Regulations for the Relief of the Poor at Norwich

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Date 1570
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City and country of origin Norwich, England
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[Records of the City of Norwich, ed. Hudson and Tingey, Vol. II., pp. 339-58. ]

(1) The census of the poor in the small ward of St. Stephen, 1570.

Theis be the names of the poore within the saide Citie as they ware vewed in the year of our Lord god 1570. In the tyme of Mr John Alldereche Maior. The Parishe of St. Stevenes- Robert Rowe of the age of 46 yeres, glasier, in no worke, and Elizabeth his wyfe that spinne white warpe and have five children, 2 sonnes the eldist of the age of 16 yeres that kepe children, and the other, daughters that spinne, and have dwelt here ever.-In Thomas Masons house, no alums, indifferent. Agnes Nicholes, wydowe, of the age of 40 yeres that sowe, and have dwelt here ever.-In Thomas Brounes house, no alums, indifferent.

John Hubburd, of the age of 38 yeres, butcher, that occupie slaughterie, and Margarit his wyfe of the age of 30 yeres that sell souce, and 2 young children, and have dwelt here ever.-No alums, veri pore.

Richard Gugle, of the age of 30 yeres, glasier, that worke not, and Dorithie his wyfe of the same age, that spinne white warpe, having a yung childe and have dwelt here alwaies. In his owne house, indifferent. An Bucke of the age of 46 yeres, wydowe, souster and teatcheth children, and hath two children, the one of the age of 9 yeres and the other of 5 yeres that worke lace, and have dwelt here ever. No allums, but verie poore.

Margarit Turner, wydowe, of the age of 50 yeres that spinne and help others, and have dwelt here 22 yeres.-In Robert Carters house, no allums, indifferent. William Carter of the age of 22 yeres, diseased of a sore legge •

..

and is without comfort and have dwelt here ever.-No allums but verie pore.

Thomas Pele of the age of 50 yeres, a cobler in worke, and Margarit his wyfe of the same age that spinne white warpe, and have 3 children, the elldist of the age of 16 yeres that spinne, and the other of the age of 12 and of 6 yeres that go to scoole, and have dwelt here 9 yeres and came from Yorkeshere. In the parish house, no allums but verie pore. Edmund Harman of the age of 38 yeres, lace wever, and Tamizin his wyfe of the age of 37 yeres that spinne white warpe, havinge five children, the elldist of the age of 10 yeres, .

and 2 of them spinne, and the rest be yunge and have dwelt here ever. No allums but verie pore.

...

John Tastes of the age of 40 yeres, cordiner that worke not, and Alice his wyfe of the same age that sowe, having 2 sonnes, the one of the age of 11 yeres, the other of the age of 8 yeres whiche bothe goo to scoole, and have dwelt here ever.-In Mris Brounes house, no alums, indifferent.

Alixander Fulborne of the age of 40 yeres, taylor in no worke, and Agnes his wyfe of the same age that knitt and helpe others, having two doughters, the eldist of the age of 17 yeres that spinne, and the other of the age of 12 yeres that spinne allsoo, the eldist is lame, and have dwelt here ever.-In Mr Grenes house, ija a weke, veri pore. John Petingale of the age of 40 yeres, laborer not in worke, and Agnes his wyfe of the same age that do knitt and helpe VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF others, and have three children, the eldist of the age of 9 yeres that goo to scoole, and have dwelt here 7 yeres.-In Mr Grenes house, ija a weke, verie pore. Michaell Maste of the age of 26 yeres, blacksmith out of worke, and Suzan his wyfe of that age, verie sicke and have dwelt here ever.-In Collinsonns house, no alums, verie pore. Agnes Warner of the age of 60 yeres, wydowe, that sowe and have a childe verie yunge and have dwelt here 30 yeres. In the parish house, ijd. a weke, veri pore.

John Brigit of the age of 30 yeres, carpenter, and Margarit his wyfe of the same age, great with childe, that soweth, and have dwelt here 2 yeres.-In Collisons house, no alums, verie poore.

...

Helen Hanworthe of the age of 40 yeres, never married, that spinne and carde and have dwelt here ever, havinge a sore legge. -In Bemonds house, no alums, verie poore. Nicholas Fox of the age of 40 yeres, lininge wever that occupieth not. And Agnes his wyfe of the age of 50 yeres that spinne white warpe, and have three children, the elldist of the age of 8 yeres that goo to scoole, and have dwelt here twentie yeres. In Wallias house, ijd. a weke, verie pore. ..

John Burr of the age of 54 yeres, glasier, verie sicke and worke not, and Alice his wyfe of the age of 40 yeres that spinne, and have 7 children, the eldist of the age of 20 yeres, the other of 12 yeres, the other of 10 yeres, the other of 8 yeres, the other of 6 yeres, and the other of 4 yeres and the other of the age of 2 yeres that canne spinne woole, and have dwelt here ever.-In his owne house, no allums, indifferent. John Findley of the age of 82 yeres, cowper not in worke, and Jone his wyfe sicklie that spinne and knitt, and have dwelt here ever. In the churtch house, iiijd. a weke, verie pore. Edmond Todd of the age of 44 yeres, darnix wever in worke, and Alice his wyfe of the age 42 yeres that spinne white warpe, havinge three children, the eldist of the age of 13 yeres, the other of 10 yeres, the other of 6 yeres, and the eldist doughter spinne, and have dwelt here ever.-In Mathew Harmans house, ija. a weke, verie pore. .

..

Roger Steevenson, of the age of 52 yeres, capper, but now make pattonnes, and Jone his wyfe of the same age that spinne [ and carde, havinge 4 children, the eldist of the age of 12 yeres, the other of the age of 6 yeres, the other of 4 yeres, and the other of 3 yeres, and have dwelt here 30 yeres and more. In Pipes house, no alums, indifferent. Katherin Downinge of the age of 60 yeres, never maried, that spinne white warpe ; and Cristian Collard of the age of 40 yeres, that knitt, and have dwelt here alwayes.—In Mr Mingeis house, no allums but verie pore.

Cicela Clare of the age of 60 yeres, wydowe, that knitt, and have dwelt here ever.-iija. a weke, verie pore. [Eighteen other entries.]

..

(2) The orders for the poor. 1571.

This booke and orders made within the Cittye of Norwiche had manye occasions moved therunto for the better provision of the poore, the ponishement of vacabondes, the settinge on worke of loyterers and other idle parsons, thexpulcinge of stronge beggers, the mayntayninge the indigente and nedie, and the practizinge of youthe to be trayned in worke, in learninge and in the feare of God, so as no parson shoulde have neede to goe abegginge norbe suffred to begge within the seyde cittye. Whiche orders begonne are ratefyed in open assembly to be putte in practize within the seyde cittye, from the Feaste of St John the Baptiste [24 June] 1571, in the tyme of master John Aldriche, Maiour, and lyke by Godes grace to contynue to the greate pleasure of all mightye God, and the proffytte and woorshippe of this cyttie uppon the occasions hereafter ensuenge, viz. Fyrste, for that dyverse of the cittizens felte themselves agreeved that the cittie was so replenysshed with greate nombres, poore people bothe men, women and chyldren, to the nombre of ijm and ccc parsons whoe for the most parte wente dayely abroade from dore to dore counterfeattinge a kinde of worke but indeede dyd verie lyttle or none at all.

And for that they were soffred and nourished at everie mans dore withoute inqueriinge from wheare they came, they encreased to suche noombre as the strangers beggars (onelye) surcharged the cittie above cc poundes by yere.

コ VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF Moreover those that daielie wente abowt pretendinge to satisfye their hunger, were not onelye contented to take at mens doores that suffized them, but being overgorged they caste foorthe the reste into the streete, so that they might be followed by the sight therof in pottage, breade, meate, and drinke which they spoiled verie voluptuouslye.

Agayne, these crewes in their contynuall beggynge respected no worke to prepare them lodginge, but used churche porshes, mens seller[s], doores, barnes and haye chambers, and other back corners to bestowe themselves, and suche as had howses did not worke for lodginge other then that they laye upon the colde grownde. So cared they not for apparrell, though the colde strooke so deepe into them, that what with diseases and wante of shyftenge their Fleshe was eaton with vermyne and corrupte diseases grewe upon them so faste and so grevouslye as they were paste remedye, and so much charges (by this meanes) bestowed upon one that wold have suffized a great sorte came all to waste and consummacion, nott with standinge their churche gatheringe

(some tyme twoo or thre in a daye) so greved the inhabitantes that theye ernestly called for reformacion, aludinge [alleging] the comon colleccion, the charges at their doores to be verie excessive.

More over, for wante of brewers and lookers abowt, the victualling houses were stuffed with players and dronkerdes that so tended the drynke all daye that they could not enclyne to woorke. And in ther pottes they abused the holy name of God with swearenge, pratinge and lyenge to the gret offence of all mightye God, the distruccion of them selves and the comon welth, defiled ther bodies with filthines that the ofte ponnishinge their vices so occupied the maiestrates as the chief matters of the comon wealthe was fayne to be delayede, that other wayes had moste nede of precedinge, althoughe dyves skaped unponnisshed. These and suche lyke cawses often complayned of, after greate delyberat consultacion had by the Maiour, Shreves, Aldermen and Comen Cownsell was selected twoo Aldermen and twoo comoners to viewe a booke of orders sett downe and to the sembly preferred, who agenst another assembly perfyghted it and presented it in maner followenge :

The preamble to the orders for the pore.

Wher as nott with stondinge with greate diligence and care aswell by estatutes made to ponishe vagaboundes and disordered persons as also to make colleccions to susteyne the indigente and needye which hath bene putte in practize (in the same cittie) to the comforte of a greate nombre in hope to suffize that neede :

Yet by reason foolyshe pittie movinge manye to make provision at their doores (hopinge to doe good) the same hath bredd such resorte as nott with standinge the provision aforeseyde yt hath made the greattest nombre to leave their workes to attende suche aulmes as therbye they have atchived to suche ydlenesse and have founde it (as they thynke) more profitable to them then to doe anye woorke at all.

Wherbie not onelye them selves are noseled therin, but also their younge chyldren have had their chiefe bringinge up therin that for wante of exercize of bodye and shyfte of apparrell bothe the olde and the yonge falle (by extreeme povertye) into suche incurable diseases and filthines of bodye as one so corrupteth another that the charge to heale them is verie greate. Besydes the same are suche cloakes to retayninge strangers, beggars (lyke them selves), into their houses which they ofte take in unto them to helpe the dyscharge of their howsse rente, as

(by their disorder) the maiestrates of the cittie are so trowbled with searchinge and correctinge them that the chiefe cawses of comon wealthe is fayne to give place eyther to be talked of or reformed .

All whiche (withoute reformacion) in fewe yeeris a greate parte of the revenues of the cittye wyll skarse suffyze to mayteyne them. Which seene and considered and from tyme to tyme complained of to have bene reformed, even for wante of good wyll to putte good lawes and ordinaunces in execution nothinge have bene done, tyll now of late they be growen to the fulle that withoute speedye remedye the reformacon wyll be paste helpe.

Wherfor at an assemblye holden the thred daye of Maye 1571 John Aldriche, then Maiour, and Thomas Gleane and Robert VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF Goslynge, Shreeves, upon motion made ther by the sed Maiour was graunted for and to the reformation hereof, that the monye wekelye in the citie collected for the poore througheowte the citie shall be dowbled. And then and ther by vertue of the seide assemblye was appointed Mr. Thomas Beamonde, Alderman, Master Symonde Bowde, Alderman, John Sotherton Junior, and John Brierton, whiche Fower persons have drawne a booke of orders to the ende that the monye so graunted maybe converted to the reformation of the evilles aboveseide as hereafter ensewethe, viz.

None to begge in payne of vi stripes. Fyrst, that no parson or parsons olde or yonge shalbe suffred to go abrode after a generall warninge gyven, or be founde abeggynge in the stretes, at the sermon or at anie mans dore, or at anie place within the Citie, in payne of sixe stripes with a whippe.

None to sustayne anie beggars at ther dores in paine of the statutes .

Nor that anie parson or parsons shall sustayne or fede anye such beggers at their dores, in payne of such fyne as is appoynted by estatute and further to paye for everi tyme fower pence, to be collected by the deacons, and to go to the use of the poore within the seide Citie.

A working place at the Normans for men and women.

Item, that at the house called the Normans in the convenient- este place therfor, shall be appointed a workinge place, as well for men as for women, viz. for the men to be prepard serteyne mawlte quernes to grinde mawlte and suche excersises. And for the women to spinne and carde and such lyke exersises.

Twelve parsons to be set a worke and of ther kepinge and Which workinge place shall contayne to sett twelve parsons continuance.

or more upon worke, which parsons shall be kepte as presonars to worke for meate and drinke for the space of twentie and one dayes at the leaste, and longer yf cawse serve, and they shall not eate but as they can earne (excepte som frende wyll be bownde for them) , that the Citie shall nomore be trowbled with them, with this proviso, that such parsons as shallbe thether comytted shall be suche as be hable to worke and daielie notwithstandinge wyll not worke but rather begge, or be withowte master or husbonde, or ellis be vacabowndes or loyterers. The howers to worke both wynter and somer. Whiche parsons shall begynne their woorkes at fyve of the clok in sommer viz. from ower Ladie the annunciacion [25 March]

untyll Mykellmes, and shall ende ther workes at eight of the cloke at nighte, and in wynter to begyn at sixe of the cloke from Mikellmes to ower Ladie, and to ende ate seven of the cloke at nighte or halfe an hower past, with the alowaunce of one halfe hower or more to eate and a quarter of an hower to spende in prayer.

Those sent to Bridwel to be by warrente. Ponishment for those that will not worke.

And everye one sent thether shall be by warrante from the Maior or his deputie or deputies to the bailie ther, upon which warrante the balie shall be bownde to receive every one so sente and see them sett a woorke. And those that shall refuse to do their workes to them appointed or kepe their howers, to be ponissed by the whipp at the discrecion of the wardens or balie of the house.

The Maior to be master of Bridwel. Fower aldermen to be commissioners over the fower great wardes .

Item, yt is further orderid that the maior shall be entiteled Governour (or heade master) of Bridwell ; And also that ther be appoynted by assemblye every yere fower aldermen, they to be named comitties or comissioners for the viewe of the state of the poore throwghowte the whole citie. One to take the charge of both Conesforthes [and] Bearestrete, another St. Stevens, St. Peters and St. Gyles, the thred the whole warde of Wymer, and the fowrth the otherside of the water, and everie one to go throwghe his warde. The comissioners to apointe al officers.

And theise to appoynte all offycers aswell partaynynge to everi warde as to the house of Bridwell, viz. the Balie of Bridwell, the Deacons of wardes, the selecte women, surveiors and all other offycers eniewaye to the poore appartayninge, as unto their discresions shall seme. And the same to presente to VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF master Maior to be confirmed in their offyces for that yer the fyrst cowrte daye after the new Maiors charge.

Officers to hold and do ther offyce or ellis to be fyned by the Maior and most of his bretherne.

And those officers so confirmed shall holde their offyces untyll by the comyssioners they shall be disalowed, and yf they shall fayle to take upon them ther offyce or shall not do ther indeaver for one yere to take paynes in all thinges that unto them do appartayne, that then they shall be fyned by the Maior and the more parte of his bretherne as unto ther dyscrecions shall appartayne, so ofte as everi one shall be fownde remisse therein. The aucthorite of the comissioners from master Maior.

And yt is further orderid that the seyde comitties shall have aucthorite from master Maior, as well in Bridwell as in everi warde, and upon everie parson unto ani offyce to the poore appartayninge, or for anye that payeth or levieth monye to that use, to alowe and disalowe, comaunde, correcte, refourme, place and displace, or to do anie thinge or thinges, which they do in master Maiors name, allwayes reserved they and ther deputes to be the doers.

The comissioners to do ther office, or ellis to be fined. Provided allwayes that the seid comitties, Alldermen so chosen, shall as everie other offycer, do theyr offyce for that yer, and shall take accoumpte of all monye receyved and paide to the use of the poore, and se that the wardens have moni to discharge all reparacions and other charges ther to be done ; and upon their defaulte thei to be fined by the discrecon of master Maior and the more parte of his bretherne, lokinge for no geyne or advantage therfor, and shall make ther accowmptes accordinge to the statute unto master Maiour or others by hym appoynted.

Twoo wardens to be appointed for Bridwell and of ther charge.

Item, upon the seid aucthorite be also appoynted twoo mete men to be wardens of Bridewell, and they to be such hable men as can and shall awnswer the charge, aswel of monie, lynninge, beddinge, utencels of howsholde, instrwmentes to worke withe, cattel, specialties, and ellis whatso ever therunto belongethe, and to furnishe thinges therto nedefull, viz. bedding, pewter, brasse, treane vessell, ironworke, wasshine bowls, twbbes, cardes, whelis and suchelyke, and shall kepe a regester therof, as also of all legaces, gyftes and bequestes gyven to the poore. The same to remayne from yere to yere.

What wode, cole, butter and chese thei shall laye in and take accoumpte of the balye.

And to laye in or cawse to be laied in everyyere Fyve hunndreth woode, twoo lodes of charcole, three lodes of seacole, twoo barrelles of butter, and twoo weys of chese, which theie shall provide at the beste cheape. And they to take of the balie the accowmpte therof quaterlye, to the ende to save that stoke to prepare woolle and other stwffe to be wrowghte ther (or of the children at the Hospitall). To repaire the houses. Of their aucthorite. Also to see the howses repayred and all maner of correccions ther to be done ; and to receyve and paye for one whole yere. And they to have awcthorite to controll everie offycer of the same howse excepte the aldermen comitties.

The wardens to accompte to the Awditors etc. One of them to remaine warden twoo yeris. The day of the eleccon. And Further they shall yealde to the comon Awditors of the citie yearlie their accowmpte of all receipts, paiementes and remayners of all thinges. And everi yere one to be chosen to the olde warden, the same to remayne for twoo yeris, and either of them to have for their paynes everie yere Fortie shillinges a pece. The same eleccon to be made on the daye of St. John the Baptiste [24 June] from yere to yere. Provided allwaies that yf the seid feaste fall upon the Sondaye the same eleccon to be done the daye after. ...

[Here follow orders 'For the Balie of Bridwell ' and ' For twelve children to be browt up in St Gyles Hospitall,' and ' For children and others in Wardes.' These are followed by ' Orders for the Deacons,' under the following headings : 1. ' Deacons in everi ward to be apoynted to haue the oversight of the poore of their warde.'

2. To have the names of the poor of the warde that have not remained three yeris to be sente awaye. To search onis in a moneth in paine of three shillinges and fourpence.' VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF

3. ' Who thei shall certifie to the comitties. [Those) that can worke not to ronne abowght.' 4. ' [Those] that will not worke to be placed with the selecte women. To certifie the names of disordered parsons.' 5. To certifie the nomber of children not hable to be sustayned of them.' ،

6. To certifie the nombre of bigge wenches and boyes to go to servis. Each that begge to be ponished.' 7. To certifie vagabondes etc to be ponished.' ،

8. 'All moni or other thinges gyven to be done by the deacons.' 9. ' [Those] that refuse to do ther duetye to forfet fortie shillinges. One to continue for twoo yearis.'

10. The pore to receive the somes wekely apointed.' 11. ' All giftes, colleccons, legaces etc, to go to the use of the pore.'] Finis.

Theis orders hath bene attried and putt in practize in the seide citie, and is fownde to redowne to theis comodities hereafter ensewenge, viz. Fyrst that of ixel children which daielie was ydle and did nothinge butt begge, the same now kepte in worke may earne one with another vj d. a weke, which a mownte in the yere to jm. ije xxxv li. which the comon wealth doth reape benefyte therbye.

Also that iijxx iiij men which dayelie did begge and lyved ydely and now ar hable and do earne xij d. a weke at the leaste, besides the wekely awllmes, which amownte everi yere je iijxx vj li. viij s. , and iiij nobles a weke ther aulmes at iijxx x li by yer.

Also that je iiijxx women which dayelie did begge and lived idely and nowe ar hable to earne at lest some xij d., some xx d., and som ij s. vjd. a weke, which befor notwithstandynge the aullmes doth omownte yerelye vijc iiijxx li., of which both men and womens labor the comon wealth do reape the benefyt, besydes iiij nobles a weke ther aulmes ijc li. [sic, ? iijxx x li.]. Also that the citie hath bene charged and stode charged in benevolens to sych strangers as have come owte of the contrye to enhabyt within this citie by suffrance to the som of ije li. by yere. 21 * Also the citie hath bene wekelye charged in collexcions by lysences granted to the healynge of such as hath fallen into diseases by reason of their ydlenes and colde, by evell lodginges and wante of shyfteninge of ther apparell, of ijo lysences in a yere, everi of them at the leaste amowntinge to xxvj s. viij d. apece ijo iijxx vj li. xiij s. iiij d. Also the surcharges gyven at mens dores in provision more and above that men nowe be wekelye rated, beinge caste with the leaste amownteth to the some by yere of je 1 li. Some of the yerely benefyte amownte unto iijm jexviij li. j s. iiij d. [sic]. Besydes greatly and ofte trowblynge the maiestrates with the ponishment of vacabondes, of which they are nott nowe trowbled with the tenth parte for the feare of the terrour of the house of Bridwell and besyd St. Pawles, travell in making upp thaccompt and in seing good rule and order amongst the beggers and vacabondes.

These thinges beinge voised abrode and understanded, was geven unto the citie great comendacion, wherupon the Lorde of Cannturburies grace, bearinge good wyll to the citie as it seamed, sente unto the Maiour to understande of the orders and of the profytt that the citie reaped therbye, wherupon in hope that some further benefyt (from hym) was hoped to redounde to the citie, was a book made and sent to hym, the contentes ar as apperieth on the other syde [i.e. as above]. Orders for the Select Women.

In primis, yow ar to receive everi workinge day into your house, six, eight, tenne or twelve persons at the moste in one house of such idle personnes that ronne aboute a begginge or will woorke at pleasure as they liste.

Item, to theise you ar to doo your good will in teachinge them, but especiallie to have regarde that theie spende not theire tyme idlye but to compell them to woorke. And yf they will loyter to giue punnishment, six stripes with a rodde. Yf it be such as be paste the rodde, to have six or tenne stripes with a roopes ende, or with a holie wande or hesell, or some other reasonable stycke. Item, yf anie doo stubbernly refuse your correction and will VAGRANCY AND POOR RELIEF turne againe uppon yow, then yow ar to sende for one of the Deacons, and he is to se yow giue that stubburne punnishment doble so moch as is above saide. And yf the partie will continewe stubburne after his punnishment, the Deacon is to sende the partie to Bridewell there to receive punnishment with a whippe.

Item, all such idle persons as you have or shall have charge here appoynted, viz. from Michaelmas till our Ladies Day in lent [25 March] to be at your house at worke before viij of the clocke in the mornynge, and to goo to ther dinners, yf theie of ar to come to your house everi woorkinge day at the howers bringe ther dinners with them, at xj of the clocke, and to returne and be at woorke by one, and to remaine woorkinge till it be past fower ; and from our Ladies Day till Michaelmas to be at woorke by vj of the clocke in the mornynge, and to retorne to theire dinners as is aforesaide. And from one to woorke till it be paste vij of the clocke at nighte. Item, yf anie that shalbe appointed will not kepe theire howres and dayes but loyter at pleasure, yow ar to certifie the deacons therof. And the deacons are to examen them, and to knowe the cause that they kepe from woorke. And if the deacons perceive that the faulte is in theire parentes they ar to giue warnynge thereof to ther parentes, that yf theie doo not se and drive theire youth to woorke and kepe theire howers and dayes, theie ar to loese the relefe wekelie giuene unto them and allso to be punnished. Otherwise yf it be the idlenes of the learner, that person or persons ar to be caried to the select weomen and there to be punnished.

Item, yf ther be such yowthe that will nether be rewled by theire frindes nor by the select weomen, the deacons ar to sende such to Bridewell and there to receive punnishment and coller of yron, and from thence to be sent to the select weomen from whence theie came. And theire to remaine from tyme to tyme till such be brought to woorke. Item, all such as doo woorke with the select weomen, yf theire frindes or themselves will fynde the stuffes and the woorkinge tooles, theie ar to have the profittes. Item, all such as be placed with the select weomen yf theire frindes or themselves will of a stubburne or leude mynde nether fynde them stuffes, nor thinges to woorke withall (as rockes, cardes, wheles, or such other thinges wherwith theie shold woorke), then yfthe select weomen shall fynde them stuffes and woorkinge tooles shall set them on anie such woorkes, theie to haue the profit of theire labor and pay them for ther labor accordinge to theire discretion untill they shall bringe stuffes and be of a better mynde and see to worke for them selues or for theire frindes .

Theis thinges beynge ended and finished was a seasment made throughout the saide citie by Mr. John Aldrich then Maior and the Aldermen of everie warde to be doble rated accordinge to the act of assemblie and so sett downe what euerie one shoold pay to the provision of the saide pore wekely by the nombre of wardes, and allso what ech pore shoolde weekely receive. Rated the weke before Midsomer 1571.