The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat'

"The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth" by John Awdelay is a historical study of Elizabethan England's underclass, bringing together Awdeley's "Fraternitye of Vacabondes" and Harman's "Caveat." This collected work displays a portrait of the vagabond lifestyle, describing their behaviors and how society saw them in a time of widespread distrust. It launches the readers into a world where they will learn the link between society standards and the lower classes. It shows different types of vagabonds, like the violent rufflers, the begging palliards, and the clever "curtesy men" con artists: Awdeley and Harman strongly emphasized the traits and jobs of these characters. The compilation also discusses the roots and misunderstandings about these writings, hinting at greater thoughts on the era's social issues and views on poverty and crime.