=Source.=--_Harleian Miscellany._ Vol. v., p. 75.
Whereas, upon our return the last year out of Scotland, we did
publish our pleasure, touching the recreations of our people in
those parts, under our hand; for some causes us thereunto moving,
we have thought good to command these our directions, then given in
Lancashire (with a few words thereunto added, and most applicable to
these parts of our realms), to be published to all our subjects.
Whereas we did justly, in our progress through Lancashire, rebuke
some Puritans and precise people, and took order, that the like
unlawful carriage should not be used by any of them hereafter, in
the prohibiting and unlawful punishing of our good people, for using
their lawful recreations and honest exercises, upon Sundays and other
holidays, after the afternoon sermon or service: we now find, that
two sorts of people, wherewith that country is much infected (we
mean Papists and Puritans) have maliciously traduced and calumniated
those our just and honourable proceedings: and therefore, lest our
reputation might, upon the one side (though innocently), have some
aspersion laid upon it; and upon the other part, our good people in
that country be misled, by the mistaking and misinterpretation of our
meaning; we have therefore thought good, hereby to clear and make our
pleasure to be manifested to all our good people in those parts.
It is true, that at our first entry to this crown and kingdom, we
were informed (and that too truly) that our county of Lancashire
abounded more in popish recusants, than any county of England, and
thus hath still continued since, to our great regret, with little
amendment; save that now of late, in our last riding through our
said country, we find, both by the report of the judges, and of the
bishops of that diocese, that there is some amendment now daily
beginning; which is no small contentment to us.
The report of this growing amendment amongst them made us the more
sorry, when, with our own ears, we heard the general complaint of
our people, "That they were barred from all lawful recreation and
exercise upon the Sunday's afternoon, after the ending of all divine
service"; which cannot but produce two evils: the one, the hindering
of the conversion of many, whom their priests will take occasion
hereby to vex; persuading them, that no honest mirth or recreation is
lawful, or tolerable, in our religion; which cannot but breed a great
discontentment in our people's hearts, especially of such as are,
peradventure, upon the point of turning. The other inconvenience is,
that this prohibition barreth the common and meaner sort of people
from using such exercises, as may make them bodies more able for war,
when we, or our successors shall have occasion to use them; and, in
place thereof, sets up filthy tipplings and drunkenness, and breeds
a number of idle and discontented speeches in their alehouses: for
when shall the common people have leave to exercise, if not upon the
Sundays and holidays? Seeing they must apply their labour, and win
their living in all working-days.
Our express pleasure therefore is, that the laws of our kingdom, and
canons of our church, be as well observed in that county, as in all
other places of this our kingdom; and, on the other part, that no
lawful recreation shall be barred to our good people, which shall
not tend to the breach of our aforesaid laws, and canons of our
church: which to express more particularly, our pleasure is, that
the bishops, and all other inferior churchmen, and churchwardens
shall, for their parts, be careful and diligent, both to instruct the
ignorant, and convince and reform them that are misled in religion;
presenting them that will not conform themselves, but obstinately
stand out, to our judges and justices; whom we likewise command to
put the law in due execution against them.
Our pleasure likewise is, that the bishop of that diocese take the
like strait order with all the Puritans and Precisians within the
same; either constraining them to conform themselves, or to leave
the county, according to the laws of our kingdom, and canons of
our church; and so to strike equally, on both hands, against the
contemners of our authority, and adversaries of our church. And
as for our good people's lawful recreation, our pleasure likewise
is, that after the end of divine service, our good people be not
disturbed, letted, or discouraged, from any lawful recreation, such
as dancing, either men or women; archery for men, leaping, vaulting,
or any such harmless recreation; nor from having of May-games,
Whitson-ales, and Morrice-dances; and the setting up of May-poles,
and other sports therewith used, so as the same be had in due and
convenient time, without impediment or neglect of divine service;
and that women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church, for
the decoring of it, according to their old custom. But, withal, we
do here account still as prohibited, all unlawful games to be used
upon Sundays only; as bear and bull baitings, interludes, and, at all
times, (in the meaner sort of people by law prohibited) bowling.
And likewise we bar, from this benefit and liberty, all such known
Recusants, either men or women, as will abstain from coming to church
or divine service; being therefore unworthy of any lawful recreation
after the said service, that will not first come to the church and
serve God: prohibiting, in like sort, the said recreations to any
that, though conform in religion, are not present in the church,
at the service of God, before their going to the said recreations.
Our pleasure likewise is, that they to whom it belongeth in office,
shall present, and sharply punish all such as, in abuse of this our
liberty, will use these exercises before the ends of all divine
services, for that day. And we likewise straitly command, that every
person shall resort to his own parish-church to hear divine service,
and each parish by itself to use the said recreation after divine
service; prohibiting likewise any offensive weapons to be carried, or
used in the said times of recreations.