37 Henry VIII., cap. 23, continued this act to the end of the
ensuing Parliament.

1 Edward VI., cap. 3, recites the increase of idle vagabonds, and
enacts that all persons loitering or wandering shall be marked with
a V, and adjudged a slave for two years, and afterward running away
shall become a felon. Impotent persons were to be removed to the
place where they had resided for three years, and allowed to beg. A
weekly collection was to be made in the churches every Sunday and
holiday after reading the gospel of the day, the amount to be
applied to the relief of bedridden poor.

5 and 6 Edward VI., cap. 2, directs the parson, vicar, curate, and
church-wardens, to appoint two collectors to distribute weekly to
the poor. The people were exhorted by the clergy to contribute;
and, if they refuse, then, upon the certificate of the parson,
vicar, or curate, to the bishop of the diocese, he shall send for
them and induce him or them to charitable ways.

2 and 3 Philip and Mary, cap. 5, re-enacts the former, and requires
the collectors to account quarterly; and where the poor are too
numerous for relief, they were licensed by a justice of the peace
to beg.

5 Elizabeth, cap. 3, confirms and renews the former acts, and
compels collectors to serve under a penalty of L10. Persons
refusing to contribute their alms shall be exhorted, and, if they
obstinately refuse, shall be bound by the bishop to appear at the
next general quarter session, and they may be imprisoned if they