An Acte concerning Pewterers, made in the xxv. yeare of the reigne of our Soue­raigne Lord, Kinge Henry the eyght, in the ninth Chapter.

IN their most lamētable wise showen, Petition. and pitteously complayne vnto the Kinges most royall Maiesty, and to this most highe Courte of Parliamente, the Kings most humble poore, & obeysaunt subiects, the Maister, wardaines, & pore fellowship of the craft & mistery of Pewterers, as wel of the Citty of London, as of all other places within this Realme of England, that where the said craft or [Page] mistery before this time hath bin one of the best handycraftes within this Realme, which hath not only growen & continued by mean of diuerse good acts & statutes made for the true exercise of the same, wherof one was made in the .xix. yeare of the Kinges most renowmed Father, whose soule God pardon. And one other was made in the fourth yeare of the Kinges moste victorious raigne, concerning the crafts of Pew­terers & Brasiers, of and for the true makinge, mixting, and sellinge of good & true pewter, and brazen vessels. And also for exercising and vsinge of true weightes and beames to be occupied by the sellers of any such pewter or brazen vessels within this Realme, so that none of the Kinges Subiectes, nor any other person should by any sale of any false mixed brazen and pewter ves­sell, or any vntrue weightes bee deceiued, as by the sayd statutes more plainely doth appeare.

Which good Statutes duely put in execution, hath caused the sayde crafte to encrease and mul­tiplye, to the great profite and vtility of a great number of the Kings subiects, & the commodity of pewter vessell much to be had in reputation in all straunge Regions and Countreyes, vntill now of late diuerse euill disposed persons, beinge the Kinges Subiectes borne, which haue beene apprentices and brought vp in the exercise of the saide crafte of pewterers, haue now of late for their singuler lucre repaired into straunge regi­ons and countryes, and there do exercise the said crafte of Pewterers, teachinge straungers (not [Page] onely the cunninge of mixtinge and forginge of all manner of pewter vessel) but also doo teache all thinges belonginge to the sayde crafte of Pewterers. By meane wherof there is not onely brought (daily into this Realme) out of straunge Regions to bee solde, great number of thinges made of pewter vntruely mixted and made of Tinne, wherwith the Kinges subiects bee daily deceiued, and the people of straunge countries greatly instructed in the cunning of the said craft of pewterers, in such wise y ^e therby not only a great number & quantity of pewter vessel, & other thinges of pewter made in diuerse sortes and fashions, amounting to a great value, which was dayly and continually wonte to be caryed & conueyed out of this Realme by Merchants in­to straung regions and countreyes, and there to be solde and vended. Wherby the commodity of Tin made into pewter vessell, which hath beene had in great estimacion, as things very necessary and commodious, & the Kinges customes therby much aduaunced, is now like vtterly to cease and decay, and not to be esteemed as heretofore hath bin, but also the saide crafte of Pewterers, which at this day setteth and kepeth in woorke and oc­cupacion a great number of people, shalbe vtter­ly vndone. And a great multitude of the Kings naturall Subiectes therby fall into idlenesse, to the great impouerishment of this Realme, if spe­dy remedy for the redresse of the premisses be not prouided.

In tender consideracion wherof, and for refor­mation [Page] of the premisses, Any ma­ner of pewter wrought out of this Realm to be forfai­ted. it may please your high­nesse, by the assente of the Lordes spirituall and temporal, and the commons in this present Par­lyament assembled, and by the aucthority of the same, to ordaine and enact, that no person or per­sons hereafter, at any time now inhabitinge, or which hereafter shal inhabite within this Realm shall buy or otherwise take by exchaung for other wares, any wares made, or hereafter to be made out of this Realme of Tin, or mixt with Tin, as Platters, Search & seasure. Dishes, Sawcers, Pots, Basins, Ewers, Flagons, Goblets, Salte, Saltsellers, Spones, or any other thinge made of Tinne or Pewter as aforesaide, whatsoeuer it bee, vpon payne of forfaiture of the same ware, in whose handes soeuer it may be found or taken: and also lawfull money currant in this Realme to the va­lue therof. The one halfe of the same forfaiture to be to the vse of the Kinges highnesse, and the other halfe to the vse of the finders of the same.

Penalte.And furthermore be it enacted, that it shall be lawfull to the Maister and VVardaines of the said crafte of Pewterers, as well within the Cittie of London, as within euery other Cittie, Borough, & Towne of this Realm where such wardaines bee. And where no such wardaines bee, to the head Officer or gouernour, head Officers or go­uernours of the same Cittie, Borough, or towne for the time beeinge to appointe diuerse persons most experte in knowledge of the same, to make search and seasure, and to take into their handes and possession all such wares as hereafter shall be brought contrary to the true intent and effect [Page] of this present Acte, in whose soeuer handes or possession any such shalbe found.

And also be it enacted by the auctority aboue­saide, Prētices or iorney mē stran­gers borne. that no person nor persons occupyinge the sayd crafte or occupacion of Pewterers, within this Realme shall set on worke or retaine in his or their seruice any person or persons to be his or their Apprentice, or Iourney man beeing straun­ger borne out of this Realme, vpon paine to for­fait for euery such Apprentice and Iourneyman tenne poundes sterlinge. Straun­gers shall not work pewter within the realm And that no straunger borne out of this Realme shall occupy, exercise, or vse from the feast of Pentecost next comming, the saide craft of Pewterers, nor worke any manner of vessell or other ware aforesaide to bee made of Tinne or Pewter, within any place or places of this Realme, vpon paine of forfaiture of tenne poundes sterlinge. And also vpon paine of for­faiture of the same pewter or tinne so wrought, in whose hands soeuer it may be taken or found.

And also be it enacted by aucthority aforesayd, Exercise beyonde Sea. that no person nor persons beeinge borne within this Realme, occupyinge or exercisinge the sayd craft of Pewterers, shall at any time hereafter resorte to any straunge Regions or Countreyes, there to vse, teache, or exercise the sayde crafte of Pewterers vpon payne to lose the Priueledge & benefite of an Englishman. And if in case any of the Kinges Subiectes, at this presente time beinge dwelling in any straung Countrey or Re­gion, and there occupying the sayd craft of Pew­terers doo not repayre into this Realme within three Monethes nexte after request & warninge [Page] to him be giuen, by writing sealed with the com­mon seale of the Wardaines of the saide crafte, within the saide Cittie of London, and here in this Realme continually from henceforth dwell & inhabite that then & from henceforth he shal be taken & reputed as no Englishmā, but shal stand & be from henceforth out of the Kings protection.

And forasmuch as sundry euil disposed persons which commonly be called hawkers, Hawkers by auctho­rity of the Kinges letters patentes or placarde, do not only goe about from place to place within this Realme, vsinge buying and selling of brasse and pewter. And by colour and pretence of the same Licences and Placardes, vse vnlawful and deceuable Weyghtes and Beames, but also do vse to sell both Pewter and Brasse, which is not good, nor truely, nor lawfully mixt nor wrought, to the great deceit of the Kings true lyege people contrary to the fourme and effect of the said good Act and Statute made in the saide fourth yeare of the Kinges most noble raigne. Be it therfore enacted by auctority of this present Parliament, that all such lycences and placardes heretofore had, made, or graunted to any such person or per­sons contrary to the true meaninge, forme, and effect of this Statute shalbe from henceforth by aucthority of this presente Parlyament clearely voyde and of none effecte. And where as in the sayd act of Parlyament (concerning the craft of Pewterers & Brasiers) made in the saide fourth yeare, for diuerse causes and cōsiderations in the same contayned, among other things it is expres­sed that no person or persons vsing the sayd craft [Page] of Pewterers or Brasiers should frō henceforth sell or chaunge any pewter or brasse, new or olde, at any place or places within this Realme, but only in open Fayres or Markets, or in their own dwellinge houses, but if they were desired by the buyers of such wares, vpō paine of forfaiture for euery such default ten poundes.

Forasmuch as the same forfaiture is to the on­ly vse of the Kings highnesse, Hawkers and that any party searching or findinge the same is not intituled to haue any benefit therby, it hath not bin knowen that any person or persons haue taken any paine to insearch or make any inquire therof. By rea­son wherof diuerse & many euill disposed persons vsinge bying and selling both of Brasse & Pewter and not regarding the sayd good act, nor the sayd penalty, daily goe about from Village to village, Towne and towne, and from house to house, to sell such Pewter and Brasse, which is not good. And also vse deceiuable Weyghtes and Beames as they did before the making of the sayd acte to the great hurt and deceyt of the Kings true liege people and Subiectes. Penaltie for haw­kers. Wherfore be it enacted by the aucthority abouesaide, that aswell the moyte of the sayd forfeiture of ten poundes limi­ted in the saide estatute made in the saide fourth yeare, as also the moyte of all other forfeytures before expressed, and euery of them bee and shall be to the vse of the Kinges highnesse, his Heyres and Successors, and the other moyte of the same forfeytures and euery of them to the vse of him or them, that shall seaze, finde or present the said forfeytures or any of them, or that shall sue for [Page] thesame in any competent Court or Courtes, within this Realme by action of debt, bill, plaint or information, wherin the defendant shall in no wise be admitted to wage his law, or any protec­tion or essoyne to any person or persons which shalbe impeached to haue offended contrary to the forme and effecte of this Statute, shalbe a­lowable. This acte to indure to the last day of the next Parlyament.

The annotacions of the confirmacions and renouacions of the aforesaide Statutes.

Confir­mation.ANd it is to be noted that the sayd last act was renewed in the Parlyament holden at VVest­minster the .viii. day of Iune, in the .xxviii. yeare of our sayd Soueraigne Lorde, to and amonge other actes. And that all clauses, articles, and prouisions therin contayned to stande in their force and strength, to the last day of the next Parlyament. And also the sayd act was renewed againe in the Parlyament holden at VVestmin­ster the .xxviii. of Aprill, in the .xxxi. yeare of our sayd Soueraigne Lorde, amongst other actes, as is aforesaide. &c.

An acte concerninge Pewterers made in the .xxxiii. yeare of the raigne of our Soueraigne Lorde Kinge Henry the .viij. Chap. iiij.

Recitall of the statute made the xxx. yere.WHere at the Parlyament begun at London the third day of Nouember, in the .xxi. yeare [Page] of the raigne of the King our Soueraigne Lord, and from thence adiourned to VVestminster and there holden, and from that time continued by diuerse prorogations vnto the .xv. day of Ianuary the .xxv. yeare of his most noble raigne, it was or­dained and established by the assent of the Kings Maiesty, his Lords spiritual & temporal, and the cōmons in the said Parlyament then assembled, and by the aucthority of thesame, that no person or persons, from that time than inhabitinge, or which after that time should inhabit within this Realm should buy, or otherwise take by exchange for other wares, any manner wares made, or hereafter to be made out of this Realme, of Tin, or mixt with Tin, as Platters, Dishes, sawcers, Pots, Basins, Ewers, Flagons, Goblettes, Saltes, Saltsellers, Spones, or any other thinge made of Tinne or Pewter as aforesaide, whatsoeuer it were, vpon payne of forfaiture of the same wares, in whose hands soeuer it might be found or taken, & also lawfull money currant in this Realme to the full value therof, the one halfe of the same forfaiture to be to the vse of the Kinges highnesse, and the other halfe to bee to the vse of the finders of the same: And further it was enacted, that it should be lawfull to the Maister and VVardaines of the Pewterers, as well within the Cittie of London, as within euery o­ther Cittie, Borough, or Towne within this Realme where such wardaines were, & where no such wardaines were, to the head Officer or gouernour, head Officers or gouernours of the same Citty, Borough, or towne for y ^e time being, [Page] to appoint diuerse persons, most expert in know­ledge of the same, to make searche and seasure, and to take into their handes and possession all such wares as thereafter should be brought con­trary to the true intent and effect of the sayd act, in whose soeuer handes or possessions any such should bee found. And it was also enacted by the auctority abouesaide, that no person or per­sons occupyinge the sayde crafte or occupacion of Pewterers within this Realme should set on worke, or retaine in his or their seruice any persō or persons to be his or their Apprentice, or Iour­neyman estraunger borne out of this Realme, vpon paine to forfait for euery such Apprentice and Iourneyman tenne poundes sterlinge: And that no straūger borne out of this Realm should occupy, exercise, or vse, from the feast of Pentecost than next comming, the said craft of Pewterers, nor worke any manner of vessels or other ware aforesaide, to bee made of Tin or Pewter, within any place or places of this Realme, vpon paine of forfaiture of tenne poundes sterlinge: And also vpon paine of forfaiture of the same pewter or Tin so wrought, in whose hands soeuer it should be found or taken: And it was further enacted by the sayd aucthority that no person or persons being borne within this Realme, than occupying or exercising the sayd craft of Pewterers, should from thenceforth resorte into any straunge Regi­ons or Countreyes, there to vse, teach, or exercise the sayde craft of Pewterers vpon payne to lose the Priueledge & benefite of an Englishman.

And if in case any of the Kinges Subiectes, at [Page] that time beinge dwelling in any straung Coun­trey or Region, & there occupying the sayd craft of pewterers, did not repaire into this Realm with in three Moneths next after request & warning to him to be giuen, by writinge sealed with the common seale of the Wardaines of the said craft within the saide Cittie of London, and here in this Realme continually from thenceforth dwel & inhabite that then & from henceforth he should be reputed & taken as no Englishmā, but should stand and bee from henceforth out of the Kinges protection.

And it was than further enacted, that where sundry euill disposed persons, which commonly were called hawkers, by aucthority of y ^e Kings letters patentes or placarde, did not onely goe a­bout from place to place within this Realme, v­sing buying and selling of brasse and pewter, and by colour and pretence of the same Licences or Placards, did not only vse vnlawful & deceuable Weyghtes and Beames, but also did vse to sell both Brasse and Pewter, which was not good, nor truely or lawfully mixte or wrought, to the great deceite of the Kinges true lyege people con­trary to the fourme and effect of a good and lau­dable Act and Statute made in the fourth yere of the Kings said most noble raigne, that all such lycences & placardes afore that time had made or graunted to any such person or persons contra­ry to the true meaninge, forme, and effect of the sayd estatute, should be from thenceforth by the aucthority of the sayd Parlyament clearely voyd and of none effecte. And where as in the sayde [Page] acte of Parlyament (concerning the said craft of Pewterers and Brasiers) made in the saide fourth yeare, for diuerse causes and cōsiderations in the same act contayned, amongst other things it was expressed, that no person or persons, vsinge the sayd craft of Pewterers or Brasiers should from henceforth sell or chaunge any pewter or brasse, newe or olde, at any place or places within this Realme, but onely in open Fayres or Markets, or in their owne dwellinge houses, but if they were desired by the buyers of such wares, vpon paine of forfaiture for euery such defaulte tenne poundes. And so than the same forfaiture was to the only vse of y ^e Kings highnesse, and the party searching or findinge the same was not intituled to haue any benefite therby: it was not knowen that any person or persons had taken any paines to insearch or make any inquire therof. By rea­son wherof diuerse & many euill disposed persons than vsinge bying and selling as well of Brasse as Pewter, and not regardinge the sayd good act, nor the sayd penalty, went daily about from Village to village, Towne to towne, and from house to house, to sel such Pewter and Brasse, which was not good, and also vsed deceiuable Weightes and Beames, as they did before the makinge of the sayd act to the great hurt and deceyt of y ^e Kings true liege people and Subiectes. Wherfore it was enacted by the aucthority of the saide Par­liament, that aswell the moytie of the sayd forfei­ture of ten poundes limited in the saide statute made in the said fourth yeare, as also the moytie of all other forfeytures and penalties, expressed [Page] and specified in the said actes, and euery of them should be to the vse of the Kinges highnesse, his Heyres and Successors, and the other moytie of thesame forfeytures and penalties and euery of them to y ^e vse of him, or them that would seaze, finde or presente the same forfeytures or any of them, or that would sue for thesame in any com­petent Courte or Courtes within this Realme by action of debt, bill, plaint or information wherin the defendant should in no wise bee ad­mitted to wage his law, or any protection or es­soyne to any person or persons which should be impeched to haue offended contrary to the forme and effecte of this Statute, should be alowable, as in the sayd act more plainely appeareth, which act was appointed to indure onely to the ende of the next Parlyament than next followinge, and which act was after renewed in the Parliament holden at VVestminster, in the .xxviii. yeare of the raigne of our sayd Soueraigne Lorde, to indure vntill the ende of the next Parliament than next folowinge: And which act was also renewed at the Parliamente holden at VVestminster, in the xxxi. and .xxxii. yeares of our saide Soueraigne Lordes raigne to indure vntill the last day of the nexte Parliament than nexte ensuinge: Confir­macion. Prayen therfore in this presente Parliamente our saide Soueraigne Lordes true & obedient Subiects, the Pewterers of this his sayde Realme, & other the true commons of the same, because thesame acte is beneficiall and necessary for the common wealth of this Realme: That it may be enacted by the Kinge our sayde Soueraigne Lorde, the [Page] Lordes spirituall and temporall, & the commons in the present Parliament assembled, and by au­thority of thesame forasmuch as thesame, acte and euery thing therin contained, is good and be­neficiall to the common wealth of this Realme, that all and euery the sayde actes and statutes, and all and euery, article sentence and clause com­prised in thesame, may from henceforth stand & abide in as full strength and effecte for euermore from henceforth to indure, accordinge to the pur­port, tenour and effect of the same act & actes, as though the said articles sentences & clauses were specially limitted recited or declared in this presēt acte. VVares made & brought from be­yond the Sea. And that no person ne persons from hence­forth buy or take by exchange, or otherwise take into or within this Realme, to the intente to sell any such thinges or wares aboue rehersed, made or to bee made out of this Realme vpon paine of like forfaitures and penalties, as are and were expressed in the sayd seuerall actes, thesame pen­alties and forfaitures to be leuyed as is afore expressed.

Maister & VVardaines shall not be let to searche.And that it may be further enacted by aucto­rity aforesayde, that if any person or persons doo vnlawfully withstand, interrupt, disturbe, or let the Maister and VVardaines, or their deputies of the sayd craft of Pewterers for the time beeing, or the head Officer or gouernour, head Officers or gouernours of Citties, Townes & Boroughs within this Realme, wherin no such Maister and VVardaines are or shalbe, or any of them in sear­ching, seasing, and taking into their handes and possessions such wares as shall happen to bee [Page] bought or brought into this Realme contrary to the purport and effect of the saide estatute, made in the sayde .xxv. yeare of the raygne of our sayde Soueraigne Lorde, that then euery such person and persons so offendinge, in lettinge disturbing or withstanding the sayd seisure or taking of such wares as is aforesaide, shall lose and forfayte for euery time so dooinge the summe of fiue poundes sterlinge, the one halfe wherof, shalbe to y ^e Kings vse, and the other halfe to him or them that will or shall sue for thesame, by action of debt, writ, bill, plainte, or informacion in any the Kinges Courtes of recorde, in which action or suite no Protection, Priuiledge nor wager of law shalbe allowed nor admitted.