[224] The following account of the transactions at this time concerning the poor of Norwich is derived from two large folio volumes. They are in manuscript and are bound in leather. One is entitled "The Maiores Booke for the Poore." Inside the cover is written "This booke made in the feaste of St John the Baptiste 1576. In the xviiith yere of the rayne of our soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of god quene of Enland, France and Irelande defender of the faithe and dothe containe certaine orders made for the poore of the Citie of Norwiche as allso the names of everie of them, the saide poore regestrede in everie warde vewede. Beginnynge the xxth day of June 1571 according to a statut made. And allso what searcementes ware made for the wekelye contribution unto suche as had neede of whome the same sholde be receivede, and lykewise to whome the same sholde be payede. With the names of the Deaconnes and collectors, tharefore appoyntede, in everie warde to receive and make distribution thereof, according to the same orders, and accordinge to the commandemente of Mr Maior and the Justices from tyme to tyme." This book is continued down to the year 1579. The second book contains the proceedings from 1571 to 1580. Both volumes often contain the same entries in almost the same words; the census is given only in the first volume, the orders are fully quoted only in the second. The contents of the "wrighting" to the Archbishop of Canterbury are given in different versions in both books. Besides this there is a little book containing in rougher notes the list of poor who are to depart the City, to receive money or to be placed with the "select women." Lastly there is a loose paper containing the accounts of the different collectors, with the aldermen of the wards.
[225] Thus in Middle Wymer the classification was as follows:—
| Indifferent | Able to work | Not able to work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 20 | 50 | 14 |
| Women | 32 | 89 | 13 |
| Children | 58 | 52 | 69 |
In other districts a few were ordered to depart and one or two were described as disreputable.
[226] Thus Richard Smith has one sonne "that goe to scole at times." See Appendix.
[227] Thus the following is a fairly typical entry concerning a man belonging to the parish of St John's on the Hill in the ward of "Bearestrete":
| In Nichols fleman's house iiid a weke indiff. | Roger Mason of the age of 56 yeres tailor that worketh, and Elizabeth, his wyfe, of the age of 38 yeres that spins warpe and one daughter of the age of 6 yeres that is idle; he hath dwelt here 32 yeres. |
See also Appendix where the part of the census relating to St Peter's of Southgate is printed.
[228] The following are the first four names in the list for St John Sepulchre:
| pd before | pay now | |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Haydon gent. | vid. | viiid. |
| Mr Smyth | 0d. | iiiid. |
| Richard Blofield | iii | vid. |
| Robert Spingold | iid. | iid. etc. |