Eavesdroppers
Also you shall inquire of Eues droppers, and those are such as by night stand or lye harkening under walles or windowes of other men’s, to hear what is said in another man’s house, to the end to set debate and dissension between neighbors, which is a very ill office: therefore, if you know any such, present them.
Forestallers, Regraters and Ingrossers
Also you shall inquire of Forestallers, Regraters, and Ingrossers, euill members in a Commonwealth.
A Forestaller is hee which buyeth or causeth to be bought any victualls whatsoeuer going to any Faire or Market to bee sold, and maketh any bargaine for the buying thereof before the same bee brought into the Faire or Market, or doth make any motion for the inhancing of the price of any victuals, or doth mooue or perswade any person comming to the Faire or Market with victuals, to absent and forbeare his comming thither with any victuall to be sold there.
Regrator is hee that getteth into his hands in any Faire or Market any Corne, Tallow, or Candles, or any dead victuall whatsoeuer, brought to any Faire or Market to be sold, and doth sell the same againe in any Fair or Market, within foure miles next adioyning thereunto.
An Ingrosser is he or she that doth ingrosse and get into his or her hands, by buying or promise taken, other than by demise, grant, or lease, of bonde or bill of Corne growing in the Fields, or any other Corne, Graine, butter, Cheese, Fish, or any other dead victuall whatsoeuer to the intent to sell the same again for profit.
For the first offence they ought to haue two moneths imprisonment, without bail or mainprise, and forfeit the value of the goods bought and sold.
For the second offence they ought to haue halfe a yeeres imprisonment, and to forfeit double the value of the goods bought and sold.