Sometimes great numbers were attracted by particular causes. Thus from Cambridgeshire some reports state, "No such kynde of persons there were found[162]," but in four hundreds forty-seven were arrested, "the number whereof were so greate at that present by reason of the confluence to and from Sturbridge fayer[163]." [162] In the hundreds of Cheveley, Staine, Staplowe and Flendish and in the Isle of Ely there were no vagrants found in the two watches kept on Aug. 20th and Sept. 12th, Vol. 83, No. 36. [163] In the hundreds of Wetherley, Thrylow, Armyngford and Stowe. At Chesterton, Papworth and North Stowe, also in Cambridgeshire, eleven vagrants were found and punished on the three days August 20th, Sept. 12th, and Oct. 12th, 1571, Vol. 83, No. 36. When we remember that all the vagrants were taken in two or three searches only and that it is probable that the more capable had ample notice, the results indicate a considerable amount of disorder. On the other hand, the fact that when the proportions are given so many are impotent, and the frequent presence of children lead us to believe that these wanderers were more often people in want than wicked plunderers of their fellow-countrymen. These orders of the Privy Council were directed towards the decrease of vagrants, but in the replies of the justices we see the close connection between measures of this kind and the relief of the poor. Thus in Essex and Surrey advantage was sometimes taken of the clause permitting the justices to put vagrants to service. At Barking and Walthamstow masterless men were appointed to masters, and at Brixton and Wallingford three out of thirteen were put to service[164]. But the report from Worcestershire is more interesting and confirms the information derived from the speech made by Mr Sands during the debate in Parliament on the Bill of 1571[165]. The justices there said that they had already taken measures to repress beggars and so found very few in the searches now made; the few that remained there were licensed by them but the "greter parte of the poore ar provyded for where they dwell[166]." We can thus see that, though this whipping campaign concerns vagrants, the question of vagrants was inseparably connected with the care of the poor, and that these measures, although undertaken with a view of preserving order, tended to lead to the better organisation of relief. [164] Barking and Walthamstow, Vol. 80, No. 26. Brixton, Vol. 80, 44. V. [165] See above. [166] Vol. 80, No. 55. The next series of measures undertaken by the Privy Council concerns therefore the supply of the markets during years of high-priced corn.