Note 667 — Chapter XXV · HUMANISM AND MEDIAEVALISM

34, 35 Hen. VIII, c. 1; Hazlitt, E. D. S. 3; Collier, i. 127. A proclamation of May 26, 1545 (Hazlitt, E. D. S. 6), states an intention to employ in the fleet ‘all such ruffyns, Vagabonds, Masterles men, Comon players and euill disposed persons’ as haunt ‘the Banke, and such like naughtie places,’ and forbids the retaining of servants, other than household servants or others allowed by law or royal licence. I have already (p. 185) called attention to the ambiguity of the term ‘comon player,’ and on the whole, in view of a reference in the proclamation to ‘theft and falsehood in play’ I think that gamblers are here in question. In any case the protected players were not suppressed.