Certaine statutes especially selected, and commanded by his Maiestie to be carefully put in execution by all iustices, and other officers of the peace throughout the realme with his Maiesties proclamation for further direction for executing the same. Also certaine orders thought meete by his Maiestie and his Priuie Counsell, to bee put in execution, together with sundry good rules, preseruatiues, and medicines against the infection of the plague, set downe by the Colledge of the Physicians vpon his Maiesties speciall command: as also a decree of the Starre-Chamber, concerning buildings and in-mates. Laws, etc. England and Wales. 1630 Approx. 177 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 71 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A22844 STC 9342 ESTC S125901 99836994 99836994 1298 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A22844) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 1298) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1630:2 or 2005:3) Certaine statutes especially selected, and commanded by his Maiestie to be carefully put in execution by all iustices, and other officers of the peace throughout the realme with his Maiesties proclamation for further direction for executing the same. Also certaine orders thought meete by his Maiestie and his Priuie Counsell, to bee put in execution, together with sundry good rules, preseruatiues, and medicines against the infection of the plague, set downe by the Colledge of the Physicians vpon his Maiesties speciall command: as also a decree of the Starre-Chamber, concerning buildings and in-mates. Laws, etc. England and Wales. England and Wales. Sovereign (1625-1649 : Charles I) Royal College of Physicians of London. [148] p. Printed by Robert Barker and Iohn Bill, printers to Kings [sic] most excellent Maiestie, London : Anno Dom. M.DC.XXX. [1630] Includes the proclamation of 23 April 1630. Signatures: pi⁴ A⁴ [par.]A⁴ B-Q⁴ R² . Variant: mostly composed of a reissue or reimposition of sheets or pages from "Foure statutes, specially selected and commanded by his Majestie to be carefully put in execution by all justices and other officers of the peace throughout the realme" (STC 9341); collation pi⁴ A⁴, "A5", B-I⁴, K1-2, K2-N4, M1-N3, P⁴ Q² ; pagination [18], 68, [16], 85-95, [1], 107-117, [1] p. For derivation of all sheets of this see STC. Reproductions of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery and Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Plague -- Great Britain -- 17th century. Public welfare -- Law and legislation -- Great Britain. 2006-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-06 Taryn Hakala Sampled and proofread 2008-06 Taryn Hakala Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion CERTAINE STATVTES especially selected , and commanded by his MAIESTIE to be carefully put in execution by all Iustices , and other Officers of the Peace throughout the Realme ; With his MAIESTIES Proclamation for further direction for executing the same . Also certaine Orders thought meete by his MAIESTIE and his Priuie Counsell , to bee put in execution , together with sundry good Rules , Preseruatiues , and Medicines against the Infection of the Plague , Set downe by the Colledge of the Physicians vpon his MAIESTIES speciall Command : As also a Decree of the Starre-Chamber , concerning Buildings and In-mates . LONDON Printed by ROBERT BARKER and IOHN BILL , Printers to Kings most Excellent MAIESTIE . ANNO DOM. M.DC.XXX . royal blazon or coat of arms HONI ❀ SOIT ❀ QVI ❀ MAL ❀ Y ❀ PENSE DIEV· ET· MON· DROIT . ❧ To the Iustices of Peace . AS the want of Lawes occasioneth wrongs to be committed wittingly ; And want of knowledge of Lawes carieth men into offences ignorantly : So are Lawes thēselues a burthen when they are too many , and their very number is a cause that few are executed : where Penall Lawes haue otherwise no life , but in their execution . And certainely that Magistrate who knowes but few , and causeth those to be duely obserued , deserueth better of the Common-wealth , then he that knoweth many , and executes but few . Therefore is the Composition of this Volume , that those few Lawes , and other Ordinances being most needfull for the time , may bee easily had , soone knowne , and duely executed ; Which is required by his MAIESTIE . ¶ The Contents of this BOOKE . 1A Proclamation for quickning the lawes made for the reliefe of the poore , and the suppressing , punishing , and setling of the sturdy Rogues , and Vagabonds . 2 An Act for the reliefe of the poore . 3 An Act for the necessarie reliefe of Souldiers and Mariners . 4 An Act for punishment of Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdie Beggars . 5 An Act for the charitable reliefe and ordering of persons Jnfected with the Plague . 6 Orders concerning health . 7 A Decree of Starre-Chamber against Inmates and new Buildings . ❧ By the KING . ¶ A Proclamation for quickning the Lawes made for the reliefe of the Poore , and the suppressing , punishing , and setling of the sturdie Rogues and Vagabonds . WHereas many excellent Lawes and Statutes with great iudgement and prouidence haue been made in the times of Our late deare and Royall Father ▪ and of the late Queene Elizabeth , for the reliefe of the impotent , and indigent Poore , and for the punishing , suppressing , and set●ing of the sturdy Rogues , and Vagabonds , which Lawes and Statutes , if they were duely obserued would be of exceeding great vse for the peace & plenty of this Realme , but the neglect thereof is the occasion of much disorder , and many insufferable abuses . And whereas it is fit at all times , to put in execution those Lawes which are of so necessarie , and so continuall vse : yet the apparant and visible danger of the Pestilence , ( vnlesse the same by Gods gracious mercie , and Our prouident endeuours be preuented ) doth much more require the same at this present . We haue therefore thought it fit , by the aduice of Our Priuie Councell , by this Our publike Proclamation , straightly to charge and command ▪ that all our louing Subiects in their seueral places , doe vse all possible ●ate and diligence as a principall meanes to preuent the spreading , and dispersing of that contagious sicknesse , to obserue and put in due execution , all the said Lawes made and prouided against Rogues and Vagabonds , and for the reliefe of the truely poore and impotent people . And in the first place , Wee strictly charge and command , that in Our Cities of London , and Westminster , and Suburbs thereof ▪ and places adiacent thereunto , and generally throughout the whole Kingdome , that there bee carefull Watch , and Ward , kept for the apprehending and punishing of al Rogues and Vagabonds , who either in the streets or high wayes , vnder the names of Souldiers , or Mariners , Glasse-men , Pot-men ▪ Pedlars , or Petty-Chapmen , or of poore or impotent people , shall bee found either wandring , or begging . And Wee doe further strictly charge and command , that all Constables , Head boroughs , and other Officers , doe vse all diligence , to punish , and passe away according to the Law , all such Wanderers , or Beggars , as shall be apprehended ▪ either in the Cities , or places aforesaid , or in any other Cities , Towns , Parishes , or places within this Realme , and take great care that none passe vnder the colour of counterfeit Passes . And that all Irish Rogues , and Vagabonds be forthwith apprehended , wheresoeuer they shall bee found and punished , and sent home according to a former Proclamation heretofore published in that behalfe . That all Householders of whose persons , or at Whose Houses , any such Vagrants shall bee taken begging , doe apprehend , or cause them to be apprehended , and caryed to the next Constable , or other Officer to bee punished , according to the Lawes . And that they forbeare to relieue them , thereby to giue them incouragement to continue in their wicked course of life . That the Iustices of Peace in their seuerall places throughout this Kingdome be carefull either by Prouost Marshals , or by the high Constables , or otherwise by their good discretions effectually to prouide , that all Rogues and Vagabonds of all sorts bee searched for , apprehended punished and suppressed according to the Law. And that once euery moneth at the least , a conuenient number of the Iustices of Peace in euery seuerall Counti● and Diuision , shall meete together in some conuenient place in that Diuision , and take account of the High Constables , petty Constables , and other Officers within that Diuision , how they haue obserued the Lawes and Our commandement touching the Premisses . And that they seuerely punish all such as shall bee found remisse or negligent in that behalfe . And We doe hereby strictly charge and command as well all and singular Iustices of Peace , Constables , Headboroughs , and other Our Officers and Ministers , as also all Our louing Subiects of what estate or degree soeuer to vse all diligence , that all and euery houses or places which are or shall bee visited or infected with the sicknesse , bee carefully shut vp , and Watch and Ward kept ouer them that no person or persons within those places doe goe abroad , or depart from thence , during the time of such Visitation . And We doe hereby command all and singular our Iudges of Assize in their seuerall Circuits to giue speciall charge , and make speciall inquiry of the defaults of all and euery the Iustices of Peace who shall not obserue their meetings in the seuerall Counties and Diuisions aforesaid , or shall not punish such Constables or other Officers as being informed either by their owne view and knowledge , or otherwise are or shal be found remisse or negligent in the Premisses , or in leauying such penalties & forfeitures as the Lawes and Statutes of this Realme require against the parties offending herein . And thereof to informe Vs or Our Priuy Councell , to the end that such due course may be taken either by remouing out of the Commission such negligent Iustices of the Peace , or otherwise by inflicting such punishment vpon them as shal be due to such as neglect their owne duties , and Our Royall command published vpon so important an occasion . And We doe hereby will require and command all and euery Our Iudges of Assize , Maiors , Sheriffes , Iustices of Peace , Constables , Headboroughs and other Our Officers , Ministers and Subiects whom it may concerne , that they carefully and effectually obserue and performe all and euery the Premisses , as they will answere the neglect thereof at their vttermost perils . And whereas Wee haue lately commanded a Booke to be printed and published containing certaine Statutes made and enacted heretofore for the reliefe of the Poore , and of Souldiers and Mariners , and for punishment of Rogues and Vagabonds , and for the reliefe and ordering of persons infected with the Plague , and also containing certaine Orders heretofore , and now lately conceiued and made concerning health : All which are necessarie to be knowen and obserued by Our louing Subiects that thereby they may the better auoid those dangers which otherwise may fall vpon their persons or estates by their neglect thereof . Wee haue thought it fit hereby to giue notice thereof to all Our louing Subiects , to the end that none may pretend ignorance for an excuse , in matters of so great importance . And Wee doe hereby declare , that whosoeuer shall bee found remisse or negligent in the execution of any part of the Premisses , shall receiue such condigne punishment for their offence , as by the Lawes of this Realme , or by Our Prerogatiue Royall can or may be iustly inflicted vpon them . Giuen at Our Court at Whitehal the three and twentieth day of April , in the sixt yeere of Our Reigne of England , Scotland , France and Ireland . God saue the King. Anno xliij . Reginae Elizabethae . ❧ An Acte for the reliefe of the Poore . BE it enacted by the authority of this present Parliament , that the Churchwardens of euery Parish , and foure , three , or two substantiall housholders there , as shall be thought meete , hauing respect to the proportion and greatnes of the same Parish and Parishes , to bee nominated yeerely in Easter weeke , or within one moneth after Easter , vnder the hand and Seale of two or more Iustices of the Peace in the same Countie , whereof one to be of the Quorum , dwelling in or neere the same Parish or diuision , where the same Parish doeth lie , shall bee called Ouerseers of the poore of the same Parish . And they , or the greater part of them shal take order from time to time , by , and with the consent of two or more such Iustices of Peace , as is aforesayd , for setting to worke of the children of all such whose parents shal not by the said Churchwardens , and Ouerseers , or the greater part of them , bee thought able to keepe and maintaine their children . And also for setting to worke all such persons married , or vnmarried , hauing no means to maintaine thē , vse no ordinary & daily trade of life to get their liuing by , and also to raise weekly or otherwise ( by taxation of euery Inhabitant , Parson , Vicar , and other , & of euery occupier of Lands , Houses , Tithes impropriate , or Propriations of tithes , Colemines , or saleable vnderwoods in the said Parish , in such competent summe and sums of money , as they shal thinke fit ) a conuenient stocke of Flaxe , Hempe , Wooll , Threed , yron , & other necessary ware & stuffe to set the poore on work , and also competent summes of money , for , and towards the necessary reliefe of the lame , impotēt , old , blind , and such other among them being poore , and not able to worke , & also for the putting out of such children to be apprentices , to bee gathered out of the same Parish , according to the ability of the same Parish , and to do , and execute all other things , aswell for the disposing of the said stocke , as otherwise concerning the premisses , as to them shal seem conuenient . Which said Church wardens & Ouerseers so to be nominated , or such of them as shall not be let by sicknesse , or other iust excuse , to bee allowed by two such Iustices of Peace or more , as is aforesaid , shall meete together at the least once euery moneth in the Church of the said parish , vpon the Sunday in the afternoone , after diuine Seruice , there to consider of some good course to bee taken , and of some meet order to be set down in the premisses , & shal within foure daies after the end of their yeere , & after other Ouerseers nominated as aforesaid , make & yeeld vp to such two Iustices of peace as is aforesaid , a true and perfect account of al summes of money by them receiued , or rated and sessed , and not receiued , and also of such stocke as shal be in their hands , or in the hands of any of the poore to worke , and of all other things concerning their said office , and such summe or summes of money as shall be in their hands , shal pay and deliuer ouer to the said Church-wardens and Ouerseers , newly nominated and appointed as is aforesaid , vpō paine that euery one of them absenting themselues without lawfull cause as aforesaid , frō such monethly meeting for the purpose aforesaid , or being negligent in their office , or in the execution of the orders aforesaid , being made by and with the assent of the said Iustices of Peace , or any two of them before mentioned , to forfeit for euery such default of absence , or negligence , twenty shillings . And be it also enacted , that if the said Iustices of Peace doe perceiue that the Inhabitants of any parish are not able to leuy amōg themselues sufficient summes of money for the purposes aforesaid : that then the said two Iustices shall and may taxe , rate and assesse , as aforesaid , any other of other Parishes , or out of any parish within the Hundred where the said Parish is to pay such summe and summes of money to the Churchwardens & Ouerseers of the sayd poore Parish , for the said purposes , as the said Iustices shal think fit , according to the intent of this Law. And if the said Hundred shal not be thought to the said Iustices , able , and fit to relieue the sayd seuerall parishes not able to prouide for themselues as aforesaid , Then the Iustices of Peace at their generall quarter Sessions , or the greater number of them , shal rate and assesse , as aforesayd , any other of other Parishes , or out of any Parish within the said Countie for the purposes aforesaid , as in their discretion shall seeme fit . And that it shall be lawfull aswell for the present as subsequent Churchwardens and Ouerseers , or any of them , by warrant from any two such Iustices of Peace as is aforesaid , to leuie aswel the said summes of money and all arrerages of euery one that shall refuse to contribute according as they shall be assessed , by distresse and sale of the offendors goods , as the summes of money , or stock which shal be behind vpon any account to be made as aforesayd , rendring to the parties the ouerplus , and in defect of such distresse , it shal be lawfull for any such two Iustices of the Peace , to commit him or them to the common Gaole of the County , there to remaine without baile or maineprise , vntill paiment of the said sum , arrerages & stocke , And the sayde Iustices of Peace , or any of them , to send to the house of correction or common Gaole such as shall not employ themselues to worke , being appointed therunto as aforesaid : And also any two such Iustices of Peace , to commit to the said prison , euery one of the sayd Churchwardens and Ouerseers , which shall refuse to accompt , there to remaine without Baile or maineprise , vntill he haue made a true accompt , and satisfied and payd so much as vpon the sayd accompt shall bee remaining in his hands . And be it further enacted , that it shall be lawfull for the said Churchwardens and Ouerseers , or the greater part of them , by the assent of any two Iustices of the Peace aforesayd , to bind any such children as aforesaid , to be apprentices , where they shall see conuenient , till such man child shall come to the age of foure and twenty yeeres , and such woman childe to the age of one and twentie yeres or the time of her mariage : The same to be as effectuall to all purposes , as if such child were of full age , and by Indenture of couenant bound him or her selfe . And to the intent that necessarie places of habitation may more conueniently be prouided for such poore impotent people , Be it enacted by the authoritie aforesaid , that it shall and may be lawfull for the said Churchwardens and Ouerseers , or the greater part of them , by the leaue of the Lord or Lords of the Mannour , whereof any waste , or Common within their Parish is or shall be parcell , and vpon agreement before with him or them made in writing vnder the hands and seales of the sayd Lord and Lords or otherwise , according to any order to be set downe by the Iustices of Peace of the sayde Countie at their Generall quarter Sessions , or the greater part of them , by like leaue and agreement of the said Lord or Lords , in writing vnder his or their hands and seales , To erect , builde and set vp in fit and conuenient places of habitation , in such Waste or Common , at the generall charges of the Parish , or otherwise of the Hundred or Countie as aforesayd , to be taxed , rated and gathered , in maner before expressed , conuenient houses of dwelling for the sayd impotent poore , and also to place Inmates or more families then one in one cottage or house , One Acte made in the one & thirtieth yeere of her Maiesties Reigne , intituled , An Acte against the erecting and maintaining of Cottages , or any thing therein contained to the contrarie notwithstanding . Which Cottages and places for Inmates shal not at any time after be vsed or imployed to or for any other habitation , but only for impotent and poore of the same Parish , that shall be there placed from time to time by the Churchwardens and Ouerseers of the poore of the same Parish or the most part of them , vpon the paines and forfeitures contained in the said former Acte made in the sayd one and thirtieth yeere of her Maiesties reigne . Prouided alwayes , that if any person or persons shall finde themselues grieued with any Sesse or Taxe , or other Acte done by the sayde Churchwardens and other persons , or by the sayde Iustices of Peace , that then it shall be lawfull for the Iustices of Peace , at their generall quarter Sessions , or the greater number of them , to take such order therein as to them shal be thought conuenient , and the same to conclude and binde all the sayd parties . And be it further enacted , That the Father and Grandfather , and the Mother , and Grandmother , and the children of euery poore , olde , blinde , lame , and impotent person , or other poore person , not able to worke , being of a sufficient abilitie , shall at their owne charges relieue and maintaine euery such poore person in that manner , and according to that ra●e , as by the Iustices of Peace of that Countie where such sufficient persons dwell , or the greater number of them , at their generall quarter Sessions shall bee assessed , vpon paine that euery one of them shall forfeit twentie shillings for euery moneth which they shall faile therein . And be it further hereby enacted , That the Maiors , Bayliffes , or other head Officers of euery towne and place corporate , and city within this Realme , being Iustice or Iustices of Peace , shall haue the same authoritie by vertue of this Acte , within the limits and precints of their Iurisdictions , aswell out of Sessions as at their Sessions , if they holde any , as is herein limitted , prescribed , and appointed to Iustices of Peace of the Countie , or any two or more of them , or to the Iustices of Peace in their quarter Sessions , to doe and execute for all the vses and purposes in this Acte prescribed , and no other Iustice or Iustices of Peace to enter or meddle there . And that euery Alderman of the City of London within his Ward , shall and may doe and execute in euery respect , so much as is appointed and allowed by this Acte to be done and executed by one or two Iustices of Peace , of any Countie within this Realme . And be it also enacted , That if it shall happen any Parish to extend it selfe into more Counties then one , or part to lie within the Liberties of any Citie , Towne , or place corporate , and part without , that then as well the Iustices of Peace of euery Countie , as also the head Officers of such City , Towne , or place corporate , shall deale and entermeddle onely in so much of the said Parish , as lyeth within their liberties , and not any further . And euery of them respectiuely within their seuerall Limits , Wards and Iurisdictions , to execute the ordinances before mentioned concerning the nomination of Ouerseers , the consent to binding Apprentices , the giuing warrant to leuie taxations vnpayd , the taking accompt of Churchwardens and Ouerseers , and the committing to prison such as refuse to accompt , or deny to pay the arrerages due vpon their accompts . And yet neuerthelesse , the sayd Church-wardens and Ouerseers , or the most part of them of the sayd Parishes , that doe extend into such seuerall Limits and Iurisdictions , shall without diuiding themselues , duely execute their office in all places within the sayd Parish , in all things to them belonging , and shall duely exhibite and make one accompt before the sayd head Officer of the Towne or place Corporate , and one other before the said Iustices of Peace , or any such two of them as is aforesaid . And further be it enacted by the authority aforesaid , That if in any place within this Realme there happen to bee hereafter no such nomination of Ouerseers yeerely as is before appointed , that then euery Iustice of Peace of the County dwelling within the diuision , where such default of nomination shall happen , and euery Maior , Alderman and head Officer , of City , Towne , or place Corporate , where such default shall happen , shall lose and forfeit for euery such default fiue pound , to bee imployed towards the reliefe of the poore of the sayd Parish , or place Corporate , and to be leuied as aforesaid of their goods by warrant from the generall Sessions of the Peace of the sayd Countie , or of the same Citie , Towne , or place Corporate , if they kepe Sessions . And bee it also enacted by the authority aforesayd , that all penalties and forfeitures , before mentioned in this Act to bee forfeited by any person or persons , shall go and be imployed to the vse of the poore of the same Parish , and towards a stocke and habitation for them , and other necessary vses and reliefe as before in this Act are mentioned and expressed , and shal be leuied by the said Churchwardens and Ouerseers , or one of them , by warrant from any two such Iustices of Peace , or Maior , Alderman , or head Officer of Citie , Town or place corporate , respectiuely within their seuerall limites by distresse and sale therof , as aforesaid , or in defect therof , it shal be lawful for any two such Iustices of peace , and the said Aldermen and head Officers within their seuerall limits , to commit the offendor to the said prison , there to remaine without baile or maineprise , till the said forfeitures shal be satisfied and payed . And be it further enacted by the authoritie aforesayd , that the Iustices of Peace of euery Countie or place corporate , or the more part of them in their general Sessions to be holden next after the feast of Easter next , and so yeerely as often as they shall thinke meet , shall rate euery Parish to such a weekely summe of money as they shall thinke conuenient , so as no Parish bee rated aboue the summe of sixe pence , nor vnder the summe of a halfepeny , weekely to bee payd , and so as the totall summe of such taxation of the Parishes in euery County , amount not aboue the rate of two pence for euery Parish within the said County . Which summes so taxed , shall be yeerely assessed by the agreement of the Parishioners within themselues , or in default thereof , by the Churchwardens and petie Constables of the same Parish , or the more part of them , or in default of their agreement , by the order of such Iustice or Iustices of Peace , as shal dwell in the same Parish , or ( if none be there dwelling ) in the parts next adioyning . And if any person shal refuse or neglect to pay any such portion of money so taxed , it shall be lawfull for the said Churchwardens and Constables , or any of them , or in their default for any Iustice of Peace of the sayd limite , to leuie the same by distresse , and sale of the goods of the party so refusing or neglecting , rendring to the party the ouerplus , and in default of such distresse , it shal be lawful to any Iustice of that limite , to commit such person to the sayd prison , there to abide without baile or maineprise , till he haue payed the same . And be it also enaced , That the said Iustices of the Peace at their generall quarter Sessions to bee holden at the time of such taxation , shall set down what competent sums of money shal be sent quarterly out of euery County or place corporate , for the reliefe of the poore prisoners of the Kings Bench , and Marshalsey , & also of such Hospitals , and almes houses , as shal be in the said County , and what summes of money shal be sent to euery one of the said Hospitals , & almes houses , so as there bee sent out of euery County yerely xx . s. at the least to each of the said prisons of the Kings Bench , and Marshalsey , which summes ratably to be assessed vpon euery parish , the Churchwardens of euery Parish shall truely collect and pay ouer to the high Cōstables in whose diuision such Parish shall be scituate , from time to time quarterly ten dayes before the end of euery quarter , and euery such Constable at euery such quarter Sessions in such County , shall pay ouer the same to such two Treasurers , or to one of them , as shall by the more part of the Iustices of Peace of the County , be elected to be the said Treasurers , to be chosen by the Iustices of Peace of the said County , Citie , or Towne , or place corporate , or of others which were sessed and taxed at fiue pound lands , or ten pound goods at the least , at the taxe of Subsidie next before the time of the said Election to be made . And the said Treasurers so elected , to continue for the space of one whole yere in their office , and then to giue vp their charge with a due account of their receipts and disbursements , at the quarter Sessions to be holden next after the feast of Easter in euery yeere , to such others as shall from yeere to yeere in forme aforesayd successiuely be elected Treasurers for the said County , Citie , Towne , or place corporate , which said Treasurers or one of them shall pay ouer the same to the Lord chiefe Iustice of England , and knight Marshal for the time being , equally to be diuided to the vse aforesaid , taking their acquittance for the same , or in default of the said chiefe Iustice , to the next ancientest Iustice of the Kings Bench as aforesaid . And if any Churchwarden or high Constable , or his executors or administrators , shall faile to make paiment in forme aboue specified , then euery Churchwarden , his executors or administrators , so offending , shall forfeit for euery time the summe of ten shillings , and euery high Constable , his executors or administrators , shall forfeit for euery time , the summe of xx . s , the same forfetures together with the summes behinde , to be leuied by the said Treasurer and Treasurers , by way of distresse and sale of the goods as af●resayd , in forme aforesaid , and by them to bee imployed towards the charitable vses comprised in this Act. And be it further enacted , That all the surplusage of money which shall bee remaining in the said Stocke , of any County , shal by discretion of the more part of the Iustices of Peace in their quarter Sessions , be ordered , distributed and bestowed for the reliefe of the poore Hospitals of that Countie , and of those that shall sustaine losses by fire , water , the Sea , or other casualties , and to such other charitable purposes , for the reliefe of the poore , as to the more part of the said Iustices of Peace shall seeme conuenient . And bee it further enacted , That if any Treasurer elected , shall wilfully refuse to take vpon him the sayd office of Treasurership , or refuse to distribute and giue reliefe , or to account according to such forme as shal be appointed by the more part of the sayde Iustices of Peace , That then it shall be lawfull for the Iustices of Peace in their quarter Sessions , or in their default , for the Iustices of Assize , at the Assizes to be holden in the same Countie , to fiue the same Treasurer by their discretion : the same fiue not to be vnder three pound , and to bee leuied by sale of his goods , and to be prosecuted by any two of the said Iustices of Peace , whom they shall authorize . Prouided alwayes , that this Act shall not take effect vntill the Feast of Easter next . And be it enacted , that the Statute made in the nine and thirtieth yeere of her Maiesties reigne , entituled , An Acte for the reliefe of the poore , shall continue and stand in force vntill the Feast of Easter next , And that all Taxations heretofore imposed and not payed , nor that shal be payed before the said feast of Easter next , And that all Taxes hereafter before the sayd Feast , to be Taxed by vertue of the sayd former Act , which shall not be payed before the sayd Feast of Easter , shall and may after the said Feast of Easter , be leuied by the Ouerseers and other persons in this Act respectiuely appointed , to leuie taxations by distresse , and by such warrant in euery respect , as if they had bene taxed & imposed by vertue of this Act , & were not payd . Prouided alwayes , that whereas the Iland of Fowlenesse in the Countie of Essex , being inuironed with the Sea , and hauing a Chappell of ease for the inhabitants thereof , and yet the said Iland is no Parish , but the Lands in the same are scituated within diuers Parishes , farre distant from the same Iland , Be it therefore enacted by the authoritie aforesaid , that the said Iustices of peace shall nominate and appoint Inhabitants within the saide Iland to be Ouerseers for the poore people dwelling within the sayde Iland , and that both they the sayd Iustices , and the said Ouerseers shall haue the same power and authoritie to all intents , considerations and purposes , for the execution of the parts and articles of this Acte , and shall be subiect to the same paines and forfeitures , and likewise that the inhabitants and occupyers of lands there , shall be liable and chargeable to the same paiments , charges , expences , and orders in such manner and forme as if the same Iland were a Parish . In consideration whereof , neither the sayd inhabitants or occupiers of land within the sayd Iland , shall not be compelled to contribute towards the reliefe of the poore of those Parishes , wherein their houses or landes which they occupy within the sayd Iland are situated , for or by reason of their sayd habitations or occupyings , other then for the reliefe of the poore people within the sayd Iland , neither yet shall the other inhabitants of the Parishes wherein such houses or lands are situated , be compelled , by reason of their resiancie or dwelling , to contribute to the reliefe of the poore inhabitants within the sayd Iland . And be it further enacted , that if any Action or Trespasse , or other suite shal happen to be attempted & brought against any person or persons for taking of any distresse , making of any sale , or any other thing doing , by authority of this present Acte : The defendant or defendants in any such action or suit , shall & may either plead not guilty , or otherwise make Auowry , Cognisance , or Iustification , for the taking of the sayd distresses , making of sale , or other thing doing , by vertue of this Act , alleaging in such Auowry , Cognisance , or Iustification , That the sayd distresse , sale , trespasse , or other thing whereof the plaintife or plaintifes complained was done by authority of this Acte , and according to the tenor , purport , and effect of this Acte , without any expressing or rehearsall of any other matter of circumstance contained in this present Acte . To which Auowrie , Cognisance , or Iustification , the plaintife shall be admitted to reply , That the Defendant did take the sayd distresse , made the said sale , or did any other Acte or Trespasse , supposed in his declaration of his owne wrong , without any such cause alleaged by the said Defendant , whereupon the issue in euery such Action shall be ioyned , to be tried by verdict of twelue men , and not otherwise , as is accustomed in other personall actions . And vpon the triall of that issue , the whole matter to be giuen on both parties in euidence , according to the very trueth of the same . And after such issue tryed , for the defendant or non-suite of the Plaintife , after appearance , the same Defendant to recouer treble dammages , by reason of his wrongfull vexation in that behalfe , with his costes also in that part susteined , and that to be assessed by the same Iurie , or writ to enquire of the dammages , as the same shall require . Prouided alwayes that this Acte shall endure no longer then to the end of the next Session of Parliament . Anno xliij . Reginae Elizabethae . ❧ An Acte for the necessary reliefe of Souldiers and Mariners . WHereas in the fiue and thirtieth yeere of the Queenes Maiesties Reigne that now is , An Acte was made , intituled , An Acte for the necessary reliefe of Souldiers and Marriners : And whereas in the nine and thirtieth yeere of her Maiesties Reigne , there was also made another Acte , intituled , An Acte for the further continuance and explanation of the sayd former : Bee it enacted by authority of this present Parliament , that both the sayd Actes shall be and continue in force vntill the feast of Easter next , and shall bee from and after the sayd feast discontinued . And forasmuch as it is now found more needefull then it was at the making of the sayd Actes , to prouide reliefe and maintenance to Souldiers and Marriners , that haue lost their limmes and disabled their bodies in the defence and seruice of her Maiestie and the State , in respect the number of the sayd Souldiers is so much the greater , by how much her Maiesties iust and honourable defensiue warres are increased : To the ende therefore , that they the said Souldiers and Mariners may reape the fruits of their good deseruings , and others may be incouraged to performe the like endeuours : Be it enacted by the authority of this present Parliament , that from & after the sayd feast of Easter next , euery parish within this Realme of England , and Wales , shall bee charged to pay weekely , such a summe of money , towards the reliefe of sicke , hurt , and maimed Souldiers and Mariners , that so haue been as afore is said , or shall lose their limmes , or disable their bodies , hauing been prest , and in pay , for her Maiesties seruice , as by the Iustices of Peace , or the more part of them , in their generall quarter Sessions , to be holden in their seuerall Counties , next after the feast of Easter next , & so from time to time at the like quarter Sessions , to be holden next after the feast of Easter , yeerely shall be appointed , so as no parish be rated aboue the summe of ten pence , nor vnder the summe of two pence weekely to be payd , and so as the totall summe of such taxation of the Parishes , in any County where there shall be aboue fifty Parishes , doe not exceede the rate of sixe pence for euery Parish in the same Countie , which summes so taxed , shall bee yeerely assessed by the agreements of the parishioners within themselues , or in default therof , by the Churchwardens and the pety Constables of the same Parish , or the more part of them , or in default of their agreement , by the order of such Iustices , or Iustice of Peace , as shall dwell in the same Parish , or if none be there dwelling , in the parts next adioyning . And if any person shall refuse or neglect to pay any such portion of money so taxed , it shal be lawfull for the said Churchwardens and petie Constables , and euery of them , or in their defaults , for the said Iustices of Peace , or Iustice , to leuie such summe by distresse , and sale of the goods or chattels of the party so refusing or neglecting , rendring to the party the ouerplus raised vpon such sale . And for the collecting and custodie of the summes taxed in forme aforesaid , Be it enacted , that the Churchwardens , & pety Constables of euery Parish , shal truely collect euery such summe , & the same shall pay ouer vnto the high Constable , in whose diuision such Parish shall be situate , ten dayes before the quarter Sessions , to be holden next before , or about the feast of the Natiuity of S. Iohn Baptist next , in the County where the sayd Parish shall be situate , and so from time to time , quarterly within ten dayes before euery quarter Sessions . And that euery such high Constable , at euery such quarter Sessions in such County , shall pay ouer the same , to two such Iustices of Peace , or to one of them , or to two such other persons , or one of them , as shall be by the more part of the Iustices of Peace of the same County elected , to be Treasurers of the said Collection , The same other persons , to bee elected Treasurers , to be such , as at the last taxation of the Subsidie next before the same election , shall be valued , and sessed at ten pounds in lands yeerely , or at fifteen pounds in goods : which Treasurers in euery County so chosen , shall continue but for the space of one whole yere , and then giue vp their charge , with a due account of their receits and disbursements , at their meeting in Easter quarter Sessions , or within ten dayes after , to such others , as shall from yeere to yeere in the forme aforesayd , successiuely be elected . And if any Churchwarden , pety Constable , or high Constable , or his executors or administrators , shall faile to make payment in forme aboue specified ▪ Then euery Churchwarden , and petie Constable , his executors , or administrators so offending , shall forfeit the summe of twenty shillings , And euery high Constable , his executors , or administrators , the summe of fortie shillings , to bee leuied by the Treasurers aforesaid , by distresse and sale in maner before expressed , and to be taken by the said Treasurers , in augmentation of their stocke , to the vses aforesayd . And if any Treasurer , his executors or administrators , shal faile to giue vp his account within the time aforesaid , or shall be otherwise negligent in the execution of his charge , then it shall be lawfull for the more part of the Iustices of Peace , of the same Countie in their Sessions , to assesse such Fine vpon such Treasurer , his executors or administrators , as in their discretion shall seeme conuenient , so it bee not vnder the summe of fiue pounds . And for the true and iust distribution and employment of the summes so receiued , according to the true meaning of this Act , Be it enacted by the authority aforesayd , that euery Souldier or Mariner , hauing had his or their limmes lost , or disabled in their bodies by seruice , being in her Maiesties pay , as aboue is mentioned , or such as shall hereafter returne into this Realme , hurt , or maimed , or grieuously sicke , shall repayre , if he be able to trauell , and make his complaint to the Treasurers of the Countie , out of which he was pressed , or if he were no prest man , to the Treasurers of the Countie where hee was borne , or last inhabited , by the space of three yeeres , at his election . And if he be not able to trauell , to the Treasurers of the Countie where he shall land , or arriue , and shal bring a certificate vnto any of the Treasurers aforesaid , vnder the hand and seale of the Generall of the Campe , or Gouernor of the Towne wherein hee serued , And of the Captaine of the Band , vnder whom hee serued , or his Lieutenant , or in the absence of the sayde Generall or Gouernour , from the Marshall or Deputie of the Gouernour , or from any Admirall of her Maiesties Fleete , or in his absence , from any other General of her Maiesties shippes at the Seas , or in absence of such Generall , from the Captaine of the ship wherein the sayd Mariners or Soldiers did serue the Queenes Maiestie , containing the particulars by his hurts and seruices , which Certificate shal be also allowed of the generall Muster master , for the time being , resident here within this Realm , or Receiuer generall of the Muster Rolles , The Treasurer and Controller of her Maiesties Nauie , vnder his hand , for the auoyding of all fraud , and counterfeiting : Then vpon such Certificate , such Treasurers as are before expressed , shall according to the nature of his hurt , and commendation of his seruice , assigne vnto him such a portion of reliefe , as in their discretions shall seeme conuenient for his present necessitie , vntill the next quarter Sessions , at the which it shall be lawfull for the more part of the Iustices of Peace vnder their hands , to make an Instrument of graunt of the same , or like reliefe , to endure , as long as this Acte shall stand or endure in force , if the same Souldier or Mariner shall so long liue , and the same pension not bee duely reuoked or altered , which shall be a sufficient warrant to all Treasurers for the same Countie , to make payment of such pension vnto such persons quarterly , except the same shal be afterward by the sayd Iustices reuoked or altered . So that such reliefe as shall be assigned by such Treasurers or Iustices of Peace to any such Souldier or Mariner , hauing not borne office in the said warres , exceed not the summe in grosse nor yeerely pension of ten pounds . Nor to any that hath borne office vnder the degree of a Lieutenant , the summe of fifteen pounds . Nor to any that hath serued in the office of Lieutenant , the summe of twentie pounds . And yet neuerthelesse , it shall and may be lawfull to and for the Iustices of Peace and others , hauing authoritie by this Acte , to assigne pensions to Souldiers & Mariners , vpon any iust cause , to reuoke , diminish , or alter the same from time to time , according to their discretions in the generall quarter Sessions of the Peace , or general assemblies for Cities or Townes corporate , where the same pension shall be granted . And whereas it must needs fall out , that many of such hurt and maimed Souldiers and Mariners , doe arriue in Ports , and places farre remote from the Counties , whence they are by vertue of this Acte , to receiue their yeerely Annuities , and pensions , As also they are prescribed by this Act , to obtaine the allowance of their Certificates from the Muster master , or Receiuer Generall of the Muster Rolles , who commonly is like to abide about the Court or London , so as they shall need at the first , prouision for the bearing of their charges , to such places : Be it therefore enacted , that it may bee lawfull for the Treasurers of the Countie where they shall arriue , in their discretion vpon their Certificate ( though not allowed ) to giue them any conuenient relief for their iourney , to cary them to the next Countie , with a testimoniall of their allowance , to passe on towards such a place . And in like maner shal it be lawfull for the Treasurer of the next Countie to do the like , And so from Countie to Countie ( in the direct way ) till they come to the place where they are directed to finde their maintenance , according to the tenure of this Statute . And for the better execution of this Acte in all the branches thereof , Be it enacted , that euery the Treasurers , in their seuerall Counties , shall keepe a true booke of computation , of all such summes as they leuie , and also a Register of the names of euery such person vnto whom they shall haue disbursed any reliefe , And shall also preserue , or enter euery Certificate , by warrant whereof , such reliefe hath beene by them disbursed , And also that the Muster master , or Receiuer generall of the Muster Rolles , shall keepe a booke , wherein shall be entred , the names of all such , whose Certificates shall bee by him allowed , with an abstract of their Certificates , And that euery Treasurer returning , or not accepting the Certificate brought vnto him from the sayd Muster-master , shall write and subscribe the cause of his not accepting , or not allowing thereof , vnder the said Certificate , or on the backe thereof . And bee it further enacted , That if any Treasurer shall wilfully refuse to distribute and giue any reliefe , according to the forme of this Acte , That it shall be lawfull for the Iustices of peace , in their quarter Sessions , to Fine such Treasurers , by their discretions , as aforesayd , The same Fine to be leuied by distresse and sale thereof , to bee prosecuted by any two of them , whome they shall authorize . And be it also enacted , that euery Soldier or Mariner that shall be taken begging , in any place within this Realme , after the Feast of Easter next , Or any that shall counterfeit any Certificate in this Acte expressed , shall for euer lose his Annuitie or Pension , and shall be taken , deemed , and adiudged as a common Rogue , or Vagabond person , and shall haue , and sustaine the same , and the like paines , imprisonment and punishment , as is appointed and prouided for common Rogues and Vagabond persons . Prouided alwayes and be it enacted , that all the surplusage of money which shall bee remaining in the Stocke of any County , shall by ●he discretion of the more part of the Iustices of Peace , in their quarter Sessions be ordered , distributed and bestowed vpon such good and charitable vses , and in such forme as are limited and appointed in the Statutes made and now in force , concerning reliefe of the poore , and punishment of Rogues and Beggers . Prouided alwayes that the Iustices of peace within any County of this Realme or Wales , shall not intromit or enter into any City , Borough , Place , or towne corporate , where is any Iustice of Peace for any such Citie , Borough , Place , or Towne corporate , for the execution of any Article of this Acte : But that it shal be lawfull to the Iustice and Iustices of the peace , Maiors , Bailiffes , and other head Officers of those Cities , Boroughs , Places , & Towns corporate , where there is any Iustice of Peace to proceede to the execution of this Act , within the precinct and compasse of their liberties , in such maner as the Iustices of Peace in any County may doe , by vertue of this Act. And that euery Iustice of Peace within euery such Citie , Borough , Place or Towne corporate , for euery offence by him committed , contrary to the meaning of this Statute , shal be fineable , as other Iustices of peace at the large in the counties are in this Act appointed to be . And that the Maior and Iustices of Peace in euery such Borough , Place and Towne Corporate , shall haue authority by this present Acte to appoint any person , for the receiuing of the sayd money , and paying the same within such Citie , Borough , Place or Towne corporate , which person so appointed , shal haue authority to do all such things , and be subiect to all such penalties , as high Constables , by vertue of this Acte should haue or be . And be it enacted , that all forfeitures to bee forfeited by any Treasurer , Collector , Constable , Churchwarden , or other person , for any cause mentioned in this Act , shal be imployed to the reliefe of such Souldiers and Mariners , as are by this Acte appointed to take and haue reliefe , And after that reliefe satisfied , then the ouerplus thereof , with the ouerplus of the stocke , remaining in any the sayd Treasurers hands , shall bee imployed as is before mentioned , to the charitable vses , expressed in the said Statutes , concerning the reliefe of poore , and for punishment of Rogues and Beggers , ( except the sayd Iustices , or the more part of them , shall thinke meete to reserue and keepe the same in stocke for the maintenance and reliefe of such Souldiers and Mariners as out of the same Countie may afterward bee appointed , to receiue reliefe and pensions . ) And that the relief appointed to be giuen by this Acte , shall be giuen to Souldiers and Mariners , out of the County or place where they were pressed , so far forth as the Taxation limited by this Acte , will extend . And if the whole Taxation there , shal be before imployed , according to the meaning of this Act , or that they shall not be prest men , then out of the place where they were borne or last inhabited , by the space of three yeres , at his or their election . Prouided alwayes , and be it enacted , that euery pension assigned heretofore to any Souldier or Mariner , or that shall be assignen before the said feast of Easter next , notwithstanding the discontinuance of the said two former Actes , shal stand in force , and shal yeerely from and after the said feast of Easter next , be satisfied and payed , out of such Taxations and forfeitures , as shall bee made , collected , and leuied by force of this Act , so long as the saide pension shall remaine in force , without such reuocation or diminishing , as is before in this Acte mentioned . Which clause of reuocation or diminishing before mentioned , shall extend aswell to pensions heretofore assigned , as to such as at any time hereafter , before , or after the said feast of Easter , shall bee assigned to any person or persons . And be it also enacted , that all arrerages of Taxations heretofore made , by vertue of the said former Statutes , or any of them , which shall be or remaine , at the said feast of Easter next , vncollected , and not receiued , or leuied , shall and may by authoritie of this Act , be had , receiued , and leuied , by such persons , and in such maner and forme , as in euery respect , Taxations made by vertue of this Act , are appointed to be collected , receiued and leuied , and shall be imployed to the vses expressed in this Acte , and no otherwise . Prouided alwayes , and bee it enacted by the authority aforesaid , that if the sayd rate shall be thought not to bee sufficient for the reliefe of such Souldiers , and Mariners , as shal be to be relieued within the Citie of London , That then it shall bee lawfull for the Maior , Recorder , & Aldermen of London , or the more part of them , to rate and taxe , such reasonable taxe , summe and summes of money , for the sayd reliefe , as shal be to them thought fit and conuenient . So as such summe and summes of money , so to bee rated , doe not exceede three shillings weekely out of any Parish , And so as in the totall , the summe shall not exceede , or be vnder twelue pence weekely out of euery Parish , one with another , within the said Citie and the liberties thereof . This Acte to endure to the end of the next Session of Parliament , and no longer . Anno xxxix . Reginae Elizabethae . An Acte for punishment of Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdie Beggars . FOr the suppressing of Rogues , vagabonds and sturdie Beggers , Be it enacted by the Authoritie of this present Parliament , that from and after the feast of Easter next comming , all Statutes heretofore made for the punishment of Rogues , Vagabonds , or sturdie beggers , or for the erection or maintenance of houses of correction , or touching the same , shall for so much as cōcerneth the same be vtterly repealed : And that from and after the said feast of Easter , from time to time it shall and may be lawfull to and for the Iustices of Peace of any Countie or city in this Realme or the Dominions of Wales , assembled at any Quarter Sessions of the Peace within the same County , City , Borough , or Towne Corporate , or the more part of them , to set downe order to erect , & to cause to be erected one or more houses of Correctiō within their seueral Counties or cities : for the doing & performing wherof , & for the prouiding of stocks of money , and al other things necessary for the same , and for raising and gouerning of the same , and for correction and punishment of offenders thither to be committed , such orders as the same Iustices , or the more part of them , shal from time to time take , reform , or set downe in any their sayd quarter Sessions in that behalfe , shal be of force , and be duely performed and put in execution . And be it also further enacted by the authoritie aforesayd , That all persons calling themselues Schollars , going about begging , all Seafaring men , pretending losses of their ships or goods on the Sea , going about the countrey begging , All idle persons , going about in any country , either begging or vsing any subtile craft , or vnlawfull games and playes , or faining themselues to haue knowledge in Physiognomie , Palmestry , or other like craftie Science , or pretending that they can tell destinies , Fortunes , or such other like fantasticall imaginations : All persons that be , or vtter themselues to be Proctors , procurers , Patent gatherers , or Collettors for Gaoles , prisons or Hospitals : All Fencers , Bearewards , Common Players of Interludes , and Minstrels , wandering a●road ( other then Players of Interludes belonging to any Baron of this Realme , or any other honourable personage of greater degree , to bee authorized to play vnder the hand and Seale of Armes of such Baron or personage ) All Iuglers , Tinkers , Pedlars , and pety Chapmen wandering abroad , All wandering persons , and common Labourers , being persons able in body , vsing loytering , and refusing to worke for such reasonable wages , as is taxed or commonly giuen in such parts , where such persons doe , or shall happen to dwell or abide , not hauing liuing otherwise to maintaine themselues , All persons deliuered out of Gaoles that begge for their Fees , or otherwise doe trauaile begging : All such persons as shall wander abroad begging , pretending losses by fire , or otherwise : And all such persons not being felons , wandering and pretending themselues to bee Egyptians , or wandering in the habite , forme , or attire of counterfeit Egyptians , shal be taken , adiudged , and deemed Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdie beggers , and shall susteine such paine and punishments , as by this Acte is in that behalfe appointed . And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid , that euery person which is by this present Act declared to be a Rogue , Vagabond , or sturdie begger , which shall be at any time after the said Feast of Easter next comming , taken begging , vagrant , wandering or misordering themselues in any part of this Realme , or the Dominion of Wales , shal vpon their apprehension by the appointment of any Iustice of the Peace , Constable , Headborough or Tythingman of the same Countie , Hundred , Parish , or Tything , where such person shall be taken , the Tythingman or Headborough , being assisted therein with the aduise of the Minister , and one other of that Parish , be stripped naked from the middle vpwards , and shall bee openly whipped vntill his or her body be bloodie : and shal be forthwith sent from Parish to Parish , by the Officers of euery the same , the next straight way to the Parish where hee was borne , if the same may be knowen by the parties confession or otherwise . And if the same be not knowen , then to the Parish where he or shee last dwelt before the same punishment by the space of one whole yeere , there to put him or her selfe to labour , as a true Subiect ought to doe : Or not being knowen where hee or she was borne or last dwelt , then to the Parish through which he or she last passed without punishment . After which whipping , the same person shall haue a testimoniall subscribed with the hand , & sealed with the seale of the same Iustice of the peace , Constable , Headborough or Tythingman , & of the Minister of the same parish , or of any two of them , testifying that the same person hath beene punished according to this Acte , & mentioning the day and place of his or her punishment , and the place whereunto such person is limited to go , and by what time the sayde person is limited to passe thither at his perill . And if the said person through his or her default do not accomplish the order appointed by the said testimoniall , then to be eftsoones taken & whipped , and so as often as any default shal be found in him or her contrary to the forme of this statute , in euery place to bee whipped , till such person be repaired to the place limited : The substance of which testimoniall shall be registred by the minister of that parish , in a booke to be prouided for that purpose , vpon paine to forfeit 5. shillings for euery default thereof , and the party so whipped , & not knowen where hee or shee was borne , or last dwelt by the space of a yeere , shall by the officers of the sayd Village where hee or she so last past thorow without punishment , bee conueyed to the house of Correction of the limit wherein the said Village standeth , or to the common Gaole of that Countie or place , there to remaine and be imployed in worke , vntill hee or she shal be placed in some seruice , and so to continue by the space of one yeere , or not being able of body , vntill he or she shall be placed to remaine in some Almeshouse in the same Countie or place . Prouided alwayes , and be it enacted , If any of the sayd Rogues shall appeare to be dangerous to the inferiour sort of people where they shall bee taken , or otherwise be such as wil not be reformed of their roguish kind of life by the former prouisiō of this Act , That in euery such case it shal & may be lawfull to the said Iustices of the limite where any such Rogue shall be taken , or any two of them , whereof one to be of the Quorum , to commit that Rogue to the house of correction , or otherwise to the Gaole of the County , there to remaine vntill their next quarter Sessions to be holden in that Countie , and then such of the same Rogues so committed , as by the Iustices of the Peace then and there present , or the most part of them , shall be thought fit not to be deliuered , shall and may lawfully by the same Iustices or the most part of them , bee banished out of this Realme , and all other the dominions thereof , and at the charges of that Countrey , shal bee conueyed vnto such parts beyond the Seas as shall bee at any time hereafter for that purpose assigned by the priuie Councell vnto her Maiesty , her heires or successors , or by any sixe or more of them , whereof the L. Chancellor , or L. Keeper of the great Seale , or the L. Treasurer for the time being to be one , Or otherwise be iudged perpetually to the Gallies of this Realme , as by the same Iustices or the most part of them it shall bee thought fit and expedient . And if any such Rogue so banished as aforesaid shall returne againe into any part of this Realme or dominion of Wales without lawfull licence or warrant so to doe , that in euery such case , such offence shall be Felony , and the party offending therein suffer death as in case of felonie : The sayd felonie to bee heard and determined in that County of this Realme or Wales , in which the offender shall be apprehended . And be it also enacted by the authority aforesayd , that if any Towne , Parish , or Village , the Constable , Headborough or Tithingman be negligent & do not his or their best endeuours for the apprehension of such Vagabond , Rogue or sturdy Begger , which there shall be found contrary to the forme of this present Act , and to cause euery of them to be punished and conueied according to the true meaning of this present Act , that then the said Constable , Headborough or tithingman in whome such default shall bee , shall lose and forfeite for euery such default ten shillings . And also if any person or persons doe in any wise disturbe or let the execution of this law or any part thereof , concerning the punishment or conueying of Rogues , Vagabonds , sturdy Beggers , or the reliefe or setling of poore impotent persons in any maner of wise , or make rescusse against any officer or person authorized by this present Acte for the due execution of any the premisses , the same person so offending , shal forfeit & lose for euery such offence the summe of fiue pound , and shal be bound to the good behauiour . And bee it also further enacted by the authority aforesaid , That no person or persons hauing charge in any voyage , in passing from the Realmes of Ireland or Scotland , or from the Isle of Man into this Realme of England , doe wittingly or willingly bring or conuey , or suffer to be brought or conueyed in any Vessell or Boate from and out of the said Realme of Ireland , Scotland , or Isle of Man , into the Realme of England or Wales , or any part thereof , any Vagabond , Rogue or Begger , or any such as shall be forced or very like to liue by begging within the Realme of England or Wales , being borne in the same Realms or Island , on paine of euery such person so offending , to forfeit and lose for euery such Vagabond , Rogue , Begger or other person like to liue by begging xx . s. to the vse of the poore of the said Parish in which they were set on land . And if any such Mannisk , Scottish or Irish Rogue , vagabond or begger , be already , or shall at any time hereafter be set on land , or shall come into any part of England or Wales , the same after he or she shall be punished as aforesayd , shall be conueyed to the next Port or Parish in or neere which they were landed or first came , in such sort as Rogues are appointed to bee by this present Acte , and from thence to bee transported at the common charge of the Countrey where they were set on land , into those partes from whence they came or were brought . And that euery Constable , Headborough , and Tythingman , neglecting the due performance therof , shall forfeit for euery such offence ten shillings . Bee it further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that no diseased or impotent poore person shal at any time resort or repaire from their dwelling places to the Citie of Bath , or towne of Buxton , or either of them to the Baths there for the ease of their griefes , vnlesse such person doe forbeare to begge , and be licensed to passe thither by two Iustices of the Peace of the Countie where such person doeth or shall then dwell or remaine , and prouided for to trauaile with such reliefe , for & towards his or her maintenance as shal be necessary for the same person , for the time of such his or her trauell , and abode at the city of Bath , and town of Buxton , or either of them , and returne thence , and shall returne home againe as shall be limited by the said licence , vpon paine to be reputed , punished and vsed as Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdy Beggers declared by this present Acte . And that the inhabitants of the same Citie of Bath , and towne of Buxton shall not in any wise be charged by this Acte with the finding or reliefe of any such poore people . Prouided alwayes that the Iustices of peace within any County of this Realme or Wales , shall not intromit or enter into any Citie , Borough or Towns corporate , where be any Iustice or Iustices of the Peace for any such Citie , Borough , or Towne Corporate for the execution of any Branch , Article or sentence of this Acte , for or concerning any offence , matter or cause growing or arising within the Precincts , Liberties or Iurisdictions of such City , borough , or townes corporate , But that it may and shal be lawfull to the Iustice and Iustices of the Peace , Maiors , Bayliffes , and other head Officers of those Cities , Boroughes , and Townes Corporate , where there be such Iustices of the Peace to proceed to the execution of this Acte , within the precinct and compasse of their Liberties in such maner and forme as the Iustices of Peace in any Countie may or ought to doe within the same Countie , by vertue of this Acte , Any thing in this Acte to the contrary thereof notwithstanding . Prouided alwayes , that this Acte , or any thing therein contained , shall not extend to the poore people for the time being , in the Hospitall , called Saint Thomas Hospital , otherwise called the Kings Hospital , in the Borough of Southwarke neere adioyning to the Citie of London , but that the Maior , Communaltie and Citizens of the sayde Citie of London for the time being , shall and may haue the rule , order and gouernment of the sayd Hospitall , and of the poore people therein for the time being , any thing in this Acte to the contrary notwithstanding . Prouided alwayes , that this Acte or any thing therein contained or any authority thereby giuen , shall not in any wise extend to disinherite , preiudice or hinder Iohn Dutton of Dutton , in the Countie of Chester Esquire , his heires or assignes , for , touching or concerning any liberty , preeminence , authoritie , iurisdiction or inheritance , which the said Iohn Dutton now lawfully vseth , or hath , or lawfully may or ought to vse within the County Palantine of Chester , and the Countie of the Citie of Chester , or either of them by reason of any ancient Charters of any Kings of this land , or by reason of any prescription , vsage , or title , whatsoeuer . And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that all fines and forfeitures appointed or to grow by this present Acte , ( except such as are otherwise limited and appointed by this present Act ) shall wholly goe and be imployed to the vse of the reparations and maintenance of the said houses of Correction , and stocke and store therof , or reliefe of the poore where the offence shall be committed , at the discretion of the Iustices of the Peace of the same limit , Citie , Borough , or Towne corporate : And that all fines and forfeitures appointed or to grow by conuiction of any person according to this present Act , shall by warrant vnder the hands and seales of any two or more of the Iustices of the Peace of the same County , Citie , Borough or Towne corporate , bee leuied by distresse and sale of the goods and chattels of the offender , which sale shall be good in the Law against such offender . And that if any of the said offences shal be confessed by the offender , or that the same shall bee prooued by two sufficient and lawfull witnesses , before such two or more Iustices of the Peace , That then euery such person shall forthwith stand and be in the Law conuicted thereof . And bee it also further enacted by the authoritie aforesaid , that any two or more Iustices of the Peace within all the said seueral Shires , Cities , Boroughs or Townes corporate , wherof one to be of the Quorum , shall haue full power by authority of this present Acte , to heare and determine all causes that shall growe or come in question by reason of this Acte . And bee it also further enacted by the authority aforesaid , that the Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the great Seale of England for the time being , shall and may at all times hereafter by vertue of this present Act , without further warrant , make , and direct Commission or Commissions vnder the great Seale of England , to any person or persons , giuing them or some of them thereby authority , aswell by the othes of good & lawfull men , as of witnesses or examination of parties , or by any other lawfull wayes or meanes whatsoeuer , to enquire what summes of mony or other things haue been or shall bee collected or gathered for , or towards the erection of any houses of Correction , or any stockes or other things to set poore on worke , or for the maintenance therof at any time after the seuenteenth day of Nouember , in the eighteenth yeere of the Reigne of the Queenes most excellent Maiestie , and by whom the same were or shall be collected or gathered , and to whose hands commen , and to what vse , and by whose direction the same was or shall bee imployed . And to call all & euery such person & persons , and their suerties , and euery of their executors or administrators to an accompt : And to compell them and euery of them by attachment of their goods or bodies to appeare before them for the same , & to heare and determine the same , and to leuie such money and things as they shal find not to haue been duly imployed vpon the said houses of Correction , or stocks , or vpon other like vses , hauing in such other like vses respect of things past by the said Commissioners to be allowed of , either by distresse & sale of the goods and chattels of such persons as they shall thinke fit to bee chargeable or answerable for the same , or by imprisonment of their bodies at their discretion : And that the said Commissioners shall haue full power and authoritie to execute the same Commission according to the tenor and purport thereof : And that all their proceedings , doings , iudgements and executions by force and authority thereof , shall be and remaine good and auaileable in the Law : which said money so leuied by the sayd Commissioners , shall bee deliuered and employed for the erecting or maintenance of the same . Prouided alwayes neuerthelesse , that euery Seafaring man suffering shipwracke , not hauing wherewith to relieue himselfe in his trauailes homewards , but hauing a Testimoniall vnder the hand of some one Iustice of the Peace , of , or neere the place where he landed , setting downe therein the place and time , where , and when he landed , and the place of the parties dwelling or birth , vnto which he is to passe , and a conuenient time therein to be limited for his passage , shall and may without incurring the danger and penaltie of this Act , in the vsuall wayes directly to the place vnto which he is directed to passe , and within the time in such his testimoniall limited for his passage , aske and receiue such reliefe as shal be necessarie , in , and for his passage . Prouided also , that this Statute nor any thing therein contained , shall extend to any children vnder the age of seuen yeeres , nor to any such Glassemen as shall be of good behauiour , and doe trauaile in or through any Countrey without begging , hauing licence for their trauailing vnder the handes and Seales of three Iustices of the Peace of the same Countie where they trauell , whereof one to be of the Quorum . And be it also further enacted by the authoritie aforesaid , that this present Act shall be proclaimed in the next quarter Session or Sessions in euery Countie , and in such other market Townes or places , as by the more part of the Iustices of the Peace in the sayd Sessions shal be agreed and appointed . This Acte to endure to the end of the first Session of the next Parliament . ❧ Certaine branches of the Statute made in the first yere of the Reigne of King IAMES , concerning Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdie Beggars . FOrasmuch as sithence the making of the Acte of 39. Eliz. diuers doubts & questions haue beene mooued and growen by diuersitie of opinions , taken in and vpon the letter of the said Act : For a plaine declaration whereof , Be it declared and enacted , That from henceforth no Authoritie , to be giuen or made by any Baron of this Realme , or any other honourable Personage of greater degree , vnto any other person or persons , shall be auaileable to free and discharge the said persons , or any of them from the paines and punishments in the sayd Statute mentioned , but that they shal be taken within 〈◊〉 ●ffence and punishment of the same S●te . And whereas in the sayd Statute , there is a Prouiso conteined , that the sayd Statute , nor any thing therein conteined , shall extend to any such Glassemen as shall be of good behauiour , and shall trauell in or thorow any Countie without begging , hauing Licence for their trauelling , vnder the handes and Seales of three Iustices of the Peace of the same Countie , where they trauell , whereof one to be of the Quorum , as by the Statute more at large appeareth : By reason of which libertie , many notorious Rogues and Vagabonds , and euill disposed persons haue vndertaken , and doe professe the trade of Glassemen , and by colour thereof doe trau●ll vp and downe diuers Counties of this Realme , and doe commit many Pickeries , pettie Felonies , and other misdemeanours : For the auoiding of which inconuenience , Be it established and enacted by the Authoritie of this present Parliament , That from and after two moneths next after the end of this present Session of Parliament , all such person and persons , as shall wander vp and downe the Countrey to sell Glasses , shall be adiudged , deemed , and taken as Rogues and Vagabonds , and shall suffer the like paine and punishment in euery degree , as is appointed to be inflicted vpon Rogues , Vagabonds and sturdie Beggers , by the intent and true meaning of the sayd Statute , made in the nine and thirtieth yeere of the Reigne of the sayd late Queene Elizabeth , and shall be set downe , limitted , and appointed by this present Acte , Any thing in the sayde Statute of the nine and thirtieth yeere of her sayde Reigne to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding , And forasmuch as one branch of the Statute of 39. Eliz. is taken to be somewhat defectiue , for that the sayd Rogues hauing no marke vpon them to be knowen by , notwithstanding such iudgement of Banishment , may returne or retire themselues into some other parts of this Realme where they are not knowen , and so escape the due punishment which the said Statute did intend to inflict vpon them : For remedie whereof , be it ordeined and enacted , That such Rogues as shall after the ende of two moneths next after the ende of this Session of Parliament , be adiudged as aforesayd , incorrigible or dangerous , shall also by the iudgement of the same Iustices , or the more part of them then present , in their open Sessions of the Peace , be branded in the left shoulder with an hot burning Iron of the breadth of an English shilling with a great Romane R vpon the Iron , and the branding vpon the shoulder to be so throughly burned , and set on vpon the skinne and flesh , that the Letter R bee seene , and remaine for a perpetuall marke vpon such Rogue during his or her life , and thereupon bee sent by the same Iustices to the place of his dwelling , if he haue any , if not , then to the place where he last dwelt by the space of a yeere , if that can bee knowen by his confession or otherwise : And if that cannot bee knowen , then to the place of his birth , there to be placed in labour as a true Subiect ought to doe : And after such punishment of any such Rogue as aforesayd , if any Rogue so punished shall offend againe , in begging or wandering contrary to the sayd Statute , or this present Acte , That then in euery such case , the party so offending shall bee iudged a Felon , and shall suffer as in Cases of Felonie without benefite of Clergie , the same Felony to bee tried in the Countie where any such offender shall be taken . Anno primo Iacobi Regis . ❧ An Acte for the charitable reliefe and ordering of persons infected with the Plague . FOrasmuch as the Inhabitants of diuers Cities , Boroughs , townes corporate , and of other Parishes & places being visited with the Plague , are found to be vnable to relieue the poorer sort of such people so infected , who of necessitie must be by some charitable course prouided for , lest they should wander abroad , and thereby infect others : And forasmuch as diuers persons infected with that disease , and others inhabiting in places infected , aswell poore people and vnable to relieue themselues , that are carefully prouided for , as other which of themselues are of abilitie , being commanded by the Magistrate or Officer , of or within the place where the Infection shal be , to keepe their houses , or otherwise to separate themselues from company , for the auoiding of further Infection , doe notwithstanding very dangerously and disorderly demeane themselues : Bee it therefore enacted by the authoritie of this present Parliament , That the Maior , Bailiffes , head Officers , and Iustices of the Peace , of euery Citie , Borough , Towne corporate , and places Priuiledged , where any Maior and Bailif●es , head Officers , or Iustices of Peace are or shall bee , or any two of them , shall haue power and authoritie from time to time , to taxe and assesse all and euery Inhabitant , and all Houses of habitation , Lands , Tenements and Hereditaments within the sayd Citie , Borough , Towne corporate , and places Priuiledged , or the liberties or Precincts thereof , at such reasonable taxes and paiments , as they shal thinke fit for the reasonable reliefe of such persons infected , or inhabiting in houses and places infected in the same Cities , Boroughs and Townes corporate , and places Priuiledged , and from time to time leuie the same Taxes , of the Goods of euery person refusing or neglecting to pay the sayde Taxes , by Warrant vnder the Hand and Seale of the Maior and Bailiffes , and head Officers aforesayd , or two such Iustices of Peace , to bee directed to any person or persons for the execution thereof . And if the party to whom such Warrant is or shal be directed , shall not find any Goods to leuie the same , and the party taxed , shall refuse to pay the same Taxe , That then vpon returne thereof the sayd Maior , Bailiffes , head Officers or Iustices of Peace , or any two of them , shall by like Warrant vnder their hands and Seales , cause the same person so taxed to bee arrested and committed to the Gaole , without Bayle or Maineprise , vntill he shal satisfie the same taxation , and the Arrerages thereof . And if the Inhabitants of any such Citie , Borough , Towne Corporate , or place Priuiledged , shall finde themselues vnable to relieue their said poore Infected persons , and others as aforesayd , That then vpon Certificate thereof by the Maior , Bailiffe , head officers , and other the said Iustices of Peace , or any two of them , to the Iustices of Peace of the Countie of or neere to the sayde Citie , Borough , Towne Corporate , or priuiledged place so infected , or any two of them to be made , the said Iustices of or neere the sayd County or any two of them , shall or may taxe and assesse the Inhabitants of the Countie within fiue miles of the sayd place Infected , at such reasonable and weekely Taxes and Rates as they shall thinke fit to be leuied by warrant from any such two Iustices of Peace , of or neere the Countie , by sale of Goods , and in default thereof , by imprisonment of the body of the party taxed , as aforesayd . And if any such Infection shall bee in any Borough , Towne corporate , or Priuiledged place , where there are or shall be no Iustices of peace , or in any Village or Hamlet within any County , That then it shall and may be lawfull for any two Iustices of Peace of the said County , wherein the sa●d place infected is or shall be , to Taxe and Assesse the inhabitants of the said County , within fiue miles of the said place infected , at such reasonable weekely taxes and rates as they shall thinke fit for the reasonable reliefe of the said places infected , to bee leuied by warrant from the said Iustices of Peace of the same County by sale of goods , and in default therof , by imprisonment of the body of euery party so taxed , as aforesaid : The same taxes made by the said Iustices of Peace of the County , for the reliefe of such Cities , Boroughs , townes corporate , & places priuiledged , where there are no Iustices of Peace , to be disposed as they shall thinke fit . And where there are Iustices of Peace , Then in such sort as to the Maior , Bailifs , head Officers , & Iustices of peace there , or any two of them shal seeme fit and conuenient . All which taxes and rates made within any such citie , borough , towne corporate , or place priuiledged , shal be certified at the next quarter Sessions to be holden within the same Citie , Borough , Towne corporate , or place priuiledged , And the said Taxes and Rates made within any part of the said Countie , shall in like sort be certified at the next quarter Sessions to bee holden in and for the said Countie , And that if the Iustices of Peace at such quarter Sessions respectiuely , or the more part of them shall thinke it fit the sayd taxe or rate should continue , or be enlarged , or extended to any other partes of the Countie , or otherwise determined , then the same to bee so enlarged , extended or determined , increased , or taxed and leuied , in maner and forme aforesaid , as to the sayd Iustices at the Quarter Sessions respectiuely shal be thought fit and conuenient , And euery Constable , and other officer that shall wilfully make default in leuying such mony as they shal be commanded by the said Warrant or Warrants , shall forfeit for euery such offence ten shillings , to be employed on the charitable vses aforesaid . And bee it further enacted , That if any person or persons infected , or being or dwelling in any house Iniected , shall be by the Mayor , Bayliffes , Constable , or other head Officer of any Citie , Borough , Towne Corporate , Priuiledged place , or Market Towne , or by any Iustice of Peace , Constable , Headborough , or other Officer of the Countie , ( if any such Infection be out of any Citie , Borough , Towne Corporate , Priuiledged place , or Market Towne ) commaunded or appointed , as aforesayd , to keepe his or their House , for auoyding of further Infection , and shall notwithstanding wilfully and contemptuously disobey such direction and appointment , offering & attempting to breake and goe abroad , and to resist , or going abroad , and resisting such Keepers or Watchmen as shall bee appointed , as aforesayd , to see them kept in , That then it shall be lawfull for such Watchmen , with violence to inforce them to keepe their houses . And if any hurt come by such enforcement to such Disobedient persons , That then the sayde Keepers , Watchmen , and any other their Assistants , shall not bee impeached therefore . And if any infected person as aforesayd , so commanded to keepe house , shall contrary to such Commaundement , wilfully and contemptuously goe abroad , and shall conuerse in company , hauing any Infectious Sore vpon him vncured , That then such person and persons shall bee taken , deemed , and adiudged as a Felon , and to suffer paines of Death , as in case of Felonie . But if such person shall not haue any such Sore found about him , Then for his sayd Offence , to be punished as a Vagabond in all respects should , or ought to bee , by the Statute made in the nine and thirtieth yere of the Reigne of our late Souereigne Lady Queene Elizabeth , for the punishment of Rogues and Vagabonds , And further to be bound to his or their good behauiour for one whole yeere . Prouided , That no attainder of Felonie by vertue of this Acte , shall extend to any attainder or Corruption of blood , or forfeiture of any Goods , Chattels , Lands , Tenements , or Hereditaments . And be it further enacted by the Authoritie aforesayd , That it shall be lawfull for Iustices of Peace , Mayors , Bayliffes , and other head Officers aforesayd , to appoynt within the seuerall Limits , Searchers , Watchmen , Examiners , Keepers , and Buriers for the persons and places respectiuely , infected as aforesayd , and to minister vnto them Othes for the performance of their Offices of Searchers , Examiners , Watchmen , Keepers , and Buryers , and giue them other directions , as vnto them for the present necessitie shall seeme good in their discretions . And this Acte to continue no longer then vntill the end of the first Session of the next Parliament . Prouided alwayes , and be it enacted by authoritie of this present Parliament , that no Mayor , Bayliffes , head Officers , or any Iustices of Peace , shall by force or pretext of any thing in this Acte contained , doe or execute any thing before mentioned , within either the Vniuersities of Cambridge or Oxford , or within any Cathedrall Church , or the Liberties or Precincts thereof , in this Realme of England , or within the Colledges of Eaton or Winchester , But that the Vicechancellor of either of the Vniuersities for the time being , within either of the same respectiuely , and the Bishop and Deane of euery such Cathedrall Church , or one of them , within such Cathedrall Church , and the Prouost or Warden of either of the sayd Colledges within the same , shall haue all such power and authority , and shall doe and execute all & euery such Act and Actes , thing and things in this Acte before mentioned , within their seuerall Precincts and Iurisdictions abouesayd , as wholly , absolutely , and fully to all intents and purposes , as any Mayor , Bayliffes , head Officers , or Iustices of Peace within their seuerall Precincts and Iurisdictions , may elsewhere by force of this Acte doe and execute . ¶ Orders thought meete by his Maiestie and his Priuie Counsell , to be executed throughout the Counties of this Realme , in such Townes , Villages , and other places as are , or may be hereafter Infected with the Plague , for the stay of further increase of the same . Also , an Aduise set downe by the best learned in Physicke within this Realme , containing sundry good Rules and easie Medicines , without charge to the meaner sort of people , aswell for the preseruation of his good Subiects from the Plague before Infection , as for the curing and ordering of them after they shal be infected . AS the most louing and gracious care of his Maiestie for the preseruation of his People , hath alreadie beene earnestly shewed and declared by such meanes and waies as were thought expedient to suppresse the grieuous Infection of the Plague , and to preuent the encrease thereof , within the Citie of LONDON , and parts about it ; so whatsoeuer other good meanes may be yet remaining which may extend and prooue behoouefull to the Countrey abroad ( where his Maiestie is sorie to vnderstand that the Contagion is also in many places dispersed ) it is likewise his gracious pleasure that the same be carefully prouided and put in practise . And therefore hauing taken knowledge of certaine good Orders that were vpon like occasion published in times past ; together with certaine Rules and Medicines prescribed by the best and most learned Physicians ; and finding both of them , to serue well for the present time , his Maiestie is pleased that the same shal be renewed and published : And withall straitly commandeth all Iustices of the Peace and others to whome it may appertaine , to see the said Orders duely executed . At the Court at Hampton Court this 30. of Iuly . 1603. Infection of the Plague . INprimis , All the Iustices in euery Countie , aswell within the Liberties as without , immediatly vpon knowledge to them giuen , shall assemble themselues together at some one generall place accustomed , being cleare from Infection of the Plague , to consult how these Orders following may be duely put in execution , not meaning that any Iustices dwelling in or neere places infected , shall come thither , whiles their comming may bee doubtfull . And after their first generall assembly , they shall make a distribution of themselues to sundry Limits and diuisions , as in other common seruices of the Countie they are accustomed to doe , for the prosecution thereof . 2 First they shall enquire , and presenly informe themselues by all good meanes , what Townes and Villages are at the time of such assembly infected within euery their Counties , and in what Hundred or other Diuision , the sayde Townes and Villages are , and how many of the same places so Infected are Corporate Townes , Market Townes , and Villages , and shall consider of what wealth the Inhabitants of the same townes and Parishes are , to be able to relieue the poore that are or shall be infected , and to be restrained in their houses . 3 Item , thereupon after conference vsed according to the necessitie of the cause , they shall deuise and make a generall taxation , either by charging the Towne infected with one summe in grosse , or by charging the speciall persons of wealth within the same , to be forthwith collected for the rate of one moneth at the first , and so if the sickenesse shall continue , the collection of the like summe , or of more or of lesse , as time and cause shall require , and the same to be euery first , second , third , or fourth weeke employed to and for the execution of the sayde Orders . And in case some of the sayd Townes Infected , shall manifestly appeare not to bee of sufficient abilitie to contribute sufficient for the charges requisite , then the Taxation or Collection shall bee made or further extended to other parts , or in any other further limits , as by them shall bee thought requisite where there shall bee any such Townes or Villages so infected , and vnable to relieue themselues . And if the said Townes be situated in the borders and confines of any other shire , then as the Iustices shall see cause and neede for the greatnesse of the charge requisite , that the parts of the shire ioyning to the Townes infected be not able , they shall write their letters to the next Iustices of the other Shire so confining , to procure by collection some reliefe , as in like cases they are to relieue them , in respect of neere neighbourhood of the place , and for that the same Infection may bee the better stayed from the said adioyning places , thogh they be separated by name of the Countie . 4 Item , they shall cause to be appointed in euery Parish aswell infected as not infected , certaine persons to view the bodies of all such as shall die , before they be suffered to be buried , and to certifie the Minister of the Church and Churchwarden , or other principall officers , or their substitutes of what probable disease the said persons died : and the said viewers , to haue weekely some allowance , & the more large allowance where the Townes or Parishes bee infected , during the Infection , towards their maintenance , to the end they which shal be in places infected , may forbeare to resort into the company of others that are sound : and those persons to be sworne to make true report according to their knowledge , and the choise of them to be made by direction of the Curate of the Church , with three or foure substantiall men of the Parish . And in case the said viewers either through fauour or corruption , shall giue wrong certificate , or shall refuse to serue being thereunto appointed , then to cause them to be punished by imprisonment , in such sort as may serue for a terrour to others . 5 Item , the houses of such persons out of the which there shal die any of the plague , being so certified by the viewers , or otherwise knowen , or where it shal be vnderstood , that any person remaineth sicke of the plague , to be closed vp on all parts during the time of restraint , viz. sixe weekes , after the sicknes be ceased in the same house , in case the said houses so infected shall be within any Town hauing houses neere adioyning to the same . And if the infection happen in houses dispersed in Villages , and separated from other houses , and that of necessitie , for the seruing of their cattell , & manuring of their ground , the said persons cannot continue in their houses , then they be neuerthelesse restrained from resorting in●o company of others , either publikely or priuately during the sayd time of restraint , and to weare some marke in their vppermost garments , or beare white rods in their handes at such time as they shall goe abroad , if there bee any doubt that the masters and owners of the houses infected , will not duely obserue the directions of shutting vp the doores , specially in the night , then shall there be appointed two or three watchmen by turnes , which shall be sworne to attend & watch the house , and to apprehend any person that shall come out of the house contrary to the order , and the same persons by order of the Iustices , shall be a competent time imprisoned in the stockes in the high way next to the house infected : and furthermore , some speciall marke shall bee made and fixed to the doores of euery of the infected houses , and where any such houses shal be Innes or Alehouses , the Signes shal be taken downe for the time of the restraint , and some crosse or other marke set vpon the place thereof to be a token of the sickenesse . 6 Item , they shall haue good regard to chuse honest persons , that either shall collect the summes assessed , or shall haue the custodie thereof , and out of the sayd collection to allot a weekely proportion for the finding of victuall , or fire , or medicines for the poorer sort , during the time of their restraint . And whereas s●me persons being well disposed to yeeld almes and reliefe , will be more willing to giue some portions of victuall , as corne , bread , or other meate , the same shal be committed to the charge of some speciall persons , that will honestly and truely preserue the same , to be distributed as they shal be appointed for the poore that are infected . 7 Item , to appoint certaine persons dwelling within the Townes infected , to prouide and deliuer all necessaries of victuals , or any matter of watching or other attendance , to keepe such as are of good wealth being restrained , at their owne proper costs and charges , and the poore at the common charges : and the said persons so appointed to be ordered , not to resort to any publike assembly during the time of such their attendance , as also to weare some marke on their vpper garment , or to beare a white rodde in their hand , to the ende others may auoid their company . 8 Item , that in the Shire towne in euery Countie , and in other great Townes meete for that purpose , there may be prouision bespoken and made , of such Preseruatiues and other remedies , which otherwise in meaner townes cannot be readily had , as by the Physicians shal be prescribed , and is at this present reduced into an Aduise made by the Physicians , and now Printed and sent with the said Orders , which may be fixed in Market places , vpon places vsuall for such publique matters , and in other Townes in the bodies of the Parish Churches , and Chappels : in which Aduise onely such things are prescribed , as vsually are to be had and found in all Countreys without great charge or cost . 9 Item , the Ministers and Curats , and the Churchwardens in euery Parish , shal in writing certifie weekely to some of the Iustices , residing within the Hundred or other limit where they serue , the number of such persons as are infected and doe not die , and also of all such as shall die within their Parishes , and their diseases probable whereof they died , and the same to be certified to the rest of the Iustices at their assemblies , which during some conuenient time would be euery one and twentie dayes , and thereof a particular booke kept by the Clerke of the Peace or some such like . 10 Item , to appoint some place apart in each Parish for the buriall of such persons as shall die of the Plague , as also to giue order that they be buried after Sunne setting , and yet neuerthelesse by day light , so as the Curate be present for the obseruation of the Rites and Ceremonies prescribed by the Law , foreseeing as much as conueniently he may , to be distant from the danger of infection of the person dead , or of the company that shall bring the corpse to the graue . 11 Item , the Iustices of the whole Countie to assemble once in one and twentie dayes , to examine whether those Orders be duely executed , and to certifie to the Lords of the Priuie Counsell their proceedings in that behalfe , what Townes and Villages be infected , as also the numbers of the dead , and the diseases whereof they died , and what summes of money are taxed and collected to this purpose , and how the same are distributed . 12 Item , the Iustices of the Hundred , where any such Infection is , or the Iustices next adioyning thereunto , to assemble once a weeke , to take accompt of the execution of the sayd Orders , and as they finde any lacke or disorder , either to reforme it themselues , or to report it at the generall assembly there , to be by a more common consent reformed . 13 Item , for that the Contagion of the Plague groweth and encreaseth no way more , then by the vse and handling of such clothes , bedding and other stuffe as hath bin worne and occupyed by the Infected of this disease , during the time of their disease : the sayd Iustices shall in the places infected take such order , that all the sayde clothes and other stuffe , so occupyed by the diseased , so soone as the parties diseased of the plague are all of them either wel recouered or dead , be either burnt and cleane consumed with fire , or else ayred in such sort as is prescribed in an especiall article conteined in the Aduise set downe by the Physicians . And for that peraduenture the losse of such apparell , bedding , and other stuffe to be burnt , may be greater then the poore estate of the owners of the same may wel beare : it is thought very good and expedient , if it be thought meet it shall be burnt , that then the sayd Iustices , out of such Collections as are to bee made within their Counties for the reliefe of the poorer sort that be infected , allow also them such summe or summes as to them shall be thought reasonable , in recompense of the losse of their sayd stuffe . 14 Item , the said Iustices may put in execution any other Orders that by them at their generall assembly shall be deuised and thought meet , tending to the preseruation of his Maiesties Subiects from the infection : and to the end their care and diligence may the better appeare , they shall certifie in writing the said Orders newly deuised : and if any shall wilfully breake and contemne the same , or any the Orders herein specified , they shall either presently punish them by imprisonment , or if the persons so contemning them , shal be of such countenance as the Iustices shal think meet to haue their faults knowen to his Maiestie , or to the Councell , they shall charge and binde them to appeare before vs , and the contempt duely certified , that there may be a more notorious sharpe example made by punishment of the same by order of his Maiestie . 15 Item , if there be lacke of Iustices in some partes of the Shire , or if they which are Iustices there , shal be for the time absent , in that case the more number of the Iustices at their assembly shall make choice of some conuenient persons to supply those places for the better execution hereof . 16 Item , if there be any person Ecclesiasticall or Lay , that shall hold and publish any opinions ( as in some places report is made ) that it is a vaine thing to forbeare to resort to the Infected , or that it is not charitable to forbid the same , pretending that no person shall die but at their time prefixed , such persons shall be not onely reprehended , but by order of the Bishop , if they be Ecclesiasticall , shall be forbidden to preach , and being Lay , shal be also enioined to forbeare to vtter such dangerous opinions vpon paine of imprisonment , which shall bee executed , if they shal perseuere in that errour . And yet it shall appeare manifestly by these Orders , that according to Christian charitie , no persons of the meanest degree shall be left without succour and reliefe . 17 And of these things aboue mentioned , the Iustices shall take great care , as of a matter specially directed and commaunded by his Maiestie vpon the princely and naturall care he hath conceiued towards the preseruation of his Subiects , who by very disorder , and for lacke of direction doe in many partes wilfully procure the increase of this generall Contagion . An aduice set downe by the Colledge of Physitians , by His MAIESTIES speciall Command : Containing certaine necessary Directions , as well for the cure of the Plague , as for preuenting the infection : with many easie Medicines and of small charge , the vse whereof may be very profitable to His MAIESTIES Subiects . That none come from forraine Infected places , or bring goods from thence . IT is necessarie that there be care taken , that neither men , nor goods may come from any suspected places beyond the Seas , or in the Land , without a Certificate of health , or else either to bee sent suddenly away , or to be put to the Pesthouse , or some such like place , till the certaintie of their soundnesse may be discouered . That all established good Orders be reuiued . THat the Statutes and good Orders made and formerly published against common Beggars , against all manner of Playes , Bowling-allies , Inmates , Tipling houses , Lestals , against the sale of corrupt Flesh or Fish , may bee reuiued and strictly executed , and that the Scauengers in generall , and euery particular Housholder take care for the due and orderly cleansing of the streetes and priuate houses , which will auaile much in this case . That Dogs , Cats , Conies , and tame Pigeons bee destroyed about the Towne , or to bee kept so sparingly , that no offence may come by them , nor that Swine bee permitted to range vp and downe the streetes as they frequently doe ; Or rather not to keepe any at all . It were also to bee wished that the Slaughter-houses were vtterly put from out the Liberties of the Citie , being in themselues very offensiue . To be Cautulous vpon any suspition . IT is to bee feared , that because euery one desireth their libertie , that none will giue notice of any suspition of the Plague , against themselues , wherefore it must be the ouerseers care vpon any notice or suspition of infection by the Doctors , Chirurgions , Keepers , or Searchers to finde out the trueth thereof , and so to proceede accordingly . The care to be taken when a house is Visited . THat vpon the discouery of the infection in any house , there bee presently meanes vsed to preserue the whole , as well as to cure the infected , and that no sicke person be remoued out of any house , though to another of his owne , without notice thereof to be giuen to the Ouerseers , and be by them approued ; Or if the whole be to be remoued , that notice be giuen to the Ouerseers of their remoue , and that Caution be giuen that they shal not wander about till they be sound . The house that is knowen to bee infected , though none be dead therein , to be shut vp , and carefully kept watched , till a time after the partie be well recouered , and that time to be forty dayes at the least . Caution concerning flying into the Countrey . BEcause many Masters of Families , presently vpon the visiting of the houses before any be dead , fly into the Countrey to their friends : By which meanes the Plague , is often caried into the Country , that no man shall depart his house , except it bee to a house not inhabited , and that it bee to a house of such distance , as that hee may conueniently trauell thither without lying by the way , much lesse that hee send his children or seruants ; and this to bee done by the approbation of the Ouerseers vnder their hands . That such also as remooue into the Countrey before their houses bee Visited , haue a Certificate from the Ouerseers of their Parish vnder their hands and seales testifying , that such persons were not visited before their remooue , that by vertue thereof they may the freelier trauell in the countrey , and be more readily entertained . Because it is likely that the better sort will not call to them such Doctors as are deputed to the cure of the Plague , vpon the first falling sicke of any in their houses , least thereby they might draw greater infection vpon themselues : If therefore any house so vsing other Doctors shal happen to be visited , that then the Doctor who shall vndertake the care of that house , shall presently cause notice of the said infection to be giuen to the Ouerseers , that care may be had thereof . Buriall of the Dead . THat one being dead in any house of the Plague notice bee giuen to the Ouerseers , and that the dead party be buried by night in priuate manner , yet not without the priuity of the Minister , Clarke , Bearers and Constable or Ouerseers , and that none enter the visited house , but permitted persons , vpon danger to bee presently shut vp themselues , and that there bee a visible Marke set vpon the outside of the doore , and so to stand shut vp forty dayes . Caution about apparell and houshold stuffe . THat no apparell nor houshold-stuffe be remooued or sold , out of the infected house for three moneths after the infection is ceased in the house , and that all the Brokers and inferiour Cryers for apparell bee restrained in that behalfe . No visited person to be secretly remoued without Licence . THat no infected person be secretly conuered out of any house , and in any such misdemeanour , the Master of the house both from which the sicke party is sent , as also the master of the house , into which the partie shall be receiued without the licence of the Ouerseers of both Parishes respectiuely , shall be seuerely punished , at the discretion of the Ouerseers . Doctors , Apothecaries , and Chirurgions . THat by the gouernment of the Citie , there bee appointed sixe or foure Doctors at the least , who may ioyntly and seuerally apply themselues and their studies to the cure of the Infected , and staying of the Infection , and that these Doctors bee Stipendaries to the Citie for their liues , and that to each Doctor there bee assigned two honest Apothecaries , and three Chirurgions , who are also to bee stipended by the Citie , that so due and true care may be taken in all things that the people perish not without helpe , and that the Infection spread not , while none takes particular care to resist it , as in Paris , Venice , and Padua , and many other Cities . If any Doctor , Apothecary , or Chirurgion stipended by the Citie , shall happen to die in the seruice of the attendance of the Plague , that then their Widowes suruiuing , shall haue the moitie of their pension during their liues . Publique Prayers . ABoue all things Prayers must be publiquely made in euery Parish , humbly to intreat God to bee mercifull to his people , and that he will not powre out the vials of his wrath vpon vs , according to our iust deseruings , but in mercie will be pleased to hold his auenging hand , & to stay the destroyer of his people , and that he will be pleased to blesse his Maiesties care , and endeauors of the Magistrates and inferiour Officers for the staying of the Infection , and that hee will blesse such good meanes , as are , and shal be directed by the Doctors in this so dangerous a Visitation . Preseruatiues . By Correction of the Ayre . FOr the correcting of the infectious Ayre , it were good that often Bonefires were made in the streetes , and that sometimes the Tower-Ordnance might bee shot off , as also that there be good fires kept in and about the visited houses , and their neighbours . Take Rosemary dried , or Iuniper , Bay-leaues , or Frankincense , cast the same vpon a Chafendish , and receiue the fume or smoke thereof : Some aduise to bee added Lauender or Sage . Also to make Fires rather in Pannes , to remooue about the chamber , then in Chimneys , shall better correct the Ayre of the houses . Take a quantitie of Vineger very strong , and put to it some small quantitie of Rose-water , ten branches of Rosemary , put them all into a bason , then take fiue or sixe Flint-stones heated in the fire till they be burning hote , cast them into the same Vineger , and so let the fumes bee receiued from place to place of your house . That the house be often perfumed with Rue , Angelica , Gentian , Zedoary , Setwall , Iuniper wood , or Berries , burnt vpon imbers , either simply , or they may be steeped in Wine-vineger , and so burnt . Greene Coppris burnt in an earthen potte , and cast hot into Vineger , therewith perfume the house and all therein , or with this Slake Lime in Vineger , and aire the house therewith , burne much Tarre , Rosen , Frankincense , or Turpentine , both in priuate Houses and in the Churches before Prayers . By perfuming of Apparell . SVch apparell as you shall commonly weare , let it be very cleane , and per●ume it often either with some red Saunders burned , or with Iuniper : And if any shall happen to be with them that are visited , let such persons as soone as they shall come home , shift themselues , and ayre their clothes in open ayre for a time . By carrying about of Perfumes . SVch as are to goe abroad shall doe well to carry Rue , Angelica , or Zedoarie in their hands to smell to , and of those they may chew a little in their mouthes as they goe in the streete , especially if they bee afraid of any place . It is not good to be ouer fearful ; and it cannot bee but bad to bee ouer presumptuous and bold . Take Rue one handfull , stamp it in a morter , put thereto Wine-Vineger enough to moisten it , mixe them well , then straine out the iuyce , wette a piece of spoonge , or a toste of browne bread therein , tye it in a thinne cloth , beare it about to smell to . Or this . TAke the roote of Angelica beaten grosly , the weight of sixe pence , of Rue and Wormewood , of each the weight of foure pence , Setwall the weight of three pence , bruise these , then steepe them in a little Wine Vineger , tye them in a linnen cloth , which they may carrie in their hands , or put it into a Iuniper boxe full of holes to smell to . Or they may vse this Pomander . TAke Angelica , Rue , Zedoarie , of each halfe a dramme , Myrrhe two drammes , Camphire sixe graines , Waxe and Labdanum of each two drammes , more or lesse as shall bee thought fitte to mixe with the other things , make hereof a Ball to carrie about you , you may easily make a hole in it , and so weare it about your necke with a string . The richer sort may make vse of this Pomander . TAke Citron Pils , Angelica seeds , Zedoarie , Red Rose leaues of each halfe a dramme , yellow Saunders , Lignum aloes of each one scruple , Galliae Moschatae foure scruples , Storaxe , Calamit , Beuzoni , of each one dramme , Camphire sixe graines , Labdanum three drammes , Gum Tragaranth dissolued in Rose-water enough to make it vp into a Pomander , put thereto sixe drops of spirit of Roses , enclose it in an iuory boxe , or weare it about your necke . Also it is good in going abroad in the open aire in the streets to hold some things of sweet sauour in their hands , or in the corner of a handkerchiefe , as a sponge dipped in Vineger and Rose-water mixed , or in Vineger wherewith Wormewood or Rue called also Herbegrace hath beene boyled . Take the roote of Enula Campana , being laid and steeped in Vineger and grosse beaten , put a little of it in a handkerchiefe , and smell to it if you resort to any that is infected . It shall bee good to take a handfull of Rue , and as much common Wormewood , and bruise them a little , and put them into a pot of Earth or Tinne , with so much Vineger as shall couer the herbes , keepe this pot close couered or stopt , and when you feare any infection , dip into this Vineger a piece of a sponge , & carry it in your hand , and smell to it , or else put it into a round Ball of Yuory or Iuniper , made full of holes of the one side , carying it in your hand , vse to smell thereunto , renewing it once a day . By inward Medicines . LEt none goe fasting forth , euery one according to their fortunes , let them eate some such thing as may resist putrefaction . Some may eate Garlicke with Butter , a Cloue● two or three according to the abilitie of their bodies ; some may eate fasting some of the electuary with Figs and Rue hereafter expressed : Some may vse London Treacle , the weight of eight pence in a morning , taking more or lesse , according to the age of the party after one houre let them eate some other breakefast , as bread and butter with some leaues of Rue or Sage , ●nd in the heate of Summer of Sorrell , or wood Sorrell . To steepe Rue , Wormwood , or Sage all night in their drinke , and to drinke a good draught in the morning fasting is very wholesome ▪ or to drinke a draught of such drin●e after the taking any of the preseruatiues will be very good . In all Summer Plagues , it shall bee good to vse Sor●ell sauce , to bee eaten in the morning with bread . And in the fall of the leafe to vse the iuice of Barberies with bread also . Take of the powder of good Ba●beries the huske taken away from them , before they be dryed , a spoonefull : let the patient drinke this well mingled in a draught of good stale Ale or Beere , which is neither sowre nor dead , or with a draught of white Wine , and goe to bed , and cast himselfe in a sweat , and forbeare sleepe . Take the inward barke of the Ash-tree , a pound of Walnuts , with the greene outward shels , to the number of fifty , cut these small ; of Scabious , of Veruen , of Petimorel , of Housleeke , of euery one a handfull , of Saffron halfe an ounce , powre vpon these the strongest Vineger you can get foure pints ▪ let them a little boyle together vpon a very soft fire , and then stand in a very close pot well stopt all a night vpon the Embers , after distill them with a soft fire , and receiue the water close kept . Giue vnto the Patient laid in bed and well couered with cloathes two ounces of this Water to drinke , and let him be prouoked to sweat , and euery sixe houres during the space of twenty foure houres , giue him the same quantitie to drinke . This Medicine for the worthinesse thereof and because it will stand the maner thereof in little charge , it shall be very well done to distill it in Summer , when the Walnuts h●ng greene vpon the tree , that it may bee ready against the time that occasion serueth to vse it . After Infection . FOrasmuch as the cause of the Plague standeth rather in poyson , then in any putr●faction of humours , as other Agues doe , the chiefest way is to moue sweatings , and to defend the heart by some Cordiall thing . Cordials . Mithridates Medicine of Figgs . TAke of good Figgs and Walnuts , of each twenty foure , Rue picked , two good handfuls , Salt halfe an ounce , or some what better , first stampe your Figgs and walnuts well together in a stone morter , then adde your Rue , and last of all your Salt , mixe them exceedingly well , take of this mixture euery morning fasting the weight of sixteen pence : to children and weake bodies lesse . Or this will be more effectuall . TAke twenty Walnuts , pill them , Figs fifteene , Rue a good handful , Tormentil roots three drams , Iuniper berries two drams , Bole-Armoniack a dram & a halfe ; first stampe your roots then your Figs and Seeds , then adde your Walnuts , then put to your Rue and Bole , and with them put thereto sixe drammes of London Treacle , and two or three spoonefuls of Wine-vineger , mixe them well in a stone morter , and take of this euery morning the quantity of a good Nutmeg fasting , they that haue cause to goe much abroad may take as much more in the euening two houres before supper . For women with child , Children , and such as cannot take bitter things vse this . TAke conserue of Roses , Wood-Sorrel , of each two ounces , conserues of Borrage , of Sage-flowers , of each sixe drams , Bole-armoniake , shauings of Harts-horn , Sorrell-seeds , of each two drams , Yellow or White Saunders halfe a dramme , Saffron one scruple , Sirrop of Wood-sorrell enough to make it a moist electuary , mixe them well , take so much as a Chesnut at a time , once or twice a day as you shall finde cause . Take the shauings of Harts-horne , Magistery of Pearl , Magistery of Coral , Tormentil Rootes , Zedoarie , true Terra Sigillata , of each one dramme , Citron Pills , Yellow White and Red Sanders , of each halfe a dramme , white Amber , Hyacinth-stone prepared , of each two scruples , Bezoar Stone , of the East Vnicornes horne , of each foure and twenty graines , Citron and Orenge pils canded , of each three drammes , Lignum Aloes , one scruple , Amber-grease and Muske , of each eight graines , white Sugar Candy , twice the weight of all the rest , mixe them well being made into a dredge powder , take the weight of twelue pence at a time euery morning fasting , and also in the euening about fiue a clocke , or an houre before Supper . With these powders and Sugar there may be made Lozenges , or Manus Christies and with conuenient conserues they may be made into Electuaries . All which and many more , for their health they may haue by the aduice and directions of their owne Physicians , or at least Physicians wil not bee wanting to direct them as they may haue neede . They may also vse Bezoar Water , or Treacle Water , or Saxonias cold cordiall Water , which they may vse simply , or they may mixe them also with all their Antidotes as occasion shall require . The vse of London Treacle is good both to preserue from the sicknesse , as also to cure the sicknesse , being taken vpon the first apprehension in a greater quantitie , as to a man two drammes , but lesse to a weake body or a child , in Cardius or Dragon Water . Take of the finest cleere Aloes you can buy , in colour like to a Liuer , and therefore called Hepatica , of Cinamom , of Myrrhe , of each of these the weight of three French Crownes , or of two and twenty pence of our money , of Cloues , Maces , Lignum Aloes , of Masticke of Bole-Oriental , of each of these halfe an ounce , mingle them together , & beat them into a very fine powder , of the which take euery morning fasting the weight of a groat of this in White Wine delayed with water , and by the grace of God you shall bee safe from the Plague . No man which is learned if hee examine the Simples of this Medicine whereof it consisteth , and the nature and power of them can deny , but that it is a Medicine of great efficacie against the Plague , and the Simples whereof it is made , are easily to be had in any good Apothecaries shop , except Bole-Orientall , which is vsed in the stead of true Bolus Armenus . Take a dry Figge and open it , and put the kernell of a Walnut into the same , being cut very small , three or foure leaues of Rue commonly called Herbegrace , a corne of Salt , then roste the Figge , and eate it warme , fast three or foure houres after it , and vse this twice in the weeke . Take the powder of Tormentill the weight of sixe pence with Sorrell or Scabious Water in Summer , and in Winter with the Water of Valerian or common drinke . Or else , in one day they may take a little Wormwood and Valerian , with a graine of Salt , in another day they may take seuen or eight Berries of Iuniper dried and put in powder , and taking the same with common drinke , or with drinke in which Wormewood and Rue hath beene steeped all night . Also the Treacle called Diatessaroum , which is made but of foure things of light price , easie to be had . Also the roote of Enula Campana , either taken in powder with drinke , or hanged about the brest . Likewise a piece of Arras Roote kept in the mouth as men passe in the streets is very good Cordiall . Take sixe leaues of Sorrell , wash them with Water and Vineger , let them lye in the said Water and Vineger a while . then eate them fasting , and keepe in your mouth and chew now and then either Setwall , or the Roote of Angelica , or a little Cinamom . Medicines Purgatiue . IT is good for preuention to keepe the bodie reasonable open , especially with such things as are easie of operation , and good to resist putrefaction , such are these Pils which are vsually to bee had at good Apothecaries , and are called Pestilentiall Pilles . Take Aloes two ounces , Myrrhe and Saffron , of each one ounce , Ammoniacum halfe an ounce , make them vp into a masse with the iuice of Limons , or white Wine vineger , to keepe the bodie open , a small Pill or two will bee enough taken a little before supper , or before dinner , but to purge the bodie , take the weight of a dramme , made into fiue , or sixe , or more Pilles , in the morning fasting , and that day keepe your chamber . If the patient bee costiue and bound in his body , let him take a suppositary made with a little boyled Honie , and a little fine powder of Salt , and so taken in at the Fundament , and kept till it mooue a Stoole . For the poore take Aloes the weight of sixe pence , put in the pappe of an Apple , and for the richer , Pilles of Rufus to be had in euery Apothecaries Shop . ¶ Blood-letting . IF the Patient be full of humors which be good , let him immediatly bee Let-blood vpon the Liuer Veine in the right arme , or in the Median Veine of the same Arme ( if no Sore appeare ) in the first day . Such as are tyed to necessary attendance on the infected , as also such as liue in Visited houses , shall doe well to cause Issues to be made in their left Armes , or right Legs , or both , as the Doctor shall thinke fit . For Blood-letting , Purging , and making of Issues there must be particular directions had from the Doctors , according to the constitution of the parties . These preparations thus vsed , the first day that the patient shall fall sicke , as cause shall be to vse the one or the other ( no Sore appearing ) in which case if the Sore shal appeare , they are both to be forborne , the next is to vse all meanes to expell the poyson , and to defend the heart by Cordials . Medicines Expulsiue . THe poyson is expelled best by sweatings , prouoked by Posset-ale , made with Fennell and Marigolds in Winter ; and with Sorrell , Buglosse , and Borage in Summer , with the which in both times they must mixe the Treacle of Diatessaroū , the weight of nine pence , & so to lay themselues with all quietnes to sweat one halfe houre , or an houre , if they bee strong ; For they that be neither full of humors , nor corrupt in humors , neither need purging , nor letting of blood , but at the first plunge may mooue themselues to sweate with Cordiall things , mixt with such things as mooue sweat . Medicines Internall . FOr the Cure of the Infected vpon the first apprehension , Burre Seedes , Cucheneely , powder of Harts-horne , Citron Seedes , one or more of them with a few graines of Camphire , are good to be giuen in Carduus or Dragon water , or with some Treacle water . As thus . TAke Burre Seeds and Cucheneely , of each halfe a dramme , or to a weake bodie , of each one scruple , Camphire fiue graines , mixe these with two ounces of Carduus or Dragon water , halfe an ounce of Treacle water , Sirup of Wood-Sorrell a spoonefull , mixe these , giue it the Patient warme , couer him to sweate , you may giue him a second draught after twelue houres , let him drinke no cold drinke ; this posset drinke or the like will be good to giue the visited liberally . Take Wood-sorrell halfe a handfull , Marigold Flowers halfe so much , shauings of Harts-horne , three drammes , a Figge or two sliced , boile them well in cleare Posset-drinke , let them drinke thereof freely ; you may put thereto a little Sugar . Another . TAke Citron seeds sixe or eight , shauings of Harts-horne halfe a dramme , London Treacle one drame , mixe them with two ounces of Carduus Water , or with three ounces of the prescribed posset drinke , drinke it warme , and so lye to sweat . Another . TAke Sorrell-water fiue or sixe spoonefuls , Treacle-water one spoonefull , London Treacle one dramme and a halfe , mixe them well , giue it warme , and so lay the patient to sweat . Take Tormentil , and Celandine roots of each foure ounces , Scabious and Rue of each one handfull and a halfe , White Wine Vineger three pints , boyle these till one pinte be wasted , straine out the liquor , which reserue for the vse of the infected : let it be taken thus ; Take of this liquor ▪ of C●s Water , of each one ounce and a halfe , London Treacle one dramme and a halfe , Bol●-Armoniake halfe a scruple , put thereto a little Sugar , mixe them well , let the partie drinke it warme , and couer him to sweat . In Summer this is good . TAke the iuyce of Wood-Sorrell two ounces ▪ the iuyce of Limons one ounce , Diascordi●m one dramme , Cinamo● sixe graines , Vineger halfe an ounce ▪ giue it warme , and lay the ●ic●e part● to sweat . Take ●n ●gge and make a hole in the top of it , take out the white and yolke , fill the shell with the weight of two French crownes of Saffron , roste the said Egge thus ●lled with Saffron vnder the Embers , vntill the shell begin to wa●e yellow : then take it from the fire , and ●eat the shell and Saffron in a morter together , with halfe a spoonefull of Mustard seed ▪ take of this powder a French Crowne weight , and assoone as you suspect your selfe infected , dissolue it into ten spoonefuls of Posset-Ale , and drinke it lukewarme , then goe to bed ▪ and prouoke your selfe to sweating . Another is to take 〈…〉 of Sorrell that groweth in the ●d ▪ or a greater quantity according as you will 〈◊〉 more ●s lesse of the water thereof , a●l●t it lye inf●ed or steeped in good Vineger the space of foure & twenty houres , then take it off , and dry it with a linnen cloth , put into a L●mbe●ke , and distill the water thereof : And assoone as you finde your selfe touched with the sicknesse , drinke foure spoonefuls of the said Water , with a little Sugar , and i● you be able , walke vpon it vntill you sweate , i●●ot , ●epe your bed and be well couered , prouoke your selfe to sweating , and the next day to take as much againe of it a little before supper . To prouoke vomit with two ounces of 〈◊〉 Oyle ▪ or 〈◊〉 Oyle , a spoonefull of the iuyce of Celendi●e , and halfe a spoonefull of the iuyce of ●●dice roote , so that the party infected 〈◊〉 ●alke and not 〈◊〉 , or better then any letting of blood , or any purging : for the disease , neither can suffer agitation of humours , nor when one is 〈◊〉 , hath any time to bleed or to purge . Medicines Externall . V● 〈◊〉 supplyed to 〈…〉 inside of the Thighes , or about the bottome of the 〈…〉 Legge ▪ will ●w foorth the 〈…〉 requires the direction of the Doctor . For the swelling vnder the C●●es , Arme-pits , or in the ●ro●●es , they must be alwayes drawne foorth and ripened , and broke with all speed , to vse any repelling thing is presently to ●ill the Patient . These Tumors , and more the Car●cles and Blaynes , doe require the care and skill of the expert Chirurgi● : but not to leaue the poorer ●ort 〈◊〉 of good remedies , these following are very good . Some pull off the Feathers from the tayles of liuing Cocks , Hens , Pigeons or Chickens ▪ and holding their bills , they hold them hard to the Botch or Swelling , and so keepe them at that part till they dye ▪ and by this meanes draw out the poyson . To breake the Tumor . TAke a great Onion , hollow it , put into it a Figge , Rue cut small , and a dramme of Venice Treacle , put it close stopped in a wet paper , and ro●te it in the Embers , apply it hote vnto the Tumor , lay three or foure one after another , let one lye three houres . Scabious ▪ and Sorrell roasted in the Embers , mixt with a little 〈◊〉 leaues , and some Barrowes Grease , and a little Salt will draw it , and breake it . Take two or three roasted Onyons , a Lilly Roote or two roasted , a handfull of Scabious roasted , foure or fiue Figges , a piece of Leauen , and a little Rue , stampe all the●e together , if it be too dry , put to it two ounces of Oyle of Lillies , or so much Salt Butter , make a Pultesse , apply it hot , after it hath lay●e three or foure houres take it off and burne it ▪ and apply a fresh Pultesse of the same , if it proue hard to breake , adde a little burnt Copris to the Pultesse , which will soone worke his effect . Or this . TAke the Flowers of Elders , two handfuls , Rocket seede bruised one ounce , Pigeons dung three drammes : stampe these together , put to them a little oyle of Lillies , make thereof a Pultesse , apply it , and change it as you did the former . To draw . WHen it is broken to drawe it and deale it , take the Yolke of an Egge , one ounce of honey of Roses , Turpentine halfe an ounce , wheate Flower a little , London Treacle a dramme and a halfe : mixe these wel● , spread it vpon Leather , change it twice a day . You must take care not to heale any of these pestilent sores too soon , for that might breed a new sicknesse , or at least a new sore . For the Carbuncle . SOme put great confidence in a Cautery , laying a defensatiue of Bole Armoniacke , or Terra sigillata , mixed with Vineger and the White of an Egge round about the tumor , but not vpon it . Take three or foure cloues of Garlicke , Rue halfe a handfull , foure Figges , strong Leauen , and the Soote of a Chimney in which wood hath been burnt , of each halfe an ounce , Mustard seede two drammes , Salt a dramme and a halfe , stampe these wel together , and apply it hot to the Sore ; you may put thereto a little salt Butter if it be too drie . Or this . TAke Leauen halfe an ounce , Radish rootes , the bigger the better , an ounce and a halfe , Mustard seed two drammes ; Onions and Garlicke rosted , of each two drammes and a halfe , Venice Treacle or Mithridatum , three drammes , mixe these in a morter , applie it hote thrice a day to the Sore . But these Sores cannot be well ordered and cured , without the personall care of a discreete Surgeon . Take of Scabious two handfuls , stampe it in a stone morter with a pestell of stone if you can get any such , then put vnto it of old Swines grease salted two ounces , and the yelke of an Egge , stampe them well together , and lay part of this warme to the Sore . Take of the leaues of Mallowes , of Camomill flowers , of either of them a handfull , of Li●eseed beaten into powder two ounces , boyl● the Mallow leaues first cut , and the flowers of Camomill in faire water standing aboue a fingers breadth , boile all them together , vntill all the water be almost spent , then put thereunto the Lineseede , of wheate flower halfe a handfull , of Swines grease , the skins taken away , three ounces , of oyle of Roses two ounces , stirre them still with a sticke , and let them all boyle together on a soft fire without smoake , vntill the water bee vtterly spent , beate them all together in a morter vntill they bee well incorporated , and in feeling smooth and not rough ; then make part thereof hot in a dish set vpon a Chafendish of coales , and lay it thicke vpon a linnen cloth , applying it to the Sore . Take a white Onion cut in pieces , of fresh Butter three ounces , of Leauen the weight of twelue pence , of Mallowes one handfull , of Scabious , if it may bee had , one handfull , of cloues of Garlicke the weight of twenty pence ; boyle them on the fire insufficient water , and make a P●●tesse of 〈◊〉 , and lay it 〈◊〉 to the Sore . Another . TO the Sore it 〈◊〉 doe thus , 〈◊〉 two handfulls of 〈◊〉 , three roots of Da●t ▪ an handful of S●allage or Lo● , if you can get it , 〈◊〉 them 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 , and a 〈◊〉 cr●es of bread , an● 〈…〉 thereof , and lay it warme to the So●e till it breake . Another . IF you cannot haue these herbes , it is good to lay a loafe of bread to it hot , as it commeth out of the ouen ( which afterward shall be burnt , or buried in the earth ) Or the leaues of Scabious or Sorrel rosted , or two or three Lilly rootes rosted vnder Embers , beaten and applied . A generall Medicine for all sorts of people taken with the Pl●gue , to bee ●ad without Cost . TAke of the roote Butter Burre , otherwise called Pestilent-wort one ounce , of the roote of great Valerian a quarter of an ounce , of Sorrell an handfull , boyle all these in a quart of water to a pint , then ●ine it , and put thereto two spoonfuls of Vineger , 〈◊〉 ounces of good Sugar , boyle all these together vntill they bee well mingled ▪ let the Infected drinke of this so ●otes ●e may 〈◊〉 it a good draught , and i● be● chance to 〈◊〉 it vp againe , let him take the same quantity straightway vpon it , and prouoke himselfe to sweat , and hee shall finde great helpe . ¶ Orders conceiued and agreed to be published by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the Citie of London , and the Iustices of Peace of the Counties of Middlesex and Surrey , by direction from the Lords of His Maiesties most Honourable Priuy Councell . WHereas in the first yeere of the Reigne of our late Soueraigne , King Iames of happy memory , ouer this Realme of England , an Act was made , for the charitable reliefe and Ordering of persons infected with the Plague : wherby Authoritie is giuen to Iustices of Peace , Maiors , Bayliffes , and other head Officers , to appoint within their seuerall Limits Examiners , Searchers , Watchmen , Keepers , and Buriers for the persons and places infected , and to minister vnto them Oathes for the performance of their Offices . And the same Statute also authoriseth the giuing of other Directions , as vnto them for the present necessity shall seeme good in their discretions . It is therefore vpon speciall consideration thought very expedient , for the preuenting and auoiding of the Infection of Sicknesse ( if it shall please Almighty God ) which is now dangerously dispersed into many places within the City and Suburbs of the same : that these Officers following bee appointed , and these Orders hereafter prescribed bee duely obserued . Examiners to be appointed in euery Parish . FIrst , It is thought requisite and so ordered , that in euery Parish there bee one , two or more persons of good sort and credit , chosen and appointed by the Alderman his Deputy , and Common Councell of euery Ward , and by the Iustices of Peace in the Counties , by the name of Examiners , to continue in that Office the space of two moneths at least : and if any fit persons , so appointed as aforesaid , shall refuse to vndertake the same , the said parties so refusing , to be committed to Prison vntill they shall conforme themselues accordingly . The Examiners Office. THat these Examiners be sworne by the Alderman , or by one of the Iustices of the County , to enquire & learne from time to time what houses in euery parish be visited , and what persons be sicke , and of what Diseases , as neere as they can enforme themselues , and vpon doubt in that case , to command restaint of accesse , vntill it appeare what the Disease shall prooue : and if they f●nd any persons sicke of the Infection , to giue order to the Constable , that the house be shut vp : and if the Constable shal be found remisse or negligent , to giue present notice thereof to the Alderman , or the Iustice of Peace respectiuely . Watchmen . THat to euery Infected house there be appointed two Watchmen , one for the day , and the other for the night : And that these Watchmen haue a speciall care that no person goe in or out of such Infected houses , whereof they haue the charge , vpon paine of seuere punishment . And the sayd Watchmen to doe such further Offices as the sicke house shall neede and require : and if the Watchman be sent vpon any busines , to lock vp the house and take the Key with him : and the Watchman by day to attend vntill ten of the clocke at night : and the Watchman by night till sixe in the morning . Chirurgions . THat there be a speciall care , to appoint women Searchers in euery Parish , such as are of honest reputation , & of the best sort as can be got in this kinde : And these to be sworne to make due search and true report , to the vtmost of their knowledge , whether the persons , whose bodies they are appoynted to Search , doe die of the Infection , or of what other diseases , as neere as they can . And for their better assistance herein , forasmuch as there hath beene heretofore great abuse in misreporting the disease , to the further spreading of the Infection : It is therfore ordered , that there bee chosen and appointed three able and discreete Surgions , besides those three that doe already belong to the Pesthouse : amongst whom , the Citie and Liberties to be quartered , as the places lie most apt and conuenient : and euery of these sixe to haue one quarter for his Limit : and the sayde Chirurgions in euery of their Limits , to ioyne with the Searchers for the view of the body , to the end there may be a true report made of the disease . And further , that the sayd Chirurgions shall visite and search such like persons as shall either send for them , or bee named and directed vnto them , by the Examiners of euery Parish , and informe themselues of the disease of the sayd parties . And forasmuch as the sayd Chirurgions are to bee sequestred from all other Cures , and kept onely to this disease of the Infection : It is ordered , that euery of the said Chirurgions shall haue twelue pence a bodie searched by them , to be payd out of the goods of the partie searched , if he be able , or otherwise by the Parish . Orders concerning Infected houses and persons sicke of the Plague . Notice to be giuen of the Sickenesse . THe Master of euery house , assoone as any one in his house complaineth , either of Botch , of Purple , or Swelling in any part of his bodie , or falleth otherwise dangerously sicke , without apparant cause of some other disease , shall giue knowledge thereof to the Examiner of health within two houres after the said signe shall appeare . Sequestration of the sicke . AS soone as any man shall be found by this Examiner , Chirurgion or Searcher , to be sicke of the Plague , hee shall the same night be sequestred in the same house . And in case he be so sequestred , then though hee afterwards die not , the house wherein he sickened , shall be shut vp for a moneth , after the vse of due Preseruatiues taken by the rest . Ayring of the stuffe . FOr sequestration of the Goods and ●●uffe of the Infected , their Bedding , and Apparell , and hangings of Chambers , must be well ayred with fire , and such perfumes as are requisite within the Infected house before they be taken againe to vse , this to bee done by the appointment of the Examiner . Shutting vp of the house . IF any person shall haue visited any man , knowen to be Infected of the Plague , or entred willingly into any knowen infected house , being not allowed : the house wherein he inhabiteth shall be shut vp for certaine dayes , by the Examiners direction . None to be remooued out of infected houses , but &c. ITem , that none bee remooued out of the house where he falleth sick of the infection , into any other house in the City , Borough , or Countie ( except it be to the Pesthouse or a Tent , or vnto some such house , which the owners of the sayde Visited house holdeth in his owne handes , and occupyeth by his owne seruants ) and so as securitie be giuen to the Parish , whither such remooue is made , that the attendance and charge about the said Visited persons , shall be obserued and charged in all the particularities before expressed , without any cost of that Parish , to which any such remoue shall happen to be made , and this remooue to be done by night : And it shall be lawfull to any person that hath two houses , to remooue either his sound or his infected people to his spare house at his choice , so as if he send away first his sound , he may not after send thither the sicke , nor againe vnto the sicke the sound : and that the same which hee sendeth be for one weeke at the least shut vp , and secluded from company for feare of some infection , at the first not appearing . Buriall of the dead . THat the buriall of the dead by this visitation be at most conuenient houres , alwayes either before Sunne rising , or after Sunne setting , with the priuitie of the Churchwardens or Constables , and not otherwise , and that no neighbors nor friends bee suffered to accompanie the Coarse to Church , or to enter the house visited , vpon paine of hauing his house shut vp or be imprisoned . No infected stuffe to be vttered . THat no Clothes , Stuffe , bedding or garments be suffred to be caried or conueyed out of any Infected Houses , and that the Criers and Cariers abroad of Bedding or olde Apparell , to bee Sold or Pawned , bee vtterly Prohibited and restrained , and no Brokers of Bedding , or olde Apparell bee permitted to make any outward Shew , or hang forth on their Stalles , Shop-boords or Windowes , towards any Streete , Lane , common Way or Passage , any olde Bedding or Apparell to bee solde , vpon paine of Imprisonment : And if any Broker or other person shall buy any Bedding , Apparell , or other Stuffe out of any Infected House , within two moneths after the Infection hath been there , his house shall be shut vp as Infected , and so shall continue shut vp twenty dayes at the least . No person to be conueyed out of any Infected house . IF any person Visited doe fortune , by negligent looking vnto , or by any other meanes , to come , or bee conueyed from a place Infected , to any other place , the Parish from whence such Party hath come , or been Conueyed , vpon notice thereof giuen , shall at their charge cause the sayd party so Visited and escaped , to bee caried and brought backe againe by night , and the Parties in this case offending , to bee punished at the direction of the Alderman of the Warde , and the Iustices of the Peace respectiuely : and the house of the receiuer of such visited person , to be shut vp for twentie dayes . Euery visited house to be marked . THat euery house visited be marked with a Redde Crosse of a foot long , in the middle of the doore , euident to be seene , and with these vsuall printed wordes , that is to say , Lord haue mercy vpon vs , to be set close ouer the same Crosse , there to continue vntil lawfull opening of the same house . Euery visited house to be watched . THat the Constables see euery house shut vp , and to be attended with Watchmen , which may keepe them in , and minister necessaries vnto them at their owne charges ( if they be able ) or at the common charge if they be vnable : the shutting vp to be for the space of foure Weekes after all be whole . That precise order be taken that the Searchers , Chirurgions , Keepers and Buriers are not to passe the Streets without holding a redde Rodde or Wand of three foot in length , in their hands , open and euident to bee seene , and are not to goe into any other house , then into their owne , or into that whereunto they are directed or sent for , but to forbeare and abstaine from company , especially when they haue beene lately vsed in any such businesse or attendance . And to this end it is ordered , that a weekly Taxe be made in euery Parish visited : If in the City or Borough , then vnder the hand of the Alderman of the Ward , where the place is visited : if in either of the Counties , then vnder the hands of some of the Iustices next to the place visited , who , if there be cause , may extend the Taxe into other Parishes also , and may giue warrant of distresse against them which shall refuse to pay : and for want of distresse or for assistance , to commit the offenders to prison , according to the Statute in that behalfe . Orders for cleansing and keeping sweete of the Streets . The streets to be kept cleane . FIrst , it is thought very necessary and so ordered , that euery Householder doe cause the Street to be daily pared before his doore , & so to keepe it cleane swept all the weeke long . That the Rakers take it from out the houses . THat the sweeping and filth of houses be daily caried away by the Rakers , and that the Raker shall giue notice of his comming by the blowing of a Horne , as heretofore hath beene done . Laystals to be made farre off from the Citie . THat the Laystals be remooued as farre as may be out of the Citie , and common passages , and that no Nightman or other be suffered to emptie a Vault into any Garden neere about the Citie . Care to be had of vnwholsome Fish or Flesh , and of mustie Corne. THat speciall care be taken , that no stinking Fish or vnwholesome Flesh , or mustie Corne , or other corrupt fruits , of what sort soeuer be suffered to bee sold about the Citie or any part of the same . That the Bruers and Tipling houses be looked vnto , for mustie and vnwholesome Caske . That order bee taken , that no Hogges , Dogges or Cattes , or tame Pigeons , or Conies be suffered to be kept within any part of the Citie , or any Swine to be or stray in the Streetes or Lanes , but that such Swine be Impounded by the Beadle or any other Officer , and the owner punished according to the Acte of Common Councell , and that the Dogges be killed by the Dog-killers , appointed for that purpose . Orders concerning loose Persons , and idle Assemblies . Beggers . FOrasmuch as nothing is more complained on , then the multitude of Rogues and wandering Beggers , that swarme in euery place about the Citie , being a great cause of the spreading of the Infection , and will not bee auoyded , notwithstanding any Order that hath beene giuen to the contrary : It is therefore now ordered , that such Constables , and others whom this matter may any way concerne , doe take speciall care , that no wandering Begger be suffered in the Streetes of this Citie , in any fashion or manner whatsoeuer , vpon paine of the penalty prouided by the Lawe , to be duely and seuerely executed vpon them . Playes . THat al Plaies , Beare-baitings , Games , Singing of Ballads , Buckler play , or such like causes of Assemblies of people , be vtterly prohibited , and the Parties offending , seuerely punished , by any Alderman or Iustice of the Peace . Tipling houses . THat disorderly Tipling in Tauernes , Alehouses and Sellers , be seuerely looked vnto , as the common sinne of this time , and greatest occasiō of dispersing the Plague : and where any shall bee found to offend , the penalty of the Statute to be laid vpon them with all seuerity . And for the better execution of these Orders , as also for such other directions as shal be needfull , It is agreed that the Iustices of the Citie and the Counties adioyning doe meete together once in tenne dayes , either at the Sessions house without Newgate , or some other conuenient place , to conferre of things as shall be needfull in this behalfe . And euery person neglecting the duetie required , or willingly offending against any Article or clause contained in these Orders , he to be seuerely punished by imprisonment , or otherwise , as by Law he ought . God saue the King. In Camera Stellata coram Concilio ibidem , vicesimo die Octobris , Anno Regni Reginae ELIZABETHae quadragesimo , &c. Praesentibus . Thoma Egerton mil. Dn̄o Custod . Magni Sigilli Angliae . Dn̄o North. Dn̄o Buckhurst . Iohanne Fortescue milite Cancellar . Scaccarij . Archiepiscopo Cantuariens . Popham milite Capitali Iustic . de Banco Regis . Anderson milite Capitali Iustic . de Communi Banco . THis day Rice Griffin and Iohn Scrips were brought to the Barre , against whome Edward Coke Esquire , her Maiesties Attourney Generall did enforme , That the said Griffin had vnlawfully erected and built one Tenement in Hog-lane in the Countie of Middlesex , which hee diuided into two seuerall roumes , wherein were now inhabiting two poore Tenants , that onely liued and were maintained by the reliefe of the Parishioners there , and begging abroad in other places : And that the said Iohn Scrips had in like sort diuided a Tenement in Shordich , into , or about seuenteene Tenancies or dwellings , and the same inhabited by diuers persons of very poore and base condition , contrary to the intent and meaning of her Highnesse Proclamation , published and set out the seuenth day of Iuly 1580 , in the two and twentieth yeere of her Highnesse Reigne , whereby the same , and such maner of buildings and diuisions , are altogether forbidden and prohibited , as by her Maiesties said Proclamation more at large appeareth . Moreouer , her highnesse said Attourney further informed this Honourable Court , that sithence the sayd Proclamation , sundrie Decrees haue been made and taken by this Court , aswell for the prostrating , pulling downe , and defacing of diuers new Buildings : as also for reformation of diuisions of Tenements : All which notwithstanding , sundry wilfull and disobedient persons , continue in their contemptuous maner of buildings & diuisions : by meanes whereof , the City of London , and Suburbs therof , are ouercharged , and burdened with sundry sorts of poore , beggerly , and euill disposed persons , to the great hinderance and oppression of the same ; So as the Magistrates and Officers in and about the Citie , to whom the due execution of the aforesayd Decrees and Orders chiefly appertaineth , cannot performe and doe the same , according to the purport and tenor thereof : And in regard thereof , her Highnesse said Attourney humbly prayed , that the sayd Griffin and Scrips might receiue , and haue inflicted on them , some condigne and fit punishment , and that at the humble petition of the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the Citie of London , and other the Iustices of Peace of the Countie of Middlesex and Surrey , the Court would bee pleased to set downe and decree , some last and generall Order in this and in all other like cases of new Buildings , and diuisions of Tenements . Whereupon the Court grauely considering the great growing euils and inconueniences that continually breed and happen by these new erected buildings and diuisions made and diuided contrary to her Maiesties sayd Proclamation , and well weighing the reasons of the sayd Lord Maior and Aldermen of the sayd Citie and Iustices of the Counties aforesayd in that behalfe , greatly tendering the ouerburdened and distressed estate of the inhabitants that dwell in sundry the Parishes where the sayd new Buildings and deuided Tenements are , being for the most part but of small ability to beare and sustaine the great charge which is to growe there by meanes of the poore placed in sundry of the new erected and diuided Tenements , Haue therefore by the whole and generall consent of all the honourable presence here sitting , hearing the accusations aforesaid , and the answeres , defences , and allegations of the said Griffin and Scrips , ordered and decreed , that the sayd Griffin and Scrips shal be committed to the prison of the Fleete , and pay twentie pounds a piece for a Fine to her Maiestie . And as for the pulling downe , or reforming of any house new built or diuided sithence and contrary to the said Proclamation , within the Citie of London , or the compasse of three miles thereof , in which any poore or Impotent persons now doe or hereafter shall dwell or abide , for that if the same Houses should be pulled downe , destroyed , or reformed , other Habitations must bee prouided for them at the charge of the Parishes where they be or shal be dwelling , The Court doeth as yet thinke fit to forbeare and respit the doing thereof , and haue ordered and adiudged that all and euery such poore and impotent persons , which dwel or shall dwell and inhabite in any new buildings , or diuided tenements erected & diuided , contrary to the effect and intent of her Highnesse said Proclamation , and are or shal in any wise be driuē to liue by begging , or to be relieued by almes within the City of Londō or any other place within the compasse of three miles thereof , shall and may during the time of his or their life or liues , abide and dwell in the same , without giuing or paying any maner of Rent , seruice or other recompence vnto the Landlords or any other , for and in respect of the same , and not be thence remooued , vnlesse they shall after become able to liue of themselues , And that the said Landlord , owner , or any other that claimeth Interest to or for any Rent or Rents growing , arising , or payable for any of the said new Buildings or diuided Tenements , so inhabited or to be inhabited with poore people as aforesaid , shall hereby be enioyned , and vpon this Sentence and Decree take sufficient notice and warning , that hee or they doe not impleade , encumber , disquiet or molest any of the said poore Tenants , for any Rents , Couenants , Conditions , promises or agreements , touching or in any wise concerning the said Tenements , new buildings , or any of them , for the leuying or recouering of any Rent , seruice , or other consideration in lieu of any Rent . And for that the new buildings and diuisions of sundry houses , within the Citie of London and three miles compasse thereof contrary to the tenor of the sayd Proclamation , hath beene and is the occasion of great charges vnto the Parishes of the sayd Citie and Precinct aforesaid , whereby the said Parishes are still ouermuch burdened with poore and impotent persons , It is therefore ordered and decreed , That all such Landlords or owners of such Buildings or Diuisions wheresoeuer they should dwell , shall contribute and giue such like ratable and reasonable allowance with the said Parishioners where such Buildings and Diuisions are , towards the finding and maintaining of the poore of the Parish , in which such Buildings are , is , or shal be erected or diuided contrary to the said Proclamation , as should be apportioned and allotted him or them to pay , if hee or they were dwelling in the said Parish . And it is further ordered and decreed by this Honourable Court , that after the death or departure of such poore people as doe or shall inhabite the same houses or diuided Tenements aforesaid , the houses thereby being become voide , Then the Lord Mayor and Iustices of Peace neere vnto the Citie adioyning , hereby are commaunded to reforme the said diuided Tenements , and to prostrate , pull downe and deface the said new buildings in such sort , as the same bee no more left fit for habitation , and the timber and wood thereof to be conuerted and disposed in such manner as by the sayd Proclamation is required : As also to take order in all other the premisses , That this Decree be duely obserued and kept : And if any shall be obstinate , then to binde such Landlords as that shall obstinately and wilfully disobey this said Decree , to appeare in this Honourable Court of Starre-chamber to answere their contempt therein . This Decree was afterward read in the Court of Starre-Chamber the 29. of Nouember 1609. and then confirmed and straitly commanded by all the Lords present to be duely put in execution . In Camera Stellata coram Concilio ibidem , vicesimo nono die Nouembris , Anno septimo Iacobi Regis . Praesentibus . Thoma Egerton milite Dn̄o Ellesmere , Dn̄o Canc. Angl. Comite Sarum Dn̄o Thesaurario Angl. Comite Northampton . Comite Exon. Dn̄o Zouch . Iul. Caesar milite Cancellar . Scaccarij . Archiepiscopo Cant. Fleming milite Capitali Iustic . de Banco Regis . Coke milite Capitali Iust . de com . Banc. Yeluerton milit . Iustic . de Banc. Reg. Williams milit . Iustic . de Banc. Reg. Foster milite Iustic . de communi Banc. THis day Sir Henry Mountague , Knight , Recorder of London enformed this most honorable Court , that where there haue been diuers Proclamacions aswell in the time of our late Souereigne Queene Elizabeth , as also since his Maiestie most happie Reigne , and also diuers Orders and Decrees taken in this honourable Court for the restraining and reforming of the multitude of new erected and diuided Tenements and the taking in of Inmates , yet neuerthelesse the same doe so daily increase and multiply in euery place in and about this Citie of London and the Suburbs thereof infinite number of people being pestered together breeding and nourishing Infection , so that the same tendeth to the great imminent danger of the gouernment and safetie of the Citie , and consequently to the perill of his Maiesties Sacred person , the Queenes Maiestie , and their Royall Issue , and the Lords of the State here ordinarily residing , with many other great enormities if the same bee not carefully and speedily preuented . And therefore it was humbly desired , that this honorable Court would reuiue a Decree of this Court , made the twentieth day of October , in the fourtieth yeere of our sayd late Souereigne Queene Elizabeth , taken and established for restraining and reforming of such new erected Buildings and diuisions . And that the sayd Decree might bee put in present execution for the speedy reformation of the sayd enormities , whereupon the sayd Decree being openly read , this honourable Court , and all the whole Presence here sitting , taking tender care and consideration of the Good and Safetie of the said Citie , and grauely foreseeing the imminent danger and euils which doe growe and increase , and doe chiefly arise through ouermuch neglect in the due execution of those former Proclamations , Decrees and Ordinances which are not looked into as they ought to be , Doeth therefore decree and order , that the said former Decree taken the sayd twentieth day of October in the sayde fortieth yeere of our late Souereigne be presently , and from time to time hereafter , more seuerely looked into , and put in execution . And his Maiesties learned Councell , and also the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London , together with all Iustices of Peace and other his Maiesties Officers whatsoeuer which the same may any way concerne , are hereby straitly charged and required , that they and euery of them doe from time to time hereafter diligently and strictly cause and see the sayde Decree to bee in all points duely obserued and put in execution , and Tearmely to make Certificate to this Honourable Court of their proceedings therein , and of such persons as they shall finde to offend in that behalfe , Whereupon this Court doeth purpose to proceede against them for their contempts with very seuere punishment . Imprinted at London by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie . Anno Dom. 1609. Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A22844-e520 The Church-wardens of euery Parish , & other substantiall housholders yeerely to be nominated at Caster , to be Ouerseers for the poore . Children of the poore to be set to worke . A stocke of Fl●xe , & Hemp &c. to be raised . The Church-wardens and Ouerseere to meete together once euery moneth . Account to be giuen by the Ouerseers to two Iustices of Peace . Other Parishes within the Hundred , to be taxed towards the reliefe of poore parishes . How to leuie money of such as refuse to pay . Punishment of such as wil not worke . Poore children to be put apprentices by the Churchwardens and Ouerseers . Dwelling places for impotent poore to be built . Order for such as are grieued with any Sesse or Taxe . Parents , &c. b●ing able , shal maintain their owne poore . Maiors , Bayliffes , &c. of townes corporate , to haue authoritie as Iustices of Peace . Euery Alderman of Londō to haue authority as two Iustices of Peace . Iustices &c. to meddle onely in their owne Liberties . A double account to be made . Forfeiture for not nominating Ouerseers . Penalties and forfeitures to bee imployed to the poores vse . Parishes to be rated at the generall Sessions . Leuying of summes of money rated . Reliefe of the prisoners in the ●ings Bench , Marshalsey , Hospitals , &c. Treasurers for a yeere , and to giue vp their account at the yeeres end . L. chiefe Iustice , Knight Marshall . Churchwarden or high Constable failing paiment . How the surplusage shal be bestowed . Refusing to be Treasurer to giue the reliefe appointed . A former Statute for reliefe of the poore . The Iland of Fowlenesse . The defendants plea in a suite commenced against him . Notes for div A22844-e1100 Euery Parish charged with a weekly summe towards the relief of Souldiers . The taxation of euery parish . Refusing to pay the money taxed . Churchwardens shall pay to the high Cōstables the money taxed . Churchwardens , &c. falling to make payment . A Treasurer falling of account , or neglecting his charge . To which treasurer the souldier shall repayre for reliefe . Who shall make the soldiers Certificate . Allowance of the Certificate . Treasurers shall assigne reliefe to soldiers . Iustices shall grant reliefe to Souldiers . How much reliefe shal be assigned . The Iustices may alter Soldiers reliefe . Souldiers arriuing far frō the place where they are to haue reliefe . The Treasurers booke of Computation , and Register . A Treasurer refusing to giue reliefe . A souldier begging , or counterfe●●ing a Certificate . The surplusage of the stocke . Chiefe Officers in Corporate Townes . How the forfeitures shal be imployed . Pensions assigned , to stand in force , though the Statute be repealed . Taxations made and not leuied . If the rate be not sufficient for Souldiers in London . Notes for div A22844-e1560 All former statutes concerning Rogues , &c. repealed . Iustices of Peace shall se● down order for erection and maintenance of houses of correction . Who shall be adiudged Rogues , Vagabonds , and sturdie beggers . The punishment of a Vagabond . A testimoniall after punishment . Rogues which be dangerous , or will not be reformed . Rogues to be banished the Realme , or committed to the Gallies . Rogues returning after banishment , to be reputed Felons . The forfeiture of a Constable &c. not doing his duety . Disturbing the execution of this Statute . Bringing into this Realme of Irish , Scottish or Manniske Vagabonds . Diseased persons resorting to Bath and Buxton . The Iustices within townes Corporate shal onely intermeddle . S. Thomas Hospitall in Southwarke . The Iurisdiction of Iohn Dutton of Dutton , reserued . In what sort the forfeitures shall bee imployed . Iustices of Peace may heare and determine the causes of this Statute . Commissioners to enquire for money gathered . A prouision for poore Seafaring men . Glassemen not begging . This Act to be proclaimed . No authoritie giuen by any Baron ▪ &c. shall free others frō the offence and punishment of the Statute of 39. Eliz. Glassemen brought within the compasse of the Statute . Rogues branded with an hot yron R. After branding , Felony . Notes for div A22844-e2250 Taxing others for the reliefe of the sicke of the Plague . The Inabitants vnable to relieue the Infected . An infected person commanded to keep his house , disobeyeth . Infected persons , how Felons . Attendants appointed vpon the infected . The Vniuersities , Cathedral Churches , Eaton , Winchester .