An acte concerning brode whyte wollen clothes. Cap. i.

FOr as much as marchaunt straūgers, studiyng and yma­gining the policies, wayes and meanes sette aworke the people inhabited in forreine countreis and regions, with & by y^e commodityes of this realme, and to bring the kin­ges naturall subiectes from occupacion to idlenes, do day­ly conveigh, transporte and cary out of this realme of En­lande (for theyr owne singular lucre) a greate numbre of brode whyte wollē clothes, to be coloured died and wrought in diuers and sondrie par­tes beyond the sea: to the greate encrease comforte profit and aduauntage of the people inhabited in the saide outwarde and foren regions, and to y^e vtter ruine decay, impouerisshing and vndoyng of a greate numbre of the kynges owne naturall subiectes. And for the effectuall furtherance of the sayd euell ententes and purposes in the premisses the said marchant stran­gers, as well by colour of enhansyng of price of the sayde clothes for longe dayes of payment as by fayre promisses and subtill adulacyons, haue here­fore gottē and regrated into their handes an innumerable numbre of the sayd clothes vpon their credence, amoūting vnto great summes of money farre exceding theire owne valours & substance which sommes of money many and oftentimes they haue not paied according to their appointmentes, whereby the makers of the said clothes, subtilly cōpassed by and with their faire and flattering promisses, haue sustayned importable losses, to the greate impoueryshing of this the kynges owne realme, and to the en­riching of the regions and coūtreis of foreine princes.

¶For remedye wherof be it enacted by y^e kinge our soueraigne, lord and the lordes spirituall and temporall and the commons in this present parlia­ment assembled, and by auctoritie of the same, that from the feast of saynt Mighell the archangell next comming no persō or persons, inhabited with in this realme, of what estate, degree or condicion so euer he be of, shall sell or deliuer, or cause to be solde or deliuered within this realme, by contracte couenaunt bargaine gifte or any of them or otherwyse to any marchaunt or marchauntes straūgers, being borne in any of the partyes beyond y^e sea or els where, out of the kinges obeisance, or to any of his or their factoures deputies, or attourneis, straungers, or Englyshmen, to the vse of the sayde marchant or marchantes straūgers any maner of brode whyte wollen clothes, made or hereafter to be made within this realme of Englande, vpō peine to fortaite .xl.s. for euery clothe solde or deliuered after the sayd feaste of saynte Mighell, contrary to the effect and forme of this present acte, the one halfe of euery such forfayture to be to the vse of our soueraygne lorde y^e kyng & the other halfe therof to be to the persone or persons other than the offender that will firste sue for the same, by originall of debte bill, playnte or informacion, in any of the kynges courtes, after the vsuall course of the [Page] lawes and customes of the realme: In which sute or actiō the defendaunt of defendantes shall not be admitted to wage their law, ne any Essoyne, licence or protection shalbe alowed.

¶Prouided alwaye, that if any person or persons beyng the kinges natu­rall subiectes conueighe and bring, or cause to be conueighed and brought, any brode whyte wollen cloth or clothes to the common market, kept and holden in Blackwelhal within the citye of London, and do not ther cor els where bargaine vtter and sell the sayd cloth or clothes thither brought to or with some Englishe marchante or marchauntes within .viii. dayes, next after the sayd cloth or clothes shalbe brought and shewed to sell in the sayd market: That than it shalbe lefull to any suche person or persons im­mediately after the sayde .viii. dayes, and not before, to contracte, bargaine vtter sell and deliuer his or their sayde cloth, or clothes, so brought and she­wed, at and in the sayd market, as is before sayde, and bring vnsold, to a­ny and euery marchaunt straunger or straungers, beinge priuileged and hauing libertie to contract and bie wollen clothes freely and openly with­in the libertie of y^e sayd citie of Londō. So that the said marchant or mar­chauntes straungers do pay and deliuer for the sayd cloth or clothes so by hym or them to be bought without couin or male ingin, at and vpon the receit of the sayd cloth or clothes, or within one moneth next ensuynge the sayd sale and deliuerie of the sayd cloth or clothes, or within lesse tyme, at the will of the seller therof, all such hole and entier sommes of redy money or wares, or redie mony and wares, or any of them, as was agreed & con­tracted to be had for the sayde clothes, by the sayde sellers or seller of them, without any other or further respite or dayes of paimente to be had, made or agreed, in any behalfe, any thing before contained in this present acte to the contrary thereof notwithstanding

¶Prouided also that this present act or any thing therin contayned bee not in any wyse hurtful or preiudicial to any of the kinges subiectes for or concerning the deliuery of any suche wollen clothes to any marchaunt, or marchauntes straungers, by reason of any bargaine or sale made by them or any of them, of the said clothes before the twenty day of Iulye in the .xv yere of kynge Henry the .viii. But that the sayde kynges subiectes may freeely and quietly deliuer or cause to be deliuered the sayd clothes, so bar­gained and bought before the said .xx. day of Iuly without any penalty or forfaiture, any thing in this present acte contayned to the contrary therof not withstanding

¶And be it enacted by auctority aforesayde, that no person or persons at any tyme hereafter, and before the sayd feast of saynct Mighell, bargaine or sell to any marchaunt or marchaūtes, straungers-any such brode white wollen clothes, to be deliuered vnto the sayd marchaunt or marchauntes straungers at any tyme after the same feast of saynte Mighell to the en­tent to defraud the effect & trew meaning of this estatute, vpō the peyne before limitted and expressed.

[Page]¶And furthermore be it prouided that euery of the kinges naturall sub­iectes, at their liberties and pleasures, may any tyme hereafter sell and de­liuer for redy money or wares, or for redy mony and wares, or any of them to be payed & deliuered as is aforesayd to any marchaunt or marchaun­tes straūgers, al maner of brode white wollen clothes made or to be made in Coggishal, Bockyng, Blanctre, or any of them, and whyte clothes cal­led Eleinforthes, and all maner of whyte brode wollen clothes with crū ­pillistes, otherwise called bastardes: so that euery of the said whyte wollē clothes, contained in this prouise, contein in length .xxvii. yardes at y^e least or aboue at the water, any thing in this present act contayned to the con­trary thereof notwithstanding

¶And ouer this be it further prouided, ordeined and enacted by the aucto­ritie aforesayd, that it shallbe lefull to euery person or persones, beinge the kinges naturall subiectes, to vtter, bargaine, contracte, selle and deliuer all maner of whyte brode wollen clothes to any marchaunt or marchaun­tes straungers, in and at all common faires to be holden and kepte, within any place or places in this realme: And also to all and euery marchaunte straunger or straungers, repairing from forreine countries by the sea, to any portes or crekes within this realme with any vittail, or other marchā ­dise, at al tymes from tyme to tyme: So that all such clothes, so or in any otherwyse hereafter to be bargained and sold to any marchaunte or mar­chauntes straungers as is before sayd be alwaies sold and deliuered with out couin or make ingin for redy money or wares, or for redy money, & wares or any of them, to be payed and deliuered at such tyme or tymes, as is before limitted without any other or further respite or dayes of paymente to be had accorded and agreed in any behalfe, any thing in this present act conteined to the contrarie therof notwithstanding.

And be it further enacted by the auctoritie aforesayde that no person or persons, which do sell their wollen clothe or clothes to any citizen and free man of London, without the liberty of the sayde citye and before the sayde cloth or clothes be conueighed and brought within the same citie shall not be compelled by any persō or persones to bringe their sayde cloth or clothes sold in fourme aboue said to the market called Blackwellhal within the sayd citee ne to pay any tolle custome or other imposicion for any libertye or ease to be had in the same Halle, for any suche clothe or clothes so solde but may freely at their pleasure, bringe conueigh & deliuer their saide clothe or clothes immediately to the house or houses of such citizen and free men, as did bye the same in fourme aforesayde without any lette or disturbance in any behalfe.

¶And if any clothmaker, or other person be letted or disturbed contrarye to this acte thā the letter or disturber to forfait to the owner of y^e said cloth or clothes, for euery cloth letted or disturbed to the contrary hereof .xii.d. for which forfaiture y^e sayd owner shall haue his remedy against y^e said let­ter or disturber, by action or plainte of debt in any of the kynges courtes. [Page] in which action or plaint y^e defendant or defendantes shall not wage their lawe ne any essoine, licence, or protection shallbe allowed, this acte to en­dure vnto the last day of the next parliament.

¶Prouided alwaies that this act extende not to northerne whytes com­monly named and called dosins, made in y^e Northe parties of this realme.

An acte concerning straungers artificers for taking of ap­prentices, iourneimen, and couenant seruantes. C. ii

BE it enacted by the kyng our soueraigne lord & the lordes spiritual and temporal, and the commons in this presente parliament assembled, and by auctoritye of the same, that no maner of straunger borne out of the kinges obeisaunce be he denizē or not denizen vsing any maner of hādi craft with in this realme, shall take frō hensforthe any apren­tise except the same apprentise be borne vnder the kinges obaisaunce, vpon peine to forfait for euery apprentice, that he shall take contrary to this acte x.li. the one halfe therof to our soueraigne lorde the kinge, the other halfe to him or them that will sue for it, be it by action of dett, byl, plainte, infor­macion, or otherwise: in which sute the defendant shal not be admitted to wage his law, ne any essoine, licence, or protection to be allowed.

¶Be it also enacted by the auctoritie afore said, and vnder lyke peine to be forfayted and recouered as is aforesayd that no straūger being alien born, and vsing any maner of handye craft within this realme, from the feast of al sainctes next ensuing, shal in any maner of wise, vse, take. reteine or kepe into his or their seruises any maner of iourneimen or couenaunt seruaunt aboue the numbre of ii at one tyme, excepte the same iourneiman or coue­naunt seruaunt be borne vnder the kinges obeisaunce

And ouer this be it enacted by auctoritie aforesaid that all maner of persōs bring aliens borne, vsing any maner of handye crafte, be they denizens or not denizens and inhabited within the citye of London, or suburbes of the same within the towne of westminster, the parish of sayncte Martins in the field, the parishe of our lady of the Stronde, faince Clement of Da­nes, without temple barr, sainct Giles in the field, sainct Andrewes in hol­burne, in the towne & borough of Southwarke, Shordiche, whyte Cha­pell parishe, sainct Iohn streete, the parishe of Clerkenwel saincte Bottol­phes parishe without Algate, saincte Catherins, Barmondsay streete or within two miles cōpasse of the said citie of Lōdō, or the parishes aforsaid shalbe vnder the serche & reformaciō of the wardens and the felowshippes of handy craftes within the sayd citie of Londō with one substancial strā ­ger being an housholder of the same craft, by the same wardens to be cho.sen that is to say euery such stranger, occupying any misterie or hādi craft as is aforesayd shalbe vnder the serch & reformacion of the wardens and one substanciall straunger, being an housholder of that craft that thei shal so occupie. And that the wardens of the said citie of euery suche handy craft [Page] with one straunger or housholder as is aforesayd of the same craft, haue full power and auctoritie, by this present act to limitte & appoynt to euery straunger of the mistery & handy craft that they be of, inhabitinge within the sayde citee, suburbes, places or precincte, aboue remembred, a proper marke, without taking any thing therfore by the which their wares, ves­sels and workmanshippes that they make, may be knowne. And that the wardens of euery such handy craft, and misterye aforesayde calling to thē one straunger of y^e misterie and occupaciō, that they be of being an hous­holder, shal haue full power and auctoritie, to serch view and refourme, as well within the sayd citee of London. as in all other places & limittes be­fore sayde all maner of wares of workmanshippes made by any maner of such handy crafte men being aliens borne, as is before sayde.

¶And that no straunger borne out of the kyngs obeisaunce vsinge any of the misteries or occupacions of smithes, ioigners, or coupers shall make any maner of wares, or vesselles, concerning the same misteries or occupa­cions, excepte that they and euery of them put to such markes to euery of the same wares & vessells before they shalbe put to sale, or vse as the war­dens of their occupacions, craftes, or misteries shall limitt and appoynte, without taking any thing therefore vppon peyne of forfayture the double valure of the same wares and vessells: The one halfe of which forfaiture to be to the king our soueraigne lord the other halfe to the party that first will sue for the same by action of dette, bille, plaint or informaciō in which the defendaunr shal not wage his lawe, nor any essoyne shalbe cast, or pro­tection allowed.

And further it is enacted by the auctoritie aforesaid, that if vpon any such serche or viewe to be made by y^e wardeins and one straunger of any craft or misterie, beforesayd, after the fourme of this estatute, in vessells or wa­res to be found in the possession of the workers, or owners therof putring the same vessels or wares, to workemanship of any straunger falsely and disceitfully made, to the hurte of the kinges liege people, and so adiudged by the sayd wardens and one straunger: that then such worker or owner, in whose possession the same false and disceitfull wares shalbe found, shall forfait the same wares, the one halfe therof to y^e king our soueraigne lorde and y^e other halfe therof to the first finder thereof suing for the same in a­ny of the kinges courtes by action of detinue, in which action y^e defendant nor defendantes shal not be admitted to wage their lawe nor protectiō ne essoyne be to them herein allowable.

¶Be it also enacted by the auctoritye afore sayde, that all wardens, and maysters of felowshippes of all and euery such handy craftes within any suche citye, boroughe or towne corporate within this realme where any suche wardens happen to be, and in suche boroughes and townes corpo­rate, where no wardens of handy crafts are the bayliffes, or y^e gouernour or gouernours of the same boroughes or townes, so lacking wardens, shal haue lyke power and auctoritie with the bailiff or bailffes of the libertyes [Page] with them where any such libertye shalbe, being content so to do, to view, serche, and refourme straungers, borne out of the kinges obeisaunce, inha­bitinge and vsinge within any suche citye, boroughe, or towne, corporate, any maner of handy craft, in as large and ample maner as the sayde war­dens and felowshippes of y^e said citie of London may do by vertue of this present acte. And that all straungers vsing any of the sayde handy craftes in any of the said cities boroughes or townes, corporate, be bounden to do and obay in euery thing, according to the tenour of this present acte vpon lyke peines and forfaitures as is aboue remembred, to be had and recoue­red in fourme aboue rehersed.

¶Prouided alwaie that if y^e wardens of any felowship or mistery before­sayd, bayliffes gouernour or gouernoures beforesayd, wrongfully will en­treate any straunger in executinge of this act, or any thinge therin contey­ned: that than the straunger so greeued, may by auctoritye of this acte by byll or informacion, complaine to the lorde Chauncellour and Tresorer of England, or the Iustices of assise in the countie for the time being, whiche by their examinacions shal haue ful power and auctoritie to heare and de­termine the same complaynt, and award to the partye compleinant such a­mendes, as by their discrecions shal be thought reasonable.

Prouided also that it shalbe lawful for and to euery the said straungers borne out of the kinges obeisaunce, being a housholder to haue and retaine aswell all and euery such straungers borne out of the kynges obeisaunce. being the time of this parliament with him reteined as a iurneiman as to haue and reteine euery suche straunger being borne out of the kinges obei­saunce being a prentise with him the tyme of this parliament this act not withstanding. This to endure to the last day of the next parliament.

Prouided also that this act extend not to thinhabitauntes straungers that nowe be or hereafter shalbe, in the vniuersytyes of Oxforde, or Cam­bridge or within the sainctuarie of sainct Martins le graunde, within the said citee of London.

Prouided alwais, that if the said wardens of the said citie of Londō, with a straunger, or gouernour or gouernours, of any citye or borough corporat within this realme, refuse to make the wares of any straunger, after that they be required so to marke that thā it shalbe lawful to y^e same straunger or straungers, to who such refusal shallbe made to sel and put to sale his sayd wares, so required to be marked & refused this act notwithstanding. Prouided also, that this acte extende not to any other handicrafte, than to the craftes of ioigners, pouchmakers, coupers, and blacke smithes, for or cōcerning the foresaid article of marking of wares of the said estrāgers. Also that it shalbe lawful to any lord of the parliamente, and euery other of y^e kinges subiectes hauinge landes and tenementes to the yerely value of one, C, poundes, to take & retaine estraungers ioigners and glasiers in their seruice, from tyme to tyme, to and for the exersisyng with them their craftes, this act notwithstanding

¶An acte onccrnyng worstede weauers in Yarmouth & Linne. Ca. iii.

BEcause it is discretely cōsidered in this presente parliament, that the trew making & draping of worsteds, sais, & stamins is one of y^e most profitable occupacions of this realm: And that the same worstedes, saies and stamins truely and substancial­ly made and wrought, bene righte acceptable and commodious marchaundises, as well in this realm of England, as in other foreine regi­ons and countries, For establishmente and good order whereof, dyuers good and lawdable estatutes, actes, & ordinaunces, heretofore haue bene made and enacted: and namely in a parliament. holden at westminster the third day of Iune, in the seuenth yere of the raygne of the late kinge of fa­mous memory Edward the fourth. Sithē which parliamente y^e makyng of the sayd worstedes, sais, and stamins hath much encreased & bene mul­tiplyed, in the citye of Norwiche, and in dyuers townes & places in y^e countie of Norffolke And because the townes of great Yarmouth and Linne in the sayd countye ben townes corporated and the inhabitauntes of y^e same townes now dayly pratise and vse the making and draping of the sayd clothes of worstedes, saies and stamins, more busely and diligently than they haue done in tymes paste, to whom it is peinefull and costly to transporte and conueighe their said clothes to the said citie of Norwich, or to places within the sayd county of Norffolke, which ben farre distaunt from ether of the said townes to be serched and sealed by y^e wardens of the worsted weauers of the same citye of Norwick or county according to the sayd act of parliament made the sayd vii. yere of kinge Edwarde the fourthe. It is therfore ordeined, established and enacted, by the king out soueraigne lord, and by the lordes spiritual and temporall & the commons in this presente parliament and by auctoritye of the same, that the craftes men called worsted weauers inhabited in the sayde towne of greate yarmouth shall haue power and auctoritye by this present acte frō henceforth to elect and chose yerely for euer in the munday next after the feaste of penticost one honest man of y^e same misterie and occupacion being and househoulder within the sayd towne of great yarmouth & hauing of his proper goodes and cattells to the value of .x.li. at the least, or landes & tenementes to his owne vie, of the estate of freehold at the least to the clere yerely value of .xx.s. to be warden of the same craft & misterie for the yere next ensuing, which mā so elec­ted and chosē shall personally appear before y^e mayre of the said citie of Nor­wich, for the tyme being the monday next after the feast of Corpus Cristi than next. ensuing, than and there to be sworne and charged by lyke othe, cōcerning the trew and substancial making of y^e said clothes within y^e said towne of great Yermouth, as y^e foure wardens of y^e saide citie of Norwy­che, by vertue of the sayd acte or parliament made in y^e said vii yere of king Edwarde the iiii. bene charged and sworne for the same citye of Norwich And if y^e said maire happē to be absent y^e said monday after Corpus Christi [Page] or els than refuseth to receiue or take the said othe: than the said warden so elect, within foure daies next after the same munday shall come before the bayliffes of the said towne of great yarmouth for the tyme being, or before one of them, the other being absent: & than and their receiue a corporal othe for the trew exercising of the same office of wardenship, after the tenour of the othe accustomably vsed to be geuen to y^e said wardens of the said citie of Norwich. And thā y^e said wardē of the said towne of great Yarmouth for that tyme being, so electe & sworne may ordaine & apoynt a seale with this letter .Y. to be grauē in the same seale, and maye haue full power and auctoritye to view, serche, cease, & seale in lead with the same seale, so to be appoynted & engrauen & none other, all worstedes, saies & stamins within the sayd towne of yarmouth, & suburbes of the same, made or to bee made & not els where, in as large & ample maner, as the sayd wardēs of the said citye of Norwich, & wardens of y^e said countye of Norff. or any of thē hath or haue within the sayd citye, or countie, or in any wise may doe in that be­halfe, by auctoritee or vertue of the before remembred act, made in the sayd vii. yere of king Edward the fourth, any thing in the same act cōtained to y^e cōtrary notwithstanding. ¶And that no person inhabited within y^e said towne of great yarmouth, or suburbes therof weaue any worstedes saies or stamins within the same towne, exepte he be an English mā borne and haue bē apprentise to the sayd occupaciō, and without he weaue ther suche proper marke as shalbe limitted and appoynted by the saide warden of the said towne, for the time being, elect and sworne, as is afore said vpon peine of forfayture therof to the king our soueriagne lord: And that euery war­den of y^e said towne shal limitte destincte and seuerall markes to euery of the said worstede weauers of y^e same towne of great yarmouth, & y^e same markes by the said warden to be regestred in aboke.

¶And also be it enacted by the auctoritee aforesayd, that if and whatsoe­uer hereafter y^e said towne of Linne shalbe inhabited with ten sondri hous­holders, or more number of houshoulders, exercising & vsing y^e sayde crafte or misterie of worsted weauers, thā and from thensforth, that is to saye as long as the same towne of Linne shalbe inhabited with the number of tē such housholders at the least, it shallbe lefull to the same inhabitauntes of the sayd towne of Linne yerely in the munday next after the feast of Pen­tecost, to electe and choose of them selfe one warden of the sayd crafte and misterie of worstede weauers, to be of the value in landes & goodes as is beforesaide of the warden of yarmouth: which warden so electe shall yere­ly be sworne and charged at the sayd citye of Norwich, in lyke maner and at lyke daye, as is before limitted to the wardens of yarmouthe Or in de­faute of the sayde mayre of Norwich than the sayde warden so to be electe for y^e sayd towne of Linne to take a corporal othe before the maire of y^e said towne of Lynne, within suche tyme, and after suche fourme, as is before limited vnto the warden of yarmouth. And that the sayd warden of the sayd towne of Linne or y^e tyme being, so electe and sworne, by him selfe [Page] may ordeine & apoinct a seale, with this letter .L. to be grauen in the same seale, and may haue full power & auctoritye to viewe, serche, cease, and seale in lead with the same seale, so to be engrauen, and with none other, all wor­stedes, saies, and stamins, within the sayde towne of Linne, and suburbes of the same, made or to be made, and not els where, in as large and ample maner as the sayd warden of the Citye of Norwich, and Wardens of the sayde county of Norff. or any of them hath or haue within the sayd City of countye, or otherwise may do by auctority or vertue of the before remem­bred act, made in the sayd .vij. yere of kinge Edward the fourth, any thing conteined in the same act to the contrary notwithstanding.

And that no person enhabited within the sayd towne of Linne, or subur­bes therof, make any worstedes, saies, or stamins within the same towne, except he be an Englishman borne, and haue ben apprentise to the same oc­cupation, & without he weaue therin such propre marke as shalbe limitted and appointed by the sayd warden of the same towne of Lin, for the tyme being, vpon peine & forfaiture therof to the king our soueraigne ne lorde: And that euery warden of the sayd towne shall limit distinct and seuerall mar­kes to euerye of the worstede weauers of the same towne, and the same markes by the sayd warden to be regestred in a booke.

And be it further enacted by the auctority aforesayd, that from the feast of sainct Michaell tharchaūgell next comming, vnto such time as the sayd towne of Lin shall be inhabited with the sayd number of ten housholders of the sayd craft of worstede weauers, & alwaies after, whan that number of ten housholders shall happen to faile, & not be inhabited in y^e said towne of Lin, the sayd wardens of the sayd city of Norwiche, & their successours, shal procure and cause one of them selues, or one of the wardens of y^e sayde craft of the sayde county of Norffolke, personnally to come & be euery .xxviij day from and after the saide feast of sainct Michaell the archangell, in and to the sayd towne of Lyn, or within sixe dayes next after euery such .xxviii. daye, and there to continue and abide by so longe tyme as hee maye serche and seale all such worstedes, saies, and stamins, made in the same towne of Lynne, as than shall be broughte to hym to be sealed, wythin the space of one hole daye. And the sayde Inhabitauntes of worstede weauers, of the same towne of Lyn beynge, shall content and paye to the sayd warden of Norwiche or Norff. whiche shall so come to Linne, in the sayd .xxviij. daye or within sixe dayes nexte after the sayde .xxviij. day, for hys costes and ex­pences, for euery tyme that he shall so come to Lynne, betwene the feastes af Saincte Michaell the archangell, and the Annunciation of our Ladye saincte Marye .iii s and for euerye tyme that hee shall so come to the sayde towne of Linne betwene the feast of the Annunciation of our Lady, & the feast of sainct Michaell the archangell .ii.s. And if the sayd inhabitauntes of worstede weauers of the sayd towne of Lin, do not content and pay to the sayd warden comminge to Lyn, in forme aforesayd, for the sayde costes and charges, the sayde .iii.s. or .ii.s. as is aboue lymytted, than the same [Page] inhabitauntes shall forfaite and paye to the sayde warden, or to his execu­tours, for euery such default of payment xl.s: And if none of the sayd war­dens of Norwich and Northfolke, come to the sayd towne of Linne, for y^e cause aforesayd, in maner and forme aboue remembred: than the said war­dens of the said cittie of Norwich shal forfaite and pay to the sayd inhabi­tauntes of Linne, of the said misterie of worstede weauers, for euery such default xl.s. For recompence of which penalty and forfaites the sayd war­dens of Norwich or Norff, being therunto entitled by this present act, by his proper name with this addicion. That is to say: Vnius gardianorum, or nuper vnius gardianorū artis siue misteriae textorum panni lanei vocat. VVorstedes in ciuitate Norwich, vel comit. Norffolke, as y^e truth requyreth, shal and may haue action of det by writ, bill, or plaintee in any competent or lawfull court of this realme against the saide inhabitauntes of Linne, of the sayde mistery for the time being by theyr sondry proper names. And the sayde inhabitan­tes by theyr sayd names, wyth this addiciō Textorum pannilanei voc. VVor­stedes, inhabitantes ville de Linne, shall and maye haue like actions of dette a­gainst the sayd wardeins of Norwich, by the name of Gardiani artis siue mi­steriae textorum pannorum laneoruin voc. VVorstedes infra ciuitatem Norway. com. Norff. To be vsed in good congruities of laten, and fourme of the lawes of this realme. In which actions, or any of them, none essome, protection, or wager of lawe shalbe suffered or alowed. And that the particuler bodies or goods of any of the sayd wardeines or inhabitauntes, beinge condemp­ned in any of the sayde actions, shall and maye be put in execution, after suche manner and forme as is vsed in actions of debt, by course of the cō ­mon lawe of this Realme.

And moreouer be it enacted by the auctority aforesayd, that al clothes of worstedes, saies, and stamins, made or to bee made within any of the sayde townes of Lyn & great Yarmouth, or suburbes of the same, or any of thē, & marked with such markes as shalbe limitted to the makers, by y^e sayde wardens of the sayde towne in maner and forme abouesayd: & weaued & sealed by any of the wardens of the sayde townes of Lyn and Yarmouth in forme aboue remembred: by force and vertue of this present act maye be lawfully put to sale by the owners and makers of the same, withoute any other marking or sealinge vpon the sayde clothes, or vpō any of them to be had or made by any other wardens, dwelling or abiding without the sayd towne, and without any arrest, seisure, or forfaiture to be had or made of or vpon any of the sayde clothes, for lacke of any other seales or markes, anye thinge conteined in the sayde former acte, made in the sayde seuenth yere of kinge Edwarde the forth, to the contrary notwithstandinge.

And ouer this be it enacted by the auctority aforesayd, that euery crafts man of the said mistery & occupation of worstede making, dwelling with­in any of the sayd townes of Lin & great Yarmouth, and suburbes of the same at their owne free wylles and lyberties from hēceforth for euer, may haue & take apprentice or apprentyces (beynge male) of the age of .xiiii. yeres [Page] and vpwarde, and beying the kinges naturall subiectes, for the terme of .vij yeres and not vnder, so that none of them excede the numbre of two at once to lerne, vse, and exercise the sayd crafte within either of the sayd townes of Lyn & great Yarmouth or suburbes of the same: All be it the father of the same apprentises or apprentise, may not expende in any landes & tenemēts to the yerely value of xx.s. any acte or ordinaunce to the contrary made or to be made notwithstandinge.

Prouided alway, that this present act nor any thinge therein conteyned, be not in any wise hurtefull or preiudiciall to the mayre of Norwiche, or to his successours, or to the wardens of the sayd Citye and county, or to their successours, in any point article, power, or auctority, other thā for weuinge serching & sealinge of worstedes, saies & stamins made or to be made only within the sayd townes of Linne & Yarmouth or suburbes of the same, or to any of thē. And for limittinge of markes to the maker of worsteds, saies and stamins, only enhabited in either of the sayd townes or suburbes ther­of & taking of apprētises, in fourme aboue remēbred: but tha y^e sayd maire of the sayd city of Norwiche, & wardens of the said city and county, and e­uery of them may haue and vse all other poinctes, articles, power, & auc­torityes conteyned and specified in the aboue remembred acte, made in the sayd, vij. yere of kinge Edward the iiii. as well for y^e serche, sealynge, correc­tion and reformation of the sayd wardens newly to bee elect by vertue of this present acte, and euery of them, according and after such forme as they may do or vse, any of the sayd wardeins of the sayd city or county, by force of the sayd acte, made in the sayd .vii. yere of kinge Edward the fourth, as all and euery other inquiries, corrections, serches, sealynges, & reformati­ons to be had, for the true makinge of worstedes, saies, and stamins, in and vpon any person or persons, as well within the sayd townes of Linne and Yarmouthe as without, without trouble, lette, or vexatiō of any of the in­habitauntes of the sayd townes, in as large and ample wise as they might haue done before the makinge of this present act, any thing cōteined in the same present act to the contrary notwithstandinge.

And also prouyded and be it enactad, by the auctoritye aforesayde, that the sayd crafts men of worstede weauers inhabited or hereafter to be inha­bited within either of the said townes of Linne & Yarmouth, or suburbes of the same, and the marchauntes or any other persons, whiche shall happen to bye of the same craftes men or any of them, or of any other person, any of the sayd clothes of worstedes, stamins, or saies, made or to be made within either of the sayd townes of Lin and Yarmouth, and sealed by the sayd wardens of the same towne to be elect and sworne as is afore­saide, and any of them, shall not shere, die, or put in colour, or calendre, any worstedes, stamins, or saies, made or to be made within either of the sayde townes of Lin & Yarmouth, or suburbes of the same, in any other place or places, but onely within the sayd city of Norwich, or suburbes of the same vpon peine of forfaiture of euery peece of worstede, saies, or stamins to be [Page] made wythin any of the said townes of Lyn and Yarmouth, or suburbs of the same, or the value therof, shorne, died, coloured, or calendred by enye of the sayde craftes men, biers, or marchaūtes in any other place or places than in the sayd city of Norwich or suburbs of the same: the one half ther­of to be to the kinge our soueraigne lorde, and the other half therof to such person or persons as shal cease the same: so that the saide worsteds brought to the sayd city of Norwich to be shorne, died, coloured, & calendred, wyth­out couin or craft of any of the sayd inhabitauntes & marchaūtes, may be shorne, died, coloured, and calendred at and by as conuenient price or prices and in as redy wise as the sayd inhabitaūtes of either of y^e sayd towns of Lyn and Yarmouth, & marchantes biers of the sayd worstedes, or other of the sayd citye or county hath had in times past, or hereafter shall haue.

And also that the inhabitauntes and marchauntes & euery of them, so bringinge their sayd worstedes to y^e same city for to be shorne, died, colored & calēdred, be reasonably & lawfully entreated according to y^e said act made in the sayd .vij. yere of kinge Edward the fourth, & the ordinances made & affirmed, or hereafter to be made & affirmed for the sayd mistery, without let or disturbaunce, contrary to the same acte or ordinance in that behalfe.

And be it enacted by the auctority aforesayd, that no person or persons any time after cōuey or transport into any of the parties of beyond the sea any maner of clothes of worstedes before the same clothes be shorne, died, colored, & calendred, vpon peine of forfaiture the value therof: the one half to the king our soueraigne lord, & tho ther half therof to the party that will sue therfore, by action or plaint of debt in any of the kynges courtes: In whiche action or suite no protection or essoyne shalbe alowed, nor the offē ­der admitted to wage his lawe. This act to endure to the next parliamēt.

¶An Act concerninge Englishmen beyng sworne to forren princes. Cap. iiii.

PRaien the cōmons in this presēt parliamēt, that where ma­ny and diuers persons being the kinges subiectes naturally borne within this his realme, haue wdrawen thē selues out of the same realme, and transported them selues with theyr wiues, children and goods, into Hollande, zeland, Barband Flaunders, and into other countries of forren princes, and there be sworn to the obeisaunce of the princes, and lordes of the countreis, where they be now inhabited, makynge their great buildinges, and be contributories to all maner of charges, as y^e subiectes of those coūtreis be: & thus they main­teine asmuch as in thē is, the cities, boroughes, & townes of those coūtreis and many mo of the kinges subiects intend to do the same, if remedy ther­in be not prouided: Which subiects borne in England, notwithstandinge, that they this estraunge theym selues from the kynges obeysaunce, yet they occupy here in all the portes, hauens, and crekes, cities, boroughes, & townes of England, as frely and as free in custome and subsidy as the kin­ges subiectes do occupy, and not onely for them selfe, but also colourably [Page] for other straungers, their frendes, & partiners, and also make them selues quite and exempte frō all charges within this realme, in preiudice & decay of the cities, townes & boroughes of England: and as for beyonde the sea they will obey to none auctority graūted to y^e English nation, by the kyn­ges highnes and his noble progenitours, vnder the great seale of Englād and by auctority of parliamente, but they giue thē selues ouer to y^e protec­tion & defence of those outwarde princes, to whom they be sworn subiects And by these maner of persons much coyne is conueyed out of the Lande. Wherefore be it ordeyned and enacted, by the kinge our soueraygne lorde & the lordes spirituall & temporall, & the commons in this presente parliamēt assembled & by the auctority of the same, that all and euery suche subiectes borne in England, and sworne to be subiectes to forren princes & lordes of outwarde parties, from hēceforth (as lōg as they shall so abide, & be as sub­iectes to forren prynces & lordes) that from hēceforth so longe they & eue­riche of them shall pay such customes, subsidy, tolle, and other imposicions within this realme of Englade. as other straūgers of those partes wher the sayd Englishemen make their inhabitacion: pay or vse to paye wythin this sayd realme: And that the knowledge of all and euery suche person or persons inhabitaūtes, and sworne in maner and forme as is before reher­sed within the Archedukes countries, that is to say, Holand, Zeland, Bra­bande & Flaunders onely, shalbe had by certificat thereof made by the go­uernour of the marchaunt auenturers, and the assistens there for the time being: and also for all other reamels and countrees of forren prynces to be certified by the kinges moste noble imbasidours, beinge at such tyme there as they shall happen to be in the sayd countries vpon the kinges affayres, shall likewyse certifie, as is beforesayd vnder their seale into the chaūcery of our soueraigne lorde the king: and thereupon oute of the sayde chaūcery writtes to be made & directed vnto the customers, controllers, or other of­ficers of the kynges custome, in euery port, hauen, or creke w^tin thys sayde realme, to perceiue, leuy, & take all maner of such customes, subsydies, tol­les, & other impositions, as is before specified, of all suche goods and mar­chaundises, as shall belong vnto any such person or persons inhabited and sworne, in maner and fourme aboue writtē, as well inward as outward.

Prouided alway, that if hereafter it shall happen any such person or per­sons to retourne into the realme, & here to tary and inhabite: that than he or they shalbe restored to all such liberties and fredoms in paying of custo­mes or subsidies and other charges, as all other Englishemen dothe vse to pay, and to haue a wryt out of the chauncery for the same, this acte or any thinge therin made, to the contrary notwithstandinge.

¶An acte concerninge Physicions. Cap. v.

In their most humble wise sheweth vnto your highnes, your true & faithfull subiects & liege men, Iohn Chambre, Thomas Linacre Fernandus de Victoria, your phisicions, and Nicholas Halsewell, [Page] Iohn Fraunces, and Robert yaxley, and all other men of the same faculty within the city of Lōdon, and .vij miles about, that where your highnes (by your most gracious letters patentes, bearinge date at westm̄. the .xxiij day of Septēbre the .x. yere of your most noble reign) for the cōmon welth of this your realme, in due exercisinge and practisinge of the faculty of phi­sicke and the good ministracion of medicins to be had, haue incorporat and made of vs and of our company aforesayd, one body and perpetuall cōmy­nalty or felowship of the faculty of Phisicke, and to haue perpetuall succes­sion and cōmon seale, and to chose yerely a president of the same felowship & comminalty to ouerse rule, and gouerne the sayd felowship and commi­nalty, and all men of the same faculty, with diuers other liberties and pry­uileges, by your highnes to vs graunted, for the cōmon welth of this your realme, as in your sayde moste gracious letters patentes more at large is specified and conteined, the tenour whereof foloweth in these woordes.

[Page] ANd for so much that the makyng of the sayd corporatiō is meritorious & very good for the cōmon welth of this your realme, it is therefore expedient and necessary to prouide, that no person of the sayde politike body and comminalty aforesayde, be suffered to exercise and practise Phisike, but only those persons that be profounde, sad, & discret, groūd­ly learned and deepely studied in Phisicke.

In consideration wherof, and for the further auctorisinge of y^e same let­ters patentes, and also enlargeyng of further articles for the sayd common wealth to be had & made: Pleaseth it your highnes with y^e assente of your lords spirituall and temporal and the commons in this present parliament assembled, to enacte, ordaine and establish that the sayde corporacion of the sayd comminaltie and felowship of the faculty of Phisike afore sayde, and all and euery graunte, article and other thinge contained, and specified, in the said letters patentes, be approued, graunted, ratified, and confirmed in this present parliamente, and clerly auctorysed and admytted by the same good, lawfull, and auailable, to your sayde bodye corporat, and theyr suc­cessours for euer in as ample and large maner as maye be taken, thought, construed by the same. And that it please your highnes with the assent of your sayd lordes spirituall and temporall and the cōmons in thys your pre­sent parliament, assembled, furtherly to enacte, ordeyne, and stablishe, that the sixe persons beforesayd, in your said most gracious letters patentes na­med as principalles, and first named of the sayde comminaltye and felow­shyppe, chosinge to them twoo moe of the sayde comminaltye from hence­forwarde, be called and cleaped electes. And that the same Electes yeare­ly chose one of them to be president of the sayd comminalty, and as ofte as any of the roumes and places of the same Electes shal fortune to be voyde by death or otherwyse, than the superuysours of the same Electes (within xxx. or xl. dayes nexte after the death of theym or anye of theym) shall chose, name, and admitte one or moe, as neede shall require, of the most conning, and experte men, of and in the sayde faculty in London, to supply the saide roume and numbre of eight persons. So that he or they that shalbe so cho­sen, be first by the sayd superuisors straitly examined, after a forme deuised by the sayde Electes, & also by the same superuisours approued. And where that in diocises of England out of London it is not light to finde alwaye men able sufficiently to examine (after the statute) suche as shalbe admyt­ted to exercise Phisike in them: that it may be enacted in thys present par­liament, that no person from henceforth he suffred to exercise or practyse in Phisicke through Englande, vntill such tyme that he be examined at Lon­don by the sayd president and three of the sayd Electes and to haue from y^e said president or Electes letters testimonials of their approuynge and exa­mination, except he be a graduate of Oxforde or cābridge, whiche hath ac­complished all thynges for his forme without any grace.

An act concerning the high wayes in the wilde of Kent. Ca. xi.

IN humble wise besecheth your highnes your true and faithfull subiecte George Gilford squier for your body, that where there is and of tyme whereof mynd of man is not to the cōtrary hath bene an olde common waye or streete for cariers, and all other passages and businesse for you and your progenitoures and you and their people in the hundred of Cranebroke, in the wilde of your county of Kente, leading and extending betwene and amonge the lādes of the ma­ner of hempstede of the sayd George in the sayde hundrede of Cranbroke, fro the bridge called hempstede bridge diuiding the sayd hundred of Cran­broke and the hundred of Roluinden in the same weld of your sayd county to a crosse called Contenden crosse standinge nighe to a greate Oke, named Hempstede oke which is in length vpon a hundred foure score and ten per­ches: which common way so vsed is in diuers places thereof ryght deepe annoyous for the passage of your people, and also is not so directely leading betwene the sayd bridge and crosse neither so cominodious for your people as an other way of lyke bredth in other places within and ouer the landes of the sayd maner mought be made.

In consideracion wherof, in maye please your highnesse of your blessed disposicion with the assente of the lordes spiritual and temporall, and the commons in this presente parliamente assembled and by the auctoritye of the same to enacte ordayne that it shalbe lefull to your sayde besecher his heires and assignes, owners of the sayde maner of Hempstede, at his and their propre costes & charges at any time on this side y^e .xxvii. day of May which shallbe in the yere of our lord god .M.D.xxvii. by the ouersighte and assent of two Iustices of peace of the said county of Kente and .xii other di­screte men, inhabitauntes within the sayde hundredes of, Cranbroke & Ro­luiden, to assigne, limitte and laye ouer and thoughe the landes of the sayde manour one other way, for cariages & passages of your grace and of your people and your and their heires and successoures, of as great large­nesse in bredeth or larger than the sayd olde waye now being is, and as cō modious for the sayd cariages and passages, as the same waye now being is or better extending and leading dyrectly betwene the sayde bridge and crosse, so that your grace and your people by the sayd new way so to be as­signed and layed out, shall haue the more easye cariage, and passage, than is or of late tyme hath bene by the sayd olde waye. And that after the sayde new way so layde out and assigned the sayde cariages, passages and other businesse there may be as liberally, commonly, and freely from thens forthe there vsed and had for euer, and euery other thinge there exercised & kept, as before this tyme hath bene had and vsed, exercised and kept in the sayd olde waye with out let or interrupcion of the sayd George his heyres or his assignes, or any other personne which hereafter shall haue. holde, or possede y^e said manet. And that immediately after that the sayde new way [Page] (as is beforesayd) to be assigned and limitted shalbe as is abouesayd layed out and fully made, it shall be lefull to your sayde besecher, his heires, and assignes owners of the said manour to enclose the said old way and eueri party therof: And that fro hensforth to holde in seueralty to them, and to their heires and assignes to their owne vse and profit for euer as parcel of the said manour, without any commō way or passage their fro thensforth to be had or claimed any prescripciō or vse to the contrarye heretofore had not withstanding.

¶And in consideracion that many other commom waies in the said weld of Kent be so depe and noyous by wearing and course of water and other occasions that people can not haue their cariages or passagss by horses v­pon or by the same: But to their great peines, petil, and ieoperdye: it may be by the sayd auctoritie enacted and established, that if any other persō or persons any tyme hereafter in any place within the sayd weld of your said countye, of his good mynd and disposicion, without any value of good by him or them to be receiued for y^e same, will for the common weale of your people assigne and lay out a more commodious way in and ouer the lādes thervnto adioyninge wherof the person or other to his vse shalbe ceased of fee in estate of inheritaunce that the same new way so to be assigned and layd out, by ouersight and assent of two Iustices of peace of y^e said coun­tye, and .xii. other disecrete mē inhabitinge within hundred, where any suche new way shalbe limitted & layde out, or inhabiting within the same hundred and other hundreds to that hundred nexte adioyninge shallbe frō thensforth, holden, occupied, and vsed in lyke maner as the olde waye ther now is or before hath bene

¶And that also the same person or persons, so disposed, willynge, and ac­complishynge the same, shall and may for the saide new waye so assygned and vsed, retaine and holde in way of recompence for the same new way so to be geuen, y^e soyle and grounde of y^e olde way in seueralty as is aboue sayd, to him or them and to their heires for euer. in lyke maner as is aboue sayd of the sayd new waye to be assigned at Hempstede. And that y^e sayde two Iustices of peace, & .xii other discrete persons by whose ouersight and assent, the sayde new waye at Hempstede, or any other waye by vertue of this acte shallbe hereafter assigned, limitted and layde out, shal within thre monethes next after the assignement limittacion, & laying out of the same make certificate into the kinges most honorable courte of Chauncery vn­der their seales, of the length and bredeth of the same new way or strete & of other thinges adioyning or concerning the same as by their discrecions shalbe thought most expedient or requisite for y^e cōmon welth of the coū ­tre to be certified: And that certificat to be made frō time to time as often as any suche new waye or strete shalbe assigned, limitted, and laied out in forme aboue written.

¶Prouided alway that if any person, or persons, or bodye politike, haue or ought to haue, or hereafter shall haue any churche way or other what so [Page] euer way or passage, ouer or through any maner landes adioyning to any of the sayd olde wayes or stretes, which shallbe taken, and vsed by force ol this acte, as seuerall soyle and free holde in recompence for any new waye to be made & layed out, in fourme aforesaid, or haue or ought to haue here­after shall haue landes or tenementes adioyning to the sayd olde way that they and euery of them, their heires, and successours, shall and maye haue and vse their sayd waye or wayes, out of and into the sayd new way ouer and through the land of the sayd olde waye, or streete, into or ouer the sayd lande or tenement adioyning to the same, & so to passe and repasse as shal appertaine ouer the same olde waye at such conuenient place or places thereof, as therefore shalbe limitted and assigned by the sayd two Iustices of peace and other .xii. men, and by them to be certifyed into the chauncerie among other thinges by thē to be certified in fourme aforesaide: any thing in this acce aboue written notwithstanding.

An acte concerning shoting in crosbowes and hand gonnes. Cap. vii

BE it enacted by the kinge our soueraige lord, by the as­sent of his lordes spiritual and temporall and the com­mons in this present parliament assembled & by aucto­ritie of the same, that euery person and persons hauing landes, tenementes, hereditamentes, fees, anuities, or other yerely profites in his owne right or in his wiues to the yerely value of one hundred poundes, from hensforth may lawfully vse and shote in crosbowes and hand gonnes, and in e­uery of them, & retayne and kepe the same: Any thing contained in the acte made at a parliament holden at westminster, in the sixt yere of the raygne of our soueraigne lord, for reformacion of shotyng in crosbowes and hand gonnes, and for keping of the same notwithstanding.

And further be it enacted by auctoritie aforesaid that al licences graun­tes, and placardes made by our sayde soueraigne lord to any person or per­sons, before the .xx. day of August in the .xv. yere of his raigne for showting in crosbowes or hand gonnes, or for kepynge of the same, or any of them, shalbe from the feast of sainct Michael the archangel next comming vtter­ly voyd and of none effecte.

And be it further enacted, by the auctoritie aforesayde that euery person, not hauing in vse or possession, landes, teūtes, fees, annutties, or other yerely profites, to the yerely value of .C. poundes (as aforesayde) offending con­trary to the sayd acte, made in the sayd .vi. yere, shall forfaite for euery tyme that he shal so offende, but onely .xl.s. and the crosbowes & hand gonnes to he had. recouered, seased, & leuied according to y^e sayd former act any thing contained in the sayd former acte of or for any greater penalti notwithstanding. And that it shalbe leful to all Iustices of peace in their sessions and stewardes & bailiffes, in their leetes, to enquire of euery person, & persones [Page] other than be prouided for by this present acte, offending contrary to the said form [...]t acte, of or for any great penalty notwithstanding.

¶And that it shallbe lefull to all iustices of peace in their sessions, and ste­wardes and bailiffes in their leetes to enquire of euery person & persons other than be prouided for by this present acre, offendinge contrary to the sayd former act: & that vpon all presentmentes had before iustices of peace in their sessions, processes shalbe made for leuiynge of the sayde .xl.s. to the kinges vse, in such fourme and in lyke maner as is made vpon̄ enditemēts of riottes, and vpon euery presentmente had in any leetes the lorde and owners of the leetes to leuie and haue the sayd penalty if .xl.s by way of distresse, accion of dette, or otherwise in the which the offender shal not be admitted to wage his law, ne any essoyne or protection to be alowed.

¶And be it further enacted by auctoritye afore sayde, that no lordes or owners of leetes beare or mayntaine any of their tenauntes or seruauntes within the iurisdiction of their leetes to do or offend contrary to the sayd former act, vpon peine to forfane for euery time so doing .xl.s. the one halfe therof to y^e king our soueraigne lorde, and the other halfe to the parti that wil sue for the same by action of dette, byl plaint or informacion in which sute no wager of law ne essoyne or protection shalbe alowed or admitted. The olde act in al other poyntes, not otherwise prouided for in this acte, to be of force and effecte.

¶An act concerning the six clerkes of the Chauntery to be maried. Cap. viii.

IN most humble wise besecheth your trew & faithful subiectes & dayly seruauntes the sixe clerkes of your high courte of Chaūcerie, that wheras of olde tyme accustomed hath bene vsed in y^e said court y^e al maner clerkes and ministers of y^e same courte wryting to y^e great sease, shold be vnmaried except onlye the clerke of the crowne: so that as wel y^e coursetoures & other clerkes, as the sixe clerkes of y^e said Chauncerie wear by the same custome estrained from mariage, wherby all those that contrarye to the same dyd mary, were no longer suffered to write in the said Chauncery not onely to their great hinderance, losing therby the benefite of their longe studie and tedious laboures and peines in youthe, takine in the sayd court, by also to the great decaye of the trew course of the sayd court.

¶And for as muche as the sayde custome taketh no place nor vsage, but onely in the office of the sayde sixe clerkes but that it is permitted and suf­fered for maintenance of the sayd courte, that as wel the said coursetoures as the other clerkes aforesaid, may and doe take wiues and mary at their lybertye after the lawes of holy churche, and of longe tyme haue so done, without interruption or left of any person: It may therefore please your highness of your most aboundant grace, with the assent of the lordes spiri­tuall [Page] and temporall and the commons in this present parlyamente assem­bled, and by auctoritye of the same, in consideration of the premisses, [...]nd also for that the sayd custome is not groūded vpon any law, to ordeine en­acte, and establishe, that Iohn Treuerthen, Rycharde Welles, Oliuer [...] ­der, Iohan Croke, Wyllyam Iessen, and Iohn Lemsey, nowe beynge in the office of the sixe clerkes of the Chauncery, & euery of them, and all other whiche in time to come shalbe in the same office, & euery of them, may and do take wiues & mary at their liberty, after the laws of holy churche.

And that they and euery of them so maryed maye haue, holde, and enioyne, their sayd office of sixe clerkes in as ample, large, and like manner, as they did or should do before the sayd espouselles, or as if they had neuer ben ma­ried, the sayd custome or any other custome or ordinaunce heretofore had or made to the contrary notwithstandinge.

Prouided alwaye, that by any thinge in this acte conteined the maister of the Rolles (for the time being) be not preiudiced either in the geuing and disposicion of the sayde offices from time to time, as hath beene heretofore accustomed, the forfaiture of that office by reason of mariage onely excepte. And that the sayd officers, which nowe be & hereafter shalbe, do geue such attendance vnto the sayd maister of the Rolles for the tune being, as here­tofore in the sayd offices hath bene accustomed.

¶An act cōcerninge the liberty of Cordwainers or showmakers. Cap. ix.

PRaien the commons in this presente parliament assem­bled, that where in the parliament holden at Westmin. in the fourth yere of the reigne of the excellēt prince of fa­mous memory Edward the .iiij. late kinge of Englande your noble graunfather, among other things it was or­deined, established, and enacted, that no person cordwai­ner of the city of London, or within three myles next a­bout the same, vpon any sonday of the yeare, in the feastes of the Natiuity or Ascencion of our lord, or Corpus Christi, should sell, commaund or make to be solde any showes, bootes, or galeges, or vpon any of the sayd sondaies or feastes, should put vpon the foote or legges of any person or persōs any showes, boot [...], or galeges, vpon peine to forfaite and lose twenty shillyn­ges sterlitge, as often and whansoeuer any person shoule doe contrary to the sayd ordinaunce, or any parcell thereof.

And where by the same estatute it is ordeyned and prouyded, that the same acte should not extende to the domage or preiudice, nor any manner be hurtefull or preiudiciall to the Deane and Chapiter (for the time beinge) of the free chapell of the kynge, of Sainct Martins le graunde of London nor to any person or persons, Dwellinge, Abidinge, or Beinge within any place or places in sainct Martyns lane in London, or wythin any place or places within the precincte, fee, or fraunchyse, of the sayde Deane, or of the [Page] sayde Deane and chapiter. Wherefore to the honour of almighty god and to the intent that the kinges subiectes may be hereafter at their liberty, as well as the sayd inhabitauntes within the liberties and precinct of the said sainct Martines the graund, be it enacted by the auctority of this presente parliament, that the sayd estatute, made in the parliament holden at west­minster in the sayd fourth yere of the reigne of kinge Edwarde the fourth, stande and be from henceforth vtterly voyde and of none effect.

¶An act concenigne the huntinge of the Hare. Cap. x.

FOr as muche as our soueraygne lorde the kynge, and other noble men of thys realme of Englande, before this time hathe vsed and exercised the game of huntynge of the Hare, for their dysporte and pleasure, whyche game is nowe decayed and almooste vtterly dy­stroied, for that, that diuers persons in dyuers partyes of thys Realme, by reason of the trasinge in snow, haue killed and destroied, and dayly do kill and dystroy the same Hares, by .x.xij. or .xvj. vpon a daye, to the dyspleasure of our said soueraigne lorde y^e kinge & to other noble men of this his realme Wherefore be it enacted by our sayd soueraigne lorde, by the lordes spiritu­all and temporall, and the commons in thys presente Parlyamente assem­bled, and by auctoritye of the same: that no person or personnes of what e­state degree, or condicion they be, from hēceforth trace, distroye, and kill no Hare in snow with any dogge, bytche, nor otherwyse. And that the Iu­stice of the peace within euery shire, at euery sessions of the peace, and ste­wardes of leetes shall haue full auctority anb power to power to enquyre of such of­fenders. And after such inquisitions found, the sayd Iustices of the peace & stewardes of leetes for euery Hare so killed, shall seasse vpon euery such of­fender .vi.s.viij.d. to be forfaited to our sayd soueraygne lorde, that shall be so founden by the Iustices of peace in their sessions, & the forfaiture found in euery leete to be to the lorde of the leete.

¶An acte concerninge clothes, called Vesses, made in the county of Suffolke. Cap. xj.

HVmbly shewen vnto your highnes your true subiectes & clothiers of your Coūty of suffolke, that where in y^e sixte yere of your most noble reigne, it was & is enacted amō ­ges other thinges, cōcerninge making of cloth, y^e any per­son or persons shall not put any cloth to sale, which whan it is full wet, shall shrinke more than one yard in length, & one quarter of a yard in bredth, for y^e more part therof: and clothes called narrowes or straits after the rate, vpō peine to forfaite for e­uery cloth otherwise put to sale .vi.s.viij.d. & beside to deduct of his price for y^e same, to be rebated to the bier therof as muche after the rate, as the same [Page] cloth so otherwise put to sale (beinge full wette) shalbe shronke more than one yarde of that it was in lengthe, time of the same sale, and as it shall (be­ynge wette) lacke of the bread of one yarde & three quarters of a yard. And in the same act was and is a prouiso made, after the forme folowing.

Prouyded alwaye, that this acte extende not to wollen clothes, called kendalles, nor clothes called carpenell whytes, commonly made for lyning of hosen, nor to any clothes called Tostockes, made in the countye of De­uonshyre, nor to any wollen clothes made in the county of Cornewall, nor for any Cottons or plaine lininge or frise, made or to bee made in wales, Lancasshyre, and Chesshyre, or any of them.

So it is moste gracious soueraigne lorde, that Vesses, otherwise called Set clothes of diuers colours, be made in your sayde county of Suffolke which be made to be worne, and be worne in farre coūtreis, & not in Eng­lande, and be of small prices not aboue xl.s. a clothe, that doe not holde the length nor breadth whan they be wet, which the byers do know wel whā they bie them, so that therin is no deceite. which clothes in the thirde yeare of the reigne of your most noble father kinge Henry the seuenth, were pro­uided for, so that they might lawfully be solde without any penalty or for­fayture, though they lacked in length or breadth whan they were full wet and so they haue vsed to do time out of minde.

And in the prouiso made in the sayde acte of the sixte yeare of youre moste noble reygne they were forgetten & not prouided for, which should be to y^e vtter impoueryshinges of the clothiers of your sayde county, and all other that be wrought by reason of clothe makinge wythin the sayde countye of Suffolke, if no remedy should be therfore prouided.

Wherefore your humble subiectes humbly beseech your highnes, that it be enacted by all the lordes spirituall and temporall, and all the commons in this present Parliament assembled, with your most royall assente to the same: that all clothes called Vesses, otherwise called Sette clothes, what colour so euer they be of, not beynge aboue the value of .xl.s. a clothe, shall not be forfait, for that they lacke in length & breadth whan they be full wet after the iale of them afore this time made or hereafter be made. The sayd act made in the sixte yere of your most noble reigne, or any other acte here­tofore made to the contrary notwithstandinge.

An act concerning coiners, that shall coine and make any money at any mint within this realme of Englande. Ca. xij.

BE it enacted by the kynge our soueraigne lorde, and the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present par­liament assembled, and by auctoritye of the same: that all suche coiners, as shall coyne and make any money at any mint with in thys Realme of Englande, shall make and coyne of euerye hundred poundes woorthe of Goolde, that they shall strycke into coyne [Page] xx.li. in the coyne of halfe angelles, commonly called peeces of golde of .xl.d. And of euery hundred poundes worthe of Bullyon, Plate, or Siluer, that they shall strike into coyne, as many grotes as shall amount to the summe of fifty poundes sterlinge: as many halfe grotes called pence of two pence, as shall amounte to the summe of .xx.li. sterlinge: as many pence as shall a­mounte to the summe of .xx.li. as many halfe pence as shall amount to the summe of ten markes sterling and as many farthinges as amount to the summe of fiue markes sterlinge. And that at any time that any coyners, in any minte within this realme, shall doe contrarye to thys acte, the maister and keper of that minte, for the time beinge, shall forfayte and lose .x.li. The one moity thereof to be to the king our soueraygne lorde. y^e other moyty to the party that shall sue for the same, by bill, information, action of debte, or otherwise: wherein the sayd mais [...]er shall not be admitted to do his law, & no protection ne Essoyne to be allowed for the defendant.

And for as muche as at this present time Farthinges and halfe pence be striken all with one coyne, so that the common people of the realme manye times take these that be farthinges for halfe pence. Be it therefore enacted by the auctority aforesayde, that all suche farthinges (that from henceforth shalbe made wythin this realme) shall haue vppon the one syde thereof the print of the port colice, and vpon the other side thereof the print of the Rose with acrosse, vpon like peine.

And furthermore be it enacted by the auctority aforesayde, that all maner persons refortinge to y^e sayd mint with any plate or bullion, vnder the va­lue abouesayd, to be coyned, shall haue and receiue at the said mint y^e tenth parte of all such plate and bullion in halfe pence and farthinges.

Prouided alway, that this acte or any thinge conteined in the same, be not in any wise preiudiciall to the Coyners, and minte maisters of Yorke, Duresme, and Canterbury, ne to any of them, for any money to be coyned there, other than heretofore hath bene accustomed. This acte to beginne to take effect at the feast of sainct Michaell the archaungell next commynge, and not before.

¶An act cōcerninge the hauen and porte of Southampton. Ca. xiij.

WHere in aparliament holden at westmin. the .xiiij. day of Octobre, the .xj. yere of the reigne of king Henry the .vij amongs other it was ordeined, established, and enacted by the kinge our soueraigne lorde. w^t the assent of y^e lor­des spirytuall and temporall & y^e commons in the same parliamente assembled, for the reformation & remedy of the decay of the hauen and port of Southampton, had by reason of diuers weres & ingins for fyshynge, made & leuied in the same hauen, betweene a certaine place called Calshare, and another place called Reedbridge, that it should be lawefull to euery man to abate, plucke, & take [Page] away all and euery of the said weres and ingins, at all times at their plea­sure, being in the sayd hauen, betwene the sayd places, called Calshare and Reedbridge, directly, without trouble, let, or vexation of any man, wyth diuers penalties and forfaytures to all suche persons as hereafter shoulde make or leuye any such weares or ingins, as in the same act more plainely may appere: The which act was made to endure only the space of .xx. yeres than next ensuyng, during which act the sayd weres and ingins were pul­led downe, and the sayd hauen greatly amended, to the succour and cōfort of all the marchauntes there resortinge, the which yeres be now expired & paste, and the same act in no force by the space of .vii yeres now passed du­ryng which .vii. yeres diuers newe weres, gores, stackes, and ingins haue bene leuied and enhaunsed, by reason wherof, the sayd hauen is greatly de­caied againe, and likely to be lost for euer, to the kinges disherison, & hurte of the common weth of all those parties if remedy therefore be not shortly had and prouided: wherfore be it now enacted by auctority of this present parliament, that the same acte and euery thinge therein conteined, shall be from hēceforth good and effectuall accordinge to the purporte and entent of the same, and to continue for euer.

And furthermore be it enacted, that euery owner, fermer, & occupier of the sayd weres, gores, and ingins, and euery of the same, do puldowne and put awaye the same, a this side the feast of saincte Michaell tharchaungell next cōming, without leuiyng, mainteining, making, or repayringe y^e same from henceforth, vppon peine of a hundred pounde, to be forfaited & leuied likewise & in like maner, as in the same former act is conteined. This acte to endure for euer.

¶An acte concerninge suche as be in the kinges warres o­uer or vpon the sea. Cap. xiiij.

THe Kynge our soueraygne Lorde of hys most blessed dys­position well consideringe, that nowe he is broughte into Warre of necessity with his auncient enemies, the Frēche kinge and the Scottes, and hathe had and shall haue dai­ly the humble seruice in hys sayde Warres, as well of hys nobles as other hys true subiectes: of his mooste especiall grace and benigne fauour, that he beareth vnto his sayde subiectes, and for theyr more suretye and profyte, and for other reasonable considerations hym especially mouinge, by the assent of hys Lordes spyry­tuall and temporall, and the commons in this present parliamente assem­bled, and by auctoritye of the same hathe enacted, ordeined and established that euerye person and persons, of what degree or condicion hee be of, that shall passe ouer the sea, or that abideth vppon the sea, or beyonde the sea, and be in the kings wages or seruice of warre at this time, or hereafter shalbe [Page] in any other place durynge his sayd warres in seruice of warre, that euery of them, which haue lands & tenements holden of the kinge or any other to their only vse, shall now lawfully make therof alienation, feoffements and transmutacion of possession, by dede or dedes, fine or fines, recouerye or re­coueries, for the perfourmaunce of his or their will or willes, without any fine or fines, for the said alienations, feoffements, fines, recoueries, or trās­mutacion of possession therfore, or for any of thē to be made: And that thei and euery of them, their heires & assignes, & the heires & assignes of euerye of them, by auctority of this presente acte, be discharged of all & euery suche fines, without letters patētes of licēce or pardō, or other discharge in that behalfe. And furthermore be it also ordeined and enacted, by the sayd auc­tority, that if any person or persons, so beinge in the sayde seruice of warre, which hold lands, tenements, or hereditamēts of the kyng or of any other by knightes seruice or otherwyse, wherefore his heyre or heyres oughte or might be in warde, & fortune in the sayd seruice to decease beyond the sea or vpon the sea, or els where, in the seruice of the kinge in his warres against his enemies, or that any feoffement of the same landes and tenements, be supposed to be made by collusiō the heire or heires of the owner of the same lands & tenements being within age: that than the feoffees or executours of euery such person & persons so deceased, haue the warde and mariage of the heire or heires, so being within age, vntill they come to their full & law­full age. And the landes and tenementes, and other hereditaments so hol­den, during the nonage of euery such heire or heires to the perfourmaunce of the wil of the sayd person or persōs so deceased without any accompt or sommes of money, or other thinge therefore to be yelden, payinge therout yerely the rentes of the chiefe lorde or lordes of the fee of the same, sauinge to euerye person or persons, other then the sayde person or persons, that shal make any such alienation, feoffement, fine, or suffer recouery to be had against him, without paying therefore any fine to the kinge, or the lorde or lordes (of whom the sayde landes be holden) for the same suche right, tytle, vse, and interest, as they had before the said feoffement, alienation, fine, re­couery, or transmutacion of possession, or any of them made or suffered of any such lands, tenements, or hereditamentes, wherof any such feoffemēt, fine, recouery or alienation so shall be made. Prouided alwayes, that thys act extend not to any capitaine or capitaines, souldiour or souldiours, that now be or hereafter shall be reteygned wythin the townes of Calis, Ham­mes, Guines, Risebanke, Berwike, Wales, or any of them, or marches of the same. Excepte they or any of them procede in army royall againste the kynges enemyes.

God saue the king.