London Apprentices

[MCB]

From a document discovered with the 1664 apprentice indentures for an Eleazor Oates of Aronall (Arnold?), Nottinghamshire.

Instructions for the Apprentices of the City of London

You shall constantly and devoutly on your knees every day serve God Morning and Evening, and make Conscience in the due hearing of the Word preached, and endeavour the right practice thereof in your Life and Conversation. You shall do diligent and faithful Service to your Master for the time of your Apprenticeship, and deal truly in what you shall be trusted. You shall often read out the Covenants of your Indentures, and see and endeavour your self to perform the same to the uttermost of your power. You shall avoid all evil Company, and on all occasions which may tend and draw you to the same; and make speedy return when you shall be sent on your Master or Mistresses Errands. You shall avoid idleness and be ever imployed either in Gods Service or in your Masters business. You shall be fair, gentle, and lowly speech to all men and especially to your Governors. And according to your Carriage, expect your Reward for good or ill from your God and your friends.

God save the King
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Printed by Samuel Roycroft, Printer to this Honourable City.

The text was printed in Old English type and has been translated into modern form for the reader's benefit but retains the original spelling and punctuation.
Instructed to be ever employed in either Gods Service or in the Masters business it appears that sleep for an apprentice of 1664 was not permitted which may explain why someone was too tired to douse the ovens of the Pudding Lane baker in 1666 resulting in a certain amount of fire damage!

Mike