CHAPTER XX . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.3)
A BYLL AGAINST USURIE . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.4)
Where in the xxxvij=th= yere of the Reigne of the late King of famous
memorye King Henry theight , father to o=r= Soveraigne Lorde the King
that now is , amongest other Act~ and Statut~ then made , it was
enacted by auctoritye of Parlament that no parsone or parsons , at anny
tyme after the last daye of January in the saide xxxvij=th= yere ,
sholde have receive accept or take in lucre or gaynes , for the Lone
forbearing or giving daye of payment of anny so~me of moneye for one
hole yere above the so~me of tenne pownde in the hundred , and so after
that rate and not above of and for a more or lesse so~me or for a
longer or shorter tyme , uppon the paynes and forfaitures in the saide
Acte mentyoned and conteyned ; The which Acte was not ment or intended
for maynten=a=nce and allowaunce of Usurie , as dyvers parsons blynded
with inordinat love of themself~ have and yet doo mistake the same ,
but rather was made and intendid against all sort~ and kyndes of Usurie
as a thing unlawfull , as by the tytle and preamble of the saide Acte
it doth playnely appeare , (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.6)
And yet nevertheles the same was by the saide Acte p~mitted for the
avoyding of a more yll and inconvenyence that before that tyme was used
and exercysed : (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.7)
But Forasmuche as Usurie is by the words of God utterly prohibited , as
a vyce moste odyous and detestable , as in dyvers places of the hollie
Scripture it is evydent to be seen , which thing by no godly teaching~
and perswations can syncke in to the harts of dyvers gredie
uncharitable and couvetous parsons of this Realme , nor yet by anny
terrible threatning~ of Godd~ wrathe and vengeaunce that justly hangeth
over this Realme for the great and open Usurie therein dailye used and
practysed they will forsake such filthie gayne and lucre , onles some
temporall punishment be provyded and ordeyned in that bihalfe : For
Reformaco~n wherof , Be it enacted by thauctoritie of this p~nt
Parlament , That from the firste daye of Maye which $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} in the yere of our Lorde God a thousande fyve hundred
fiftie and twoo , the saide Acte and Statute concerning onely Usurie
Lucre or Gaynes of or for the Lone forbearing or geving dayes of anny
so~me or so~mes of moneye , be utterly abrogate voyde and repealed .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.8)
And furthermore be it enacted by thauctoritye aforesaide , that from
and after the saide first daye of Maye next co~minge , no parsone or
parsons , of what Estate degree qualitie or condico~n so ever he or
they be , by anny corrupt colourable or disceitfull conveyaunce sleight
or engyne , or by anny waye or meane , shall lende give sett owte
delyver or forbeare anny so~me or so~mes of moneye , to anny parsone or
parsons , or to anny Corporac~on or Bodie Politike , to or for anny
manner of Usurie encreace lucre gayne or interest to be had receyved or
hoped for , over and above the so~me or so~mes so lent given sett owt
delyvered or forborne , uppon payne of forfaiture the valewe aswell of
the so~me or so~mes so lent given sett owt delyvered or forborne , as
allso of the Usurie encreace lucre gayne or interest thereof , and
allso uppon payne of emprysonement of the bodye or bodyes of every such
offendo=r= or offendo=rs= , and allso to make fyne and rawnsome at the
King~ will and pleasure ; the moytie of which forfaiture of the saide
vallewe $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} to the King , and thother moitye to
the p~tie that will sue for the same in anny of the King~ Court~ of
Recorde by actyon of Debte Bill Playnte or Informac~on , wherin no
wager of Lawe Essoyne or Protectyon $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} allowed or
admitted . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.9)
CHAPTER XXI . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.11)
AN ACTE FOR TYNCKERS AND PEDLERS . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.12)
Forasmuche as it is evident that Tynkers Pedlers and suche like vagrant
p~sones are more hurtfull then necessarie to the Co~men Wealth of this
Realme , Be it therfore ordeyned established and enacted by auctoritie
of this p~sent Parliament , That from and after the Feast of the
Nativitye of Saint John Baptist next co~mynge , no p~son or p~sons
co~menly called Pedler Tynker or Pety Chapman , shall wander or go from
one Towne to another or from Place to Place , out of the Towne parishe
or village where suche p~son shall dwell , and sell Pynnes poynt~ laces
gloves knyves glasses tapes or any suche kynde of wares whatsoever , or
gather Connye Skynnes or suche like thinge , or use or ex~cise the
trade or occupac~on of a Tynker , but onely suche p~son or p~sons as
$shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} thereunto licenced , and that in suche
Circuyte or compasse as $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} to him or them
assigned , by two Justic~ of Peace or mo of the Shire where he or they
shall dwell , by writinge under their handes and seales ; upon payne
that everie p~son whiche shall offende cont=a=rie to the meanynge of
this Acte shall by anye Justice of the Shire where the same Offence
$shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} co~mytted , upon complaynt and due proffe had
by witnes or otherwise , be ymprisoned by the space of fourtene dayes
at the lest . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,155.14)
CHAPTER XXII . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,156.17)
AN ACTE FOR THE PUTTINGE DOWNE OF GYGG MILLES .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,156.18)
Forasmuche as true Draperie of Wollen Clothes ys to be comended ,
aswell in Forren Realmes as in this Realme of Englande , and all wayes
and meanes used to the cont=a=rie are to be eschued and taken awaye ;
And Forasmuche as in manye part~ of this Realme ys newly and lately
devised erected buylded and used , certen Milles called Gigge Milles ,
for the perchinge and burlinge of Clothe , by reason whereof the true
Draperie of this Realme ys wonderfullye empayred , and the Clothe
thereof deceitfully made , by reason of the using of the saide Gigg
Mill~ ; For remedy whereof be it enacted by the Kinge our Sovereigne
Lorde the Lordes Sp~uall and Temporall and the Co~mons in this p~sent
Parliament assembled and by thauctoritie of the same , That no manner
of p~son or p~sons , after the last daye of Maie next co~mynge , shall
use or occupie anye of the saide Gigge Mille for the workinge of any
Wollen Clothe or Clothes made or to be made within this Realme , upon
payne of forfeiture for ev~y Clothe so wrought in or by any of the
saide Milles called Gigge Milles , fyve Poundes : The moytie of all and
everie suche forfeyture and forfeytures penaltye and penalties to be to
the use of our Soveraigne Lorde the Kinge and his heires ; and thother
moytie to the use of him that will sue for the same in any of the King~
Court~ be it by Writt bill playnte or informac~on wherein the
Defendaunte shall not be admytted to wage his lawe , nor any p~tecco~n
essoyne or injunction $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} to him allowed .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,156.20)
CHAPTER III . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.23)
AN ACTE AGAINST SEDITYOUS WOORDES AND RUMOURS .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.24)
Where it is conteyned as well in the Statute of Westm~ the First , as
in the Statute made at Glocester the seconde yere of the Raigne of King
Richarde the Seconde , That no Man shoulde bee so hardye to contryve
speake or tell any false Newes lyes or other suche lyke false thinges
of Prelates Dukes Earles Barons and other Nobles and Peares of the
Realme , or of the Cha~ncelour Treasurer Clerck of the Pryvie Seale
Stewarde of the Kynges Householde Justices of thone Bancke or of
thother , or of any of the greate Officers of this Realme : And that
every suche Offendo=r= shoulde be taken and imprisoned untill suche
tyme as he hadd brought him or them forthe whiche did speake the same ;
And where also at a P~liam=t= holden at Cambridge in the twelvethe yere
of the reigne of the said King Richard , It was also enacted that where
any suche Offendo=r= as is aforesaid shoulde be taken and imprisoned ,
and coulde not finde him of whom he hearde those Newes whiche he spake
as is aforesayd , that then the same speaker shoulde bee punished by
the Advice of the Cowncell ; As by the same Actes amongest other more
playnelye doo and maye appeare : Be it enacted by thaucthoritee of this
p~nt P~liam=t= , That all and every the said former Actes and Statutes
$shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} and remaine in their full force strengthe and
effect to all intentes constructyons and purposes :
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.26)
And further that Justices of Peace in every Shire Cytie and Towne
Corporate within the lymites of their severall Co~missions shall by
aucthoritie of this p~nte Acte , have full powre to examyne heare and
determyne the causes abovesaid in the said two firste Actes specyfied ,
and to put the said twoo first Statutes and every branche in them
conteyned in due execuc~on , that from hensforthe condigne punishement
be not deferred from suche Offendours . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.27)
And Forasmuche as dyvers and sundry malicious and evill disposed
persons maliciouslye sediciouslye rebellyouslye and unnaturally ,
contrary to the Dutie of their Fidelytees and Allegiances , have now of
late not onely ymagined invented practised spoken and spredd abroade
dyvers and sundry false seditious and sclaunderous Newes Rumours
Sayenges and Tales , ageynst our most dreadd Sovereigne Lorde and King
, and ageynst our most naturall Sovereygne Ladye and Quene and against
either of them , of whom we ar forbidden to thinck evill and muche more
to speake evell , Whiche Offence soundethe and ys aswell to the greate
Dishonour Reproche and Sclaunder of their most Excellent Majesties , as
also to the greate Sclaunder of this their Realme and other their
Dominions , But also have devised made written printed publyshed and
set forthe dyvers heynous sedicious and sclanderous Writinges Rimes
Ballades Letters Papers and Bookes , intending and practising therby to
move and stir sedicious Discorde Disention and Rebellyon within this
Realme , to the greate perill and daunger of the same ; For avoyding
wherof Be it enacted by thaucthoritee of this p~nt P~liam=t= , That if
any p~son or p~sons after the xx=th= day of Februarye next ensuing ,
and after open Proclamac~on made of this Acte , shall maliciouslye of
his or their Imaginac~on , speake any false seditious and sclanderous
Newes Rumors Saienges or Tales of our said Sovereigne Lorde and King ,
or of our said most naturall Sovereigne Ladye and Quene , that then all
and every suche person and persons so offending , being therof
convicted or attainted in fourme hereafter in this Acte expressed ,
shall for every first Offence in some Market Place within the Shire
Citie or Boroughe wher or nere unto the Place where the sayd woordes
were or $shall $bee {TEXT:shalbee} so spoken , be set openly upon the
Pylorye by the Sheryffe or his Ministers , yf yt shall fortune to be
without any Citie or Towns Corporate , And if it happen to be within
suche Citie or Towne Corporate then by the principall Officer or
Officers of suche Citie or Towne Corporate or his or their Ministers
and ther to have bothe his eares cutt of , onles he paye One hundrethe
powndes to the King and Quenes Highnes use , within one monethe next
after jugement gyven of his sayd Offence , (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.28)
and also shall suffer imprysonement by the space of three monethes
after suche his or their execuc~on . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.29)
And it is lykewise enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid , That all and
every p~son and p~sons whiche after the said daye and after
Proclamac~on made of this Acte , shall maliciouslye speake any false
seditious and sclanderous Newes Rumours or Tales to the sclander and
reproche of o=r= said Sovereigne Lorde the King or of our said most
naturall Sovereigne Ladye the Quene , of the speaking or reporting of
any other , that then all and every suche p~son or p~sons so speaking
and reporting being therof convicte or attainted in fourme hereafter in
this Acte expressed , shall for every suche Offence in some Markett
Place within the Shire Citie Boroughe or Towne , wher or nere unto the
place where the said wordes were or $shall $bee {TEXT:shalbee} so
spoken and reported , bee set openly upon the Pylorye by the Sherif or
his Ministers , yf it shall fortune to be without any Citie or Towne
Corporate , And if it shall happen to be within any Citie or Towne
Corporate then by the principall Officer or Officers of suche Citie or
Towne Corporate or his or their Ministers , and ther to have one of his
eares cut of , onles he pays One hundrethe Markes to the Kinge and
Quenes Highnes use , within one monethe next after jugement gyven of
his said Offence , (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.30)
and also shall suffer Imprisonement by the space of one monethe after
his or their Execuc~on . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,240.31)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That if any
person or p~sons shall after the said days and after Proclamac~on made
as is aforesaid , maliciousye devise write printe or set forthe any
maner of Booke Rime Ballade Letter or Writing , conteining any false
Matter Clause or Sentence of Sclander Reproche and Dishono=r= of the
King and Quenes Majesties or of either of them , or to the encoraging
stirring or moving of any Insurrecc~on or Rebellyon within this Realme
, or any Dominions belonging to the same , Or whosoever shall
maliciouslie procure any suche Booke Rime Ballade Letter or Writing to
bee written printed or set forthe , and the said Offence not being
punishable by the Statute made in the xxv=th= yere of the Reigne of
King Edward the thirde , concerning Treasons or Declaracyon of Treason
, that then and in every suche cace the Offender and Offenders therin
after his or their Convicc~on or Attaindo=r= , shall for his or their
first Offence in some Market Place within the Shire Citie or
Bourghe wher the said Offence ys or $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} co~mitted
or done , by the Shirefe or his Ministers yf it shall fortune to bee
without any Citie or Towne Corporate , And yf within suche Citie or
Towne Corporate , then by the princypall Officer or Officers of suche
Citiye or Towne Corporate or by his or theyr Ministers , have his and
their right hande stricken of . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.32)
And Be it further enacted by the thaucthoritee aforesaid , That if any
p~son or p~sons being ons lawfully convicted of any of thoffences
aforesaid , now provided to be punished by thexecuc~on of losses of
eare eares or hande as is aforesaid , doo afterwardes eftesones offende
in any of the Offences aforesaid , that then he or they so offending
shall suffer imprisonm=t= during his or their lyves without Baile or
Mainprise , and forfeite and lose to the King and Quenes Majesties all
his and their Gooddes and Cattelles . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.33)
And Be it also enacted by thaucthorite aforesaid , That all Justices of
Oier and Determiner within the limites of their Co~mission , Justices
of Assise in their severall Circuites , Justices of Gaole Deliverie ,
and Justices of Peace , aswell within the Lyberties as without , within
the limites of their severall Co~missions in their Generall Sessions or
other Sessions whiche they or twoo of them , wherof one of them to bee
of the Quorum , may and shall at their pleasure appointe , wher and
when nede shall require , and shall by vertue hereof have full power
and aucthoritee to enquire here and determine of all and every
thoffences aforesayd as in cases and tryall of Fellony :
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.34)
And that the partie indicted and arraigned shall have advauntage of all
maner of chalendges to the Jurye , peremptorie chalenge only except ,
as in triall of Felonye : (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.35)
And also that every Justice of Peace within the limites of his
Co~mission , shall have full power and aucthoritee to co~mit any p~son
being vehemently suspected of any of the said Offences to Warde , ther
to remayne without Baile or Mainprise untill he $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} delyvered according to this Acte .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.36)
Provided Alwaies and be it enacted by thaucthorite aforesayd , That no
maner of p~son or p~sons $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} molested or impeached
for any of thoffences concerning speaking or reporting as is aforesaid
, onles he or they bee accused and convicted within three monethes next
after his or their said Offence so co~mitted or done :
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.37)
And in cace any p~son $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} imprisoned for any of
the said Offences concerning speaking or reporting , and not therof
convicted within thre monethes next after his Offence supposed to be by
him done and co~mitted , that then the p~son so imprisoned $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} set at libertie and no lenger deteyned in prison .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.38)
Provided Also and Be it enacted by aucthoritie aforesaid , That every
suche Maior Maio=rs= Bailiefes and other head Officer and Officers of
Cities Boroughes and Townes Corporate which have or hereafter shall
have jurisdicc~on and aucthoritie within the severall limittes of their
Office or Offices , to holde and kepe Sessions as Justice or Justices
of the Peace , shall and maye by aucthorite hereof aswell arrest and
co~mit to Warde all and every p~son and p~sons being vehemently
suspected of any of the Offences aforesaid ; as also to procede to
thexecuco~n hearing and determining of every of the said Offences , and
to see and make due execuc~on therof according to the purporte meaning
and effect of this p~nt Acte ; Any thing in the same Acte heretofore
made to the contrary notwithestanding . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.39)
Provided Alwaies , That the said Justice of Peace , aswell within
Liberties as without , the whiche shall for any thoffences aforesaid ,
co~mit any p~son or p~sons to Warde as is aforesaid , shall within
tenne days next after suche co~mitting , withe one other Justice ,
wherof one of them to be of the Quoru~ , directe their Precept to the
Sherefe or Sherefes of the Cowntie wher thoffence $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} co~mitted , or to other ordinary Officer , yf it be
within any Citie or Towne Corporate wher the Sherife $can $not
{TEXT:cannot} intromitt , co~maunding him or them by the same to
Impanell and returne as they shall assigne xxiiij good and lawful Men
of his or their Bailiwyke or Bailiwikes tenquire of the said Offence or
Offences , the whiche any suche p~sone or p~sons $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} so imprisoned for : (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.40)
And therupon within one monethe after the date of the sayd Precepte ,
to procede and determine as above is expressed ; every one of the same
Justices upon payne of Tenne powndes to be paide to the King and Quenes
Highnes as often as they $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} founde in defaulte of
any the same . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.41)
Provided Also and Be it enacted , That this Acte $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} proclaymed in all the Shires within this Realme , before
the xij=th= day of Februarye nexte co~ming , to thintent that all
persones may have notyce therof , and avoide the p~ill and daunger that
might ensewe by offending against the same : (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.42)
And this Acte to be onlye in force untill thende of the next P~liament
and no longer . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.43)
Provided Alwaies and Be it enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That
none of the Peares of this Realme $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} Arrested or
Imprisoned for any of the said Offences but onelye by Order or
Co~mandement geven from the King and Quenes Privy Cou~cell , or of
theires of the Quene ; and that the said Peares and every of them that
shall herafter fortune to be indicted of any thoffences aforesaid ,
$shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} tryed by their Peares , as before hathe bene
accustomed in cases of Treason or Felonye . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,241.44)
CHAPTER IV . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.47)
AN ACTE FOR THE PUNISHEMENT OF CERTAYNE PERSONS CALLING THEMSELVES
EGIPTIANS . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.48)
Where in a Parliament holden at Westminster in the xxij. yere of the
Reigne of our late Sovereigne Lorde King Henry theight , For thavoyding
and banishing out of this Realme of certaine outlandishe People calling
themselves Egiptians , using no crafte nor feate of marchaundises for
to lyve by , but going from place to place in greate Companies , using
greate suttle and craftye meanes to deceyve the Kinges Subjectes ,
bearing them in hande that they by Palmestrye coulde tell Mens and
Womens Fortune ; and so many tymes by crafte and subtiltie deceyve the
People of their money , and co~mitted divers greate and heinous
Felonies and Roberies , to the great hurte and deceypte of the People ,
It was amongest other thing~ then enacted , That from the tyme of the
making of the said Acte , no suche p~sons should be suffred to come
within this the Kinges Realme , upon paine of forfeyture to the King
all their Goodes and Cateles , and then to be co~maunded tavoide the
Realme within fyftene days next after the co~maundement , upon payn of
Imprisonement ; and suche p~sons calling themselfes Egiptians as then
were within this Realme , shoulde depart within xvj dayes next after
Proclamac~on of the said Acte , upon paine of Imprisonement and
Forfeiture of all their Goodes and Catells ; withe divers other Clauses
and Articles conteyned in the sayd Acte , as by the said Acte more at
large it appearethe : (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.50)
Forasmuche as dyvers of the sayd Companie and suche other lyke p~sons
not fearing the penaltie of the said Statute , have enterprised to come
over againe into this Realme using their olde accustomed develishe and
noughty practises and devises , withe suche abhominable lyving as is
not in any Christian Realme to be permitted named or knowen , and bee
not dulie punished for the same , to the perillous and evell example of
our Sovereigne Lorde and Ladye the King and the Quenes Majesties most
loving Subjectes , and to $th $utter {TEXT:thutter} and extreame
undoing of divers and many of them , as evidentlye dothe appeare :
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.51)
For Reformation wherof , Be it ordeined and enacted by the King and
Quene our Sovereigne Lorde and Lady , the Lordes Sp~uall and Temporall
and the Co~mons in this p~nt P~liam=t= assembled and by the aucthoritee
of the same , That if any p~son or p~sons after the last day of
Januarie next co~ming , doo willinglye transporte bring and conveye
into this Realme of England or Wales any suche p~sons calling
themselfes or co~monly called Egiptians , That then he or they so
transporting bringing or conveyeng in any suche p~sons , contrary to
the true meaning of this Acte , shall forfeite and lose for every tyme
so offending , fourtye powndes of lawfull moneye of Englande .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.52)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That if any of
the said p~sons called Egiptians whiche $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe}
transported or conveyed into this Realme of Englande or Wales as ys
aforesayd , doo continue and remaine within the same by the space of
one monethe , that then he or they so Offending , shall by vertue of
this Acte bee demed and judged a Fellon and fellons and shall therfore
suffer paynes of Deathe losse of Landes and Goodes as in cases of
Fellony , by thorder of the Co~men Lawe of this Realme , and shall upon
the tryall of them or any of them therin be tried in the Countie and by
thinhabitantes of the Countie or Place where they or he shall be
apprehended or taken and not p~ medietatem lingue , and shall lose the
benefite and privilege of Sainctuary and Clergie .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.53)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That yf the
Egiptyans or other persones co~monly calling themselfes Egyptians and
every of them now being within this Realme of Englande or Wales , doo
not depart out of the same within xx=ti= days next after Proclamac~on
of this p~nt Acte $shall $bee {TEXT:shalbee} made , that then he or
they whiche shall not depart within the said time according to the true
meaning of this Acte , shall forfeite and lose all his and their Goodes
and Cattels ; and that then it $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} lawfull to all
and every the King and the Quenes Subjectes to sease the same , thone
moietie therof to be to thuse of our Sovereygue Lorde and Ladye the
King and the Quene , and the other moietie therof to be to thuse of him
or them that shall so sease the same . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.54)
And Be it also enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That if the
Egiptians and other p~sons co~monly called Egiptians and every of them
nowe being within this Realme of Englande or Wales , doo not departe
out and from the same within xl=ty= dais next after Proclamac~on shall
be made of this Acte , that then he or they whiche shall not depart and
avoide within the said time of xl. days according to the true meaning
of this Acte , $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} judged and denied according to
the Lawes of this Realme of England a Fellon and Fellons , and shall
suffer therfore paynes of Deathe , losse of Landes and Goodes as in
other cases of Fellonye , and shall bee tryed as ys aforesaid , and
without having any benefite or privilege of Sainctuarie or Clergie .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.55)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That if any
p~son after the first day of Januarie next co~ming , shall sue for
thobteining of any Lycence Letter or Pasporte , for any of the said
p~sons called Egiptians tabide within this Realme of Englande or Wales
contrary to the tenour of this Acte , that then every suche p~son so
suing shall forfeite and lose for the same xl li. of lawfull money of
Englande ; and that every suche Lycence Letter and Pasporte $shall $be
{TEXT:shalbe} by vertue of this Acte voyde to all intentes and purposes
; thone moietie of all whiche so~mes of money to be forfeited as is
beforesaid , $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} to the King and Quene our
Sovereigne Lorde and Ladye , and thother moitie therof to be to him or
them that will sue for the same in any Courte of Recorde , by acc~on of
Dett Bill Plaint or Informac~on , wherin any Essoigne Wager of Lawe nor
Protecc~on $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} admitted and allowed .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,242.56)
Provided alwaies and Be it enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That
this p~nt Acte nor any thing therin conteined , shall not extende nor
be hurtfull to any of the said p~sons co~monly Called Egiptians ,
whiche within the said time of xx=ty= daies next after the said
Proclamac~on to be made as is beforesaid , shall leave that noughtye
idle and ungodly lyef and company , and be placed in the
service of some honest and able Inhabitante or Inhabitantes within this
Realme , or that shall honestlye exercise himself in some lawfull worck
or occupac~on ; but that he or they so continuing in service or other
lawfull woorck or occupac~on , shall during suche time as he or they
shall so continue , be dischardged of all Paines and Forfeitures
conteined in this Acte . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.57)
Provided Also and be it Enacted by thaucthorite aforesaid , That this
Acte shall not in any wise extende to any Childe or Children being not
above the age of xiij yeares , nor to any of the said p~sons being now
in prison , so that he or they so being in prison doo departe out of
this Realme within xiiij days next after his or their deliverie out of
prison , nor shall extende to chardge any maner of p~son or p~sons as
accessarye to any Offence or Offences conteined or specified in this
Estatute . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.58)
CHAPTER V . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.60)
AN ACTE TO RESTRAYNE CARRIENG OF CORNE VICTUALS AND WOOD OVER THE SEA .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.61)
Wheras sundry good Estatutes and Lawes hathe bene made within this
Realme in the time of the Quenes Highnes most noble Progenitoures ,
that none shoulde transporte carrye or conveye out of this Realme into
any place in the parties beyonde the Seas , any Corne Butter Chese or
other Victuall , Except onely for the vitailing of the Towne of
Caleis Hames and Guisnes and the Marches of the same , upon
divers greate paynes and forfeitures in the same conteyned ; That
notwithestanding , many and sundrye covetous and unsatiable p~sons
seking their onely lucers and gaynes , hathe and dayly dothe carye and
convey innumerable quantitie aswell of Corne Chese Butter and other
Victuall , as of Wood , out of this Realme into the p~ties beyonde the
Seas ; By reason wherof the sayd Corne Vyctuall and Wood arre growen
unto a wonderfull dearthe and extreame pryses , to the greate detryment
of the Common wealthe of this yo=r= Highnes Realme and yo=r= faithefull
subjectes of the same : For Remedie wherof , It may please yo=r=
Highnes that it may be enacted and be it enacted by yo=r= Highnes by
thassent of the Lordes Sp~uall and Temporall and the Co~mons in this
present P~liam=t= assembled and by thaucthoritee of the same , That no
maner of p~son or p~sons after the xx=th= daye of Januarye next co~ming
, shall carye and transporte out of this Realme , by any Shippe Craier
or other Vessell whatsoever , into any place in the parties beyonde the
Seas or into the Realme of Scotlande , any Wheate Rie Barley or other
Corne or Grayne growing within this Realme , or any Maulte made within
the same , or any Bere Butter Chese Hearing or Wood , Except
onlye to and for the victualing and furniture of the Townes of Callys
Ha~mes and Guisnes and to the Towne of Barwick and the Marches of the
same , without sufficient and lawfull aucthoritie so to doo ,
upon the paine and penalties hereafter ensuing ;
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.63)
that ys to saye , thowner and owners of the sayd Shippes and other
Vessells to forfaite the said Shippes Craiers and other Vessels , with
all their apparelles to them and every of them belonging , wherin the
said Corne Butter Cheese Hearing Victuall or Wood shall be so
transported and caried ; and the Owners and Owner of the said Corne
Butter Chese Hearing and Woodd to forfeite the doble value of the same
so caryed and conveied , and the M=r= and Mareners of the said Shippes
Craiers and Vessells for every suche Offence to forfeite all their
Gooddes , And to be imprisoned by the space of one whole yeare without
Baile or Maynprise . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.64)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That yf any
p~son or p~sons , after the said xx=th= day of Januarie , doo carye and
conveye away by Boate Crayer or other Vessell , or otherwise , any
Wheate Rie Barley Malte or other Corne or Grayne or any Beere Butter
Cheese Hearing or Wood to any Shippe or Vessell being on the Seas , or
within any Haven Creeke or other place of the Border of this Realme ,
to be transported caried and conveyed into any place in the p~ties
beyonde the Seas , or into the Realme of Scotlande , without sufficient
aucthoritie so to doo ; That then every Owner of the sayde Victuales
Corne and other things abovesaid , so transported or caryed , and
thowner and owners of every such Boate or Vessell , and the Boatemen
and Mareners of the same , shall lose forfeit and suffer all suche
forfeitures paines and penalties as is above rehearsed ; Thone moietie
of all and everye whiche forfeiture or forfeitures to be to the King
and Quenes Highnes their heires and successours , and thother moietie
to him or them that will sue for the same by Bill Informac~on Acc~on of
Det or otherwise in any of the King and Quenes Highnes Courtes of
Recorde , In whiche Accon Bill or Sute the Defendant shall not wage his
Lawe nor have any Essoigne or Protecc~on to him allowed .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.65)
And Be it enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That yf any p~son or
p~sons shall obteine of the King and Quenes Majesties , their heires or
successoures , or any of them , any Lycence to cary and transporte any
Corne Victuall or Wood into any parties beyonde the Seas , that if he
or they to whom any suche Licence $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} granted , or
any other to whom suche p~son or persons having suche licence shall
give grante or sell his or their said Licence unto , shall cary and
conveye or cause to be caried and conveyed any more Corne Victuall or
Wood then shall be conteined in his or their said Licence , shall
forfeite the treble value of the said Corne Victuall or Wood so caried
and transported without sufficient aucthoritee , and shall suffer
Imprisonement for one whole year , in the common Gaole wher he shall
bee apprehended , ther to remaine without Baile or Maineprise .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,243.66)
And Be it further enacted by thaucthoritee aforesaid , That no maner of
p~son or p~sons after the said xx=th= daye of Januarye that shall
obtaine or have any suche Licence , for transporting and carieng any
Corne Victuall or Wood into any partes beyonde the Seas , shall shippe
fraught and lade the same , or any p~te therof , at sundry places
within this Realme , but at one place certaine ; upon pains of
forfeiture of the said Corne Victuall and Wood , and all his Gooddes
and Cattels ; thone moietie therof to the King and Quenes
Majesties their heires and successours , and thother moietie to him or
them that will sue for the same , by Acc~on of Det Byll Plainte
Informac~on or otherwise , wherin no Wager of Lawe Essoigne or
Protecc~on shall bee to him or them allowed .
(STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,244.67)
And For the better Execuc~on of this Acte , Be it further enacted by
thaucthorite aforesaid , that all and singler Justices of Peace ,
aswell within the liberties as without , within their severall
Aucthorities and Co~missiones , at any tyme within three yeres next
after suche Offences co~mitted , shall have full power and aucthoritee
tenquire as well by thothes of xij lawfull men , as allso to heare and
examyne the M=r= M=rs= and Mareners of the sayd Shippes Craiers and
other Vesselles , and all and every other p~son and p~sons , of all and
singler thoffendo=r=s ageinst this p~nt Acte , and to heare and
determine the same Offenc~ , as they maye and ought to heare and
determine any other Trespasses or Offences . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,244.68)
Provided Alwaies and Be it enacted by thaucthorite aforesaid , That at
all time and times hereafter when the co~mon price of Corne within this
Realme is , that Wheate shall not excede the price of vj s. viij d. the
Quarter , and Rye iiij s. the Quarter , and Barlye iij s. the Quarter ,
it $shall $be {TEXT:shalbe} lawfull to every p~son and p~sons to carye
and transporte over the Sea to any Place beyonde the Seas at their
pleasure , any of the said kindes of Corne , so that it be not to the
King and Quenes Enemies . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,244.69)
Provided Alwaies and Be it enacted by thaucthorite aforesaid , That
this Acte nor any thinge therin conteyned shall extende to any person
or persons for the necessarie victeling of any Shippe Shipper or other
Vessells ; but that they and every of them may victaile the said
Shippes and Vessels as they might have done before the making of this
present Acte ; This Acte or any thing therin conteined to the contrarye
notwithestanding . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,244.70)
Provided Alwaies and Be it enacted by thaucthorite aforesaid , That
this Acte or any thinge therein conteined , shall not be prejudiciall
or hurtfull unto the Lorde Greate Admirall of England for the tyme
being , or to the King and Quenes Ma=t=~ Jurisdicc~on of Thadmiraltie ;
but that the said Lorde Admirall or his Deputie or Deputies , may and
shall exersice use and execute all kinde of Jurisdicc~on belonging to
the Sea , according to his or their Co~missions , as they might
lawfully have done heretofore ; This Acte or any thing therin conteined
to the contrarye notwithstanding . (STAT-1550-E1-P2,4,244.71)