WHereas at a generall quarter Sessions holden at Bedford the xix . day of Aprill , in the xxvii . yere of the Queenes Maiesties raigne that nowe is , for the auoyding of Idlenesse , and for the reformation of idle euill disposed Roges , Vacabonds and other lewde persons within the Countie of Bedford , the nomber whereof now of late haue greatly abounded , and daily more and more doe encrease , to the great displeasure of Almightie God , breach of the Queenes Maiesties Lawes , trouble of her louing Subiects , and great hinderance to the impotent poore , whose reliefe thereby is taken away , which thing cheifly groweth for want of a conuenient place and meanes to set the said Roges and Vacabonds on worke , and to correct them for their disorders : whereby they may not onely be forced to labour for their owne liuing : but also be kept from their wicked and vngodly course and trade of their wandering licencious and abominable life .

It was agreed and fully concluded by the right Honorable Henrie . Earle of Kent , Henrie , Lord Cheney of Tuddington , Thomas Snag , Sericant at the lawe , Lewes Diue Csquire , and other the Queenes Maiesties Justices of Peace of this Countie of Bedford , then assembled , that according to the intent & meaning of the statutes made in the xiiii . and xviii . yeeres of the Queenes Maiesties raigne a house of Correction and Stockes of Wares to set the Idle on worke , and officers and workmen , both to instruct them in worke , and to rule and guide them in good order , should with all conuenient speede be prouided within this Countie , for which purpose there is appointed three Justices of Peace of this shire , to take vppon them the chardge and care to prouide a conuenient house for that purpose , and put the same in order , and to prouide stockes of Wares and other things necessarie for the correction , instructing , ruling , ordering , and setting on worke of al such persons as should be committed into the same house by any of her Maiesties Justices of Peace in this Countie . And to that end it was then also agreed , that a taxation should be made within this Countie , according to the statute in that case prouided . Whereupon assesments be made and taxed by the said Justices of Peace thorowe all the Hundreds and parts of this shire , vpon persons most meete to contribute thereunto , for a conuenient summe of money to be leuied for the sayde house , and other the good purposes aforesayd . The sayd Justices of Peace haue thought it good , meete and conuenient , aswell for the furtherance of this good purpose aforesayd , as for the better satisfying of them which be contributors to the same , to giue notice and knowledge to all the inhabitaunts of this Countie , that the said house is at Bedford seen and vewed by three of the sayd Justices of Peace , to be in all respects apt and fit for the purpose aforesayd , which house is appointed to be ( by Gods fauour ) vpon the next comming , fully prepared and made readie to receiue , correct , order , rule , and set on worke al such vagrant Roges , Vagabonds , and other disordred persons , as shall be sent thither by any Justice of Peace of this Countie , and that the Constable . Tythingman , Hedburroughs , or other Officer , bringing by the warrant of any Justice of Peace of this Countie , any such Vagabound , Roge , or other disordred person , shall receiue at the sayd house of correction of the Keeper of the sayd house , a Penny for euery myle betweene the place where the Justices warrant is made , and the sayd house of Correction , as shal be expressed in the sayd Warrant , towards his charges and paynes in bringing of the same Roge. And the sayd Justices doe also giue notice and knowledge hereby , to all such persons , as being assessed to contribute to this good worke , and doe refuse or delay to pay forthwith to the high Constables or other persons appointed to receiue the summes vppon them taxed , that then the sayd Justices wil forthwith proceede against such refusers , according to the seueritie of the lawes for such penalties and forfaitures , as by their defaults in that behalfe shal be lost and forfaited , that is to say , for the double value of the summes vpon them seuerally taxed , to be leuied vppon their Lands by distresse or of their goods by saile thereof . And lastly , they also do notifie and make it knowen vnto all the inhabitants of this Countie , that that euery Towne , Village and Hamlet , through all parts of this Countie there shal be a strong Watch and Warde kept from Sunne setting , vntill next day at night , and withall a generall and diligent searche made the sayd day at night , and the next day following it shal be made and continued . In which Searche , Watch and ward , so many Roges , vagabonds , beggers , and other suspicious and vnknowen persons as shal be found , shall be apprehended and brought before the next Justice of Peace , and vpon examination , to be by him committed to her Maiesties Gaile , or to the sayd house of correction at his discretion , as the case shall require . And for the better preseruing of this Countrie after that tyme , clearly from Roges and Vagabonds , the sayd Justices haue likewise thought good to admonish all Constables , pettie Constables , Tythingmen , and other Officers and inhabitaunts within this Countie , to whom it appertaineth not onely diligently and duely to continue and keepe euery night their Watches from the sayd next comming , vntill the feast of Saint Michael next following , in euery Towne , Village and Hamlet , according to the statute of Winchester , vpon the paine therein limitted . But also that there doe no Roge , Vagabond nor Begger after the sayd passe by Day or by night throught any Towne , Village or Hamlet , vnarrested or vnbrought before a Justice of Peace , vpon the paynes limited in the statute in that behalfe lately prouided , that is to say , vi . s. viii . d. for euery default , the same to be leuied by distresse vppon their Lands , or by sale of their goods of euerie Constable , Tithingman or Officer offending in that behalfe . And likewise no person being an Inhabitaunt within this Countie , after the saide next , doe releeue any Roge , Vagabond , or wandering begger vnlicensed , vpon the paine of xx . s. for euery default , to be leuied vpon his Lands or goods , according to the statute in maner and forme aforesaid , which paines and forfaitures certainly shal be leuied vpon the goods of euerie offender in that behalfe , without mittigation . And for the auoyding of all excuses touching the reprehension of Roges , vagabonds and beggers , the said Justices do further giue knowledge to al such poore persons , as haue licenses to collect the charitable almes of others in any Hundreds or parts of this Countie , yet vnexpired and standing in force ( except such as haue lycenses to beg for their houses burnt with Fire ) and such as haue lycenses vnder the great Seale of England , that they forthwith seuerally repaire to the Justices of the Limmits wherein they doe seuerally dwell , who will make other conuenient prouision for their reliefe , without wandering abrode any more .