eader, or Duke as they termed him, was Andreas. They travelled from
Bologna to Forli, intending to pay the Pope a visit at Rome.

Their appearance in France bears the date of 1427, when the French say,
they straggled about Paris, having arrived on the 17th day of August in
that year.

German Historians are agreed, that when the Gypsies first made their
appearance in Europe, they chose to be considered as Pilgrims; and that
their profession met with the more ready belief, as it coincided with the
infatuation of the times. The learned Grellmann states, that several old
writings mention the credulity, with which people cherished the idea,
that they were real pilgrims and holy persons; that it not only procured
for them toleration, but safe-conducts in many places.

Munster declares, that they carried about with them passports and seals
from the Emperor Sigismund, and other Princes; by means of which, they
had free passage through different countries and cities; and that he had
himself seen, an attested copy of such a letter to the possession of some
Gypsies at Eberbach.

Krantz, Stumpf, Guler, and Laurentius Palmirenus, all agree in this
statement.. The Gypsies at Bologna also shewed an instrument from
Sigismund; but he appears to have granted this to them, not as Emperor,
and in Germany; but in Hungary, and as King of Hungary. A pass of
Uladislaus II. might also be quoted, which the Gypsies obtained chiefly
on account of their supposed sanctity and pilgrimage. In Transylvania,
it is asserted they received letters of protection from the House of
Bathory.

Webner says, that the Gypsies in France quoted ancient privileges,
granted to them by the former Kings of that country.

Crusius, Wurstisen, and Guler, mention papal permissions for wandering
unmolested through all Christian countries, as long as the term of their
pilgrimage lasted; which they asserted was seven years. But at the
expiration of that term, they represented that their return home was
prevented by soldiers stationed to intercept them.

The impression their pretensions had made on the people among whom they
came, did not entirely subside during half a century; but afterward, "the
Gypsies being watched with a more jealous eye, it appeared but too
clearly, that, instead of holy pilgrims, they were the mere refuse of
humanity, who, often, under pretexts of safe-conducts, committed all
manner of excesses."

Their impositions being detected, it is pr