Chapter II: Introduction: ix

Mendicant Friars.—Schreiber’s description of the Golden
Age for Mendicants.—Knebel’s Chronicles of the Trials at
Basle, in 1475.—Sebastian Brant.

LIBER VAGATORUM.—Various editions.—Gengenbach’s
metrical version; Gödecke’s claim for the priority of
this refuted xv

MARTIN LUTHER.—Occupied in the work of the Reformation.—Writes
several popular pieces.—Edits the
_Liber Vagatorum_ xix

ENGLISH BOOKS ON VAGABONDS.—Harman’s Caveat for
commen Cvrsetors.—The Fraternitye of Vacabondes.—Greene,
Decker, and Shakespeare xxiv

ANCIENT CUSTOMS OF ENGLISH BEGGARS.—Licences with
Seals.—Seals now disused.—Wandering Students or
Vagabond Scholars xxviii

GERMAN ORIGIN OF TRICKS PRACTISED BY ENGLISH VAGABONDS.—Masters
of the Black-Art.—Fawney Riggers.—Card-Sharpers.
—Begging-Letter-Writers.—Shabby-Genteels.—Mechanics
out of employ.—Shivering Jemmies.—Maimers of Children.—Borrowers
of Children.—Simulated Fits.—Quack Doctors.—Treasure-Seekers.
—Travelling Tinkers xxxi

OLD GERMAN CANT WORDS xxxvi

LIBER VAGATORUM 1

LUTHER’S PREFACE 3