During the Tudor period the apprentice was a prominent feature of London life, and is chiefly famous for his prowess as a disturber of the peace. The apprentice system was of considerable importance, and many regulations and ordinances were passed from time to time to govern the conditions under which apprentices were to be bound and treated during their term. The story of "Evil May Day," already given, illustrates the turbulence of the apprentices and the relaxation of discipline in the City during this period. The Regulations of 1582 show clearly that they were getting out of hand, and in 1595 further troubles induced Elizabeth to issue further instructions of a drastic nature. =Sources.=— (_a_) An Act of Common Council, 1527, quoted by Maitland, i. 230; (_b_) _ibid._, 1582, Maitland, i. 267; (_c_) Strype's edition of Stow's _Survey_, vol. ii. (_a_) [_Admonition to the Apprentices_].—Ye 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 on 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 over the covenants of your indenture, and see and endeavour yourself to perform the same, to the utmost of your power. You shall avoid all evil company, and all occasions which may tend to draw you to the same; and make speedy return when you shall be sent of your masters' and mistresses' business. You shall be of fair, gentle, and lowly speech and behaviour to all men, and especially to all your governors; and according to your carriage, expect your reward, for good or ill, from God and your friends. (_b_) Henceforth no apprentice whatsoever shall presume: 1. To wear any apparel but what he receives from his master. 2. To wear no hat within the city and liberty thereof, nor anything instead thereof than a woollen cap, without any silk in or about the same. 3. To wear no ruffles, cuffs, loose collar, nor other thing than a ruff at the collar, and that only of a yard and a half long.... 10. To wear no sword, dagger, or other weapon, but a knife; nor a ring, jewel of gold, nor silver, nor silk in any part of the apparel.