The Egyptians Act 1530
(22 Henry VIII, c. 10
) was an Act passed by the Parliament of England
in 1531 to expel the "outlandish people calling themselves Egyptians", meaning Gypsies
. It was repealed by the Act 19 & 20 Vict. c.64.
The Act accused Gypsies of using crafty and subtle devices to deceive people, notably by claiming to tell fortunes
whilst also frequently committing felonies such as robbery. The statute forbade any more Gypsies from entering the realm and gave those already in England sixteen days notice to depart from the realm. Goods which Gypsies had stolen were to be restored to their owners and property confiscated from Gypsies was to be divided between the Sovereign and the Justice of the Peace
or another arresting officer.
Egyptians Act 1554
The 1530 act was not successful in its aim of expelling all Gypsies, for Mary I
passed the Egyptians Act 1554 (1 & 2 Philip & Mary, c. 4
), which complained that "Egyptians" were plying their "devlish and naughty practices and devices".
- Stanford Lehmberg, The Reformation Parliament 1529-1536 (Cambridge University Press, 1970).