unnecessarie assemblies, in respect of the plague, within x miles of London untill Esther next.
(b)
[1574, Nov. 15. Extract from report on papers of W. M. Molyneux
Hist. MSS. vii. 627).]
Letter from Lords of the Council to the Sheriff and Justices of the
Peace of co. Surrey. Ordering 'that there be no plays shewes nor
any such unnecessarie assemblies vsed in that countie within ten
myles of the cytie vntill Easter next vppon payne of imprisonment
to such as shall in any wies offend to the contrarie': it having been
'found by experience that very great perill and inconveniences hath
fallen vppon sondry of the queenes maiesties subjects by the sufferance
of great assemblies of the people to come together at plaies and shewes
neare London in this tyme of contagion and infection of the plague'.
xxxi.
[1574, c. Nov. Extract from An Exhortation, or Rule, sett downe by one
Mr. (Thomas) Norton, sometyme Remembrauncer of London, wherebie the
L. Maior of Lo. is to order himselfe and the Cittie, printed by Collier,
Illustrations, iii. 14, from a manuscript of Sir Christopher Hatton, now
Addl. MS. 32379, f. 36, and datable by a mention of James Hawes
(1574-5) as mayor.]
And one note out of place, that showld before have bene spoken:
the presente time requirithe yowe to have good care and use good
meanes towchinge the contagion of sickenes, that the sicke be kept
from the whole, that the places of persons infected be made plaine
to be knowen and the more releeved; that sweetenes and holsomnes
of publique places be provided for; that unnecessarie and scarslie
honeste resorts to plaies, to shewes to thoccasion of thronges and
presse, except to the servyce of God; and especiallie the assemblies
to the unchaste, shamelesse and unnaturall tomblinge of the Italion
Weomen maye be avoided: to offend God and honestie is not to cease
a plague.
xxxii.
[1574, Dec. 6. Act of Common Council of London during the mayoralty
of Sir James Hawes, printed M. S. C. i. 175, from copy in Lansd. MS. 20,
enclosed with reply of City to Petition of Queen's men c. Nov. 1584 (cf.
No. lxxv); also in Collier, i. 208; Hazlitt, E. D. S. 27. I suppose that
this is the record of 1574 on plays cited from Liber Legum, x. 363, in
V. H. London, i. 322.]
Whearas hearetofore sondrye greate disorders and inconvenyences
have benne found to ensewe to this Cittie by the inordynate hauntyinge
of greate multitudes of people, speciallye youthe, to playes, enterludes,
and shewes, namelye occasyon of ffrayes and quarrelles, eavell practizes
of incontinencye in greate Innes, havinge chambers and secrete places
adioyninge to their open stagies and gallyries, inveglynge and alleurynge
of maides, speciallye orphanes and good Cityzens Children vnder
Age, to previe and vnmete Contractes, the publishinge of vnchaste
