[517] Records of the Borough of Reading, Vol. III. pp. 512, 513. In 1640 £100 was paid for half the year and ten boys were appointed to be bound apprentices with such masters as the Mayor and aldermen had arranged, £10 being paid apiece for them.
[518] Reports of Char. Com. XXXII. Part 1, 221.
[519] In the Records of the Borough of Reading between 1630 and 1640 we have an instance of complaint by a pauper apprentice. We are told that "At this daye complaynt was made by the officers of Shinfeild that heretofore they gave v li in money and bound John Chaplen, borne in their parishe, apprentice to William Applebye of Readinge, weaver, for 15 yeares by indenture, of whiche terme 9 yeares are expired, and that the said apprentice for lacke of meate and drinke and apparell hath often-tymes run awaye, and is nowe brought agayne by the officers of Shinfeild desiringe a reformacion or restitucion of the v li.
"William Appleby saith he hath victualls as he himself and family daily have, and further saith that the said apprentice is soe ill-condicioned that he will still run awaye and hath noe hope of good service of him.
"All thinges heard, examyned and understood the said William Appleby was enjoyned to take his apprentice and to sett him to worke agayne and to use him well in all thinges.
"And the apprentice willed, when he is misused or ill treated to complayne to Mr Mayour, and he will provide further for him, as shalbe fitt and expedient in that behaulf." Records of the Borough of Reading, Vol. III., p. 233.
The poor boys of Reading appear to have been regularly placed as apprentices, sometimes by charitable funds and sometimes by the overseers.
[520] D. S. P., Chas. I., Vol. 190. 10. See Appendix XII.
[521] Norwich Court Books. 18th October, 1630.
[522] D. S. P., Chas. I., Vol. 388, No. 7, XXXVIII. 2.