In a Proclamation of Queen Elizabeth, issued in the year 1571, these strolling performers are mentioned in rather disreputable company: "All Fencers Bearewardes Comon Players in Enterludes, and Minstrels, not belonging to any Baron of this Realme, or towarde any other honorable Personage of greater Degree; all Juglers Pedlers Tynkers and Petye Chapmen; wiche said Fencers Bearewardes Comon Players in Enterludes Minstrels Juglers Pedlers Tynkers and Petye Chapmen, shall wander abroade, and have not Lycense of two Justices of the Peace at the Feaste, whereof one to be of the Quorum, wher and in what Shier they shall happen to wander ... shalbee taken adjudjed and deemed Roges Vacaboundes and Sturdy Beggers;" etc.[45] Some interesting details concerning the nature of the performances of the English common musicians at the time when this Proclamation appeared, may be gathered from 'A Dialogue betwene Custome and Veritie, concerninge the use and abuse of Dauncinge and Mynstralsye, by Thomas Lovell, London, 1581.' The book is written in verse. Custom defends and excuses dancing and minstrelsy, which Verity attacks and abuses. As regards the minstrels, Verity remarks:-- "They are accounted vagarant roges By act of Parliament, What reason why they should not then Like Roges to Jaile be sent, Except they doo belong to men Which are of high degree, As in that act by woords set downe Expressly we may see. To such, I think, but few of these Vain Pipers doo pertain: To men so grave a shame it were Fond Fidlers to maintain. A great disgrace it were to them, Their cloth abrode to send Upon the backs of them which doo Their life so lewdly spend." Respecting the performances of the minstrels, vocal as well as instrumental, Verity says:-- "Their singing if you doo regard, It is to be abhord: It is against the sacred woord And Scripture of the Lord. But this doo minstrels clene forget: Some godly songs they have, Some wicked Ballads and unmeet, As companies doo crave. For filthies they have filthy songs, For baudes lascivious rimes; For honest good, for sober grave Songs; so they watch their times. Among the lovers of the trueth, Ditties of trueth they sing; Among the Papists, such as of Their godlesse legend spring. For he that cannot gibe and jest, Ungodly scoff and frump, Is thought unmeet to play with Pipe, On tabret or to thump. The minstrels doo with instruments, With songs, or els with jest, Maintain them selves, but as they use, Of these naught is the best." This Dialogue, the author of which is supposed to have been a Puritan, concludes with Verity convincing and converting Custom.[46]