Anno. xiiij. Reginae Elizabethe.  
¶ At the parliament begun and holden at Westminster the eight of may, in the .xiiij. year of the reign of our most gracious sovereign Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of england, france, and Ireland queen, defemder of the faith. &c. and there continued until the last of june following.  
To the high pleasure of almighty God, and the weal public of this realm, were enacted as followeth.  
1572.   

The Table.  

1 AN act for the punishment of such as shall rebelliously take or detain, or conspire to take or detain from the queens majesty, any of her castles, towers, fortresses, holds. &c.  
2 An act against such as shal conspire or practise the enlargement of any prisoner committed for high treason.  
3 An act against the forgyng and counterfeytyng of foreign coygne, being not currant within this realm.  
4 An act to revive a statute made Anno primo of the queens majesties reign, inhibiting the carrying of leather, tallow, & raw hides out of the realm.  
5 An act for the punishment of vagabonds, and for the relief of the poor and impotent.  
6 An act for thexplanation of a statute made against fugitives over the seas, in the .xiii. year of the queens majesties reign.  
7 An act against the deceipts of under collectors of the tenths and subsidies of the clergy.  
8 An act for the avoiding of recoveries suffered by collusion by covenants for term of life, and such others.  
9 An act declaring that the tenant and defendant, may haue a tales de circumstantibus, aswell as the demandant or playntife.  
10 An act to reform the excessive length of Carseyes.  
11 An act for the continuation, explanation, perfityng, and enlargyng of diuers statutes.  
12 An act for the repeal of a statute made Anno. viii. of the queens majesties reign, touching the town of shrewsbury.  
13 An act for the annexing of Hexham and Hexham Shire to the county of northumberland.    

❧ An Act for the punishment of such as shal rebelliously take or detain, or conspire to take or detain from the queens majesty, any of her Castles, towers, Fortresses, holds. &c. Chapter. j.  
FOR the better avoiding of all such unlawful practices, secret conspiracies, and devises, as lately haue benne stirred and moved by some evil disposed persons, against our most gracious sovereign Lady the queen, in seeking by false conspiracies, and undue means, to surprise and take from her majesty some of her Castles, towers, Fortresses, ships, ordinances, Artyllarie, and other munitions of war: be it enacted by the queens most excellent majesty, with thassent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by thaucthoritie of the same, that if any person or persons whatsoever, at any time hereafter do within this realm, or else where, unlawfully, & of his or their own authority compass, imagine, conspire, practise, or devise, by any ways or means, with force, or by any craft, device, or slight, maliciously, and rebelliously, to take, or to detain, or keep from our said sovereign Lady the queen, any of her Castles, towers, Fortresses, or holds, or maliciously and rebelliously to rase, burn, or destroy any Castle, Bulwercke, or fort, or any part of them, having any munition or ordinance of the queens majesties therein, or appoynted to be guarded with any souldiers for defence thereof within this realm, or within any of her majesties dominions or countreys, or the marches of the same, and the same compasses, imaginations, practices, conspiracies, or devises, or any of them, shal, and do advisedly by any express words, speech, act, deed, or writing, express, utter, or declare, for any the malicious and rebellious intents aforesaid: that then every such person and persons, so hereafter offending in any the premises, their aydours, counsellors, comforters, consentours, & abettors, knowing thereof, being thereof lawfully convicted according to the laws of this realm, shalbe judged a fellow, and felons, and that every such offence shalbe judged to be felony, & the offender & offenders therein, their said aydours, comforters, counsellors, and abettors, being therof lawfully convicted, shal haue & suffer pains of death, as in cases of felony, without having any benefit of clergy or sanctuary, and also shal forfeit and lose all his goods and cattels, lands and tenements, as in other cases of felony hath ben used and accustomend.  
And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid, that if any person or persons, do at any time hereafter with force, maliciously and rebelliously detain, keep, or withhold, from the queens majesty, any of her Castles, towers, Fortresses, or holds, within this realm, or within any her majesties dominions or Countreys, or Marches of the same: or do maliciously, rebelliously, and with force detain, keep, or withhold from her majesty, any of her ships, ordinance, Artyllarie, or other munitions, or fortifications of warres, & do not render and give up the same to our said sovereign Lady, or to such person as her majesty shal appoint to receive the same to her majesties use, within six dayes next after he or they so offending, shalbe commanded by our said sovereign Lady the queen; by open proclamations under the great seal of england, to be made in any place or market town within the county where any such offence shalbe committed: or shal wilfully, maliciously, and rebelliously, burn or destroy, or cause to be burned or destroyed, any of the queens ships: or maliciously, & rebelliously bar, or cause to be barred, any haven within any of the queens majesties dominions: that then every such person and persons so offending, their aydours, counsellors, & abettors, being thereof lawfully convict, according to the laws of this realm, shalbe adiudged traitors, and their offences in any the premises, shalbe accepted, judged, and taken for high treason, & the offenders therein, their aydours, counsellors, and abettors, being thereof lawfully convict according to the laws of this realm, shal haue and suffer such pains of death, and also shal forfeit and lose, as in cases of high treason is limited and accustomend. This act to endure during the queens majesties life that now is, onely.   

❧ An act against such as shal conspire or practise the enlargement of any prisoner, committed for high treason. Chapter. ij.  
FOrasmuch as great danger may ensue to the queens majesties person, and great trouble to the state of the realm, by unlawful conspiracies, devises, and imaginations, to enlarge and set at liberty such persons, as be, or shalbe committed to any prison, guard, or custody, for any treason touching the royal person of our said sovereign Lady, against which devises, conspiracies, and imaginations, sufficient remedy by the laws of this realm, hath not ben heretofore had, ne provided, unless the same conspiracies, imaginations, and devices, were executed and brought to effect: Be it therefore enacted by our said sovereign Lady the queen, the lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that if any person or persons, at any time after the end of this present session of Parliament, shall imagine, conspire, devise, invent, or go about unlawfully and maliciously, to enlarge, or set at liberty, any person or persons, committed, or to be committed to any prison, guard, or custody, by her highness especial commandment for any treason, or suspicion of treason, concerning the person of our said sovereign Lady the queen, before any inditement of such person, so sought or intended to be set at large, or liberty, as is aforesaid, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devises, or inventions, shal by express words, writing, or other matter, or act, expressly, or manifestly, set forth, utter, or declare: that then every person so offending, shal incur the penalty and forfeiture of misprision of treason, and that all and every offence and offences to be committed and donne, as is aforesaid, shalbe deemed and taken for misprision of Treason.  
And be it also enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if any person or persons, at any time after thende of this present session of Parliament, shal imagine, conspire, devise, invent, or go about unlawfully and maliciously, to enlarge, or set at liberty, any person or persons, committed, or to be committed to any prison, gard, or custody, being, or which hereafter shal be indicted of any treason, in any wise concerning the person of our said sovereign Lady the queen, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devises, or inventions, shall by express words, writing, or other matter, or act, expressly or manifestly, set forth, utter, or declare: that then every such person so offending, shalbe deemed and adiudged a fellow, and suffer, lose, and forfeit, as in cases of felony, by the dew course of the laws of this realm.  
And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid, that if any person or persons, at any time after thende of this present session of Parliament, shal imagine, conspire, devise, invent, or go about unlawfully and maliciously to enlarge, or set at liberty any person or persons, being committed to any prison, guard, or custody, after the same person or persons, is, or shalbe attainted or convicted of any treason, in any wise concerning the royal person of our said sovereign Lady the queen, and the same conspiracies, imaginations, devises, or inventions, shall by express words, writing, matter, or act, as is aforesaid, set forth, utter, or declare: that then every such person so offending, shalbe deemed, and adiudged an high traitor, and shall suffer, lose, and forfeit, as in cases of high treason by the laws and statutes of this realm. This act to endure during the queens majesties life, that now is, onely.   

❧ An Act against the forging and counterfeiting of foreign coygne, being not currant within this realm. Chapter. iij.  
FOrasmuch as by the laws or statutes of this realm, small or no condign punishment is at this time provided for such evil disposed persons, as shall counterfeit, or forge such kind of gold or silver of other realms, as is not the proper coygne of this realm, nor currant in payment within this realm: by reason whereof, diuers evil disposed persons, aswell without this realm, as within, are encouraged and boldened daily to counterfeit or forge such kind of gold and silver, and utter the same in this realm, in great disceyt of her majesties subiectes, Be it enacted by our said sovereign Lady the queen, the lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons of this present Parliament assembled, and by thaucthoritie of the same, that if any person or persons, hereafter falsely forge or counterfeit any such kind of coygne of gold or silver, as is not the proper coygne of this realm, nor permitted to be currant within this realm: that then every such offence shalbe deemed and judged misprision of high treason, and the offenders therein, their procurers, aydours, and abettors, being convict according to the laws of this realm of such offences, shalbe imsprisoned, and forfeit such lands, goods, and chattelles, as in cases of misprision of treason, for conceilment of high treason.   

An act to revive a statute made Anno primo of the queens majesties reign, inhibiting the carrying of leather, tallow, and raw hides out of the realm. Chapter. iiij.  
WHere in the Parliament begun at Westminster the .xxiii. day of january, in the first year of the reign of our sovereign Lady the queens most excellent majesty, there was one very good act & statute made, prohibityng the transportyng and carrying of leather, raw hides, and tallow out of this realm, entitled, An act, that the conveying of leather, tallow, or raw hides out of the realm for merchandise, shal be felony: which act and statute was made to continue but for a certain time, and now is expired and determined for want of continuance at the last Parliament. And forasmuch as by experience it hath well appeared, that since the determination of the said good lawe and statute, there hath ben, and yet daily is such great transportation of leather, raw hides, & tallow out of this realm, that thereby great scarcity & dearth thereof is now grown amongs the queens majesties most loving and obedient subiectes, and specially amongs those of the poorest sort, who are now compelled to pay for their bootes and shoes almost double the prise that they did before the determination of the said good lawe and statute. For remedy whereof, be it enacted by the queens most excellent majesty, with thassent of the lords spiritual and temporal, & the commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the said act and statute made in the said Parliament, begun the said xxiii. day of Ianuarie, in the said first year, entitled as is beforesaid, and al and every branch, article, clause, and sentence therein contained, shall from and after the feast day of saint bartholomew thapostle next coming, be revived, and stand and be in full force and effect, for, and during the space of .vii. yeres then next following, and also after the end of the said .vii. yeres, then to th'end of the next Parliament, next following the end and determination of the said .vii. yeres, any thing heretofore had, made, or done, or suffered to the contrary therof, notwithstanding.   

❧ An Act for the punishment of vagabonds, and for the relief of the poor and impotent. Chapter. v.  
WHere all the partes of this realm of england and Wales, be presently with roges, vagabonds, & sturdy beggars exceedingly pestered, by means whereof daily happeneth in the same realm horrible murders, thefts, & other great outrages, to the high displeasure of almighty God, and to the great annoy of the common weal: and for avoiding confusion by reason of numbers of laws, concerning the premises, standing in force together: be it enacted, that the statute made in the .xxii. year of the reign of the late king Henry the eight, entitled, An act concerning aged, poor and impotent persons, compelled to live by alms, howe they shalbe ordered, and how vagabonds and mighty strong beggars shalbe punished: & one other act, entitled, An act touching the punishment of vacabonds, & other idle persons, made in the third and fourth yeres of the reign of the late king Edwarde the sixth: and one other act made in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lady the queens majesty that now is, entitled, An act for the relief of the poor, and every branch, article, clause, and sentence in them, and every of them contained, shalbe from and after the feast of Saint bartholomew thapostle next coming, utterly void, frustrate, and of none effect.  
Be it also enacted by thauctoritie of this present parliament, aswell for the utter suppressing of the said outrageous enemies to the common weal, as for the charitable relieving of the aged & impotent poor people, in maner & form following. First, that al and every person & persons, whatsoever they be, being above the age of .xiiii. yeres, being hereafter set forth by this act of parliament to be roges, vagabonds, or sturdy beggars, and be at any time after the feast of Saint bartholomew the apostle next coming taken begging in any parte of this realm, or taken vagrants wandryng, and misordering themselves contrary to the purport of this present act of parliament, in any parte of the same, shal vpon their apprehencion, be brought before one of the Iustices of the peace, or Maior, or chief Officer of Cities, boroughs, and towns corporate, within the county, city, borough, or town corporate where the apprehencion shal happen to be, and by the said Iustice or head officer to be presently committed to the common gaole of the said county, being apprehended within the county, or else such other place as by the Iustices of peace of that county, or three of them, at any their general Sessions shalbe appoynted: and if he be taken within any city, Borough, or town corporate, then to be committed to the prison of the said city, Borough, or town corporate, there to remain without bail or mainprize until the next Sessions of the peace, or general gaole delivery for the said shire, city, Borough, or town corporate, to be holden, which shal first happen: and the Constables, or other officers, for the conveying of such rogue or vagabond by commandment of the said Iustices, to haue such reasonable charges for themselves and the prisoner, from time to time, born by the parish or parishes where the said rogue or vagabond shal happen to be taken, as to the discretion of the Iustices of peace present at the next assizes, or at the Sessions of the peace then next kept, within the limit where the prisoner is apprehended, shal seem convenient. At which Sessions or gaole delivery, if such person or persons be duly convict of his or her rogishe or vagabonds trade of life either by in quest of Officer, or by the testimony of two honest and credible witnesses vpon their oaths: that then immediately he or she shalbe adiudged to be grievously whipped, and burnt through the gristle of the right ear, with a hot iron of the compass of an inch about, manifestyng his or her rogyshe kind of life, and his or her punishment received for the same, whereof entry shalbe made of record by the Clarcke of the peace of the same shire, in the records of the same Sessions, which iudgement shal also presently be executed, except some honest person, valued at the last subsidy next before that time to five pounds in goods, or twenty shillings in lands, or else some such honest householder, as by the Iustices of the peace of the same county, or two of them shalbe allowed, will of his charity be contented presently to take such offeder before the same Iustices into his service for one whole year next following, and to that end, will presently before the said Iustices, enter into band by recognisance to th use of our sovereign Lady the queen, to pay to our said sovereign Lady, the sum of five pounds, if he keepeth not the said offeder in his service by the space of the said whole year, and to bring him or her unto the sessions at the yeeres end, or then good proof of his or her death during the said year, the said Clarcke of the peace, taking for the said recognisance but .xii. d. onely. And if such rogue or vacabounde so taken into service, depart within the said year from the said service, against the will of him that so taketh him or her into service: that then such rogue or vacabounde, shalbe whipped & burnt through the gristle of the right ear with a hot iron, as is aforesaid.  
provided always nevertheless, that yf the said person so committed, or to be committed, come before the next sessions of the peace, or the next gaole delivery to be holden for the said county, or before their committing, and do finde any such surety as is next before recited, to be bound in form aforesaid, for him or her for one whole year: then the said person shal not tarry in the gaole till the next sessions, or till the next gaole delivery.  
And be it further enacted, that the said person or persons so marked or adiudged to be burnt, as aforesaid, shall not be dealt withal again by way of punishment by the space of forty dayes next after the said punishment executed, or adiudged to be burnt as is aforesaid, yf he or she haue licence for the said forty dayes from two Iustices of the peace of the same Shire, testifying the punishment received, or iudgement given: but if after the said punishment executed, or iudgement given, the said person or persons so marked or having received such iudgement, do after threescore dayes next after he, she, or they, shall so be marked, either in the same county where he or she was so marked, or having received such iudgement, or else in any other county within the said realm of england or Wales, being of the age of eyghteene yeeres or above, do eftsoons fall again to any kind of rogishe or vagabonds trade of life: that then the said rogue, vacabounde, or sturdy beggar, from thenceforth to be taken, adiudged and deemed in all respects as a fellow, and shall in all degrees receive, haue, suffer, and forfeit as a fellow, except some honest person valued at the last subsidy next before that time to ten pounds in goods, or forty shillings in lands, or else some such honest householder, as by the Iustices of the peace of the same county, or two of them shalbe allowed, of more charity will be contented before such Iustices, as the said vacabounde is or shalbe arraigned of felony, to take him or her into his service for two whole yeres then next following, and then before the same Iustices, will then presently put in bonde by recognisance of ten pounds, to be levied of his lands, tenements, goods, and cattelles, to th use of our said sovereign Lady, yf he keepeth not the said offeder in his service for two whole yeres, and bring him or her unto the sessions at the said two yeres end, or good proof of his or her death. And if such rogue or vacabounde so taken into service, depart within the same two yeres from his or her said service, against the will of him that so took him or her into service: that then such rogue or vacabounde, shalbe taken, adiudged, and deemed, as a fellow in all respects, and shall in all degrees, haue, suffer, and forfeit as a fellow, without allowance or benefit of clergy or sanctuary. And if such rogue or vacabounde, after forty dayes next after he or she shal be two several times taken into service, as is aforesaid, do either in the said county, or else where eftsoons the third time fall again to a kind of rogishe or vacabounde trade of life: that then such rogue or vacabounde shalbe adiuded and deemed for a fellow, and suffer pains of death, and loss of lands and goods as a fellow, without allowance or benefit of clergy or sanctuary.  
And for the full expessyng, what person and persons shal be intended within this branch to be roges, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars, to haue and receive the punishment aforesaid, for the said lewd maner of life: it is now published, declared, and set forth by the authority of this present Parliament, that all and every such person and persons, that be or utter themselves to be proctors or procurators, going in or about any country or Countreys within this realm, without sufficient authority, derived from, or under our sovereign Lady the queen: and all other idle persons going about in any country of the said realm, using subtle, crafty, and unlawful games or plays, and some of them feigning themselves to haue knowledge in Phisnomie, Palmestrie, or other abused sciences, whereby they bear the people in hand they can tell their destinies, deaths, and fortunes, and such other like fantastical imaginations: and all and every person and persons, being whole and mighty in body, and able to labour, having not land or master, nor using any lawful merchandise, craft, or mystery, whereby he or she might get his or her living, and can give no reckoning howe he or she doth lawfully get his or her living: & al fencers, bearewards, common players in interludes, & mynstrels, not belonging to any Baron of this realm, or towards any other honourable parsonage of greater degree, al iuglers, peddlers, tinkers & petty chapmen, which said fencers, bearewardes, common players in interludes, minstrels, iuglers, peddlers, tynkers, & petty chapmen, shal wander abroad, and haue not licence of two Iustices of the peace at the least, whereof one to be of the Quorum, where and in what Shire they shal happen to wander: and al common labourers, being persons able in body, using loyteryng, and refusing to work for such reasonable wages as is taxed, and commonly given, in such partes where such persons do or shal happen to dwell: and all counterfeytures of licences, passeportes, and al vsers of the same, knowing the same to be counterfeit: and al scholars of the universities of oxford or Cambridge, that go about begging, not being aucthorised under the seal of the said universities, by the commissary, chancellor, or 'vice chancellor of the same: and al shippemen, pretending losses by Sea, other then such as shal be hereafter provided for: and al persons delivered out of gaols, that beg for their fees, or do travail to their Countreyes or friends, not having licence from two Iustices of the peace of the same county where he or she was delivered: shal be taken, adiudged, and deemed roges, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars, intended of by this present act, together with al and every such other person and persons, as shal be hereafter for alteryng and breaking of such good orders as in the second part of this present act shalbe established for the relief of the aged and impotent poor people, set forth and declared to be vagabonds.  
And further be it enacted, that yf any person or persons, after the said feast of saint bartholomew, give any harbour, money, or lodging, or any other relief to any rogue, vacabounde, or sturdy beggar, either marked as before, or not marked, not having such a licence, as is before recited, from two Iustices of the peace then in continuance, and that duly proved before the Iustices of the peace at their quarter sessions: shall make such fine to the queens majesty, as by the discretions of the said Iustices, or the more part of them, at their general sessions shalbe assessed, so as the same exceed not twenty shillings. And also yf any person or persons do disturb or let the execution of this act in any maner of wise, or make rescusse against any Maior, sheriff, bailiff, or other person, that shal endeavour himself, for, or about the due execution hereof, shal forfeit & lose five pounds, and over that, shal haue imprisonment at the queens majesties pleasure.  
provided always, that this act, nor any thing herein contained, shal extend to make any person or persons accessary, or accessaries to the said felonies made by this statute, nor that any attainder by any the felonies aforesaid, shal work or be any corruption of blood in the issues or line of the person attainted.  
provided also, that it shalbe still lawful to al maisters and gouernours of the hospitals, to lodge or harbour any impotent or aged person or persons of charity, or alms, according to their foundation, and to give money in alms, in as large maner as they are bound to do by their foundation, to any such aged or impotent person: any thing herein contained to the contrary in any wise, notwithstanding.  
provided always, that shipmen, and souldiers, having licence of the next two Iustices of the peace to the place where they first happened to land, or where they first entred into this realm, shal and may pass according to the purport of their licence, and intent of this act of parliament: any thing herein contained to the contrary in any wise, notwithstanding.  
Be it also further provided, that no licence recited in this statute, shall give any maner liberty, or be of any maner force, but only in the Shire whereof the granter or graunters of such licence shalbe Iustice or Iustices of peace. wherefore yf the said party licensed, will haue any further passage without the danger of this lawe, then the Shire where his first licence is granted, it shalbe behoveful for him to procure and get in every other Shire where he intendeth to pass, one other licence from two Iustices of the peace of the said Shire, and so from Shire to Shire, to the end of his journey. Be it also provided, that this act, nor any thing therein contained, do in any wise extend to any Cockers, or harvest folkes, that travail into any country of this realm for harvest work, either corn harvest, or hay harvest, yf they do work and labour accordingly, neither yet to any that happeneth to be robbed or spoyled by the way, neither yet to any serving men that be of honest behaviour, that be turned from their maisters, or whose master or mistress shalbe dead, for the space of fire months next after such turning away, or death of such master or mistress, so as every such serving man hath a testimonial from his master or mistress, or from two Iustices of the peace of the same county, declaring such turning away, or such death of his master or mistress.  
provided always, that it shalbe lawful to the lord chancellor or lord keeper of the great seal of england for the time being, to make licence under the said great seal, as heretofore hath benne accustomend, and that the said licence and licences, shall as largely extend as the contents of them will bear: any thing herein to the contrary in any wise, notwithstanding.  
provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that this present act, or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to make frustrate or void any self conduct, passeporte, or licence, made and granted, or to be made and granted by the lord deputy of ireland, or by the lord governor of the towns and garrisons of Barwyke, or Carlisle, for the time being, or any other chief captain or governor of any Castle or fortress of the queens majesties, or by any other in his or their absence having the charge of the said towns and garrisons, or by any the Guardians of the three Marches towards Scotlande, or by any general, lieutenant, or other chief officer appoynted by the queens majesty to haue the charge and conduction of any army, garrison, or power of men, levied or to be levied by her highness order and appointment, and for the special service and affairs of her majesty, her heirs or successors, or by any private captain upon the dispersing of any army, only to any soldier or soldiers, or any other person or persons what so ever, within this her realms of england and ireland, passing by virtue thereof about his or their lawful business and affairs: but that he or they shall and may quietly without any let or disturbance, enjoy the benefit, effect, and true meaning thereof, in as large and ample manner and form, as heretofore it hath ben used and accustomend: any thing in this present act mentioned to the contrary in any wise, notwithstanding.  
provided always, that this present act, or any thing therein contained, shall not in any wise extend to the punishment of any such person or persons, as by this statute are limited for Roges, unless the same be of the age of fourteen yeeres or above, but that they and every of them under that age, shalbe punished with whipping or stockyng, as heretofore hath ben used and appoynted by the laws and statutes in that case provided, & now repealed: this act or any thing therein contained to the contrary hereof in any wise, notwithstanding.  
And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that yf within any town or parish, where any such vacabounde or rogue shall happen to beg, or make his abode, contrary to the form of this statute, yf the Constable or tithing men be negligent, and do not his or their best endeavour for the apprehension of such vacabounde or rogue, which there shall beg or make abode, contrary to the form in this statute limited, or shall willingly suffer the said vacabounde or rogue to escape from the punishment or order in this statute prescribed: that then the said Constable or tithing man in whom such default shalbe, shall lose and forfeit for every such vacabounde and vagrant person, that shalbe suffered to beg, or make abode within his authority, contrary to the form of this statute .vi. s. viii. d. And for as much as charity would, that poor, aged, and impotent persons should as necessarily be provided for, as the said roges, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars repressed, and that the said aged, impotent, and poor people should haue convenient habitations and abiding places throughout this realm to settle themselves upon, to the end that they, nor any of them should hereafter beg, or wander about: It is therefore enacted by the authority of this present Parliament, that the Iustices of peace of al and singular the shires of england and Wales, within the limits of their commissions, and al other Iustices of the peace, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, and other officers of al and every city, Borough, riding, and Franchesies within this realm, whereof they be Iustices at peace within the limits of their authority, shal at, or before the said feast of Saint bartholomew next coming, divide themselves, and so being divided, shall within every of their several divisions and authorities, make diligent search and enquiry of all aged, poor, impotent, and decayed persons, born within their said divisions and limits, or which were there dwelling within three yeeres next before this present Parliament, which live, or of necessity be compelled to live by alms of the charity of the people, that be or shalbe abiding within the limits of their commissions and authorities: and shall vpon that search made, make a register book, containing the names & surnames of al such aged, decayed, and impotent poor people, as be within their said limits and authorities, which shall always remain with the said Iustices, Maiors, bailiffs, or other head officers, or any one of them. And when the number of the said poor people forced to live upon alms, be by that means truly known, then the said Iustices, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs and other officers, shall within like convenient time, devise and appoint within every their said several divisions, meet and convenient places by their discretions, to settle the same poor people for their habitations and abidinges, yf the parish within the which they shalbe found, shall not, or will not provide for them, and shall also within like convenient time, number all the said poor people within their said several limits: and thereupon( having regard to the number) set down what portion the weekly charge towards the relief and sustentation of the said poor people will amount unto, within every their said several divisions and limits: and that donne, they the said Iustices, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, and other officers, within every their several commissions, authorities, divisions, and limits, shal by their good discretions tax and assess all and every the inhabitants dwelling in al and every city, Borough, town, Village, Hamlet, and place known within the said limits and divisions, to such weekly charge, as they and every of them shall weekly contribute towards the relief of the said poor people: and the names of all such inhabitants taxed, shall also enter into the said register book together with their taxation: and also shall by their discretion, within every their said divisions and limits, appoint or see collectors for one whole year to be appoynted of the said weekly portion, which shall collect & gather the said proportion, and make delivery of so much thereof, according to the discretion of the said Iustices, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, and other officers to the said poor people, as the said Iustices, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, and other officers shall appoint them: And also shall appoint overseers of the said poor people by their discretions, to continue also for one whole year: and yf they do refuse to be overseers, then every of them so refusing, to forfeit ten shillings for every such default.  
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Maior of the city of London, and the Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffs, and other head officers of every other city, Borough, or town corporate, or his or their sufficient deputy or deputies within their Cities, boroughs, and towns corporate, and the Constables or tithing men of all and every Hundred, Rape, and Wapencake, within all and every the said shires in england and Wales, in al and every such abiding place and places within their handmaides, limits, and precincts, as shal be appoynted to settle the poor people in, shal once every month next after the said places so appoynted be inhabited with the said poor people, according to the intent of this present act of Parliament, make a view and search of al the aged, impotent, and lame persons within the precinct of their jurisdictions: and all such person and persons as they shall find not being born within that division, nor within the said Cities, boroughs, or towns corporate, then shal they presently see the same poor people not there born, nor dwelling within the said three yeeres( except leprous people, and beddred people) to be conveyed on horseback, in cart, or otherwise, as shall seem best to their discretions, to the next Constable, and so from Constable to Constable the directest way, till the said person and persons be brought to the place where he or she was born, or most conversant by the space of three yeeres next before, and there to be put in the abiding place, or one of the abiding places in that country appoynted, or to be appoynted for the habitation of the poor people of that country, there to be provided, kept, and nourished of alms, as is aforesaid, vpon pain of twenty shillings every the said officer that neglecting.  
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that yf any of the said poor people, vpon the appointment of the said Iustices or other officers, refuse to be bestowed in any of the said abiding places before mentioned, but covet stil to hold on their trade of begging: or after they be once bestowed in the said abiding place or places, do depart and beg: then the said person and persons so offending, for the first offence to be accounted a rogue or vacabounde, and to suffer as a rogue or vacabounde in the first degree of pounishment set forth by this act, in all poyntes: And yf he, she, or they do the second time offend, then to be esteemed as a rogue or vacabound, and to suffer as a rogue or vacabound in the last degree of pounishment set forth by this act, in all poyntes.  
And it is further enacted by authority of this present Parliament, that yf any manner of person or persons appoynted and elected to be collectors, as is aforesaid, shall refuse the said office, or shall after he hath agreed to it neglect the same, he shall forfeit and lose for every offence to the use of the poor of the same place forty shillings, of lawful money of england, to be levied by distress, or recovered by action, bill, plaint, or information, in any Court of record, or lords Court, by the high Constables or Tythyng men aforesaid: In which suite, no essoign, protection, nor wager of lawe shalbe allowed or admitted to the party defendant. And if the said high Constables, shalbe remiss or negligent to sue, or shal refuse to sue the said collectors and every of them within two months next after such refusal, or negligence in or by the said collector: that then the said high Constables or Tithing men, shal forfeit and lose five pounds of lawful money of england, to thufe of the poor of the same place, to be sued for, by & in the name of two of the next Iustices to the said place or places, being out of Cities, boroughs, and towns corporate: if within, then by the Maior, bailiffs, or other head officers of the said Cities, boroughs, or towns corporate, in any Court of record or lords Court, by action of debt, bill, plaint, or information, in which no essoign, protection, or wager of lawe shalbe allowed.  
And further be it enacted, that the said collectors, and every of them, so to be chosen, as is aforesaid, shall make their just account half yearly of their said collection and gathering, to two Iustices of the peace, dwelling next to the said abiding place or places, not being within any city, Borough, or town corporate: or to the Maior, sheriffs, or other chief officers, of the said Cities, boroughs, or towns corporate: and when they go out of their offices, they shall deliver, or cause to be delivered forthwith vpon their accounts, al such surplusages of their collection & gathering, as shall then remain vndistributed, to be ordered by the said Iustices, Maiors, bailiffs, or other head officers, upon the said pain of ten pounds. If any such collector shall refuse to make his said account, or neglect the same, by the space of fourteen dayes after request to him therfore made: then the said two Iustices, or one of them, to commit the said collector to the next gaole for the said county, there to remain without bail or mainprize, till he haue made his said account, and immediat payment and delyuerie of al such surplusages as he hath received.  
And be it further enacted, that if any person or persons, being able to further this charitable work, will obstinately refuse to give towards the help and relief of the said poor people, or do wilfully discourage others from so charitable a deed: the said obstinate person or wilful discourager, shall presently be brought before two Iustices of the peace, whereof one to be of the Quorum, of the same county, to show the cause of his obstinate refusal, or wilful discouragement, and to abide such order therein, as the said iustices shall appoint: yf he refuse so to do, then to be committed to the next gaole for the said Shire, there to remain until he be contented with their said order, and do perform the same.  
And it is also further enacted, that if any of the said aged and impotent persons, not being so diseased, lame, or impotent, but that they may work in some maner of work, shalbe by the overseers of their said abiding place appoynted to work, yf they refuse, then in form aforesaid to be whipped and stocked for their first refusal, and for their second refusal to be punished as in case of vagabonds in the said first degree of punishment.  
provided always, and be it further enacted by thaucthoritie of this present Parliament, that three Iustices of peace, whereof one to be of the Quorum, of and with the surplussages of the said collections and forfaytures,( the said poor and impotent people satisfied and provided for) shall by their discretions, in such convenient place and places within their said Shires as they shall think meet, place and settle to work the roges and vagabonds that shalbe disposed to work, born within their said Counties, or there abiding for the most parte within the said three yeeres, there to be holden to work by the oversight of the said overseers, to get their livings, and to live and to be sustained onely vpon their labour and travail.  
Be it also further enacted by the authority of this present Parliament, that if any beggars child, being above the age of five yeres, and under fourteen yeres, being male or female, shal be liked of by any subject of this realm of honest calling, who shalbe willing to take the said child into service, the said subject shall at the next general sessions to be holden for the said county, by order of the Iustices there, or the most part of them, haue the said child bound with him: if it be a man child, till the age of four and twenty yeres, if it be a woman child, till the age of eyghteene yeres, If the child do after depart, or be taken, or be enticed from the said master or mistress, the master or mistress to haue their remedy by order of the statute of labourers, as for their servant, either by way of action, or otherwise, aswell against the child, as against the taker or intiser thereof.  
Be it also enacted by thaucthoritie of this present Parliament, that al the forfaytures appoynted, or to grow by this statute,( except the forfaytures of Iustices of peace) shall wholly go, and be employed to th use of the poor aforesaid, and shalbe levied by distress by the discretion of the Iustices of the same county or two of them, or other head officers aforesaid, and that the Iustices of peace in all Shires of england, shall in the●● quarter sessions next after Easter, yearly examine the performance, or not performance of this statute, according to the tenor thereof, as they are bound to do the statute of labourers, and at their said sessions shall yearly appoint new collectors, and new overseers for the causes aforesaid, and shall then also agree vpon new views and searches of the said impotent people within every their limits for the year following if need shal be, and further at their said sessions, shall take order by their good discretions, for all and every thing and things, that may in any wise further the intent of this act.  
And be it further enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid, that three Iustices of peace, within all the Shires of this realm, whereof one to be of the Quorum, shall haue full power by authority of this present Parliament, to hear and determine all causes,( except forfaytures of Iustices of peace) that shal come in question by reason of this present act.  
provided also, that forasmuch as it is thought that the inhabitants of diuers Counties, Cities, and towns within this realm, be not able to relieve the poor, lame, and impotent persons with money, to be collected in maner and form aforesaid, and that it were over great a burden to the collectors, for to gather meate, drink, corn, or other things for their relief, to be employed and bestowed in form aforesaid: Therefore it is further enacted, that it shalbe lawful to and for the Iustices of the peace, in their open sessions of the peace, or for the most parte of them there assembled, within any the Counties, Cities, or towns of this realm, where collection of money can not presently be had, as this present act willeth & appointeth, to grant licence under their hands and seals, to such, and so many of the said poor and impotent, or diseased persons, or to any other person or persons, to be by the said Iustices assigned and allowed for the said poor, to ask, gather, and receive, within such other town, parish, or parishes of the said county, as the said Iustices, or the most part of them, there then in their said Session assembled, shall especially name, appoint, limit and assign, the charitable devotion, & alms, at the house or houses of the inhabitants of such town, parish, or parishes, by the said Iustices name, appoynted, limited, or assigned, so that they do appoint the said poor so to be relieved onely within the towns and parishes being within the divisions of the same Iustices that so shal give such licence, or licenses: and that the inhabitants of every such parish or parishes, to the which such poor or impotent persons shal be so appoynted, as is aforesaid, shal be coacted and bound by virtue of this act, under such pain as to the discretion of the said Iustices there in their session assembled, or the most part of them, shall seem convenient, to relieve the said poor and impotent persons, in such sort, as the said Iustices there assembled shall appoint.  
And be it further enacted, that if it shal happen any city or town corporate, to haue in it more impotent and poor folkes, not able to labour, then the said town or city is able to relieve, & the said city or town corporate is a county of itself, or situate, or standing in one county, & immediately adjoining to another, that in those Cities, or towns, the Maior or head officers of the said city or town, shall make certificate to the Iustices of the Counties adjoining to the said Cities or towns, & the same Iustices of the said adjoining county or towns, in their general Sessions of the peace, shal give licence, and follow the order above remembered, according as other Iustices of the Counties in the which any town or parish surcharged standeth, are before limited, and aucthorized to do.  
provided always, and be it enacted by thaucthoritie aforesaid, that al and every sum & sums of money, from henceforth to be collected or gathered within the city of London, and the liberties of the same, by virtue of this act, shalbe paid unto the governor of the hospital, called the hospital of Christes church, within the said city of London, for the time being, & shalbe by them from time to time distributed, and bestowed, for the relief of the poor of the same city, according to their wysedomes and discretions: any thing in this statute contained to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
provided also, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that al and every sum and sums of money, from henceforth to be collected or gathered within the city of Couentrie, and the liberties of the same, by virtue of this act, towards the maintenance and relief of the hospital of poor people, erected in the same city, shalbe paid unto such governor & gouernours of the said Hospital, as now is, or hereafter shal be admitted & appoynted by the Maior and Aldermen of the said city of Couentrie, or the more part of them, for the time being, and such governor and gouernours so admitted and appoynted, as is aforesaid, shal from time to time distribute and bestow for the relief of the poor within the said city, the said sum or sums of money, according to their wisdoms & discretions: any thing mentioned in this act to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
provided also, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that al and every sum and sums of money, from henceforth to be paid, collected, or gathered, within the city of Gloucester, liberties, and limits of the same city, for, and toward the use or relief of the poor, and al and every other relief which shal be due and payable, or is to be yielded within the said city, liberties, or limits, for, and toward the relief of the said poor, shal be from time to time paid and delivered, or otherwise shall stand and be at the only rule, order, and disposition of the president and gouernours of the hospital of saint bartholomew, of the foundation of our now most gracious sovereign Lady queen Elizabeth, within the said city of Gloucester for the time being, and shalbe by them from time to time distributed, and bestowed for the relief of the poor of the said city, according to their wysdomes and discretions.  
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the bishop of every diocese, or his chancellor for the time being, shall yearly visit all hospitals in the diocese of such bishop, where no visitor by the founder or founders is appoynted, yf the founder of the said Hospital be then dead, and to see and take order, that the said hospitals be ordered and used according to the statutes and ordinances of the foundation thereof, and yf the founder be then living, the said founder to visit the same during his life, without any the bishops visitation, and the same visitation to be at the only costs and charges of the visitors, and not of the Hospitalle: and that it shalbe lawful to the bishop of the diocese for the time being, where such hospital is or shal be, or his chancellor, upon complaint, or other intelligence of just cause, to take account howe the rents, revenues, and profits of any such hospital hath benne bestowed and spent, to call before him or them at the said Hospital to account, al such person and persons as haue had the collection or receipt of any the said rents, issues, revenues, or profits. And yf any person or persons so called, shal, and do refuse to account, or entering into account, shall refuse to proceed and finish the same, or vpon the finyshyng thereof, shall refuse forthwith to employ or answer to the use of the said hospital, such sum or sums of money, as vpon the same account shal appear to be due by him: that then every such person and persons so refusing, shal forfeit and lose such sum and sums of money, as to the said bishop or chancellor, and to two Iustices of the peace next inhabiting to the said hospital, shalbe thought meet and convenient, to which accounts, the said bishop or chancellor, shall call the same two Iustices of peace.  
provided also, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no person or persons, having charge of any viage in passing from the realm of Ireland, or from the Isle of man, into this realm of england, do from the last day of june next coming, wittynglye or willynglye transport, bring, carry, or conueygh, or suffer to be transported, brought, carried, or conueyghed in any ship, picarde, vessel, boat, or boats, from and out of the said realm of ireland, or from, or out of the said Isle of man, into the realm of england or Wales, or any parte thereof, any vacabounde, rogue, or beggar, or any such as shal be forced or very like to live by begging within the realms of england or Wales, being born in the realm of Ireland, or in the said Isle of man, on pain of every such person or persons, so bringing transporting, carrying, or conveying, either suffering to be brought, transported, carried, & conueyghed in maner and form aforesaid, to forfeit and lose for every such vacabounde, rogue, beggar, or other person which shalbe forced, or like to live by begging within this realm of England or Wales, being transported, and set on land in any part of england or of Wales, twenty shillings of lawful Englishe money, to the use of the poor of the same parish in which they were set on land, to be levied by the collectors of the same poor for the time being, by seizure and selling of any the goods and cattels of the same person, which shal so bring, transport, carry, or conueygh any such rogue, vacabounde, or beggar, or other person which shalbe forced, or like to live by begging within the realm of england, or of Wales, to the value of the same forfeiture, and on the pain of the same vagabonds, roges, and beggars, so set on land, to be punished as the other vagabonds and sturdy beggars, in this act before mentioned and declared.  
And be it likewise enacted, yf any such maniske or irish rogue, vacabounde, or beggar, ben already, or shal at any time hereafter be set on land in any part of England or of Wales, the same shalbe conveyed to the next port in or near which they were landed, and from thence be transported at the common charge of the county where they were set on land, into those partes from whence they came, or were transported.  
Also be it provided, that yf any manner of person, shal hereafter find him or herself grieved with any taxation set vpon them by virtue of this act, it shalbe lawful for them at the next general Sessions of the peace, to be holden within the same shire where their taxation shalbe, to make complaint therof to the Iustices of the bench, and to be eased of their excessive charge, by the discretion of the whole bench, or the most of them. And yf any default shalbe hereafter found in any Iustices of peace, or Quorum, in or about the execution of this act: every of the said Iustices, vpon proof of their said default by two sufficient witnesses before the Iustices of assize, at the next general Sessions of gaole delivery for the same county, after the same default, shall forfeit and lose five pounds of lawful Englishe money, the one half whereof to be to the use of the said poor people of the same county, and the other half to the queens majesty, which said forfeiture shalbe levied by distress, by the discretion of the said Iustices of assizes.  
And where as a great number of poor and diseased people do resort to the city of Bathe, in the county of somerset, and the town of Buckstone, in the county of Derbie, for some ease and relief of their diseases at the baths there, and by means thereof, the inhabitants of the same city of Bathe, & town of Buckstone, are greatly overcharged with the same poor people, to their intolerable charge: be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that no diseased or impotent poor person, living on alms at any time after the feast of saint bartholomew the Apostle next coming, shal resort or repair from their dwelling places to the said city of Bathe, and town of Buckstone, or either of them, to the baths there for ease of their grief, unless such person be not only licenced so to do, by two Iustices of the peace of the county where such person doth or shal then dwell & remain: but also provided for by the inhabitants of such handmaides, parishes, or places from whence they shal so be licenced to travail, of such relief for and towards his maintenance, as shal be necessary for the same person, for the time of such his abode at the said city of Bathe and town of Buckstone, or either of them, and return home again as shal be limited by the same licence, upon pain to be reputed, punished, and used as vagabonds, by the puruewe of this statute: and that the inhabitants of the same city and town, shall not in any wise be charged by this act, with the finding or relief of any such poor people.  
And for the better performance of this charitable act, it is ordained and established by authority aforesaid, that whereas the late king of famous memory, king Henry the eight, his heirs or successors, or any other person or persons, heretofore by his or their several and lawful erections and foundations, hath or haue ordained or appoynted any sum or sums of money, tentes, reliefs, or commodity to the use of the poor, or for the repairing or mendyng of high ways or bridges, not being taken away otherwise by act of Parliament, whether the same be in any Cathedral church, college, or else where, that the bishop of the diocese, or his chancellor, within which the said Cathedral Church, college, or place is, and the Iustices of the peace of the county within the which the said Cathedrall church, college, or place is, or three of them( whereof one to be of the Quorum) shall haue authority from time to time to examine howe and after what manner the said money, rent, relief, or commodity is bestowed: and to call to account the parties which do detain the said money, rents, or relief, and thereupon to take such order for the distribution of the same, as to their discretions shall seem most fit and agreeable to the good intent of the founders, givers, or graunters, and thereof to make certificate in the high Court of chancery once in every year.  
provided always, that whereas by reason of this act, the common gaols of every shire within this realm, are like to be greatly pestered with a more number of prisoners then heretofore hath benne, for that the said vagabonds and other lewd persons before recited, shal vpon their apprehension be committed to the common gaole of the same shire where they are so taken and apprehended, and that in most shires of this realm, the common gaols are in such towns where there be a great number of poor people, more then they are well able to sustain with their relief, and in some shires the assizes are kept far distant from the place where the common gaols are, by reason whereof the said prisoners are like to famishe for want of sustenance, yf they be not therefore provided:  
For remedy whereof, be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for the Iustices of peace of every shire within this realm, at their general quarter sessions of the peace to be holden within the same shires, or the most part of the said Iustices being then present, to rate and tax every parish within the said shires, at such reasonable sums of money, for and towards the relief of the said prisoners, as they shall think convenient by their discretions: so that the said taxation and rate doth not exceed above six pence, or eight pence by the week out of every parish: and that the churchwardens of every parish within this realm for the time being, shal every Sunday levy the same, and once every quarter in the year pay to the hye constables, or head officers of every town, parish, Hundred, Riding, or Wapentake within this realm, all such sums of money, as their parish shalbe ranted and taxed, for and towards the relief of the said prisoners within their said several parishes: And that the said high Constables and head officers, and every of them, shal pay all such sums of money so to them paid by the said Churchwardens, at every general quarter Sessions to be holden within the said several shires, to such sufficient persons dwelling nigh the said gaols, as shal be appoynted by the said Iustices in their said open quarter sessions, to be there ready to receive the said money so collected, as is aforesaid. And that the collectors for the said prisoners, shal weekly distribute and pay al such sums of money, as they and every of them shal receive for the relief of the said prisoners, as aforesaid, upon pain as well the said Churchwardens of every parish, Constables and head officers of every Hundred, or Wapentake, as also the said collectors appoynted for the collection and contribution of the said prisoners, so making default, as aforesaid, to forfeit five pounds, the one moiety thereof shalbe to the use of the queens majesty, her heirs and successors, and the other moiety to the relief of the prisoners: any statute, lawe, custom, use, or other thing to the contrary in any wise, notwithstanding.  
provided always, that the Iustices of peace within any county of this realm or Wales, shal not intromit or enter into any city, Borough, place, or town corporate, where be any Iustice, or Iustices of peace, for any such city, Borough, place, or town corporate, for the execution of any branch, article, or sentence of this act, for, or concerning any offence, matter, or cause growing or arising within the precincts, liberties, or jurisdictions of such city, Borough, place, or town corporate: but that it may and shal be lawful to the Iustice, and Iustices of peace, Maior, bailiffs, and other head officers of those Cities, boroughs, places, and towns corporate, where there be Iustice, or Iustices, to proceed to the execution of this act, within the precinct and compass of their liberties, in such manner and form as the Iustices of peace in any county, may or ought to do within the same county by virtue of this act: any matter or thing in this act expressed to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding.  
And that every Iustice and Iustices of the peace, within every such city, Borough, Place, and town corporate, for every offence by them, or any of them to be committed contrary to the intent and meaning of this statute, shalbe punishable, and chargeable as other Iustices of peace at large in the Counties, are by this act above appoynted to be.  
provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that yf it shal chance any city or town corporate, to haue in it more poor folkes then the inhabitants therof shal be able to relieve, that in such case upon certificat thereof made, and of the number and names of the personnes with which they be so surcharged, unto the Iustices of the peace of the county in which such city or town corporate shall lie and be situate, at their quarter sessions of the peace, by two Iustices of peace of the said county, and the Maior or other head officer of the same city or town corporate, the Iustices may by their discretions in the same sessions, take order, appoint, & cause the same poor folk so certified, to be provided for, and relieved, by giving of licence to beg, or otherwise, in some other place or places of the said county, out of such city or town corporate so surcharged.  
provided alway, that this act, or any thing therein contained, shal not extend to the poor people, for the time being in the hospital, called Saint Thomas hospital, otherwise called the kings hospital in the Borough of southwark, near adjoining to the city of London, but that the Maior, commonalty, and Citizens of the said city of London for the time being, shal and may only haue the rule, order, and government of the said hospital, and of the poor people therein for the time being: any thing in this act to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
provided always, that this act, or any thing therein contained, or any authority thereby given, shal not in any wise extend to disinherit, prejudice, or hinder John Dutton, of Dutton, in the county of Chester esquire, his heirs or assigns, for, touching, or concerning any liberty, privilege, pre-eminence, authority, jurisdiction, or inheritance, which the said John Dutton now lawfully useth or hath, or lawfully may or ought to use within the county palatine of Chester, and the county of the city of Chester, or either of them, by reason of any ancient charters of any kings of this land, or by reason of any prescription, or other lawful usage or title whatsoever.  
This act to endure for seven yeeres, and from thence to the end of the next Parliament then next following.   

An act for thexplanation of a statute made against fugitives over the seas, in the .xiij. year of the queens majesties reign. Chapter. vi.  
WHERE as in the statute against fugitives departing out of this realm, made in the last Parliament, amongst other things it is ordained, that the offenders against that statute, shall forfeit and lose to our sovereign Lady the queen, the whole profits of all their manors, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, during their lives: sythens which time some doubt and question vpon the said words hath risen, and ben moved, Whether her majesty, her heirs and successors, may let and set the same lands, or make grants by copies of court roll thereof, and usual wood sales, or else shall only take the ordinary profits as they rise, as vesturam terre, & not otherwise: And where as in the said statute, one branch or clause is contained for the making void of fraudulent conueyaunces by the said fugitives of their lands and goods, made to thintent and vpon privy confidence, that the profits may be employed, as they should limit and agree: vpon the words of which clause, some doubt and question hath also risen, and ben moved, Whether the conveyance( to thintent aforesaid) made by such fugitives as depart out of the realm having licence, and do not return into this realm according to their licence, and intent of the said statute, shal be within the provision of the said statute, unless their determination of not returning according to their licence, be proved to be before the making of the said fraudulent conveyance, as a thing material before the making of the said conveyance, or whether the same determination of not returning according to the said licence, be not so material, but that the same shall by the subsequent act,( that is to say) by the not returning of the said party according to the said licence, be sufficiently proved, without any further matter.  
For avoiding of which doubts: be it declared, and explained, and ordained by authority of this Parliament, that during so long time as her majesty, her heirs or successors, shalbe entitled to haue the said profits by virtue of the said statute, she and they may let and set, and make grants by copy of Court roll, and usual wood sales, and other things, to all intents and purposes, as a tenant pour term dauter vie lawfully may do.  
And further, that the said determination, which is but a secret thought of the fugitive, whatsoever his words or speech be, is not material, but that the act and deed subsequent, viz. the not returning of every such fugitive according to this licence, and not having such let or excuse, as by the said statute is allowed( without any further matter) was, is, and shalbe taken and deemed a sufficient proof of the precedent determination of the same party not to return according to his licence: any thing to the contrary hereof in any wise, notwithstanding.  
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all such rents, revenues, issues, profits, and other things, as already be commen or grown, or hereafter shall come or grow to the queens majesty, for any the causes of forfeiture mentioned or expressed in the said former act and statute, or declared by this act, shalbe answered yearly unto the queens majesty in the Court of Exchequer, and shalbe in the order, survey, and rule of the same Court: and that the treasurer, chancellor, and Barons of the said Court, or the more part of them for the time being, whereof the treasurer, or chancellor to be one, shall and may do, and cause to be donne, all and every such act and thing, as they shal think meet and convenient to be had, made, or donne, for the demising, custody, receiving, ordering, and better answering to her majesties commodity and profit, of all such rents, revenues issues, profits, and other things as now be commen or grown, or hereafter shall come or grow to her majesty, for any the causes of forfeiture aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of the said former act, and of this present statute of explanation and declaration.  
provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that al lands, tenements, rents, reuertions, services, & leases, being at this time parcel of the possessions of the duchy of Lancaster, or derived out of the same, whereunto, or to the profits whereof, the queens majesty, her heirs or successors in any wise is, or hereafter shal be entitled, either by authority of the said former statute of fugitives, or by this statute, shal be from henceforth within the survey, dimising, and order of the Court of the said duchy of Lancaster, in such maner & form, as other the premises be assigned or appoynted by authority of this act, or by the said former act, to be in the survey, dimising, and order of the said Court of Exchequer: and that the transcripte of all offices and inquisitions concerning the premises to be within the survey, dimising, and order of the said duchy of Lancaster, shalbe certified and recorded in the said Court of the duchy of Lancaster: any thing either in the said former act, or in this act to the contrary, notwithstanding.   

An act against the deceipts of under collectors of the tenths and subsidies of the clergy. Chapter. vij.  
FOR avoiding and redress of great deceipts donne to the queens majesty, and to the Prelates and clergy of this realm, by under collectors of the tenths and subsidies of the clergy, appointed by and under the Archbyshops and Byshops of this realm, and deans and Chapters ( seed vacant:) Be it enacted, that the statute made in the .xiii. year of her majesties reign, to make the lands, tenements, goods, and catayles of Tellers, receivers. &c. to be liable to the payment of their debts, shal to al intents and purposes, as amply & largely extend, and be construed to extend to all such under collectors of tenths and subsidies of the clergy, and to their lands, tenements, and hereditaments, goods, and cattayles, for satisfiyng of such money as they haue collected, or shall collect of the said tenths and subsidies, to the use of the queens majesty, her heirs or successors,( of what yearly sum so ever the charge of their collection is, or shal be) in like form as it doth extend to the Tellers, receivers, and other personnes accomptaunt, whom the said act specially and expressly concerneth, and in as ample wise, as yf such under collectors were immediately accomptaunt to the queens majesty, her heirs or successors: any provision in the said statute, or other matter whatsoever to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
And that every such under collector, shal vpon process to be awarded out of the court of Exchequer, be chargeable to account for his receipt of such tenths and subsidies, as any receiver immediately accomptaunt to her majesty, is or ought to be: and that every Archbyshoppe and bishop, and dean and Chapter ( seed vacant) to whose charge the collection of such tenths or subsidies doth, or shall appertain, shalbe discharged of so much of the said tenths & subsidies, as shal be satisfied to the queens majesty, her heirs or successors, of or by the lands, tenements, hereditaments, goods or cattayles, of such under collector or his heirs, without any other warrant whatsoever, in that behalf to be obtained.   

An act for the avoiding of recoveries suffered by collusion by tenants for term of life, and such others. Chapter. viij.  
WHERE diuers persons being seized, or that had ben seized of lands, tenements, and hereditaments, as tenants by the courtesy of england, tenants in tail after possibility of issue extinct, or otherwise, only for term of life or lives, or of estates determinable upon life or lives, haue heretofore permitted and suffered other persons by agreement or couine between them had, to recover the same lands and tenements, and other hereditaments, against the same particular tenants, in the queens majesties Court, or haue permitted and suffered themselves to be vouchsafe by other persons, by agreement or couine between them had, in recoveries suffered of the same lands, tenements, and other hereditaments, in the queens majesties Court, to the great prejudice of those to whom the reuertion or remainder thereof hath apparteyned, or ought to appertain.  
For remedy whereof, be it enacted by the queens most excellent majesty, with the assent of the lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by authority of the same, that all such recoveries hereafter to be had or prosecuted by agreement of the parties, or by couine, as is aforesaid, against any such particular tenant of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, whereof the same particular tenant is, or hereafter shal be seized of any such particular estate, as is aforesaid, or against any other with vourcher over of any such particular tenant, or of any having, or that had right or title to any such particular estate or tenauncie, as is aforesaid, shall from henceforth, as against such person or personnes to whom any reuertion or remainder thereof, by force of any conveyance or device before that time had or made, shall, ought, or lawfully may appertain, and against their heirs and successors, be clearly and utterly void and of none effect: any law or usage heretofore had to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.  
provided alway, that this act, nor any thing therein contained, shal extend, or be prejudicial to any person or persons, that shal hereafter by good title recover any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, without fraud or couine, by reason of any former right, or title: but that al and every such recovery, and recoveries, so to be had or prosecuted vpon former rights or titles, shall stand and be in like force, strength, and effect, as they were before the making of this act: any thing herein contained to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.  
provided also, that all and every such recovery and recoveries, to be had or prosecuted of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, as aforesaid, by the assent and agreement of any person or persons, to whom any reuertion or remainder thereof then shal or ought to appertain( so that the same assent & agreement do appear of record in any court of our sovereign Lady the queens majesty, her heirs or successors) shall stand and be in like force, strength, and of like effect, against such person and persons that shall so assent and agree, their heirs and successors, as they were before the making of this act: any thing herein contained to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding.  
Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that one act made in the xxxii. year of our late sovereign lord king Henry the eight, entitled, An act for the avoiding of recoveries by collusions by tenants for term of life, shal be from the first day of july next ensuing repealed, and shall no longer stand in force.   

An act declaring that the tenant and defendant, may haue a tales de circumstantibus, as well as the demandant or plaintiff. Chapter. ix.  
FOR the avoiding of great and chargeable delays oftentimes happenyng unto tenants and defendauntes: be it enacted, that in all cases whereas the party plaintiff or demandant by any statute heretofore made, may haue upon his or their request made unto the Iustices of Nisi prius, within this realm of england, or to the Iustices of Eyre, or of assizes, of the twelve shires of Wales, and of the counties palatines of Lancaster, Chester, and Durham, a tales de circumstantibus, that in al and every such case and cases, the party and parties, tenants, actors, auowauntes, and defendauntes( yf the plaintiefes or demaundantes shall upon the calling of the principal panel or jury, forbear or refuse to pray the same) shall and may vpon his or their request or desire, haue vpon the same record, and by the same Iustices, the tales or talesses unto them granted, in like manner, form, and degree, to all respects and purposes, as the plaintiefe or demandant in any suite or action, may haue the same by any statute or ordinance heretofore made, or set forth, and the rather for the speedy trial of the issue and issues joined, or hereafter to be joined in any plea, suite, or action: any lawe, custom, or usage heretofore used to the contrary thereof in any wise, notwithstanding.  
provided also, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that in all popular actions, informations, bills, or suits, commenced or had, or hereafter to be commenced or had in any the queens majesties courts of record, vpon any penal laws or statutes, wherein any person doth, or shall sue, or prosecute, or inform, as well for the queens majesty, her heirs and successors, as for himself, whereupon issue is or shalbe joined to be tried by the country: that therein the party defendant, or defendauntes, shalbe admitted to pray and haue a tales de circumstantibus, as in other cases aforesaid.   

¶ An act to reform the excessive length of kerseys. Chapter. x.  
WHERE as within this realm of england, kerseys, called ordinary kerseys, haue not, nor do not usually contain above seventeen shepherds, and the finer sort, called sorting kerseys, not above eyghteene shepherds, and according to the proportion of the said lengths, the weight hath ben limited by the statutes now remaining in force for true making of woollen kerseys: and where the queens majesty hath ben, is, and ought to be answered of her majesties customs and subsidies of the said kerseys, according to the number of pieces, or whole kerseys, and not according to the quantity or number of shepherds, in every of the said kerseys contained: and where certain merchant strangers, and others, using the trade of transporting kerseys by way of merchandise beyond the seas, haue of late devised and procured to haue kerseys made of much greater lengths, as of xxv. and xxvi. shepherds and more, and intend, as it may be well geathered, to haue them made of greater length from time to time, by which policy they do not only deceive the queens majesty of one third part of her customs and subsidies due for the same kerseys, for that every two kerseys now paying custom but for two kerseys, do by the said mean contain more then three kerseys, that were wont to yield custom for three kerseys: but also the poor Artificers, weavers, and other woorkemen, occupying making of the said kerseys, are sickle or nothing more considered in their wages for making of the said long kerseys: moreover, the merchants of england using the trade of buying the said usual ordinary sorts, or others, are easily eaten up and vndonne by the said strangers, for that the said strangers conveying by deceit so much of her majesties custom, are able by selling beyond the seas under the Englishe merchants price, to drive all the Englishe merchants to loss, and Englishe subiectes makers of ordinary kerseys, are by the said welcome advantage driven from their trade, and likely to be shortly enforced to change their Loumes, Misles, and other instruments, for that no other sort of kerseys, in respect of the gain in deceiving her majesty, are likely to be usually bought, which new devise is to the great defraudyng of her majesty, to the undoing of her subiectes, the Englishe merchants, and of the Clothiers using the making of kerseys, and of an infinite number of poor families sustained by woorkemanship about the same.  
Be it therefore enacted by the queens highnesse, the lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, that from and after the feast of Saint bartholomew the Apostle next ensuing, it shal not be lawful for any person or persons, using, or that shall use the trade of making of kerseys, to make or cause to be made any kerseys of the sort called ordinary kerseys, or any sortyng kerseys, or any other kerseys, by what name or names so ever they be called, above the length of eyghteene shepherds at the most, to be measured by yard and inch, being redy made: but that all kerseys shalbe made of the said usual lengths, and according to the proportion of weight limited by the statute in that behalf made and provided in the fourth and fifth yeeres of the reigns of the late king Philip and queen mary, upon pain that every person or persons, that shal make, or cause to be made, any such karsie or kerseys of more or greater length then eyghteene shepherds, shall forfeit for every such karsie .xl. s. the one moiety whereof shal be to the queens majesty, her heirs and successors, and the other moiety to him or them that will sue for the same, by bill, plaint, or information, in any of the queens majesties courts of record, wherein no essoign, protection, or wager of lawe, for the defendant shalbe admitted or allowed.  
provided, that yf any karsie or kerseys being purposely made to contain eyghteene shepherds in length, and no more, shall by occasion happen to contain above eyghteene shepherds, and being under nineteen shepherds in length, that the maker or makers of any such karsie or karseies, shall not incur the penalty above contained, any thing before mentioned to the contrary, notwithstanding.   

❧ An act for the continuation, explanation, perfecting, and enlarging of diuers statutes. Chapter. xj.  
WHere in the parliament holden upon prorogation at Westminster the fourth day of february, in the .xxiiii. year of the reign of the late king Henry the eight, one act was there made, entitled, An act to continue, and renew the act made against killing of calves: and one other act entitled, An act against killing of young beasts, called waynlings. And where in the session of a Parliament ended at Westminster in the first day of february, in the fourth year of the reign of our late sovereign lord king Edwarde the sixth, one act was made concerning the buying and selling of rother beasts: and also one other act was then and there likewise made, entitled, An act for the buying and selling of butter and cheese. And where also an act was made in the first session of the Parliament, holden in the fifth year of the queens majesties reign, entitled, An act for the maintenance and increase of tillage. And where also in the Parliament begun at Westminster in the .xxiii. day of january in the first year of the reign of the queens majesty that now is, and there continued by prorogation until the dissolution thereof, one act was then and there made, entitled, An act for the preservation of spawn and fry of fish. And where also in the first session of the Parliament begun and holden at Westminster, in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lady the queens majesty that now is, and from thence continued by prorogation until the dissolution thereof, one act was then and there made, entitled, An act for the avoiding of diuers foreign wears, made by handicrafts men beyond the seas: and one other act, entitled, An act for the punishment of such persons as should procure or commit any wilful perjury, which acts were limited to endure to thende of the next Parliament. And where also in the last session of the same Parliament holden by prorogation at Westminster, in the eight year of the reign of the queens most excellent majesty that now is, one act was then and there made, entitled, An act for Bowyers, and the prices of bows, and was made to continue to th'end of the first session of the next Parliament: and also one other act was then made, entitled, An act for the preservation of grain: All which several acts and statutes were made to continue, but for certain times: and all which acts made in the said fourth year of king Edwarde the sixth, and in the said first, fifth, and eight yeres of the queens majesties reign, were at the last Parliament holden at Westminster the second day of april, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our said sovereign Lady the queens majesty, made to continue and stand in force unto thende of the next Parliament then next following. And where also in the Parliament begun and holden at Westminster the second day of april, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our said sovereign Lady the queen, one act and statute was then and there made, for the avoiding and abolishing of feigned, couenous, and fraudulent feoffamentes, gifts, grants, alienations, conueyaunces, bonds, suits, judgements, and executions, entitled, An act against fraudulent deeds, gifts, grants, alienations, &c. which act and statute was then made to endure unto thende of the first session of the next Parliament, as by the said act more plainly will appear. And where also in the said Parliament begun and holden at Westminster the said second day of april, there was also one other act and statute made for the avoiding of some leases in certain cases to be made of ecclesiastical promotions with cure, entitled, An act touching leases of benefice, and other ecclesiastical livings with cure, which act was likewise made to continue to thende of the next Parliament. And where also there was one other act and statute made in the said Parliament, begun and holden at Westminster the said second day of april, in the said thirteenth year, entitled, An act that purueyours may take grain, corn, or victuals within five miles of Cambridge and oxford in certain cases, which act was made likewise to continue to the last day of the next Parliament.  
And where in the statute made in the thirteenth year of the queens majesties reign, entitled, An act for the reuiuyng and continuance of certain statutes, is contained one proviso, that the said act concerning the avoiding of foreign wears made by handicrafts men beyond the seas, or any clause, article, or meaning therein contained, should not in any wise extend or be prejudicial to any intercourse, or treatise of any intercourse then standing in force, had, or made between the progenitors of the queens majesty, or her highness, and any others. now for good considerations, and specially that strangers may not be at liberty, and the queens majesties natural subiectes restrained: be it enacted that the said proviso, and every clause, article, and matter therein contained, shall from henceforth be repelled, and utterly void.  
provided also, and be it enacted, that these words( so soon as it, or any part thereof, shall come to any possession or use above forbidden, or) which words are contained in the said statute made in the said thirteenth year, touching leases of benefice, and other ecclesiastical livings with cure, shall not be revived by this act, but remain discontinued, and shal from henceforth be omitted out of the said act, any thing in the said act, or in this act to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
And where sundry evil disposed persons, haue defrauded the true meaning of the said last mentioned statute, made in the said xiii. year, by bonds and covenants of suffering other persons to enjoy ecclesiastical livings, and the fruits thereof, for that such bonds and covenants are not in lawe taken to be leases, although in deed they amount to as much: be it therefore enacted, that all bonds, contracts, promises, and covenants, hereafter to be made for suffering or permitting any person to enjoy any bnfice, or ecclesiastical promotion with cure, or to take profits or fruits thereof, other then such bonds and covenants, as shal be made for assurance of any lease heretofore made, shalbe to all intents and purposes adiudged of such force and validity, and not otherwise, as leases by the same persons made of such benefice and ecclesiastical promotions with cure.  
And be it further declared and enacted, that all leases, bonds, promises, and covenants of and concerning benefice and ecclesiastical livings with cure, to be made by any curate, shal be of no other, nor better force, validity, or continuance, then yf the same had ben made by the beneficed person himself, that dimised, or shall dimise the same to any such Curate.  
And where in one other act made in the said thirteenth year, entitled, An act against fraudulent gifts, to the intent to defeat dilapidations of ecclesiastical livings, and for leases to be granted by Collegiat Churches, there is one branch to avoyde certain leases to be made by maisters and fellowes of colleges, deans and Chapters of Cathedral or Collegiat Churches, maisters or guardians of any hospital, or by any person, Vicar, or any other having any spiritual or ecclesiastical living: be it enacted, that the said branch, nor any thing therein contained, shall not extend to any grant, assurance, or lease of any houses belonging to any the persons or bodies politic or corporate aforesaid, nor to any grounds to such houses apparteynyng, which houses be situate in any city, Borough, town corporate, or market town, or the suburbs of any of them, but that al such houses and grounds may be granted, dimised, and assured, as by the laws of this realm, and the several statutes of the said colleges, Cathedrall Churches and hospitals, they lawfully might haue benne before the making of the said statute, or lawfully might be, yf the said statute were not, so alway that such house be not the capital or dwelling house used for the habitation of the persons abovesaid, nor haue ground to the same belonging, above the quantity of ten acres, any thing in the said act to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
And be it further enacted, that all sums of money hereafter to be recovered, for, or in name of dilapidations, by sentence, composition, or otherwise, shall within two yeeres after such receipt, be truly employed vpon the buildings & reparations, in respect whereof such money for dilapidations shalbe paid, on pain that every person so receiving, and not employing as aforesaid, shal forfeit double as much, as so shal be by him received, and not employed, the which forfeiture shalbe to the use of the queens majesty, her heirs and successors.  
provided alway and be it enacted, that no lease shalbe permitted to be made by force of this act in reversion, nor without reserving the accustomend yearly rent at the least, nor without charging the lessee with the reparations, nor for longer term then forty yeeres at the most: nor any houses shalbe permitted to be aliened, unless that in recompense thereof, there shalbe afore, with, or presently after such alienation, good, lawful, & sufficient assurance made in fee simplo absolutely to such colleges, houses, bodies politic or corporate, and their successors, of lands of as good value, and of as great yearly value at the least, as so shal be aliened: any statute to the contrary, notwithstanding.  
And forasmuch as all the same several acts and statutes, and every of them, do seem good, beneficial, and needful to be further continued for the weal and profit of this realm: be it therefore now enacted by the queens most excellent majesty, with the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the same several acts and statutes, and every of them, and all and every article, clause, and sentences in them and every of them contained, shall continue, be, and endure in full force and effect, until the end of the next Parliament.   

An act for the repeal of a statute made Anno, viij. of the queens majesties reign, touching the town of shrewsbury. Chapter. xij.  
WHERE at the Parliament holden at Westminster the last day of September, in the eight year of the reign of our sovereign Lady the queens most excellent majesty, there was an act made, entitled, An act touching Drapers, Cotteners, & Frizers, in the town of shrewsbury, in the county of Salop: and in the same act there is contained matter then supposed for the benefit of the said town of shrewsbury, in advancing the corporation of Drapers, Cottoners, and Frizers of the said town. And it was thereby enacted, that from and after the feast of Easter then next ensuing, no maner person or persons whatsoever, inhabiting and dwelling within the said town of shrewsbury, or the liberties or franchises of the same town,( other then such as then had, or then after should serve as apprentice in the occupation or science of Drapers, or then had benne, or thereafter should be free of the said science or mystery) should occupy, use, exercise, or frequent the said trade, arte, mystery, or science of buying of the said welsh cloth, or lining, cottons, fryzes, or plains: nor haue any factor or doer for him or them in the same, nor by any colour, engine, or fraud, buy any of the said fryzes, lininges, cottons, and plains, vpon pain that every person & persons inhabiting, as is aforesaid, and occupying, using, or exercising the said trade, arte, mystery, occupation, or science of buying of welsh clothes and lininges. &c. and not aucthorised by the act, should lose & forfeit for every piece of the said clothes bought .vi. s. viii. d  
And where sithence the making of the said act, experience hath plainly taught in the said town, that the said act hath not only not brought the good effect that then was hoped and surmised, but also hath ben, and now is likely, to be the very greatest cause of the impoverishing and vndooing of the poor artificers and other, at whose suite the said act was procured, for that there be now sithence the making of the said statute, much fewer persons to set them a work then before: and by restraynyng all other inhabitours of the said town of Shrewesbury, from the former lawful trade ever heretofore used of buying of welshe clothes, fryzes, cottons, lyninges, and plains( leaving the same nevertheless free for all the subiectes of england without any restraint, saving for the said inhabitants of the town of Shrewesbury, and the liberties and franchises of the same town only) hath ben the evident occasion of great decay, not only to the said town, and the liberties and franchises of the same, but also to a great and infinite number of poor people in north-wales, that is to say, in the Counties of Mountgomery, Denbigh, Merionneth, and also the town of Oswester, and the greatest part of the country there abouts, where the said Welshe clothes, fryzes, cottons, lyninges, and plains are made and sold, which were wont to be maintained and relieved by trade of making or woorkyng of the said fryzes, cottons, &c. contrary to the expectation that then was wrongfully conceived.  
Be it therfore, at the humble suite of the inhabitants of the said town, and also of the said artificers for whose benefit the said act was supposed to be provided, enacted, that the said act, and all the matter in the said act contained, shall from henceforth be repealed and made void: any thing in the said act to the contrary notwithstanding.  
provided always, that so much of the said statute of the eight year of our sovereign lady the queens majesty that now is, and every article and branch therein contained, as toucheth the present and ready payment of money to Sheremen, Cottoners, and Frizers, for their work, & also as toucheth the restraint of such as shall, or do occupy or use the trade of buying of frizes, cottons, or plains, from the use or exercise of the faculty of fryzing or cottoning, shall stand and be in force: any thing in this statute to the contrary, notwithstanding.   

An act for the annexing of Hexham and Hexhamshire to the county of northumberland. Chapter. xiij.  
WHERE for the space of diuers yeres now past, the queen her highnesse, and her most noble and dearly beloved father king Henry the eight, king Edwarde the sixth her highnesse brother, queen mary her late sister, as in the right of the imperial crown of this realm of england, by reason of one exchange had, and passed between the said late king Henry the eight, and the late reverend father Robert archbishop of york, in the year of the most noble reign of the said late king Henry, haue ben, and her majesty yet is seized of and in the franchise and liberty of Hexham and Hexamshire, lying within the body and middle of the county of northumberland, which said liberty & territory, when it was in the hands of the said archbishop, was commonly termed & name a county Palentyne, where in right or proof there was none such, yet by reason of that error, ever since, and yet, there hath ben, and are diuers opinions, besides some question and doubts, whether the said liberty and territory of Hexham and Hexhamshire, should and ought to be part of the said county of Northumberland, or otherwise exempted: and whether the dwellers & inhabitours there, should and ought to be justifiable, and answer to iustice as other of the said county of Northumberland are, and ought, or not: and the like question and doubt yet is, and remaineth. By reason whereof, not onely pleas of the crown, and suits betwixt party & party haue suffered continual stays, lets, and also haue had no end of trial, and besides, the most & greatest offenders to the crown & their country, haue, & daily run thither as unto a sanctuary, vpon hope and trust of refuge and safeguard thereby, to the great comfort and encouragement of many, the vilest & worst subiectes and offenders in all the North parties, and to the great offence of the almighty & most manifest hindrance of good execution of laws and iustice. In and for due remedy and redress of such great enormities & apparante thieves, may it therefore please the queen her majesty, that by her highnesse, the lords spiritual and temporal, & the commons in this present high court of Parliament now assembled, that it may be enacted, manifested, and declared by authority of the same, that the said territory, franchise, and liberty of Hexham and Hexhamshire, with the liberties of the same, may be, is, and shalbe from henceforth taken to be within, and part, parcel and member of the said county of northumberland. And that as well the pleas of the crown, as also al suits betwixt party and party, may proceed, & haue their due end and trial within the said county of Northumberland, by and before the sheriff and Coroners of the said Shire, and also before the Iustices of peace, Iustices of gaole delivery, Iustices of assize, Nisi prius, Oyer and determiner, and other officers, and each and every of them, as the case shall require, and take effects as any of the like haue ben, or ought to be, which haue happened, or shall hereafter happen within the said county of northumberland: and that from henceforth the sheriff and other officers of the county of Northumberland, for the time being, may haue full power and authority to execute his or their office, and al processes to him or them directed within Hexham and Hexhamshire, and liberties of the same, in as ample & large maner, as he or they may, should, or ought to do, within any other part of the said county of northumberland, any grant, privilege, custom, usage, liberty, or thing else whatsoever heretofore made, claimed, used, had, put in ure or execution, or enjoyed, to the contrary notwithstanding. saving to the bailiff of the liberties, or other officers of the said town of Hexham and Hexhamshire, or the liberties therof, al liberties and privileges for executing of process, return of writs, and otherwise, as they or any of them of right ought to haue before the making of this act.   

A Table of certain acts passed, Anno. xiiij. Reginae Elizabethe, and not printed.  
AN act for the assurance of gifts, grants. &c. made, and to be made for the relief of the poor in Hospitales. &c.  
An act for the assurance of certain lands, and tenements, according to the meaning of sir Thomas and sir William Woodhouse, knights, for the benefit of certain infantes.  
An Act for the continuance of the innyng of Plumsted marsh, in the county of Kent, being surrounded.  
An act for the better & further assurance of certain lands, and tenements, to the maintenance of the free grammar school of Tunbridge, in the county of Kent.  
God save the queen.   

❧ Imprinted at London in Powles churchyard by richard jug, Printer to the queens majesty.  
Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.  

LOVE keepeth THE LAWE OBEYETH THE king, AND IS GOOD TO THE COMMEN wealth  
PRO LEGE REGE, ET GREGE  
PRVDENCIA IVSTICIA