Acts Of Parliament Relating To Craftsmen.

ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO CRAFTSMEN .

BT THE EDITOK . I PUBLISH this transcript of two most important and interesting Acts of Parliament relative to the "Handicraftsmen , " artificers , and Freemasons , made from an ori ginal printed copy in his possession by an esteemed friend of mine , Bro . "W . H . Rylands , and kindly placed at my disposal . It is ,

in fact , an attempt to deal with the processes and customs of the Guilds Craft , dissolved 1 . Edward TL , 1547 . By the first Act Licensed Victuallers and others are forbidden to " conspire " to sell their their " victuals but at certayne prices , " aud artificers and workmen and labourers are forbidden to " confederate " and swear " mutual othes " to arrange the price at which they should work , and the hours and

tymes , under certain severe penalties . And the Act goes on to relate that if any societie , brotherhood , or company of any craft , mystery , or occupation do the same it shall be dissolved . Another proviso is that , that if any interference is made with any Freemason or artificer " borne in this realme , or made Denizens " ( naturalized ) , " in his work , heavy penalties are to be enforced b y the Justice of A . ssyse and

Peace , " etc . By this Act the power of the Craft Guilds was seriously affected , but in the third year of Edward VI ., 1549 , in consequence evidently of the complaint of the London Companies and the introduction of foreigners , the previous Act is repealed . It seems to me that we have full proof of the existence of a previous Guild Regime iu social life , and its gradual breaking up and extinction , outside the London Companies . But I may be wrong .

AOTES oi ? PABLIAMENT RELATING TO CEAFTESMEN . Session held at "Westminster " upon prorogation . " 4 th of November , Und Edward VI . [ 1548 ] " ancl there continued & kept to the . xiiij . daie of Marche , in the . iii . yere of oure saied soueraigne lorde , as foloweth " [ 1549 ] . Printed by Richard Grafton , April , 1549 . Folio xxiiii , etc . —

The XV . Chapiter . An act touchyng victaylers and handy-craftesmen . Forasmuche as of late dayes diners sellers of victuales , not contented with moderate and reasonable gayne , but myndyng to haue and to take for their victuals somuche as lust them , haue conspired and couenaunted together to sell their victuals at vnreasonable price : And likewise artificers ,

handycraftesmen and labourers haue made confederacies and promises , and haue sworne mutual othes , not only that they should not medle one with one anothers worke , and perfourme and finishe that another hathbegon , but also to costitute and appoint , how niuche worke they shal do in a day , ancl what houres & tymes they shal worke , contrary to the lawes and statutes of this realme , & to the great hurt and empouerishment of the k Maiesties subiectes

ynges For reformatio therof , it is ordayned and enacted by the kyng our souereigne Lorde the Lordes and Commons in this present Parliament assembled , and by the aucthoritie of thesame , that if any Boochers , Brewers , Bakers , Poulters , Cookes , Costermongers , or Fruterers , shall at any tyme from ancl after the first day of Marche next commying conspire , couenaunt ; promise or make any