June, 1657
[9 June, 1657.]
Idle, loose and dissolute persons wandring shall be adjudged Rogues, &c.; 39. Eliz. cap. 4.
Whereas the number of wandring, idle, loose, dissolute. and
disorderly persons is (of late) much increased, by reason of some
Defects in the Laws and Statutes heretofore made and provided
for the punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggers
(they being seldome taken begging) by means whereof divers Robberies, Burglaries, Thefts, Insurrections and other Misdemeanors
have been occasioned; for the prevention whereof, Be it Enacted
by his Highness the Lord Protector and this present Parliament,
and the authority thereof, that all and every idle, loose and dissolute
person and persons, which from and after the first day of July,
One thousand six hundred fifty seven, shall be found and taken
within the Commonwealth of England, vagrant and wandring
from his or their usual place of living or abode, and shall not have
such good and sufficient cause or business for such his or their
travelling or wandring, as the Justices or Justice of Peace, Mayors,
or other Chief Officer or Officers of the respective Counties or Corporations, before whom such person or persons shall be brought,
shall approve of; That then every such idle, loose, and dissolute
person and persons, so taken vagrant and wandring as aforesaid,
shall be adjudged, and are hereby adjudged and declared to be
Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggers, within the Statute made
in the Nine and thirtieth year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth
Cap. 4. For the Suppressing of Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy
Beggers, and shall be proceeded against and punished as Rogues,
Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggers within the said Statute, although
they shall not be taken begging, any Law, Statute or Usage to the
contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.
Fidlers or Minstrels.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if
any person or persons commonly called Fidlers or Minstrels, shall
at any time after the said First day of July, be taken playing, fidling
and making musick in any Inn, Alehouse, or Tavern, or shall be
taken proffering themselves, or desiring, or intreating any person
or persons to hear them to play, or make musick in any the places
aforesaid, that every such person and persons so taken, shall be
adjudged, and are hereby adjudged and declared to be Rogues
Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggers, and shall be proceeded against
and punished as Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggers within
the said Statute, any Law, Statute or Usage to the contrary thereof
in any wise notwithstanding.