❧ The fraternity of vagabonds.  
As well of ruffling vagabonds, as of beggarly, of women as of men, of Girls as of Boys, with their proper names and qualities. With a description of the crafty company of Cozeners and Shifters.  
¶ Whereunto also is adjoined the xxv Orders of Knaves, otherwise called a Quartern of Knaves. Confirmed for ever by Cock Lorell.  
(*)  

¶ The Vprightman speaketh.  
¶ Our Brotherhood of vagabonds,  
If you would know where devil:  
In graves end Barge which seldom stands,  
The talk will show right well.   

¶ Cock Lorell answereth.  
¶ Some orders of my knaves also  
In that Barge shall ye find:  
For no where shall ye walk I crow,  
But ye shall see their kind.   
¶ Imprinted at London by john Awdeley, dwelling in little Britain street without Aldersgate. 1575.   

¶ The Printer to the Reader.  

THis brotherhood of vagabonds,  
To show that there be such in deed:  
Both eustices and men of Lands,  
Will testify it if it need.  
For at a Sessions as they sat,  
By chance a vagabond was got.   

¶ Who promysde if they would him spare,  
And keep his name from knowledge then:  
He would as strange a thing declare,  
As ever they knew since they were men.  
But if my fellows do know (said he)  
That thus I did, they would kill me.   

¶ They granting him this his request,  
He did declare as here is read,  
Both names and states of most and lest,  
Of this their vagabonds brotherhood.  
Which at the request of a worshipful man  
I have set it forth as well as I can.   
FINIS.   

¶ The fraternity of vagabonds both ruffling and beggarly, Men and women, Boys and Girls, with their proper names and qualities. Whereunto are adjoined the company of Cozeners and Shifters.  

¶ An Abraham Man. 
AN Abraham man is he that walketh bore armed, and bore legged, and feigneth himself mad, and carrieth a pack of wool, or a stick with baken on it, or such like toy, and nameth himself poor Tom.  ¶ A Ruffeler. 
A Ruffeler goeth with a weapon to seek service, saying he hath been a Servitor in the wars, and beggeth for his relief. But his chiefest trade is to rob poor wayfaring men and market women.  ¶ A Prygman 
A Prygman goeth with a stick in his hand like an idle person. His property is to steal clothes of the hedge, which they call storing of the Rogeman: or else filch Poultry, carrying them to the Alehouse, which they call the Bousing In, & there sit playing at cards and dice, till that is spent which they have so fylched.  ¶ A Whipiacke 
A Whypiacke is one, that by colour of a counterfeit Licence (which they call a Gibe, and the seals they call earckes) doth use to beg like a mariner, But his chiefest trade is to rob Bowthes in a Fair, or to pilfer ware from staules, which they call heaving of the Bowth  ¶ A Frater. 
A Frater goeth with a like Licence to beg for some Spittlehouse or Hospital. Their prey is commonly upon poor women as they go and come to the Markets.  ¶ A Choir bird. 
A Choir bird is one that came lately out of prison, & goeth to seek service. He is commonly a stealer of Horses, which they term a Priggar of Paulfreys.  ¶ An Upright man. 
An Upright man is one that goeth with the truncheon of a staff, which staff they call a Filtchman. This man is of so much authority, that meeting with any of his profession, he may call them to account, & command a share or snap unto himself, of all that they have gained by their trade in one month. And if he do them wrong, they have noremedy against him, not though he beat them, as he useth commonly to do. He may also command any of their women, which they call Doxies, to serve his turn. He hath the chief place at any market walk & other assembles, & is not of any to be controlled.  ¶ A Curtal. 
A curtal is much like to the Upright man, but his authority is not fully so great. He useth commonly to go with a short cloak, like to grey Friars, & his woman with him in like livery, which he calleth his Altham if she be his wife, & if she be his harlot, she is called his Doxy.  ¶ A Palliard. 
A Palliard is he that goeth in a patched cloak, and his Doxy goeth in like apparel.  ¶ An Irish toil. 
An Irish toil is he that carrieth his ware in his wallet, as laces, pins, points, and such like. He useth to show no wares until he have his alms. And if the good man and wife be not in the way, be procureth of the children or servants a fleece of wool, or the worth of xii. d. of some other thing, for a pennyworth of his wares  ¶ A jack man. 
A jackeman is he that can writ and read, and sometime speak latin. He useth to make counterfeit licences which they call gibes, and sets to Seals, in their language called jarkes.  ¶ A Swygman. 
A Swygman goeth with a peddlers pack.  ¶ A washman. 
A Washman is called a Palliard, but not of the right making. He useth to lie in the high way with lame or sore legs or arms to beg. These men the right Pilliards will often times spoil, but they dare not complain. They be bitten with Spickworts, & sometime with rat's bane  ¶ A Tinkard. 
A Tinkard leaveth his bag a sweeting at the Alehouse, which they term their Bowling In, and in the mean season goeth abroad a begging.  ¶ A wild Roge. 
A wild Rogue is he that hath no abiding place but by his colour of going abroad to beg, is commonly to seek some kinsman of his, and all that be of his corporation be properly called Rogues.  ¶ A Kitchen Co. 
A Kitchen Co is called an idle run agate Boy.  ¶ A Kitchen Mortes. 
A Kitchen Mortes is a Girl, she is brought at her full age to the upright man to be broken, and so she is called a Doxy, until she come to the honour of an Altham.  ¶ Doxies. 
Note especially all which go abroad working laces and shirt strings, they name them Doxies.  A Patriarch Co. 
A Patriarch Co doth make marriages, & that is until death departed the married folk, which is after this sort▪ When they front to a dead Horse or any dead Cattles, than they shake hands and so departed every one of them a several way.    

¶ The company of Cozeners and Shifters.  
¶ A Courtesy man. 
A Courtesy man is one that walketh about the back lanes in London in the day time, and sometime in the broad streets in the night season, and when he meeteth some handsome young man cleanly appareled, or some other honest Citizen, he maketh humble salutations and low courtesy, and showeth him that he hath a word or two to speak with his mastership. This child can behave himself mannerly, for he will desire him that he talketh with all, to take the upper hand, and show him much reverence, and at last like his familiar acquaintance will put on his cap, and walk side by side, and talk on this fashion: O sir, you seem to be a man, and one that favoureth men, and therefore I am the more bolder to break my mind unto your good mastership. Thus it is sir, there is a certain of us (though I say it both same and handsome men of their hands) which have come lately from the wars, and as God knoweth have nothing to take to, being both maisterles and moniles, & knowing no way whereby to yearn one penny. And further, where as we have been wealthly brought up, and we also have been had in good estimation, we are a shamed now to declare out misery, and to fall a craving as common Beggars, and as for to steal and rob (God is our record) it striketh us to the heart, to think of such a mischief, that ever any handsome man should fall into such a dannger for this worldly trash, Which if we had to suffice our want and necessity, we should never seek thus shamefastly to crave on such good pitiful men as you seem to be, neither yet so dangerously to hazard our lives for so vile a thing. Therefore good sir, as you seem to be a handsome man yourself, and also such a one as pitieth the miserable case of handsome men▪ as now your eyes and countenance showeth to have some pity upon this my miserable complaint: So in God's cause I require your mastership, & in the behalf of my poor afflicted fellows, which though here in sight they cry not with me to you, yet wheresoever they be, I am sure they cry unto God to move the hearts of some good men to show forth their liberality in this behalf. All which & I with them crave now the same request at your good masterships' hand. With these or such like words he frameth his talk. Now if the party (which he thus talketh withal) proffereth him a penny or ii d. he taketh it, but very scornfully, and at last speaketh on this sort: Well sir, your good will is not to be refused. But yet you shall understand (good sir) that this is nothing for them, for whom I do thus shamefastly entreat. Alas sir, it is not a great or xii d. I speak for, being such a company of Servitors as we have been: yet nevertheless God forbidden I should not receive your gentle offer at this time, hoping hereafter through your good motions to some such like good gentleman as you be, that I, or some of my fellows in my place, shall find the more liberality. These kind of idle Uacabondes will go commonly well apparelled, without any weapon, and in place where they meet together, as at their host ties or other places they will beat the port of right good gentlemen, & some are the more trusted, but commonly they pay them with stealing a pair of sheets, or Coverlet, & so take their farewell early in the morning, before the master or dame be stirring.  ¶ A Cheatour or Fingerer. 
These commonly be such kind of idle vagabonds as scarcely a man shall 〈◊〉, they go so gorgeously, sometime with waiting men, and sometime without. Their trade is to walk in such places, where as gentlemen & other worshipful Citizens do resort, as at Paul's, or at Christ's Hospital, & sometime at the Royal exchange. These have very many acquaintauntes, yea, and for the most part will acquaint themselves with every man, and fain a society, in one place or other. But thiefly they will seek their acquaintance of such (which they have learned by diligent inquiring where they resort) as have received some portion of money of their friends, as young Gentlemen which are sent to London to study the laws, or else some young Merchant man or other kind of Occupier, whose friends hath given them a stock of money to occupy withal. When they have thus found out such a pray, they will found the means by their familiarity, as very courteously to bid him to breakfast at one place or other, where they are best acquainted, and closely among themselves will appoint one of their Fraternity, which they call a Fyngerer, an old beaten child, not only in such deceits, but also such a one as by his age is painted out with grey hears, wrinkled face, crooked back, and most commonly lame, as it might seem with age, yea and such a one as to show a simplicity, shall wear a homely cloak and hat scarce worth vi d. This nimble fingered knight (being appointed to this place) cometh in as one not known of these Cheatours, but as unwares shall sit down at the end of the board where they sit, & call for his penny pot of wine, or a pint of Ale, as the place serveth. Thus sifting as it were alone, mumbling on a crust, or some such thing, these other yonckers will find some kind of merry talk with him, some times questioning where he dwelleth, & sometimes inquiring what trade he useth, which commonly he telleth them he useth husbandry: & talking thus merely, at last they ask him, how sayest thou Father, wilt thou play forty breakfast with one of us, that we may have some pastime as we sit? This old carl making it strange at the first saith: My masters ich am an old man, and half blind, and can skill of very few games, yet for that you seem to be such good Gentlemen, as to proffer to play for that of which you had no part, but only I myself, and therefore of right ich am worthy to pay for it, I shall with all my heart fulfil your request. And so falleth to play, sometime at Cards, & sometime at dice. Which through his counterfeit simplicity in the play sometimes over counteth himself, or playeth sometimes against his will, so as he would not, & then counterfeiteth to be angry, and falleth to swearing, & so losing that, proffereth to play for a shilling or two. The other thereat having good sport, seeming to mock him, falleth again to play, and so by their legerdemain, & counterfeiting, winneth each of them a shilling or twain, & at last whispereth the young man in the ear to play with him also, that each one might have a fling at him. This young man for company falleth again to play also with the said Fyngerer, and winneth as the other did which when he had lost a noble or vi s. maketh as though he had lost all his money, and falleth a entreating for part thereof again to bring him home, which the other knowing his mind and intent, stoutly denieth and jesteth & scoffeth at him. This Fingerer seeming then to be in a rage, desireth them as they are true gentlemen, to tarry till he fetcheth more store of money, or else to point some place where they may meet. They seeming greedy hereof, promiseth faithfully and clappeth hands so to meet. They thus tickling the young man in the ear, willeth him to make as much money as he can, and they will make as much as they can, and consent as though they will play booty against him. But in the end they so use the matter, that both the young man loseth his part and as it seemeth to him, they losing theirs also, and so maketh as though they would fall together by the ears with this fingerer, which by one wile or other at last conveyeth himself away, & they as it were raging like mad bedlamss, one runneth one way, an other an other way leaving the loser in deed all alone. Thus these Cheatours at their accustomed hosteries meet closely together, and there receive each one his part of this their vile spoil. Of this fraternity there be that be called helpers, which commonly haunt taverns or alehouses, and cometh in as men not acquainted with none in the company, but spying them at any game, will bid them God speed and God be at their game, and will so place himself that he will show his fellow by signs and tokens, without speech commonly, but sometime with far fetched words, what cards he hath in his hand, and how he may play against him. And those between them both getteth money out of the others purse.  ¶ A Ring faller. 
A Ring faller is he that getteth fair copper rings, some made like signets, & some after other fashions, very fair gilded, & walketh up and down the streets, till he spieth some man of the country or some other simple body whom he thinketh he may deceive, and so goeth a little before him or them, and letteth fall one of these rings, which when the party that cometh after spieth and taketh it up, he having an eye backward, crieth half part, the party that taketh it up, thinking it to be of great value, proffereth him some money for his part, which he not fully denieth but willeth him to come into some alehouse or tavern, and there they will common upon the matter. Which when they come in, and are set in some solitary place (as commonly they call for such a place) there he desireth the party that found the ring to show it him. When he seethe it, he falleth a entreating the party that found it, and desireth him to take money for his part, and telleth him that if ever he may do him any friendship hereafter shall command him, for he maketh as though he were very desirous to have it. The simple man seeing him so importune upon it, thinketh the ring to be of great valour, and so is the more loather to part from it. At last this ring faller asketh him what he will give him for his part, for saith he, seeing you will not let me have the ring, allow me my part, and take you the ring. The other asketh what he counteth the ring to be worth, he answereth .v. or vi pound. Not saith he it is not so much worth Well (saith this Ringfaller) let me have it, and I will allow you xl s. for your part. The other party standing in a doubt, and looking on the ring, asketh if he will give the money out of hand. The other answereth, he hath not so much ready money about him, but he will go fetch so much for him, if he will go with him. The other that found the ring, thinking he meaneth truly, beginneth to proffer him twenty s. for his part, sometimes more, or less, which he very scornfullye refuseth at the first, and still entreateth that he might have the ring, which maketh the other more fonder of it, and desireth him to take the money for his part, & so proffereth him money. This ring faller seeing the money, maketh it very strange, and first questioneth with him where he dwelleth, and asketh him what is his name, & telleth him that he seemeth to be an honest man, and therefore he will do somewhat for friendship's sake, hoping to have as friendly a pleasure at his hand hereafter, and so proffereth him for ten s. more he should have the ring. At last with entreaty on both parts, he giveth the Ring faller the money, and so departeth, thinking he hath gotten a very great jewel. These kind of deceiving Uacabondes have other practices with their rings, as sometimes to come to buy wares of men's Prentesies, and sometimes of their Masters, and when he hath agreed of the price, he saith he hath not so much money about him, but pulleth of one of these rings of from his fingers, and proffereth to leave it in pawn, till his Master or his friends hath sent it; so promising to bring the money, the seller thinking he meaneth truly▪ letteth him go, and never seethe him after, till perhaps at Tyburn or at such like place. There is another kind of these Ring choppers, which commonly carry about them a fair gold ring in deed, and these have other counterfeit rings made so like this gold ring, as ye shall not perceive the contrary, till it be brought to the touch stone. This child will come to borrow money of the right gold ring, the party mistrusting the Ring not to be good, goeth to the Goldsmith with the party that hath the ring, and trieth it whether it be good gold, and also weigheth it to know how much it is worth. The Goldsmith trieth it to be good gold, and also to have his full weight like gold, and warenteth the party which shall lend the money that the ring is worth so much money according to the weight, this yoncker coming home with the party which shall lend the money, and having the gold ring again, putteth up the gold ring, and pulleth out a counterfeit ring very like the same, & so delivereth it to the party which dareth the money, they thinking it to be the same which they tr●●ed, and so delivereth the money or sometimes wares, and thus vilely be deceived.    

¶ The xxv Orders of Knaves, otherwise called a quartern of Knaves, confirmed for ever by Cock Lorell.  
1 Troll and Troll by. 
TRoll and Trol by, is he that setteth nought by no man, nor no man by him. This is he that would bear 〈◊〉 a place, and hath ● authority nor thank, & at last is thrust out of the door like a knave.  2 Troll with. 
Troll with, is he that no man shall know the servant from the Master. This knave with his cap on his head like Capon hardy, will sit down by his Master, or else go cheek by cheek with him in the street.  3 Troll hazard of trace. 
Troll hazard of trace is he that goeth behind his Master as far as he may see him. Such knaves commonly use to buy Spicecakes, Apples or other trifles, and do eat them as they go in the streets like vagabond Boys.  4 Troll hazard of tritrace. 
Troll hazard of tritrace, is he that goeth gaping after his Master, looking to and fro till he have lost him. This knave goeth gazing about like a fool at every toy, and then seeketh in every house like a Maisterles dog, and when his Master needeth him, he is to seek.  5 Chafe Litter. 
Chafe Litter is he that will pluck up the Featherbed or Matrice, and piss in the bedstraw, and will never rise uncalled. This knave berayeth many times in the corners of his masters chamber, or other places inconvenient, and maketh clean his shoes with the coverlet or curtains.  6 Obloquium. 
Obloquium is he that will take a tale out of his masters mouth and tell it himself. He of right may be called a malapert knave.  7 Rinse pitcher. 
Rinse pitcher is he that will drink out his thrift at the ale or wine, and he often times drunk. This is a licoryce knave that will swill his masters drink, and dry be his meat that is kept for him.  8 jeffrey Gods Fo. 
jeffery God's Foe is he, that will swear & maintain oaths. This is such a lying knave that none will believe him, for the more he sweateth, the les he is to be believed.  9 Nichol Heartless. 
Nichol Heartless is he, that when he should do aught for his Master his heart faileth him. This is a Trewand knave that feigneth himself sick when he should work.  10 Simon soon agone. 
Simon soon agone is he, that when his Master hath any thing to do, he will hide him out of the way. This is a loitering knave that will hide him in a corner and sleep or else run away.  11 Grene winchard. 
Green Winchard is he, that when his hose is broken and hang out at his shoes, he will put them into his shoes again with a flick, but he will not amend them. This is a slothful knave, that had leaver go like a beggar then cleanly.  12 Proctor. 
Proctor is he, that will tarry long, and bring a lie, when his Master sendeth him on his errand. This is a flibber gibber Knave, that doth feign tales.  13 Commitour of Tidings. 
Commitour of Tidings is he, that is ready to bring his Master Novels and tidings, whether they be true or false. This is a tale bearer knave, that will report words spoken in his masters presence.  14▪ Gyle Hather. 
Gyle Hather is he, that will stand by his Master when he is at dinner, and did him beware that he eat no raw meat, because he would eat it himself. This is a pick thank knave, that would make his Master believe that the Cow is the 〈◊〉.  15 Bawd Physic. 
Bawd Physic, is he that is a Cock, when his Masters meatelis evil dressed, and he challenging him therefore, he will say he will eaten the rawest morsel there of himself. This is a sausye knave, that will contrary his Master always.  16 Mounch present. 
Mounch present is he that is a great gentleman, for when his Master sendeth him with a present, he will take a taste thereof by the way. This is a bold knave, that sometime will eat the best and leave the worst for his Master.  17 Cole Prophet. 
Cole Prophet is he, that when his Master sendeth him on his errand, he wyltel his answer thereof to his Master or he departed from him. This tittivell knave commonly maketh the worst of the best between his Master and his friend.  18 Cury favel. 
Cory favel is he, that will lie in his bed, and cory the bed boards in which he lieth in steed of his horse. This slothful knave will buskill and scratch when he is called in the morning, for any haste.  19 Ding thrift. 
Ding thrift is he, that will make his masters horse eat pies and ribs of beef, and drink ale and wine. Such false knaves often times, willsell their masters meat to their own profit.  20 Esen Droppers. 
Esen Droppers been they, that stand under men's wales or windows, or in any other place, to hear the secrets of a man's house. These misdeming knaves will stand in corners to hear if they be evil spoken of, or wait a shrewd turn.  21 Coplogyke. 
Choplogyke, is he that when his master rebuketh him of his fault he will give him twenty words for one, else bid the deulls Pater noster 〈◊〉 silence. This proud prating knave will maintain his naughtiness when he is rebuked for them.  22 Vnthrifte. 
Unthrift, is he that will not put his wearing clotheses to washing, nor black his own shoes, nor amend his his own wearing clotheses. This reckless knave will always be lousy: and say that he hath no more shift of clotheses, and slander his Master.  23 Ungracious. 
Ungracious, is he that by his own will, will hear no manner of service, without he be compelled thereunto by his rulers. This Knave will sit at the alehouse drinking or playing at dice, or at other games at service tyme.  24 Nunquam. 
Nunquam, is he that when his Master sendeth him on his errand he will not come again of an hour or two where he might have done it in half an hour or less. This knave will go about his own errand or pastime and saith he cannot speed at the first.  25 Ingratus. 
Ingratus, is he that when one doth all that he can for him, he will scant give him a good report for his labour. This knave is so ingrate or unkind, that he considreth not his friend from his foe, & will requited evil for good & being put most in trust, will soonest deceive his master.    
FINIS.   

❧ Imprinted at London by john Awdely dwelling in little Britain street without Aldersgate, (⸫)