October, 1647
[22 October, 1647.]
Common Players shall be committed to the Gaol.
For the better suppression of Stage-Playes, Interludes, and
common Players; It is this day Ordered by the Lords and
Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Major,
Justices of the Peace, and Sheriffs of the City of London and
Westminster; the Counties of Middlesex and Surrey, or any two
or more of them, shall and may, and are hereby authorized and
required to enter into all houses, and other places within the
City of London, and Liberties thereof, and other places within
their respective Jurisdictions, where Stage-Playes, Interludes, or
other common Playes are, or shall be acted or played, and
all such common Players or Actors, as they upon view of them
or any one of them, or upon Oaths by two credible witnesses
(which they are hereby authorized to minister) shall be proved
before them, or any two of them, to have acted or played in such
Play-houses or places abovesaid; and all person and persons so
offending, to commit to any common Gaol or Prison, there to
remain untill the next general Sessions of the Peace, holden
within the said City of London, or Liberties thereof, and places
aforesaid, or sufficient security entred for his or their appearance
at the said Sessions there to be punished as Rogues, according to
Law.