74 History of the Company. 



The seventeenth century was memorable among 

 other things for a series of fatal epidemics which 

 visited England at various intervals, and were 

 particularly felt in the capital. The 

 first occurred in 1603-4, and destroyed 

 over 30,000 lives in London alone. The second 

 broke out in the summer of 1607, and is alluded 

 to in the following minutes : — 



1607. Jidy 2%tJi. 



"John Williams o^ Tenn* in Dayes Alley hath 

 graunted to avoide his Cellar of the Costermonger 

 (for fear of infection) betwixt this Courte Day and 

 Christmas next and soner if he can. 



" Goodwif Fourche is warned to avoide the Costerd 

 monger out of hir house at Christmas next or afore if 

 she can possible." 



On the 17th April, 1608, the Company obtained 

 an amendment and ratification of their ordinances. 

 The powers therein conferred were but little 



A.u. 1608. modified from the ordinances ratified 

 Ordinances rati- j^ the previous reign; the order for 



the search was enlarged and the necessary quali- 

 fications for a householder — i.e., a shopkeeper — 

 defined, and the remedies and penalties against 

 any violation of the rules made for the good 

 government of the Company were increased.^ 



^ The ordinances of James I. are signed by the Earl of 

 Dorset and Chief Justices Fleming and Edward Coke. 



