Vagabonds Act 1383
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | For Punishment of Vagabonds. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 7 Ric. 2. c. 5 |
| Territorial extent | |
| Dates | |
| Commencement | 26 October 1383 |
| Repealed | 10 August 1872 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872 |
| Relates to | Arrest, etc., of Night Walkers, etc. Act 1331 |
Status: Repealed | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Vagabonds Act 1383 (7 Ric. 2. c. 5), also known as the Beggars Act 1383, or the Vagrancy Act, was an act of the Parliament of England made at Westminster in 1383, after the Peasants' Revolt (1381).
The act empowered Justices of Assize, justices of the peace or county sheriffs to bind over vagabonds for good behaviour, or to commit them to the assizes if sureties could not be given.
The effect of this act was modified by a proclamation of 18 February 1493, which is included in the patent roll PR (C66/574/4d), and by the Vagabonds and Beggars Act 1495 (11 Hen. 7. c. 2)
Tomlins gives the title of this act as "For Punishment of Vagabonds". Ruffhead and Pickering give the title as "Justices, &c. shall examine Vagabonds, and bind them to their good abearing, or commit them to Prison", The Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872 describes this act as "Justices shall examine Vagabonds" and The Law Reports: Public General Statutes says this is the subject matter. The Chronological Table gives this act the title "Vagabonds".
The act includes references to faitors (feitors), drawlatches and roberdesmen.