[483] Leet Book, 687.
[484] Ib., 774, 778.
[485] Ib., 792. The masters of crafts exercised a particular form of oppression in forcing apprentices to take oaths on entering their service (cf. "the unlawful oaths of the dyers") perhaps to the effect that they would not set up in business after their apprenticeship was over. The craft masters were forbidden by leet to cause others to take an oath on "any point of their occupation" under penalty of a fine of 100s. "without any pardon" (Ib. 654).
[486] Leet Book, 690-1 (1525). The fines for admission varied with the different crafts. The cappers took from strangers 26s. 8d. and 13s. 4d. from town apprentices—payments extending over four years, but nevertheless so high as to prevent the poorer class from entering the craft in question. In 1518 the leet determined to overcome the crafts' exclusiveness. Fines were then fixed for apprentices at 6s. 8d., payable at setting up shop, and for strangers at 10s., of which 5s. was paid at the end of the first year, and 5s. at the end of the second year after starting business (Ib., 574, 655). The mercers' and drapers' apprentices paid the fine at the sealing of their indentures.
[487] Ib., 553-4. For the discontent this act called forth see p. 201.
[488] Leet Book, 671. Such was the rule among the cappers.
[489] Corp. MS. F. 2.
[490] Leet Book, 92-3.
[491] The member was "to warn" the master, who was to warn the other members of the fellowship (Carpenters' Accounts, Corp. MS. A. 4).
[492] Under penalty of 6s. 8d.