[368] Statute 34 Ed. III, chap. 10, A.D. 1360–1.
[369] “Rolls of Parliament,” ii. p. 312.
[370] “Rolls of Parliament,” ii. p. 340, A.D. 1376. To have them outlawed brings no relief to their masters, for they manage not to be caught and carefully avoid the places where they are known: “Et si les ditz servantz corores soient utlagez à la sute de la partie, il n’est profit al sutour, ne damage ne chastiement al servant futyf, par cause q’ils ne poont estre trovez ne jà ne pensent repeirir en pays là cù ils ont ensi servi.” Same petition.
[371] Langland shows, in the same way, the shameless beggar who goes, bag on shoulder, asking from door to door, who may very well if he pleases gain his bread and beer by work; he knows a trade, but he prefers not to exercise it:
“And can som manere craft · in cas he wolde hit use,
Thorgh whiche craft he couthe · come to bred and to ale.”
“Piers Plowman,” Text C, pass. x. l. 155; see also ibid., pass. i. l. 40.
[372] “ . . . Par colour de certains exemplificacions faitz hors de livre de Domesday des manoirs et villes deinz queux ils sont demurantz, et par vertue d’icelles exemplificacions et lour male interpretacion d’icelles, ils s’aferment (affirm) d’estre quites et outrement deschargez de tout manere de servage due sibien de lour corps come de lour tenures. . . . Et qe plus est, ils se coillient ensembles à grantz routes et s’entrelient par tiel confederacie qe chescun aidra autre à contester lours seignurs à fort mayn.” Rich. II, chap 6, year 1377; “Rolls of Parliament,” vol. iii. pp. 17, 46, 65.
[373] Statute 7 Rich. II, cap. 5.
[374] Statute 12 Rich. II, cap. 3.