Egyptians Act 1554
United Kingdom legislation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Egyptians Act 1554 is a piece of 16th-century English legislation regarding Romani and travelers within the realm. The act was passed to amend previous laws regarding the Romani people. The Egyptians Act 1530 did not cover Gypsies who were born in England or those who came to England by way of Scotland.
Act of Parliament | |
Long title | An acte for the punishement of certayne Persons calling themselves Egiptians. |
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Citation | 1 & 2 Ph. & M. c. 4 |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 16 January 1555 |
Egyptians Act 1562 | |
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Act of Parliament | |
Long title | An Act for further Punishment of Vagabonds, calling themselves Egyptians. |
Citation | 5 Eliz. 1. c. 20 |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 10 April 1563 |
The act included fines on English people who were smuggling Gypsies into the country as a way to curb some of the illegal immigration. Punishments for Romani people caught in England were deportation on pain of execution. However, those who were no longer nomads and settled in one spot were not subjected to such legislation.
The primary objective of the law was to end the “naughty, idle and ungodly life and company,” of Gypsies by either forcing them to settle down, exit the realm, or face potential death at the will of the Crown.[2]