Unfortunately in that he was stopped by highwaymen while crossing Dunsmore Heath (in Warwickshire and about 7 miles from Rugby) and his money stolen.
Before his performance he pronounced that "his patron has given him letters, friends everywhere have contributed, and he hopes present company will do the same".
Some would join the several guilds of minstrels which gave, or claimed to give, those licensed by them protection from the law against vagabonds.
But in the words of the poem "A Minstrel in the Stocks" (From one of the Roxburghe Ballads):[1]- Beggars they are with one consent, And Rogues by act of Parliament.
One such trick was to hold a sheep’a bladder full of blood under his shirt, he would then stab himself, shortly after "arising from the dead" These include :- Geordie dialect words John Collingwood Bruce John Stokoe Northumbrian Minstrelry by Bruce and Stokoe, 1882 Folk music of England