In England, during the reign of James the first, it was lawful for his
subjects to indulge in certain sports, such as dancing, archery, leaping,
vaulting, may-games, whitsun ales, and morris dances, on _Sunday_ after
evening service. But it was not lawful to have bear-baiting, bull-baiting,
interludes, and bowling.

In reign of Charles 1st a statute was passed, prohibiting a meeting out of
the parish, on the Lord's day, to enjoy these sports. A statute was
afterwards passed, prohibiting carriers and drovers from travelling, and
butchers from slaughtering or selling on this day. Afterwards all
tradesmen, artificers, workmen, laborers, or other persons, were prohibited
from exercising their callings on this day, excepting works of necessity
and charity, and dressing and selling meat in families, inns, cook-shops,
&c. selling milk before nine in the morning, and after four in the
afternoon, _selling mackerell_ before or after divine service, and
excepting also forty watermen, who may ply between Vauxhall and Limehouse.

By a statute of George 2d fish carriages were allowed to pass on Sundays,
whether laden or empty. During the reign of this King, the Court decided in
favor of a Baker, charged "with baking puddings and pies on the Lord's day
for dinner." The court considered the case as falling within the exceptions
of works of necessity and charity. "That it was better that one baker and
his men should stay at home, than many families and servants." Under George
3d Bakers were prohibited from making, baking or selling, excepting between
nine in the morning and one in the afternoon, and the person requiring the
baking carried or sent it to the place where it was to be baked. A law was
afterwards passed, permitting bakers to work, so far as may be necessary in
setting or superintending the sponge, to prepare the dough for the next
day's baking.