The Oxford English Dictionary defines a ‘vagrant’ as “one of a class of persons who having no settled home or regular work wander from place to place, and maintain themselves by begging or in some other disreputable or dishonest way; an itinerant beggar, idle loafer, or tramp.” However, the legal definition of ‘vagrant’ is not so precise. At best, the label of ‘vagrant’ was vague and during different periods, could encompass a variety of different people. The definition for vagabonds and rogues, given by both the 1714 and the 1744 Vagrancy Acts included patent gatherers, collectors for prisons, goals or hospitals, fencers, and Gypsies, among a variety of other undesirable professions. In England, despite changing definitions, the punishment for vagrancy remained relatively consistent throughout the 16th and the 18th centuries; there was, however, considerable change regarding how the punishments were enforced. What do the inconsistencies in enforcement of the punishment prescribed by the Vagrancy Acts …show more content…
On paper, 18th century punishments for vagrancy crimes are reminiscent of the harsh and violent punishments of the 16th and early 17th centuries. The most common punishments for vagrancy crimes were commitment to serve hard labor in either a workhouse or gaol, whipping until bloody, and for physically suited men, impressment. For example, for vagrants who crossed county lines without a valid pass, the 1714 Vagrant Act prescribed either whipping or two to three days in the house of correction. Although less frequently implemented, removal was another punishment used against vagrants. A judge had the power to commit those deemed to be dangerous and incorrigible rogues to seven years to any body politic or corporate that was willing to take him as a either a servant or an apprentice; this could be within Britain, or the vagrant could be sent overseas to work on a British