November 1642
[1 November, 1642.]
Whereas, in Times of common Danger and Necessity, the
Interest of private Persons ought to give Way to the Public; it
is Ordained and Declared, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That such Apprentices as have been, or shall be, listed to
serve as Soldiers for the Defence of the Religion and Liberty of
the Kingdom, His Majesty's Royal Person, the Parliament, and
the City of London, their Sureties and such as stand engaged
for them shall be secured, against their Masters, their Executors,
and Administrators, from all Loss and Inconvenience, by Forfeiture of Bonds, Covenants, Enfranchisements, or otherwise; and
that, after this Public Service ended, the Masters of such
Apprentices shall be commanded and required to receive them
again into their Service, without imposing upon them any
Punishment, Loss, or Prejudice, for their absence in the Defence
of the Commonwealth: And the Lords and Commons do further
Declare, That, if it shall appear that the Masters of such
Apprentices have received any considerable Loss by the Absence
of their Apprentices, they will take Care that reasonable Satisfaction shall be made unto them, out of the Public Stock of the
Kingdom according to Justice and Indifferency.