanding escapeth, and thought to get ouer into Flanders: but the Sea coasts being all laid that he could not passe, he was in a great perplexity, came backe to the Prior of Shéene besides Richmond, and there in∣treats the Prior, euen for Gods sake to beg his life of the King: The K. at the request of the Prior pardoned him, but was set in the stocks at Westminst. hal doore a whole day, & so like wise y^t next day was he set on a Scaffold at the Standard in Cheapside, with many mocks & reui∣lings cast against him: being now in hold again by false

perswasions and great promises corrupted his kéepers, and would haue fledde away, but his purposes being knowne,* 1.22 he was at last apprehended, taken, and executed at Tiburne, he and his kéepers. And this is the end of Perkin Warbecke: Lawrence Crosbiter now dead, and Perkin VVarbecke, with two of his Councellors Hearne and Asteley, fledde to Sanctuary: it booted not the com∣pany to stay there,* 1.23 but their chiefe leaders fledde, euerie one threw away his armour as people amazed, and be∣take themselues to their heeles: among the rest Skelton a notable knaue, one of Perkins Councellors before menti∣oned,* 1.24 being well knowne among the Rascalitie, was led to the wonted place of méeting, and there solemnely was stawled a rogue, and made their generall.

This Skelton was sometimes a Taylor in Taunton in Sommerset shire,* 1.25 who being blowne downe with an vnfortunate blast, was forc't and ready for any Commo∣tion or rebellion: he was of a proude and haughty dispo∣sition: he liued in this new Gouernment vntill about the fourth yeare of King Henry the right, which was in the yeare 1501.

This fellow among other decrées and orders confir∣med this: That if any one vsing the necessary helpe of his crutches (although indéede hee hath not any néede or vse of them,* 1.26 but onely to deceiue people therewith) shall at any time forsake them for a time, either to runne for a wager with another, or to play at nine holes, loggets or bowles, or any other game, so that he be séene and mar∣ked by some that haue séene him else-where with his crooches halting, and by them so challenged for a coun∣terfeit rogue, he shall forfeite for euery such offence two dousen of béere, as a fine for disgracing so ancient a trade as peregrination.

After him succéeded by the Generall Councell, one Cocke Lorrell,* 1.27 the most notorious knaue that euer liued: by trade he was a Tinker, often carrying a panne and a

hammer for a shew: but when he came to a good booty, he would cast his profession in a ditch, and play the pad∣der and then would away, and as hee past through the towne, would crie, Ha you any worke for a Tinker. To write of his knaueries, it would aske a long time: I re∣ferre you to the old manuscript, remayning on record in maunders hall.

This was he that reduced and brought in forme the Catalogue of Vagabonds or quarterne of knaues called the fiue and twentie orders of knaues:* 1.28 but because it is extant and in euery mans shop, I passe them ouer.

And now about this time, when as warres abroade, and troubles domesticall were ended, swarmed in euery part of the land these Caterpillers, like slies against a plague: in the northerne partes another sort of Vaga∣bonds (at the diuels-arse-a-peake in Darbishire) began a new regiment,* 1.29 calling themselues by the name of Egip∣tians: These were a sort of rogues, that liued and do yet liue by cousening and deceit, practising the arte called le∣gerdemaine, or fast and loose, whereby they got to them∣selues no small credite among the Countrey people by their déepe dissembling and deceitfull practises, féeding the common people wholly addicted and giuen to no∣uelties, toyes and new fangles, delighting them with the strangenesse of the attire of their heads, and practi∣sing palmistry to such as would know their fortunes.

The first that inuented this new fellowship was one Giles Hather: he carried about with him his whore cal∣led (Kyt Calot) which was termed the Quéene of Egip∣ties:* 1.30 they goe alwaies neuer vnder an hundred men or women, causing their faces to be made blacke, as if they were Egyptians: they wander vp and down the Coun∣try as it pleaseth them best, with their horses to carry their bastards and baggage after them: and when they come into any countrey towne, they pittifully cousen the

poore countrey girles, both of money, siluer and the best linnen onely in hope to heare their good fortunes tould them.

* 1.31After a certaine time that these vp-start Lossels had got vnto a head; the two chiefe Commaunders of both these regiments met at the Diuels-arse-a-peake, there to parle and intreate of matters that might tend to the establishing of this their new found gouernment: and first of all they thinke it fit to deuise a certaine kinde of language,* 1.32 to the end their cousenings, knaueries and vil∣lanies might not be so easily perceiued and knowne, in places where they come: And this their language they spunne out of thrée other tongues, viz. Latine, English, and Dutch: these thrée especially, nothwithstanding some few words they borrowed of the Spanish and French. They also gaue names to such persons of their company according to the kind of life that he vndertooke: as for ex∣ample, A common begger or rogue, they termed a Clap∣per-dudgeon, one that counterfeited the falling sicknes, they termed him a counterfeit Cranke, for Cranke in their language is the falling sickenesse, and so Counter∣feit Cranke is the false falling sickenesse: and so of the rest.

This Cocke Lorrell continued among them longer then any of his predecessours before him, or after him: for he ruled almost two and twentie yeares, vntil the yeare An. Dom. 1533. and about the sixe and twenty yeare of K. Henry the eight.

1 He made among other,* 1.33 these Statutes among them, that whosoeuer he be, that being borne and bred vp in the trade of maunding, nipping and foisting for the space of tenne years, and hath not the right dexterity in his fingers to picke a pocket, but is faine to cloy his fellowes, and cowarly to demand scrappage; such a one is to be knowne and brought hither to be fined for his

faint-heartednesse: and it such a one after venter and be taken vpon the first fault, let him know, that he is going the high way to perdition without pitty, as a iust pu∣nishment for his folly, that he betooke himselfe so soone to the occupation.

2. Item, We thinke it méet that none eate meat, as Pigges, Capons, Géese or such like, vnlesse he purchase it by priuie pilfery and cleanely conueyance, neither shal they be merry in euery Bowsing Ken or Alehouse as they list, but in some odde out-house remote from dwel∣lers: a Stawling ken that is knowne of purpose to be trusty, yea and that in the night too, least they be notifi∣ed and suspected, to the scandalizing of the profession: neither shall they be merry out of measure, least by their extraordinary noyses, the Constable and Watch men take them, and so carry them to ward, as a iust punish∣ment for their presumptuous and vnordinate procéed∣ings: for which some of late daies haue wofully felt the smart.

Captaine Giles Hather first beganne in Anno Domini one thousand fiue hundred twenty and eight: concerning whom, there is nothing made mention of, but of his cou∣sonage and deceit, for these kinde of people liued more quietly and out of harme in respect of the other sort, ma∣king themselues as strangers, and would neuer put forth themselues in any tumult or Commotion, as the other sort did: but what vice they exercised not one way, they were not inferiour to them in the like, or ra∣ther worse another way; so that what betwéene them both, they were two pestiferous members in a Com∣mon-wealth: but I will leaue them both, and pray for a prosperous winde to bring my Barke to the wished port of her desire, which is to be fauoured and well liked of in your sight: which if good fortune fauour me so much, I shall be bouldened once more to play the Merchant ven∣turer:

at whose second arriuall I will present you with things more strange, not farre fetcht but déerely bought, and wherein, if license may be permitted, I will procéed and set downe the successours from Cocke Lorrell vntill this present day, and who at this day beares the greatest sway amongst them.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  29. K.H. 6.
• * 1.2

  Roberts the first Com∣mander.
• * 1.3

  Ienkin Cow∣diddle. 2.
• * 1.4

  A Custome.
• * 1.5

  Edw. 4.11. yeer 1471.
• * 1.6

  Spising 3.
• * 1.7

  A Custome.
• * 1.8

  K. Edw. 5.3, 1483.
• * 1.9

  Puffing Dicke the fourth.
• * 1.10

  2. Sorts of robbers by the way. The first sort.
• * 1.11

  The first cou∣soner at dice.
• * 1.12

  A Custome.
• * 1.13

  Lawrence Crosbiter 5. The first in∣uenter of crosbiting.
• * 1.14

  Perkin War∣beck his pede∣gree.
• * 1.15

  Sayles into Scotland and marries the Kings kinse∣woman.
• * 1.16

  He goes a∣gainst Engl.
• * 1.17

  Retyres.
• * 1.18

  After into Cornewall.
• * 1.19

  His three Councellors.
• * 1.20

  They assay to win Exet.
• * 1.21

  He takes San∣ctuary at Bewdley.
• * 1.22

  Executed at Tyburne.
• * 1.23

  1497.
• * 1.24

  H. 7.13.
• * 1.25

  Skelton 6.
• * 1.26

  A custome.
• * 1.27

  Cock Lorrell 7 K. H. 8.4.1511.
• * 1.28

  The quarters of knaues made by Cock Lorrell.
• * 1.29

  Aegyptians,
• * 1.30

  Kyt Calot.
• * 1.31

  Read of these in the first pag
• * 1.32

  Canting, when brought vp.
• * 1.33

  Orders.