Chapter XXXIV: Appendix: XII

Justices' reports on the execution of the Book of Orders of January, 1630/1[761].

[761] See p. 172 seq.

A. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I. Vol. 188. 85.

Questions sent by the justices responsible for the division of Fawley, Hants. to the constables etc. of their district.

This copy of the inquiries was sent by Sir Richard Tychborne, Sir Thomas Stukeley, Henry Clerke and William Rolfe, the justices responsible for Fawley, to the High Sheriff of the county, together with a report on the measures taken to improve poor relief in the division of Fawley. The justices state they have sent these inquiries to the "officers of everie parish," but have so far not obtained satisfactory replies.

The document is directed "To the right wor^{ll} Thomas Cotele Esq. high Sheriffe of the county of South(amp)ton."

[Sidenote: Southht.]

"The perticuler of such things as by vertue of divers statutes menconed in his Ma^{t's} Commission are given in charge to the severall officers vizt.

[Sidenote: Touching the poore.]

1. What poore are releived that cannott worke.

2. What poore are sett to worke that want it.

3. What stocks are provided to sett the poore on worke.

4. The names of such poore as want stocks to worke.

5. The names of such men or women children that are above the age of 10 yeres & not bound apprentice.

6. The names of such householders as are fitt to take apprentices.

7. What monies or lands have bine given to charitable vses.

8. Whether the Churchwardens & overseers for theis things have mett monethly.

[Sidenote: Touching highwaies.]

1. What high waies are in decay & need repaier w^{th}in yo^r parish.

2. Whether the Churchwardens and Constables in Easter weeke last did chuse surveyo^{rs}.

3. Whether they did appoint 6 daies for worke and give notice thereof the next Sunday after.

4. Whether everie man having a plowe did for 6 daies and 8 houres in that day w^{th} twoe men and necessarie tooles worke in those daies.

5. Whether everie person not being an hired serv^t or taking wages have wrought those 6 daies.

6. What defects in any persons have bine presented by the Surveyo^{rs} to the Justices.

7. Whether any nusance by anie neighbors to anie high waies be comitted.

[Sidenote: Touching laborers & s(er)v^{ts}.[762]]

[762] All these inquiries refer to the statute of Elizabeth concerning labourers (5 Eliz. c. 4) or to the clause in the poor law of 1601 (43 Eliz. c. 2) which ordered the overseers to set to work all persons who had no means to maintain themselves. See above, pp. 140, 161. Some of the regulations of the former statute provide that in many employments servants should not be retained for less than a year; that the rates of wages should be fixed by the justices in Quarter Sessions every year; that a quarter's warning should be given if either master or servant desired to terminate the engagement at the end of the term, and that a testimonial should be obtained by a servant before he left his own parish or town, and should be shown to his new master before he obtained a fresh engagement. The statute also settled the conditions of apprenticeship, and limited the right of becoming an apprentice in certain crafts to the sons of those who possessed a little property. It also provided that all persons between twelve and sixty not otherwise employed, might be compelled to serve in husbandry. Several other references to the execution of this statute occur in the reports here printed. See B., Westmill and Sawbridgeworth, also D and E.

1. Whether those in the parish w^{ch} are fitt to serve doe serve.

2. Whether anie be retained or doe serve for lesse then a yeare.

3. Whether any doe give or take wage other then the Statute allowes.

4. Whether any departe att the end of theire terme w^{th}out a q(uar)ters warninge.

5. Whether any doe serve or be retained w^{th}out first shewing a testimoniall.

6. Whether any refuse to serve either as apprentice or otherwise w^{ch} ought to serve.

[Sidenote: Touching Rogues.]

{ All beggers.
1. All wanderers are rogues viz^t. { Patent gatherers.
{ Collecto^{rs} for persons.
{ Proctors.

{ Juglers.
2. All using vnlawfull trades as { Plaiers.
{ Fortune tellers.
{ Egiptians.

{ Minstrells.
{ Bearewards.
3. Idle traders travelling ag^t the lawe. { Tynkers.
{ Pedlers.
{ Pettichapmen.
{ Glasmen.

1. To present w^{ch} of theis or what other persons have bine apprehended or punished either by private persons or officers.

2. Whoe have neglected to punish anie such Rogues.

3. Whoe have releived or lodged them.

[Sidenote: Touching Alehouses.]

1. What alehouses there be in yo^r parish & where they stand.

2. What persons they bee that keepe them & whether licensed or bound.

3. What assize of bread & beere they keepe.

4. What disorders they keepe in theire houses by drinking or otherwise.

5. What persons haunt the same Alehouses or continue drinking therein.

6. What persons have bine drunke and have not bine therefore punished.

[Sidenote: Lastly.]

Whether the watches appointed by the Statute have bine duly observed for the apprehencon and punishm^t of Rogues."

B. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I. Vol. 189. 80 and Vol. 197. 69. Extracts from two reports from the hundred of Braughing, one sent to the High Sheriff in April and the other in Sept. 1631.

These two reports contain abstracts of the returns sent in by the overseers at six monthly meetings held between Feb. 7th, 1630/1 and June 27th, 1631[763]. The whole of the abstracts sent in on Feb. 7th are here printed, but of the others only those which indicate improvement in the administration of the poor law. The first document is written on parchment, the second on paper, both in a clerk's hand.

[763] See above, p. 249.

=Hertf.=[764]

[764] In the manuscript the names of the churchwardens &c. are written opposite the entries in a right-hand margin and the names of the places are written in a large hand in a left-hand margin.

"An Abstract of the Returne and presentments made by the Churchwardens, Constables and Ouerseers for the poore in the parishes of the halfe Hundred of +Braughinge+ vnto vs Justices of the peace in this devision whose names are herevnder written, on the vii^{th} of February 1630.

=Braughinge=[765].

[765] Of these places only Ware, Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Braughing and Stansted Abbots are of any size; Eastwick has even now only 71 inhabitants, and neither Gilston, Westmill or Thundridge have a population exceeding 500. The population of Charles I.'s time for the whole of England and Wales is estimated to have been about one-sixth that of the present day. The largest place, Ware, has a stock when the reports begin, the second in size, Stortford, reports one at the second meeting, while the overseers of Braughing have arranged for the employment of the poor in another manner. Here therefore as elsewhere arrangements for finding work exist more in the larger places than in the smaller.

Noe stocke for the poore, noe land or rents for charitable vses. A dozen of bread out of Lent and ii dozen in Lent w^{th} a barrell of white and a cade of red herrings. Noe children put to seruice this yeare, foure to be put out, six rogues punished, fiftie shillings guift to the poore.

Edward Dogood, Henry Watts, _Churchwardens_.
Thomas Smith, _Ouerseer for the poore_.

=Widford.=

Noe stocke, but foure pounds yearely gathered, and fiue markes rent, none that want worke, none put to seruice, one to put forth. Prouision of corne at iii^s iiii^d for the poore.

Oliuer Mills, _Churchwarden_.
Thomas Hadsley, _Ouerseer for the poore_.

=Eastwicke.=

Noe stocke for the poore, noe children to put to service, noe disorder in Alehouses, Watches and Ward duely kept, iii rogues punished, xxx^s yearly rent for the poore.

Thomas Kinge, George Cramphorne, _Constables_.
John Thorogood, _Ouerseer for the poore_.

=Stansted Abbot.=

Noe stocke but twoe cowes[766] and xviii^s iiij^d yearely rent. One lately put to seruice one to be put fourth, noe disorder in the Innes or Alehouses, eleuen rogues punished.

[766] The keeping of cows so that the poor could have their milk seems to have been one of the oldest methods of public poor relief; see Ashley, _Econ. Hist._, II. p. 311.

John Tayler, _Constable_.
Abraham Grisley, _Churchwarden_.
John Bannester, _Ouerseer for the poore_.

=Ware.=

Thirtie pounds stocke to sett the poore one worke; three lately put to seruice, nine more male and female to put forth; rents yearely imployed according to the donors wills; fortie markes, 80^{li} yearely collection by Rates for the poore, more levied since Michaellmas last; 93^{li} to buy corne for the poore and sold them at iiii^s. the bushell, more 26^{li} giuen at Christmas by the Inhabitants in money to the poore; Watch and Ward duely kept, xiii rogues punished and passed, none but will worke for reasonable pay, three drawe Beare and sell w^{th}out Licence, noe disorders in Innes or Alehouses but such as haue lately been punished.

Robert Dowell, Isacke Needham, _Constables_.
Humphrie Parker, Thomas Mead, _Churchwardens_.
Joseph Wattson, Thomas Hadsley, _Ouerseers_.

=Chorley.=

Noe stocke, twoe put to service, noe rents for charitable vses, no vnlicenced Alehouses, 24 Quarters of corne provided for the poore and sold to them at iii_s._ iiii_d._ the bushell.

Nicholas Humfrie, _Churchwarden_.
Richard Godfree, _Constable_.
Edward Sabine, _Ouerseer_.

=Gildston.=

Noe stocke, The poore imployed by clothiers, one childe put to seruice the others twoe young, 5^{li} yearely Rent for the poore, but one Alehouse noe disorder therein, Watches and Wards duely kept.

Nathaniell Spencer, _Constable_.
John Rogers, _Churchwarden_.
Henry Corney, _Ouerseer_.

=Hunsdon.=

Tenn pounds Stocke to sett the poore on Worke, none to be put out, 10^{li} Land for charitable vses; noe unlicenced Alehouses; noe disorder in any, Watch and Ward duely kept, Rogues punished by the Marshall.

George Elliott, Richard Hunt, _Const._
Thomas Howe, _Churchwarden_.

=Westmill.=

Noe stocke for the poore, xvii rogues punished & passed, Richard Beadle and John Boldle liue idly[767], one boy put to seruice, one other to put fourth, neither Inne nor alehouse.

[767] See above, pp. 156-7 note.

Richard Haruey, _Const._
Thomas Kirby, _Churchwar._
John Bullard, _Ouerseer_.

=Sabridgworth.=

Noe stocke to sett the Poore on worke, a stocke of corne at iii_s._ and iiii_d._ the bushell for the poore, none put to seruice, many to be put forth, the profits to the poore imployed as by the doners wills, noe unlicenced alehouses, noe disorder in licenced, none liue idly, Watch and Ward duely kept, Rogues punished and passed according to the lawe; Levied vpon drunkards x_s._ w^{ch} was giuen to the poore.

William Addams, _Churchwarden_.
Richard Shepheard, _Constable_.
Simon Abbott, _Ouerseer for the poore_.

=Standon.=

Noe stock for the poore, watch and ward duely kept, xii rogues punished and passed, none liue idly, fiue children put out to seruice, viii male & ix female children to put fourth, noe vnlicenced Alehouses nor disorder in any, noe money Levied vpon drunkards, 50^{li} per annu(m) rents imployed according to the donors intent.

William Beadle, _Churchwarden_.
Richard Hill, _Constable_.
Thomas (Avorch?), _Ouerseer for y^e poore_.

=Stortford.=

Twentie foure pounds & tenn shillings collected yearly for the poore xii^{li}: xi^s rents, xxiij^{li}: x^s laid out to buy corne for the poore at xvi^d the bushell cheaper then it cost, not any put to seruice this yeare, viii children to be put out, noe vnlicenced alehouses, noe disorder in Inne or Alehouse, foure vagrants punished, Watch and Warde duely kept, not any idle persons.

Leonard Knight, _Constable_.
John Jones, _Ouerseer for y^e poore_.

=Thundridge.=

Noe stocke for their poore, watches and wards duely kept, none put to seruice this yeare, Henry Cobham selleth Beare w^{th}out Licence noe disorder in Innes or Alehouses, noe money levied upon drunkards. The rest of the presentment is against Edward Gardiner Esq. w^{ch} doth depend vpon the Lawe.

Frier Durden, _Churchwarden_.
Thomas Young, _Consta^{ble}_.
Isacke Gray, Thomas Gilson, _Ouerseers for the poore_."

This ends the returns for Feb. 7th; the same parishes send returns on each of the later dates; the few which are here printed are those which indicate the alteration effected by the enforcement of the Book of Orders.

"An Abstract of the Returnes made March the vii^{th}....

=Sabrdgworth.=

Noe vnlicenced Alehouses, noe disorder, watch and ward duely kept, vagrants punished according to the Lawe, x^s leuied vpon drunkards to the vse of the poore. Gabraell Whittawe, his wife, sonne and daughter liue idly and are hedgbreakers, noe stocke in the parish to sett the poore on worke. A greate stocke of corne laid in for the poore at iii^s iiij^d the bushell, none want worke, all being set one worke in the parish, ii^{li} x^s yearly rent distributed to the poore by the donors, xi boyes and girles to be put to service....

Richard Shepheard, Robert Goulett, _Consta._
Thomas Thackguere, William Addams, _Churchwar._
Abraham Thorogood, Simon Abbott, _Ouerseers_....

=Stortford.=

Stocke to set the poore one worke to make Clothe 22^{li}: 10^s: of hempe, towe and flax; 24 children to put to seruice, 22 poore spinners sett to worke, none sell beare or ale w^{th}out licence, noe disorder in Innes or Alehouses, iiii rogues punished, watch & ward duely kept, noe Money leuied vpon drunkards since our last returne: Thomas Gurston goeth aboute w^{th} a Gunne or Peece, Tobias Chandler hath noe Lawfull calling.

Tho. Barnard, gen. _Church._
Leonard Knight, Robert Freeman, _Constables_.
John Jones, James Scruby, _Ouerseers_.

=Westmill.=

Tenn pounds, thirteene shillings Stocke for the releife of the poore in corne; Richard Beadle, John Beadle idle liuers out of seruice, noe Inne or Alehouse in the parish, the Guifts formerly given imployed as by the donors wills, watch and ward duely kept, three rogues punished....

Thomas Kirbey, Michaell More, _Churchwardens_.
Tho. Ancell, Richard Haruey, _Ouerseers_.

An Abstract of the Returnes made Aprill the iiii^{th} Anno d(omi)ni 1631....

=Braughinge.=

Noe stock to sett the poore on worke but they are sett on worke by the inhabitants to spinn towe at iiii^d the pound, fiftie shillings guift to the poore, adozen of bread out of Lent and twoe dozen in Lent w^{th} a Barrell of White & a cade of Redd herrings the Weekly Collection amounteth to aboue xx^{li} the yeare, six rogues punished, Watches and Wardes duely kept....

Will Denison, _Const._
Hen. Wattie, Edw. Dogood, _Church._
Tho. Smith, Edw. Tubman, _Ouer._

=Widford.=

None that keepe Alehouse w^{th}out Licence noe disorder in the Licenced, Watch and Ward duely kept, iiii rogues punished, noe money leuied vpon drunkards, none but will and doe worke for reasonable wages, noe stocke but the poore are releiued w^{th} corne and money, noe Guifts to charitable vses, none to put fourth Apprentices but those whome their parents will put fourth.

Tho. Ouerill, _Const._
Tho. Wett, _Churchw._
John Cripes, _Ouers._

_D. S. P._ Chas. I. Vol. 197. 69.

An Abstract of the Returnes and presentments made by the churchwardens, constables and ouerseers for the Poore in the parishes of the halfe hundred of Braughing vnto vs Justices of the peace in this diuision whose names are herevnder written on the first day of May anno do(min)i 1631....

=Stortford.=

Twoe put fourth Apprentices, there is more to put fourth soe soone as there cann be masters gotten for them, Robert Gray refuseth to pay to the Rate for the poore, there is one William Brookes will not keepe his seruice....

James Scruby, John Jones, _Ouerseers_.
John Bull, Robert Colt, _Churchwardens_.
W^m Ellis, W^m Reade, _Constables_.

An Abstract of the Returnes made May xxx^{th} 1631....

=Gilston.=

Noe unlicenced Alehouse keepers, Watch & Ward is duely kept, one Rogue punished and passed since the last Sitting, Joseph Charnocke and Thomas Charnocke liue idly and will not worke there is fiue pounds stocke and the poore are sett on worke, none put fourth apprentices as yet....

Hen. Damyan, _Constable_.
Robert Ellis, _Churchwarden_.
Hen. Corney, _Ouerseer_....

An Abstract of the Returnes made June xxvii^{th} anno do(min)i 1631....

=Hunsdon.=

None sell Ale or beare w^{th}out Licence, Watch and Ward is duely kept, tenn Rogues haue been punished and passed, noe money leuied vpon drunkards, noe idle persons, theire was a stocke of Tenn pounds to sett the poore on worke, w^{ch} is decayed and come to fiue pounds, Noe guifts to charitable vses, none fitt to put apprentices....

George Elliott, _Constable_.
John Burton, _Churchwarden_.
W^m Hale, _Ouerseer_.

=Eastwicke.=

Watch and Ward is duely kept, noe unlicenced alehouses, noe rogues punished since the last sitting, the poore are sett on worke by the inhabitants, there are some yearely rents w^{ch} are weekely distributed to the poore, none to put fourth apprentices."

Tho. King, _Constable_.
Geo. Cramphorne, _Churchwarden_.
Tho. Porter, _Ouerseer_."

This later report is endorsed "Certifyed by the high Sheriff the first of Septemb(er) 1631. Jo. Boteler."

C. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I. Vol. 190. 10.

Part of the Report of Bridewell.

This report of Bridewell seems to have been made in consequence of the inquiries of the commissioners on poor relief appointed in Jan. 1630/1.

The estimated value of the labour of the inmates, the cost of their maintenance, the amount paid in salaries to the officials of the hospital all throw light on the rate of wages and on the cost of living at this time.

=London Bridewell.=

"To the right hon^{ble} the lords of his Ma^{ties} most ho^{ble} privy Counsaile.

We, the Presid^t, Treasurer and other the Governo^{rs} of the hospitall of Bridewell, in obedience to yo^r Lo(rdshi)ps order dated the xviii^{th} day of Aprill now last past doe humbly present vnto Hono^{rs} a true particuler of all the state of the same Hospitall as it now standeth this Second day of May 1631 in manner and forme following (viz^t.)[768]." ...

[768] Particulars of rents annually received are here set down; they together amount to £724. 2_s._ 2_d._

"Casuall receipts."

"There is raised by the labo^r of eu(er)y
man that is set to worke w^{th}in the said hospitall
for eu(er)y dayes worke iiii^d and for eu(er)y
woman and boy ii^d, w^{ch} for vii yeares now last
past co(mmun)ibus annis hath raised per
ann(um) xl^{li}

There hath been moreover receaved for the
dyett of such rude apprentices and other idle
and vnruly persons as have been sent thither
w^{th}in Seaven yeares last past co(mmun)ibus
annis per ann(um) xxxvi^{li}

There hath been given by well disposed
persons towards the releife of the poore people
harboured w^{th}in the said hospitall and towards
the putting forth of poore children apprentices
w^{th}in the space of vii yeares last past co(mmun)ibus
annis the yearly som(m)e of cxx^{li}

Som(m)e of all the Casuall receipts yearly ys clxxxxvi^{li}

There hath been letten w^{th}in the space of
Seaven yeares of the lands and Tenem^{ts} belonging
to the said Hospitall fifteene leases
for the w^{ch} there hath been receaved in fines
the totall som(m)e of Three hundred & fifteene
pounds w^{ch} co(mmun)ibus annis doth amount
vnto the yearly some of xlv^{li}

In toto ccxli^{li}

There is also belonging to the said hospitall
one lease of fifteene Tenem^{ts} at Bethlem w^{th}out
Bishopsgate London w^{ch} cost cccl^{li} wherein are
yet to come v yeares at o^r Lady day last
whervpon is to be receaved the cleare yearly
rent of lx^{li}

Som(m)e totall of all the rents revenue
and receipts aforemenconed ys mxxv^{li}, ii^s, ii^d

There is remaining in stock belonging to
the said Hospitall these severall som(m)es
he(re)after menconed (viz^t)

There remaineth vpon the foote of the
account of the Tre(asure)r of the said hospitall
made vp at Xpimas 1630 the som(m)e of ccccv^{li} vii^s ii^d

There is also remaining in stock belonging
to the said hospitall by the guift of Mr Richard
Culverwell dec. the somme of cc

There is also remaining in stock of the
guift of M^{ris} Mary Paradyne Widdow the
som(m)e of cc^{li}

For the ymploym^t of the said last recited som(m)es of Two hundred
pounds a peice, the Citty have given bonds that the same shall remaine
and foreu(er) continue as a stock in the said Hospitall and that the
benefitt thereof made shall redound to the putting forth of poore
children apprentices and otherwise to releive the poore of the same
hospitall in such sort and to such vses as the dono^{rs} thereof have
limitted. The same to be disposed by the discrecon of the Governo^{rs}
of the same Hospitall.

And whereas the said house was indebted
to the chamber of London the som(m)e of 200^{li}
and did otherwise want stock to releive the
poore and set them to worke, there was therfore
a colleccon made w^{th}in the Citty of London
by order of Lord Maio^r and Court of Ald(e)r(me)n
about Seaven yeares now past for and
towards the releife of the poore harboured in
the said Hospitall and towards the mainteining
of a stock there to set the poore on worke and
otherwise to put poore children out apprentices
to the totall som(m)e of 1749^{li}. 5^s. 3^d, parte
whereof (viz^t) 200^{li} was paid into the chamber
of London to satisfy the debt aforesaid and
350^{li} more was laid out for the purchase of the
lease aforemenconed at Bethlem and the residue
is remaining yet in stock to buy hempe or
otherwise to be disposed of in such sort for
vse of the house as the Govern^{ors} of the said
house shall best advise (that is to say) mclxxxxix^{li} v^s iii^d

Som(m)e totall of all the stock aforemenconed
ys mmiiij^{li} xii^s v^d

There is furthermore to be receaved for
fines of leases vpon bonds and other security
not yet due to be paid cclxxx^{li}

There ys also due to the said Hospitall by
bonds the som(m)e of cxi^{li}

And there is more also due to the said
Hospitall in doubtfull or desperate debts the
som(m)e of cxxxiiij^{li}

Som(m)e totall of all the said debts ys v^cxv^{li}[769]

[769] The arithmetic seems wrong here; it should be £525.

There ys no Linnen bedding or ymplemts of houshold stuffe belonging to the said Hospitall other then such as are hereafter menconed in a particuler Inventary thereof made and here vnto annexed.

There are vsed w^{th}in the said Hospitall these occupacons or workes hereafter menconed (viz^t).

Four Silkeweavers who doe keepe poore children taken vp in the streets or otherwise distressed as their apprentices to the number of fortye & sixe.

Two Pinmakers who doe likewise keepe as apprentices twenty and three.

One Ribbon weaver who keepeth v apprentices.

Two Hempdressers who keepe Tenn apprentices.

Five Glovers who keepe Sixteene apprentices.

One Linnen Weav(er) who keepeth iiij^r apprentices.

One Carpenter who keepeth Two apprentices.

The whole number of the apprentices are cvi.

The Hempmen aforesaid doe at this time keepe at worke in beating hempe
of men and women to the number of xlviii.

There are also kept at this present w^{th}in the said Hospitall of
vagrants and persons vnable to worke to the number of xiij.

There are also w^{th}in the said Hospitall these seu(er)all officers
hereafter menconed.

A Preacher who hath for his yearly wages
and house rent xxvi^{li} xvi^s viii^d

A Clarke to keepe their bookes and to
enter vp their accounts who hath yearly for
his sallary xx^{li}

A Steward who for himselfe his man and
his maid receaveth yearly xxxii^{li}

A Porter who receaveth yearly for himselfe
and his man xxij^{li} xvj^s viii^d

A Matron who receaveth yearly for herselfe
and her maid xxv^{li}

One Beadle who is also Sexton of the Chappell
and receaveth yearly for his service therein
and for making cleane the yards and looking
to themptying of the vaults Three pounds Sixe
shillings and Eight pence And he being a
Tailo^r is allowed yearly towards making the
apprentices and others of the poores clothes
w^{th}in the house iiii^{li} and he is allowed more
yearly xx^s in tot. viii^{li} vi^s viii^d

One other Beadle who receaveth yearly xx^s

These two Beadles receave the rest of their
wages from the other Hospitalls.

Two other beadles who receave yearly for
wages and livery coats xiij^{li} iiij^s

These officers doe all reside w^{th}in the house.

A Surgeon to view the bodies of such as
are brought in diseased or lame w^{th}in the
house and to cure such as be suddenly hurt
who receaveth yearly xl^s

There are also Two Marshalls men who
doe receive yearly for their wages xxxvi^{li} x^s

There is a Raker to carry away the soyle
from the house who hath yearly xx^s

A Nightman to empty the Vaults who hath
yearly iiij^{li}

Som(m)e totall of all the officers wages ys clxxxxiij^{li} viii^s[770]

[770] The sum total seems to amount to £192. 14_s._

The Revenue of the said Hospitall is expended
and disposed of in releiveing and
manteining such aged lame sick and idle
persons as are sent downe to the said Hospitall
and either cannot or will not worke for
whome they are constrained to provide clothes
for such as be naked, diet, straw and other
provision, and also to allowe continuall sustenance
to those whose worke is not sufficient
to releive them, all w^{ch} w^{th}in the space of
vii yeares last past one yeare w^{th} another hath
expended per ann(um) ccxl^{li}

And also, according to the intent and true
meaning of their grant, there are mainteined in
clothes w^{th}in the said hospitall one hundred
and sixe apprentices, poore children most of
them taken out of the streets whose Masters
dwell rent free w^{th}in the said Hospitall, besides
many other poore children are put forth apprentices
into other places. All w^{ch} together
w^{th} the repaire of the houses and other necessary
charges and expences of the said hospitall
disbursed and laid out, as by the particulers
thereof may appeare at large in the bookes
of accounts, w^{th}in vii yeares last past hath
cost one yeare w^{th} another at least vii^{cli}

Som(m)e totall of all the casuall paym^{ts}
aforemenconed ys ix^cxl^l

Som(m)e totall of all the paym^{ts} afore specified
ys mcxxxiij^{li} viii^s[771]....

[771] Particulars of the leases here follow, the rents of which amount to £483. 3_s._ 4_d._ After this there is an inventory of the furniture in every room of the hospital. The following are the particulars given for one of the rooms:

"At the Eight boarded bedsteds.
working One long table of Two planks.
roome at One forme and a particon.
the Matrons. One old forme.
One old peice of timber lying before the chimney.
Eight spinning wheeles.
Three straw bedds and sixe bowlsters."

The Ordinances and Constitucons by w^{ch} the said hospitall is
ordered and governed are conteined and specified in great bookes by
reason of the largenes whereof they cannot in so short a time be
coppied out but they shalbe ready to be shewed forth as yo^r Hono^{rs}
shall appoint."

D. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I., Vol. 191, No. 42. This report is endorsed "16 May, 1631. Certificate from the Maior of Guldeforde in Surr."

[Sidenote: Guldeford in Com. Surr.]

"The certificate of John Champion gent Maior of the Towne of Guldeford, on the behalf of the Maior and Justices of peace of the saide Towne and Lib(er)ties made the Sixtenth day of May, in the seauenth yere of the Raigne of o^r Sou(er)aigne Lord kinge Charles 1631.

Accordinge to his Ma^{ties} good Orders and direccons, and in performance of o^r Duties I certifie That forthw^{th} vppon receipt of the Booke of instruccons w^{ch} was about the 5^t of Februarie last past, we, the saide Maio^r and the Justices of Peace in the saide Towne, did assemble o^rselues togeather and did call before vs The constables, churchwardens and overseers of the poore in the seu(er)all parishes w^{th}in the saide Towne and lib(er)ties. And ther did enquire, As by the saide booke of Orders is directed, And haue vntill this tyme contynewed a three weekes meetinge and made enquirie accordinglie.

We found no neglect in any of the saide Officers, But that they haue discharged ther duties accordinge to Lawe.

Vppon o^r enquirie had, seuerall presentm^{ts} were made to vs ag^t dronkards and such as do sitt tiplinge and drinckinge in Alehouses and vitlinge houses, and we haue caused the penalties lymitted by the statute to be leuyed, as well on them as the vitlers and disposed the same to y^e poore of the seu(er)all parishes wher the offences were comitted as the Lawe requireth.

We haue caused also Two apprentices to be bound to handicrafts and raysed money to place them And do prouide to haue such other as are yet to be placed, to be put out so sone as they are fitt to be put out We haue, at o^r Sessions of the peace helde for the saide Towne on the second day of May last, enquired on those Articles that tend to reformacon or punishm^t of Offences in Bakers or Brewers, Forstallers, regrato^{rs} and ingrossers and of such other offences as are in the direccon menc(ion)ed. And such Delinquents as stand presented before vs and appered in Court we haue fyned and punished accordinge to Lawe. And caused proces from the saide sessions to be made out against the delinquents so presented and not appereinge, and entend to put the seu(er)all Lawes in execucon against them.

Further we haue caused the statute of laborers to be putt in execucon[772].

[772] See note to Appendix XII. A.

Item we haue ordered That the taxacons for the releife of the poore are duely collected for their present releife. And touchinge the hable poore men of the Towne both great and smale They are daielie imployed and set on woorke, by the meanes of a good manufacture founded by the right hono^{ble} the most Reuerend father in god, the Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury his grace, in Guldeford, the stock beinge flaxe and hempe, spining and weauing the same into cloth, w^{ch} we finde to be a great comfort to many poore workefolke, men, women and children her.

We haue caused daylie ward in the Toune to be kept by sufficient persons for the app(re)hencon of Rogues and Vagabonds and for safetie and good order.

And we haue w^{th} all diligence and care taken order That the constables and officers in the saide Towne haue vsed all diligence and care in punishinge of Rogues and Vagabonds and that ther was few or no Rogue taken for that by the late care and watch in the countrie and Townes nere to tak Rogues, verie few or none are found to wander nor any come to this Towne.

The number of Alehouses ar w^{th} all care lessened w^{th} vs and the unlycensed punished and Brewers that haue s^rued them, and the penalties disposed to the poore accordinge to lawe.

We haue taken speciall Care for the amending of highwaies w^{th}in the lib(er)ties of the Towne and haue giuen the same in chardge to the Surveyo^{rs} of the high waies to see it trulie performed

16^{to} May Anno D(omin)i 1631.
Jo. Champion _Maior_."

E. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I., Vol. 216, No. 45. This document is endorsed "Cantebr(igia) July 1632, Certificate of y^e justices for the hundreds of Chesterton, Papworth and North sto(we). Julii 16^o 1632."[773]

[773] See above, p. 264.

[Sidenote: Com(itatus) Cantebr(igiensis).]

"The c(er)tificate of S^r John Cutts, S^r Edward Hynde, S^r Robert Hatton knights and Martin Peerce Esqr. Justices of the peace w^{th}in the County of Cambridge aforesaid, and assigned to the devisions of the hundreds of Chesterton, Papworth and North Stowe, vnto the high Sheriffe of the said County, by vertue of certayne imprinted orders and direccons sent from his ma^{tie}, and l(ett)res sent vnto vs by the right hono^{ble} the lords of his ma^{ties} most hono^{ble} privy Councell beareinge date the last day of Aprill Anno d(omi)ni 1632.

From o^r meeteinge at Longe Stanton the thirteenth of May 1632.

Wee, or some of vs whose names are heere subscribed, have mett seu(er)all tymes for the said hund(reds) accordinge to the instruccons sent vnto vs.

Wee have taken a strict accompt of the high Constables, petty Constables, Churwardens and ou(er)seers for the poore of eu(er)y parish w^{th}in theis hundreds howe the impotent poore are releived and their other poore sett on worke in eu(er)y Towne, and we find that they are sufficiently provided for and the Towne stockes we have in most Townes increased w^{th} direccons to have them duly imployed.

Since our first meeteings we find the contry to have bin soe carefull that wee have bin sloe in punishinge, but have rather sought by gentle meanes to incourrage them, where we find the lawe to give vs that liberty.

We have caused a gen(er)all privy Search to be made in all Townes w^{th}in the sayd Hundreds, for the apprehendinge of rogues and vagabons, and have caused them to be punished and conveyed accordinge to the Statute, and we have comanded a strict and diligent ward to be kept in eu(er)y Towne for the apprehendinge, punishinge and conveyinge of all such Rogues and wandringe persons as shall hereafter be found w^{th}in the said lymitts and we shall punish the defaults of such officers as have bin negligent in the due execucon of the premisses.

We have at o^r seu(er)all meeteings put forth above one hundred and fifty apprentices and have since taken an accompt of all such masters as have heretofore taken apprentices and have putt them away, and we have settled them againe w^{th} their said masters where they remayne quietly.

For the statute of laborers, retayneinge of servants and orderinge of wages, we have taken it into our consideracon, but have perfected nothinge[774], the care of the poore and puttinge forth of apprentices hath imployed soe much of our tyme.

[774] See note to Appendix XII. A.

The howes of correccon we have yett had noe tyme or means to alter but we shall carefully and speedyly obey comandem^t.

For the highe wayes we have vsed our best diligence, and we have seene the lawes strictly observed, but y^t must be a worke of tyme, and we will continewe our care.

Jhon Cutts. Edw. Hynde. Rob. Hatton. Martin Perse.
Rec. this from y^e Justices
Julii 16^o 1632."

F. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I., Vol. 226, No. 78.

Part of the certificate of the justices of Middlesex for the Finsbury division.

The original document contains the accounts of six parishes[775] but only the part relating to St Giles', Cripplegate, is here printed.

[775] The other five parishes are St Sepulchres, Stoke Newington, Clarkenwell, Islington and Friern Barnet. A note is also added that

"Hornsey and Finchley }
have levyed } nil."

The document is endorsed "Finsbury Division Midd. Certificate of forfeitures[776] levyed of vnlycensed alehousekeeps for defective measures, for the poore 1630, 1631 & 1632."

[776] See above, pp. 138, note 2, and 177. These forfeitures were partially used for setting the poor to work in three of the parishes out of these six.

[Sidenote: St Gyles Cripplegate in Com. Midd.]

"The constables and churchwardens there
haue levyed of Alehousekeepers unlycensed
and for defective measures in annis 1630, 1631
& 1632, hucusque lxxiiij^{li} xv^s

[Sidenote: Francis Foster, Thomas Howgrave, John Willes, _Churchwardens_.]

And that they have improved by the stocke
disbursed iij^{li} xii^s

Whereof they have disbursed to poore
people for stocke to sett them on worke ix^{li} viii^s

And for releife of those that were infected
w^{th} the plague in y^e said parishe iiij^{li} xviii^s

[Sidenote: Apprentices put out, 19.]

And for the puttinge forth and Clothinge
nyneteene Apprentices xxxiii^{li} xviii^s

[Sidenote: Rewards to informers.]

And for rewardes to those that discovered
the said forfeitures in y^e paryshe (for the vse
of y^e poore?) viii^{li} iii^s

[Sidenote: Discretion.]

And they haue disbursed to divers poore
people accordinge to theire necessities by the
discretion of the saide churchwardens xvi^{li} xvii^s

They have receaved lxxviii^{li} vii^s

And haue disbursed lxxiii^{li} iiii^s iiii^d

[Sidenote: Stocke remayninge.]

And there remaynes in stocke for the vse
of the poore of that parishe[777] v^{li} ii^s viii^d"

[777] The whole series of accounts are signed by the justices Thomas Fowler, William Hudson and John Herne.

G. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I., Vol. 349, No. 86.

Part of the Certificate from the wappentake of Bassetlaw[778] 10th March 1636/7.

[778] See above, p. 256 seq.

The following document is endorsed "Nott. 10th March 1636," in another hand, while in the same hand as the rest of the document is written, "The Divisions of North Clay, South Clay and Hatfeild w^{th}in the wapentake of Bersett Law in the County of Nottingha(m)." The part of the document here printed relates to the division of South Clay.

"A Certificate of our proceedings at the Monethly meeteings held w^{th}in the Hundred of Bersett Law in the County of Nottingh(a)m since the last Assizes delivered to his Ma^{ties} Judges of Assize the tenth day of March Anno d(omi)ni 1636.

At East Retford for the Divisions of South Clay and North Clay in October and Februarie 1636."

"_Laneham_[779].

[779] The following twenty-two places are all small except Tuxford, which now possesses nearly a thousand inhabitants. All the others except five have less than three hundred inhabitants at the present day.

They certifie six poore people w^{ch} haue weeckely releife.

It(em) that they haue in Towne stocke xvi^s w^{ch} is bestowed in hemp and imployed to sett such poore on worke as wante.

It(em) that they haue had noe wanderers come w^{th}in their liberties.

It(em) that they haue 4 poore children to bee placed out apprentices w^{ch} are to bee bound the next meeteing.

_Ekring._

Impr(imis) there is in that Towne and parishe 6 impotent and aged people w^{ch} haue weeckely pension.

It(em) they haue in Towne stocke xx^s.

It(em) they haue punished one vagrant.

It(em) they haue placed foure poore children app(re)ntices.

_Stokeham_[780].

[780] Stokeham has now only thirty-five inhabitants, so this report does not necessarily denote negligence.

Impr(imis) they haue in that Towne noe poore people but such as are able to maintaine themselues.

It(em) wanderers they had none.

_Gamolston._

Impr(imis) they haue noe poore w^{ch} neede weeckely releife.

It(em) they haue in Towne stocke 40^s to sett such poore on worke as neede.

It(em) they haue noe poore children fitt as yett to bee putt apprentices.

It(em) they haue punished 3 wanderers and sent the(m) into Yorkeshire where they sayed they were borne.

_Ragnell._

Inpr(imis) they maintayne 3 poore people w^{th} weeckely pension being aged.

It(em) they haue in Towne stocke 3^{li} to sett such poore on worke as want worke.

It(em) they haue noe poore children fitt to bee placed apprentices.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_East Drayton._

Impr(imis) they maintayne 5 poore people being impotent and aged w^{th} weeckely pension.

It(em) they haue in Towne stocke 40^s to sett such other poore on worke as want worke.

It(em) they haue noe poore children fitt to bee placed Apprentices.

It(em) they haue punished 3 vagrants.

_Darleton._

Inpr(imis) they maintaine 2 poore people w^{th} weeckely pension.

It(em) they haue 30^s in Towne stocke.

It(em) they haue noe poore children fitt to bee placed apprentices.

Item they haue punished 3 vagrants.

_Rampton._

Impr(imis) they maintaine one poore man w^{th} weeckely pension.

It(em) they haue xx^{li} in Towne stocke.

It(em) they haue placed out 2 Apprentices.

Item they haue noe wanderers come w^{th}in their Towne.

_Dunham._

Impr(imis) they maintaine 4 poore people w^{th} monethly pension.

It(em) they haue in Towne stocke 2^{li}. 6^s. 8^d.

It(em) they haue noe poore children fitt to bee placed apprentices.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_Askham._

Impr(imis) they have 5 poore people w^{ch} haue weeckely pension.

It(em) in Towne stocke twenty mks.

It(em) they haue placed out one apprentice.

It(em) they haue punished one vagrant.

_Eaton._

Inpr(imis) in Towne stocke 2^{li}. 6^s. 8^d.

It(em) one poore boy placed out apprentice.

It(em) two wanderers punished.

_Kirton._

Inpr(imis) 3 poore people w^{ch} haue weeckely or monethly releife, as they neede.

It(em) in Towne stocke x^{li}.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_Welhagh._

Inpr(imis) in Towne stocke 6^{li}. 13^s. 4^d.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

It(em) poore children to bee placed out apprentices none.

It(em) 4 poore people w^{ch} haue monethly releife.

_Bilstrop._

Impr(imis) they allowe a poore woman a weekely pension.

It(em) they give for the keepinge of a bastard child per ann(um) xxxiii^s iiij^d.

It(em) in towne stock 4 pounds.

It(em) they haue punished 2 vagrants.

_Tuxford._

Impr(imis) they give to 9 poore people weekely pension.

It(em) in towne stock five pounds.

It(em) they haue placed out 6 poore children apprentice.

It(em) they haue punished 3 vagrants.

_East Markham._

Impr(imis) in towne stock vij pounds.

It(em) they haue placed out fower apprentice and w^{th} two of them given vii^{li} x^s.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_Treswell._

Impr(imis) the(y) releeve weekly of poore people, impotent, aged and younge children 29.

It(em) they haue punished 3 vagrants.

_Grove._

Impr(imis) they haue no poore that need releefve all being able to mainteine themselues w^{th} theire labo^r.

It(em) they haue no towne stock in regard theire poore are otherwise sett on worke.

It(em) they haue no wanderers.

_Egmonton._

Imp(rimi)s they mainteine 8 poore people w^{th} weekly pension and one w^{th} monthly pension.

It(em) towne stock they haue none because they imploy theire poore in other worke as they wante it.

_Laxton cu(m) Morehouse._

Inpr(imi)s they haue placed 3 poore children out apprentice and given w^{th} them vi^{li} x^s.

It(em) they haue no towne stock, theire poore such as want work beinge sett on worke otherwise by the towne.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_West Markham._

Impr(imi)s they haue diuers younge children but are too young to place out apprentice w^{ch} wee maintaine and theire parents w^{th} worke.

It(em) an old woman is mainteyned w^{th} a monethly pension of v^s iiij^d and a load of coles eu(er)y yeare.

It(em) wanderers they haue had none.

_Headon cu(m) Upton._

Impr(imi)s they give vnto 3 poore people a weekly allowance.

It(em) such poore as are able to worke are sett on worke.

It(em) they haue placed out 4 apprentice.

It(em) they haue punished 2 vagrants."

The reports for the divisions of North Clay and Hatfeild follow, and the whole is signed by the justices.

H. _Dom. State Papers_, Chas. I., Vol. 395, No. 55.

Certificate concerning the Book of Orders from the hundreds of Loes, Wilford, Thredling and Plomesgate, 14 July 1638[781].

[781] See above, p. 264.

[Sidenote: Suff.]

"To the high Sheriffe of the County of Suff.

The Certificate of the Justices of the peace whose names are herevnd(er)written for the hundreds of Loes, Willford, Thredlinge and Plomesgate w^{th}in the lib(er)ty of S^{ct} Etheldred made the xiiii^{th} day of Julye: 1638, touchinge his Ma^{t's} Booke of Orders as followeth:

1. First that wee doe contynue o^r monethly meeteings w^{th}in the said hundreds according to his Ma^{t's} said Booke of orders.

2. That the impotent poore w^{th}in the said hundreds are releived and such other poore as are able to worke and will worke haveing noe stocks are provided of stocks and sett to worke by the ou(er)seers.

3. That such idle poore as will nott worke are sent to the house of Correction and there sett to worke and punished according to lawe.

4. That the nomber of sup(er)fluous alehowses w^{th}in the said hundreds doe still contynue suppressed.

5. That since o^r last c(er)tificate wee haue bound forth syxe poore children to be apprentices.

6. That since o^r last c(er)tificate wee haue levied w^{th}in the said hundreds for disorders in Innes and Alehowses and for other offences comitted contrary to lawe the some of Twenty shillings.

7. That there hath bin a watch kept w^{th}in the said hundreds for the apprehending of Rogues and vagabonds in w^{ch} watch such Rogues as haue bin Apprehended haue bin punished and sent according to lawe.

Edw^d Duke.
Nic. Reuette."