June, 1647
[8 June, 1647.]
All Festivals and Holy Days abolished,; Time allotted for Recreation.
Forasmuch as the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Easter and
Whitsuntide, and other Festivals commonly called Holy-Dayes,
have been heretofore superstitiously used and observed Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That
the said Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Easter and Whitsuntide,
and all other Festival dayes, commonly called Holy-dayes, be
no longer observed as Festivals or Holy-dayes within this
Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales, any Law, Statute,
Custome, Constitution, or Cannon to the contrary in any wise
notwithstanding: And to the end that there may be a convenient
time allotted to Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants for
their Recreation: Be it Ordained by the authority aforesaid, That
all Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants shall, with the
leave and approbation of their Masters respectively first had
and obtained, have such convenient reasonable Recreation and
Relaxation from their constant and ordinary Labours on every
second Tuesday in the moneth throughout the year, as formerly
they have used to have on such aforesaid Festivals, commonly
called Holy-dayes. And that Masters of all Scholars, Apprentices, and Servants, shall grant unto them respectively such time
for their Recreations on the aforesaid second Tuesdaies in every
moneth, as they may conveniently spare from their extraordinary
and necessary Services and Occasions. And it is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That if any difference
shall arise between any Master and Servant concerning the
Liberty hereby granted, the next Justice of the Peace shall
have power to hear and determine the same.