[5][6] The act empowered Justices of Assize, justices of the peace or county sheriffs to bind over vagabonds for good behaviour, or to commit them to the assizes if sureties could not be given.

7. c. 2 (1495)[9][10] The act was extended to Ireland by Poyning's Law (10 Hen.

[15] Tomlins gives the title of this act as "For Punishment of Vagabonds".

[16] Ruffhead and Pickering give the title as "Justices, &c. shall examine Vagabonds, and bind them to their good abearing, or commit them to Prison",[17][18] The Statute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872 describes this act as "Justices shall examine Vagabonds"[19] and The Law Reports: Public General Statutes says this is the subject matter.

[21] The act includes references to faitors (feitors),[22] drawlatches[23] and roberdesmen.