Comitatus coming of the Saxon Verb Siram i. e. partiri for that the whole Realm is parted and divided into Shires And this Shireve being Deputy of the Consul or Earl was therefore by the Romans called Vice-Consul as we at this day call him Vice-comes i. e. Vice-comitis that is instead of the Earl of that County who in ancient time had the Regiment of the County under the King For it is said in the Mirror Cap. 1. Sect. 3. That the Earls of the Counties had the Custody and Guard of the Counties and when the Earls left their Custodies or Guards then was the Custody of Counties committed to Viscounts who therefore are called Vicecomites And whom the Romans called Senatores the Saxons sometimes and we now call Aeldermen or Earls Non proper aetatem sed propter sapientiam dignitatem cum quidam adolescentes essent jurisperiti tamen super hoc experti The Shireve is called Praefectus because he is the Chief Officer to the King within the Shire for the Words of his Patent be Comisimus vobis custodiam Comitatus nostri de c. And he hath triplicem Custodiam viz. 1. Vitae Justitiae for no Suit begins and no Process is served but by the Sheriff Also he is to return indifferent Juries for the Tryal of Mens Lives Liberties Lands Goods c. 2. Vitae Legis he is after long Suits and chargeable to make Execution which is the Life and Fruit of the Law 3. Vitae Reipublicae he is Principalis Conservator pacis within the County Marculphus saith This Office is Judiciaria dignitas Lampridius That it is Officium digniatatis And Fortescue Cap. 24. saith Quod Vicecomes est nobilis Officiarius and is thus chosen Every year the Morrow after All Souls Day all the King's Councellors meet together in the King's Exchequer as well the Lords Spiritual and Temporal as all other Justices all the Barons of the Exchequer the Master of the Rolls and certain other Officers where all these with one common Assent do name of every County Three Knights or Esquires whom among other of the same County they take to be of good Disposition and Fame and best disposed to the Office of Sheriff of that County Of the which Three the King chuseth one whom by his Letters Patent he appointeth Sheriff of the County that he is chosen of for the year then following but he before he receive his Patent shall swear upon the Holy Gospel among other Articles That he shall well and faithfully and indifferently exercise and do his Office all that year and that he shall receive or take nothing of any other Man than the King by colour or mean of his Office In the Romans time and before he was a Minister to the King's Courts of Law and Justice and had then a Court of his own which was the County Court then called Curia Consulatus as appears by these Words Ipsius vices supplebat in Jure in Foro. This Realm being divided into Shires and Counties and those Shires into Cities Boroughs and Towns by the Britons King Alfred's Division of Shires and Counties being but a Renovation or more exact Description of the same The Sheriff is Balivus and his County called Baliva which is thus derived Bailiff is a French word and signifies an Officer concerning the Administration of Justice of a certain Province and because a Sheriff hath an Office concerning the Administration of Justice within his County or Bailywick therefore he calleth his County Baliva sua For Example When he cannot find the Defendant c. he returneth Non est inventus in Baliva mea In the Statute of Magna Charta Cap. 8. some hold that Balivus signifieth any Judge And in 10th of Hen. 4. it is holden That Bailie le Roy is understood Justice le Roy And in the Mirror it is holden That the Stature doth extend to every Justice Minister of the King Steward c. and all comprehended under this Word Bailiff Coke's 1 Inst 168. a. b. Curia Comitatus in Saxon Scypegemoce i. e. Comitatus Conventus ejus duo sunt genera quorum alterum hodie le Countie Court alterum le Tourn del Viscount olim Folkmore vulgo nuncupatur So as many times Turn ' Vicecomit is is expressed under the name of Curia Comitatus because it extended through the whole County and therefore in the Red Book of the Exchequer amongst the Laws of King H. 1. Cap. 8. De Generalibus Placitis Comitatuum it is thus contained viz. Sicut antiqua fuerat institutione formatum salutari Regis Imperio vera est recordatione firmatum Generalia Comitatuum Placita certis locis vicibus definito tempore per singulas anni provincias convenire debere nec ullis ultra fatigationibus agitari nisi propria Legis necessitas vel commune Regni commodum saepius adjiciant Intersint autem Episcopi Comites Vicedomini Vicarii Centenarii Aldermanni Praefecti Praepositi Barones Vavassores Tingrevii caeteri terrarum Domini diligenter intendentes ne malorum impunitas aut gravionum pravitas vel judicum subversio solita miseros laceratione confiniant Agantur itaque primo debita verae Christianitatis jura secundo Regis placita postremo causae singulorum c. Debet enim Sherysmote i.e. The Sheriff's Tourn bis Hundreda Wapentachia i.e. The County Courts duodecies in anno congregari By the Laws of King Edward before the Conquest the first which succeeded King Alured it is thus Enacted Praepositus quisque 1. Vicecomes Saxonice Geresa Anglice Sheriff ad quartam circiter septimanam frequentem populi concionem celebrato cuique jus dicito aequabile litesque singulas cum dies condicti adveniant dirimito Hereby it appeareth that common Pleas between Party and Party were holden in the County Court every Month which agreeth with Magna Charta and other Statutes and continueth at this day And by Stat. 2 E. 6. Cap. 25. It is provided that no County Court shall be longer deferred than one Month from Court to Court Coke's 2 Inst 69 70 71. In the County Court though the Plea be holden therein by a Justicies the King 's Writ yet it is no Court of Record for of a Judgment therein there lieth a Writ of false Judgment and not a Writ of Error Coke's 2 Inst 140. By Stat. Gloucester cap. 8. Purview est ensement que les Visconts pled ' en Counties les Plees de Trespasse auxy come ils soilent estre Pledes Et que nul neit desormes Briefs de Trespass devant Justices sil ne affirm per foy que le biens emportes vailent 40 s. al meins c. En Countie Courts is there put for an Example for the Hundred Court and the Court Baron being no Courts of Record are also within this Law Writs of Trespass are there put also for an Example for Debt Detinue Covenant and the like But if the Trespass be Vi Armis where the King upon
Chancellor To observe and conserve the Rights Priviledges and Liberties of the University of Oxford And every year on the day of St. Scholastica being 10 February a certain number of the Principal Burgesses Publickly and Solemnly do pay each one a Penny in token of their Submission to the Orders and Rights of the University By Charter of Hen. the Fourth It is left to the choice of the Vice Chancellor whether any Member in the University there Inhabiting accused for Felony or High Treason shall be tried by the Laws of the Land or by the Laws and Customs of the University Tho' now where Life or Limb is concerned the Criminal is left to be Tried by the Laws of the Land No Student of the University may be Sued at Common Law for Debts Accompts Contracts Injuries c. but only in the Courts of the Vice-Chancellor who hath Power as aforesaid to Determine and Punish Delinquents To Imprison Inflict Corporal Punishment To Excommunicate To Suspend and to Banish The Universities are Subject to the Visitation or Correction of none but the King or whom he please to Commissionate The Chancellor and in his absence the Vice-Chancellor is not only in Place but in all Affairs of Moment though concerning the City it self Superiour to the Mayor of the Town All Members of the University are subject to the Vice-Chancellor and his Judicial Courts which are Ruled wholly by the Civil Law By the Statute of 13 Eliz. The Two Universities are Incorporated albeit they were ancient Corporations before All Letters Patent Liberties Priviledges c. granted to either of the Universities are Established and Confirmed King James the First Honoured both Universities with the Priviledge of sending each Two Burgesses to Parliament The Terms in Oxford begin the First on the 10 of October and ends the 17 of December and is called Michaelmas Term Second called Hillary or Lent Term begins the 14 of January and ends the Saturday before Palm Sunday The Third called Easter Term begins the 10 day after Easter and ends the Thursday before Whitsunday The Fourth is called Trinity Term beginning the Wednesday after Trinity Sunday and ends after the Act sooner or later as the Vice-Chancellor and Convocation think meet There are besides in Oxford many stately publick-Schools The famous Bodleian Library which for a Noble Lightsom Fabrick number of choice Books curious Manuscripts diversity of Languages Liberty of Studying Facility of finding any Book may equal the Famous Vatican The Curious Architecture of the Theater The Excellent Printing Presses The Publick Physick Garden c. are not for our purpose further to describe Cambridge WHat hath been said of Oxford may suffice for the University and Town of Cambridge which if she will in Complaisance at any time give place to Oxford yet at the same time she will Challenge it before any other University in the Christian World But in some few things she differs from Oxford as for that The Chancellor is not so Durante Vita but may be elected every Two years Aut manere in eodem Officio durante Tacito Consensu Senatus Cantabr ' He hath under him a Commissary who holds a Court of Record of Civil Causes for all Priviledged Persons under the Degree of Master of Arts where all Causes are Tried and Determined by the Civil and Statute Laws and by the Customs of the University The High Steward is chosen by the Senate and holds by Patent from the University The Vice Chancellor is chosen yearly by the Senate on the 3d day of November Out of Two Persons nominated by the Heads of the several Colledges and Halls The Two Proctors are chosen every year as at Oxford according to the Circle of the Colledges and Halls There are also Two Taxers who with the Proctors have care of Weights and Measures as Clerks of the Market There are also Three Squire Beadles and one Yeoman Beadle The Students here have no Houses but what are Endowed For the Colledges and Halls differ only in name And these Houses Endowed are but Sixteen viz. St. Peters Colledge Clare Hall Pembroke Hall Corpus Christi Colledge alias Bennet Colledge Trinity Hall Convile and Cains Colledge Kings Colledge Queens Colledge St. Katherines Hall Jesus Colledge Christs Colledge St. Johns Colledge Magdalen Colledge Trinity Colledge Emanuel Colledge Sussex and Sidney But these are generally so large that the number of Students is commonly little different from those of Oxford Degrees at Cambridge are usually taken as at Oxford Except in Law and Physick whereof after Six years they may take the Degrees of Batchelour and after Five years more that of Doctor The first Tuesday of July is always Dies Comitiorum there called the Commencement Wherein the Masters of Arts and the Doctors of all Faculties compleat their Degrees respectively as the Batchelours of Arts do in Lent beginning at Ashwednesday Many Priviledges have been likewise granted by several Kings to this University As every Michaelmass-day The Mayor of the Town at the Entrance into his Office takes a Solemn Oath before the Vice Chanceller to Observe and Conserve the Priviledges Liberties and Customs of the University Also on Friday before St. Simon and Jude at a Magna Congregati in St. Maries Church The Mayor brings with him Two Aldermen Four Burgesses and Two of every Parish to take their Oaths before the Vice Chancellor for the due search of Vagabonds Suspected Persons c. At the same are Sworn 14 Persons for the University and Fourteen for the Town to look to the Paving and Cleansing of the Street The University hath also a Court Leet held twice every year wherein are presented all Nusances c. The Terms in Cambridge begin Lent Term the the 13 of January and ends the Friday before Palm-Sunday Easter Term the Wednesday after Easter Week and ends the Week before Whitsuntide Trinity Term the Wednesday after Trinity Sunday and ends the Friday after the Commencement and Michaelmass Term begins the 10 of October and ends the 16 of December Cambridge lies in 52 Degrees 20 Minutes Northern Latitude Both these Universities are Two easie days Journey from the Capital City of London and about the like Distance from each other The Government of Boroughs in England ANd other Towns Corporate Is much after the same manner with Cities In some there is a Mayor in others One or Two Bailiffs who have equal Power with the Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices they are Justices of Peace within their Liberties and have there the same Power that other Justices of Peace have within their County The Government of Villages in England IN every Village is a Government Ecclesiastical and Civil which if only observed might render the whole Kingdom Happy And first the The Ecclesiastical Government of Villages THe Parson or Vicar who hath Curam Animarum The care of the Souls of his Parishioners For which he hath the Tithes Glebe and Church Offerings And hath under him The Church-wardens and Sides Men
dicti Domini Regis in dicto Com' Devon ' The Lord Warden hath Jurisdiction of all the Tynn in Cornwal and Devon and is guided therein by Special Laws by Customs and by Prescriptions Time out of mind And the Officers be the Steward Under-Warden c. By Exposition of the Charters of 33 E. 1. Made and Declared in Parliament Anno 50 E. 3. it appears that all Tynners and Workers in the Tynn-Works should be Free so that they should not Answer for any Matter or Thing arising within the Stannaries before any other Judge or Officer but only before the Warden of the Stannaries Except for Pleas of Land Life or Member and should not depart from their Work for the Summons of any the King's Officers except of his said Warden of the Stannaries and shall be quit of all Tallages Tolls Stallagiis aliis Custumis in Towns Ports Fairs and Markets within the said County De bonis suis propriis Upon any cause of Complaint ministred the same is to be redressed by Appellation First to the Steward of the Stannary-Court where the matter lyeth Then to the Under-Warden of the Stannaries and from him to the Lord Warden and for want of Justice at his hands to the Princes Privy Council For the Laws Jurisdictions c. of this Court see more in Co. 4 Inst c. 45. and Records c. there cited It was Resolved 4 Jac. 1. in Camera Stellata That Stannum Tynne otherwise White Lead nor Black Lead nor any other base Metal did belong to the King by his Prerogative as Gold and Silver do albeit there may be tryed out of the base Metal Gold and Silver but that is as the seed or strength of the base Metal which being Extracted becomes Defective There be Five kinds of Base Metals viz. Aes sive Cuprum because it was found out as some hold in Cypro Copper Stannum Tynn Ferrum Iron Plumbum Lead and Orychalcum Latyn Polybius 209 years before Christ wrote That this Island was abundantly stored with Tynn Britanni qui juxta Belerium promontorium incolunt Mercatorum usu qui eo Stanni gratia navigant humaniores reliquis hospites habentur hij ex terra Saxosa cujus venas sectati effodiunt Stannum igne eductum in quandam Insulam ferunt Britannicam juxta quam Vectam vocant Ex hiis Insulis Mercatores emptum Stannum in Galliam Portant inde diebus fere triginta cum equis ad fontem Eridani fluminis perducunt Coke 's 4 Inst cap. 45. The Court of the Major of the Staple THis Court is guided by the Law Merchant which is the Law of the Staple and is holden at the Wool-Staple in Westminster and there also are Two Constables and a certain number of Correctors to do that which pertaineth to their Office as in other Staples is accustomed And though it be more ancient is warranted by Parliament 27 Ed. 3. Whereby it is Ordained That The Staple of Wools Leather Woolfells and Lead shall be holden at Newcastle upon Tine York Lincoln Norwich Westminster Canterbury Cicester Winchester Exeter and Bristol For Wales at Caermardyn and for Ireland at Deuelin Waterford Cork and Droghoada And that such as shall be carryed out of the Land shall be brought to some of the said Staple-Towns to be weighed by the Standard and the Customs paid But from such of the said Staple-Towns which are not Port Towns the said Staple Commodities shall be sent to the next respective Port Towns as from Westminster to London c. there to be weighed again by the Customers Item That in every Town where the Staple is Ordained shall be a Mayor chosen yearly by the Comminalty who hath knowledge in the Law Merchant and Two convenable Constables who have power to keep the Peace arrest the Offenders in Staples for Debts Trespass and other Contracts and them to Imprison and punish after the Law of the Staple and a Prison appointed for that purpose The Mayors Sheriffs and Bayliffs of the Towns where the Staple is or joyning to the Staple shall be attending to the Mayors and Ministers of the Staple for Executing their Commandments upon grievous Forfeiture and one Lord or other of the most Sufficient where the Staple is shall be assigned to be Aidant to the Mayor and Ministers of the Staple to justifie the Rebels that cannot be justified by the Mayors and Ministers of the Staple and to redress all Complaints c. The Bounds of the Staple at Westminster shall begin at Temple-Bar and extend to Tuthill In other Cities and Towns within the Walls and where there are no Walls through all the City or Town By the Statute of 27 Ed. 3. the Major of the Staple may take Recognizances of Debts under the Seal of the Office but not with the Seal of the Party By the Statute of 23 H. 8. the Major of the Staple at Westminster and Recorder of the City of London in the absence of the Two Chief Justices out of Term have power to take Recognizances of Debts according to that Statute and this is in the Nature of a Statute Staple but it hath besides the Seal of those that take it the Seal of the Party By the Statute of 36 Ed. 3. Merchant Strangers may sue before the Major of the Staple according to Law Merchant or at the Common Law By the Statute of 8 H. 6. cap. 17. there are in England Five Staple Merchandizes viz. Wool Woolfells Leather Lead and Tyn. The Mayor and Constables are sworn in Chancery to do lawfully that which pertaineth unto them That Staple cometh from the French Estape signifying a Mart or Market and for other Matters concerning the Staple see Coke's 4 Inst cap 46. and the Statutes and Records there mentioned The Principality of Wales WALLIA Wales by the Saxons called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wales unde Wallenses Walli i. e. Exteri seu Perâ—grini The Britons calling Englishmen Saisons They are of the Posterity of the ancient Britons Inhabiting on the West part of Great Brittany This was sometime a Realm or Kingdom Governed per Regulos suos But Jure Feodali the Kingdom of Wales was holden of the Crown of England and thereby as Bracton saith was Sub potestate Regis and so continued until the 11th Year of King Edward the First when he subdued the Prince of Wales and Executed him for Treason Whereof Fleta who lived in those days speaketh thus Et unico Malefactori plura poterunt infligi tormenta sicut contigit de Davide Principe Walliae cum per Edwardum Quinque Judiciis mortalibus torquebatur suis namque Meritis exigentibus Detractus Suspensus Dismembratus fuit combustus cujus caput principali Civitati quatuorque Quarteria ad quatuor partes Regni in Odium tradit deferebuntur suspendendum And in the 12th of E. 1. by Parliament it is declared speaking in the Person of the King as ancient Statutes were wont to do Divina Providentia quae in sua dispositione non
Corporals 150 l. each The King hath many other Inferiour Officers which over-passing we come now to The Government of the Queen's Court IS suitable to the Consort of so Great a King Splendid and Magnificent And hath all Officers and a Houshold apart from the King For Maintenance whereof there is usually setled 40000 l. per Annum and is as followeth The Ecclesiastical Government of the Queens Court. THe Lord or Grand Almoner He hath Superintendency over all the Ecclesiasticks belonging to the Queen One Confessor to the Queen and Four Almoners One Treasurer of the Chappel Two Preachers Four Clerks of the Chappel and Four Boys Sixteen Chaplains Divers belonging to the Musick and Two Vergers or Porters The Civil Government of the Queen's Court. THere is a Counsel consisting of Persons of Great Worth and Dignity A Steward of the Revenue A Keeper of Her Majesties Great Seal A Chamberlain Master of the Horse A Vice-Chamberlain A Principal Secretary and Master of Requeste A Treasurer and Receiver General Attorney General Solicitor General A Surveyor General Six Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy Chamber Two Cup-bearers Two Carvers Two Sewers Five Gentlemen Ushers daily Waiters Ten Grooms ef the Privy Chamber Seven Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters Six Pages attending at the Back-Stairs Four Pages of the Presence Officers of the Robes A Surveyor Proveditor Clerk Yeoman Groom Page Tayler and Brusher Twelve Grooms of the Great Chamber One Porter of the Back Stairs A Master of the Queens Barge and Twenty Four Watermen The Grooms of the Stole Lady of the Robes and of the Privy Purse Seven Ladies of the Bed-chamber One Keeper of the Sweet Coffers Six Maids of Honour and A Governess or Mother of the Maids Six Chamberers or Dressers A Laundress A Sempstress A Starcher A Necessary Woman These are all paid by Her Majesty out of her own Revenue There are besides Divers other Officers Below Stairs belonging to the Queens Table and Stable paid by the King for which is allowed 20000 l. more The Prince of Wales and other the King's Children have likewise their Courts or Housholds apart But these being not certain no certain Allowance or Settlement is of them but are rather at pleasure And therefore I shall not particularize them but refer to Chamberlain's Present State of England The Government of Cities ALthough every City is within some of the Counties herein before mentioned yet each of them are like a little Common-wealth Governed by Laws and Customs Ecclesiastical Civil and Military within themselves And this by Charter or Priviledges granted and cofirmed to them by several Kings of this Realm And there is for The Ecclesiastical Government of Cities A Bishop every City being or having been a Bishops See and hath a Cathedral to which belong a Dean A Chapter A Treasurer and Prebendaries who have Lands and Revenues belonging to them for their Maintenance and though the Bishoprick be dissolved the City remains as Westminster and Cambridge which was antiently reputed a City And for The Ecclesiastical Government of Parishes there is a Rector or Vicar for every Parish who is to have the Cure of the Souls of his Parishioners every one of which hath a Parsonage or Vicaridge-House and a Competent allowance of Tithes for their Maintenance And there is for The Civil Government of Cities A Mayor who is the King's Lieuetenant chosen by the Citizens and approved by the King and is for one year as a Judge to determine all Matters within his Jurisdiction and to Mitigate the Rigour of the Law And next in Government of Cities are the Two Sheriffs who are Judges in Civil Causes within the City and to see all Execution done whether Penal or Capital To Execute the Kings Mandates within the City c. And might rather be called State Reeves or Port-Reeves i. e. Urbis vel Portus Praefecti The Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen of every City may make Laws called By-Laws for the Government of the City provided they are not Repugnant to the Laws of the Kingdom And these have several Courts which have Jurisdiction in all Civil and Criminal Causes only with Restraint that all Civil Causes may be removed from their Courts to the Higher Courts at Westminster But of all these we shall speak more at large when we come to treat of the City of London and other Cities in particular which may serve for an Example or Pattern of all the rest And therefore we shall begin with The City of London LOndon so called as some conjecture from the British word Longdin signifying in the Saxon Tongue Shipton or Town of Ships But others derive it otherwise And therefore not to insist thereon Nam utere tuo Judicio nihil impedio It was Built as some Write 1108 years before the Incarnation of our Saviour In the time of Samuel the Prophet Is in length about 7 Miles and half and about 2 Miles and half in breadth Hath above 500 Streets and Alleys and 15000 Houses within the Walls which may not be accompted above a Sixth part of the whole City The Cathedral Church of St. Paul was Built or begun by Ethelbert King of Kent about Anno Christi 610 and is the only Cathedral of that Name in Europe Besides this there are 130 Parish Churches besides Chappels which is double the number to be found in any other City in Christendom The Ecclesiastical Government OF London is as before mentioned of Cities in General By a Bishop and was in the time of the Britains by an Archbishop but by the Saxons the Archiepiscopal See was removed to Canterbury for the sake of St. Austin who first Preached the Gospel there to the Heathen Saxons and was there buried since which there have been 100 Bishops to the present Bishop there To this Cathedral belongs a Dean a Chapter and 30 Prebendaries maintained in like manner before mentioned in the General Government of Cities The Ecclesiastical Government of Parishes is as before mentioned by a Parson Rector or Vicar To have cure of Souls in every Parish who have a Parsonage or Vicaridge-House and a competent Allowance in Tithes which was anciently besides the Tithes of Tradesmen's gains and mortuaries c. 3 s. 5 d. in the pound Rent which they paid by a Half every Sunday and Holiday Afterwards by 25 Hen. 8. It was ordained and afterwards confirmed by 27 Hen. 8. and 37 Hen. 8. That 2 s. 9 d. in the pound should be paid for the Rent of all Houses Shops c. to the Parson with power to the Lord Major to Imprison any Person should refuse to pay the same The Civil Government OF London is by a chief Magistrate anciently called The Prefect of London In the Saxons time Portegreeve by the Norman's Bailiff or Bailiffs till King Rich. the First Anno 1189 changed the name of Bailiff to Mayor which is now The Lord Mayor and is a Citizen yearly chosen by the Citizens and approved by the King unless sometimes for Disloyalty their
can Examine after Judgment 10 Hen. 6.14 15. Also there is a practise called Marking of a Cause before the Lord Mayor which is after a Verdict given for the Plaintiff in the Sheriffs Court the Defendant may get the Cause marked by one of the Clerks in the Lord Mayor's Court to stay Judgment and Execution until the matter be Examined in Equity where the Lord Mayor doth oftentimes mitigate the Damages or give the Defendant time to pay it c. This Court is held Mondays Tuesdays and every day if the Lord Mayor please to sit The Court of the Mayor and Aldermen THis is a Court of Record consisting of the Lord Mayor Recorder and Twenty three Aldermen whereof the Two Sheriffs are part And their Proceedings is by Arrest of the Body or Attachment of the Defendants Goods and in that case much like the other Courts of Common Law By the Statute of 43 Eliz. cap. 12. They have power to correct Errors used for default of good Governance c. in the City The Court of Orphans THe Mayor and Aldermen by Custom have the Custody of Orphans within the City And if they commit the custody to another Man he should have a Ravishment of Ward if the Orphan be taken away And they shall have custody of the Lands and Goods of such Orphans A Recognizance may be acknowledg'd in this Court before the Mayor and Aldermen to the Chamberlain for Orphans and he being a sole Corporation the Recognizance and Bond made to him and his Successors concerning Orphans shall by Custom go to his Successors Executors or Administrator are to Exhibite true Inventories before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and give Security by Rocognizance or the Court may commit them to Prison till they do it If the Father advance any of his Children by part of his Goods that shall bar him to demand any further unless the Father under his Hand or by Will declare it was but in part of Advancement and then that Child putting his part in Hotchpot with the Executors and Widow may have a Third part of the whole and this the Civil Law calls Collatio Bonorum How the Goods of a Freeman shall be divided See Coke's 1 Inst Sect. 207. The Court of Common Councel THis is held by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty Resembling the High Court of Parliament The Commonalty being chosen out of every Ward constitute the Lower House and Represent all the Commonalty of the City Here they make Acts for the better Government of the City For the Execution of the Laws and Statutes of this Realm Pro Bono publico and for the better advancement of Trade and Traffick Provided such Constitutions be not contrary to the Laws of the Realm And these being made by Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty do bind within the City And they of the Common Assembly do give their Assent by holding up their Hands The Court of Wardmote Inquest THis Resembles the Country Leets Every Ward being as a Hundred and the Parishes as Towns And in in every Ward there is an Inquest of Twelve or more Sworn every year to Inquire of and present Nusances and other Offences within the Ward The Court of Hallmote THis is as much as to say The Court of the Hall being the Court which every Company in London keeps in their Halls which was anciently called The Hallmote or Folke Mote The Chamberlain 's Court for Apprentices BEfore the Chamberlain all Indentures of Apprentices are or ought to be Inrolled and if they be not Inrolled and if they be not Inrolled the Apprentice may refuse to Serve and Sue out his Indenture in this Court at his Pleasure and be discharged of his Master The Chamberlain is Judge in all Complaints either of the Servant against the Master or Master against the Servant and punisheth the Offenders at his Discretion In this Court are all Apprentices made Free And that may be Three manner of ways By Service as are Apprentices By Birthright as being the Son of a Freeman which is called Freedom by his Fathers Copy or by Redemption by Order of the Court of Aldermen The Court of the Conservator of the Water and River of Thames THe Lord Major of London for the time being is the Conservator or Governor of the River of Thames and the Issues Breaches and Lands overflown from Stanes Bridge to the Waters of Yendal or Medway And hath Authority for punishment of such as use unlawful Netts or Engins in Fishing or take Fish under Size or unseasonably c. 4 Hen. 7. cap. 15. And in all Commissions touching the Water of Lee the Lord Mayor shall be one 3 Jac. cap. 14. The Court of the Coroner in London THe Mayor is Coroner within the City And this Court is holden before him or his Deputy See Coroner before in the Counties The Court of Escheator in London THe Lord Mayor is also Escheator within the City And this Court is holden before him or his Deputy Vide Escheator before in Counties The Court of Policies and Assurances THis Court Sitteth by Force of the Commission under the Great Seal Warranted by Act of Parliament Ann. 43 Eliz. cap. 12. there being an Officer or Clerk to Register Assurances The Jurisdiction of which Court you may read in that Act of Parliament being for Incouragement of Trade The Judge of the Admiralty Recorder Two Doctors of Civil Law Two Common Lawyers Eight Merchants or any five of them to determine all differences concerning Assurances as they shall think fit without Formalities of Pleadings And to Commit to Prison without Bail all such as disobey their Decrees And to that end they are to meet once a Week at the Assurance Office and not to take any Fee If any be grieved by their Decree he may Exhibit his Bill in Chancery for Re-examination of that Decree The Lord Mayor is Chief Judge at the Court or Sessions of Gaol Delivery held Eight times in the year or oftner at the Sessions-House in the Old Baily for the City of London and County of Middlesex for the Tryal of Criminals and hath power to Reprieve Condemned persons The Tradesmen in London are divided into Corporations or Companies and are so many Bodies Politick of these Twelve are called Chief Companies and he that is chosen Lord Mayor if he be not before must be made Free of one of these Companies viz. Mercers Grocers Drapers Fishmongers Goldsmiths Skinners Merchant Taylors Haberdashers Salters Ironmongers Vintners Cloth-Workers All which Companies have Assembling places called Halls and each of them hath a Master chosen Annually from amongst themselves and Subordinate Governours called Wardens or Assistants And these in their Companies exactly correspond to the General Government of the City Several of our Kings have to honour some of these Companies taken their Freedom of it as VII several Kings had been of the Taylors Company whereof the last of these Seven being King Henry the 7th gave them the Name and Title of Merchant Taylors
or Confirmed at home or abroad Tenures of all the Lands in England Extents of Mannors and Lands Inquisitions Post mortem being of great Advantage upon Trials of Interest or Descent Liberties and Priviledges granted to Cities Towns Corporate or private Men as Court Leets Waifs Estrays Markets Fairs Free Warrens Felons Goods c. Or what else could come to the Crown or pass out of it Writs Pleadings and Proceedings as well in Chancery as at Common Law and in the Exchequer Inspeximus Inrolments c. Deeds and Contracts between party and party and The Just Establishment of all the Offices in the Nation The Metes and Bounds of all Forests with the Rights of the Inhabitants therein and many other And therefore in the Petitions of the Commons in Parliament 46 E. 3. said to be perpetual Evidence of every man's Right and the Records of the Nation These Records are reposited in the place called Wakefield Tower being many Cart Loads Thus distinguished Rotuli Patentium Chartarum Parliamentorum Clausarum Finium Scotiae Vasconiae Franciae Hiberniae Walliae Normanniae Almaniae Oblatae Liberatae Extractae Perambulationes Forestae Scut ' Rotul ' Marshal ' Romae de Treugis Chart ' Patent ' fact ' in Partibus Transmarinis Patent ' de Domibus Judaeorum Protection ' de Perdonation ' c. Stapulae cum multis aliis Depicted lately upon every Press belonging to each King's Reign and very easie to be brought forth for use This Office is to be open from 7 till 11 in the Morning and from 1 till 5 in the Afternoon on all Working-days only in December January and February they open an Hour later in the Morning and shut up an Hour earlier at Night All Records since Richard the Third are yet in the Chappel of the Rolls The Money allowed by the King for the Maintenance of all these Officers and keeping thls Vast Structure in Repair amounts to a vast Sum. Saint Katherines NEar the Tower is St. Katherines which hath a Royal Jurisdiction for the Ecclesiastical Causes and Probate of Wills and belongeth to the Queen from whom if any will Appeal it must be to the King in his Chancery who thereupon Issueth out a Commission under the Great Seal as in Appeals from the Arches or Prerogative The Bridge SUrpasseth all others in Europe It hath 19 Arches 20 Foot between each Arch is 800 Foot in Length 60 High and 30 Broad and hath a Draw-Bridge almost in the Middle Built 1209 in the Reign of King John The Charge of keeping it in Repair is so Great that our Auncestors thought fit to have a Large House a vast Revenue in Lands and Houses and divers Officers to be apart for the constant Care and Repair thereof The Principal whereof are the Two Bridgmasters chosen yearly out of the Body of the Liveries upon Midsummer-day after the Sheriffs and Chamberlain The Bridge over the River Lee at Stratford was built an Hundred years before and being the first Arched Stone-Bridge seen in England gave it the Name of Stratford-Bow Not far below this Famous Bridge is the place for Receipt and Management of all Impositions laid on Merchandizes Imported and Exported into and from this City which is called The Custom-House WHerein are Employed a great Number of Officers whereof the First and Chief are Six Commissioners who have Charge of all His Majesties Customs in all Ports of England Salary to each is 2000 l. a year And these have many Deputies Customers Collectors Comptrollers Surveyors Searchers Waiters c. in the Port of London and in all the Out-Ports Collector of Subsidies or Customs Outwards Fee Two hundred seventy six pounds Collector of Customs Inwards Fee Four hundred sixty six pounds Thirteen shillings Four pence Customer Inwards Fee Sixty two pounds Six shillings Eight pence Customers of Cloth and Petty Customs Fee Two hundred seventy seven pounds Customers of the Great Customs Two Fee Fifty pounds a piece Comptroller of Customs Inwards and Outwards Fee Two hundred fifty five pounds Comptroller of Cloth and Petty Customs Fee One hundred pounds Surveyors of Customs Inwards and Outwards Fee Three hundred pounds Surveyor General Fee Five hundred pounds Comptroller of the Great Custom Fee Thirty pounds Register of the Seizures Fee One hundred and six pounds Chief Searcher Fee One hundred Twenty pounds Five Under-Searchers Eighteen King's Waiters Fee to each Fifty two pounds Surveyor of the Out-Ports Fee Two hundred and Fifty pounds The Perquisites to each of these Officers are very considerable and to some more than their Salaries In all the Out-Ports the King hath the like Officers who all Receive Salaries likewise out of His Majesty's Revenue The General Post-Office THe King by Letters Patent doth Constitute his Post-Master General who keeps one General Office in the City of London from whence Letters and Packets are dispatched Monday to France Italy Spain Flanders Germany Sweden Denmark c. and to Kent Tuesday to the United Netherlands Germany c. and to all Parts of England Scotland and Ireland Wednesday to Kent only and the Downs Thursday to France Spain Italy and all Parts of England and Scotland Fryday to the Spanish and united Netherlands Germany Sweden Denmark and to Kent Saturday to all Parts of England Scotland and Ireland And the Answers of these Letters are Received in the said Office in due Course and dispersed from thence according to the Directions This Office is managed by a Deputy and other Officers to the number of Seventy seven Persons who give their actual Attendance Upon this Grand Office Depends 182 Deputy Post-Masters in England and Scotland Most of which keep Regular Offices in their Stages and Sub-Post-Masters ink their Branches And also in Ireland another General Post-office for that Kingdom which is kept in Dublin consisting of 18 like Officers and 45 Deputy Post-masters The Post-master General keeps for Transport of Letters to France Two Packet-boats to Flanders Two to Holland Two to Ireland Three at Deal Two for the Downs which he Maintains at his proper Charge And the Market Towns of England are so well Appropriated to the Respective Postages that they have an easy and certain conveyance of Letters in due Course of the Mails every Post The number of the Letters Missive in England tho' formerly inconsiderable yet are now so great that the Office hath been Farmed at 30000 l. a year The Charge of Letters here is Less and the Expedition Greater than in any Foreign Country A Letter of a Sheet of Paper costs 2 d. for 80 Miles Two Sheets 4 d. and an ounce 8 d. and in 24 Hours the Post goes 120 Mile and in Five days an Answer may be had from a place 300 Miles distant And for Riding Post you pay only 3 d. a Mile and 4 d. to the Post Boy at every Stage For Study of Law IN London are the Colledges or Houses of the Municipal or Common Law Professors and Students Which are Fourteen still called Inns the
the use of the Clergy in London and Liberties â—hereof and a part thereof for Twenty â—oor People for which he gave Three Thousand pounds and for the Mainâ—enance of the poor People 120 l. yearly for ever and 40 l. yearly for a Sermon in Latin at the beginning of â—very Quarter and a plentiful Dinner â—or all the Clergy that shall meet â—here There was a Spacious Library â—uilt by John Sympson Rector of St. Olaves Hartstreet and well furnished with Books The Chartreaux in London THis was heretofore a Convent of Carthusian Monks called in French Des Chartreaux It is called Sutton's Hâ—â—pital also and consists of A Master oâ— Governour A Chaplain A Master and Usher to Instruct 44 Scholars besideâ— 80 Decayed Gentlemen Souldiers anâ— Merchants who have all a plentifâ—â— Maintenance of Dyet Lodging Cloath and Physick c. The Scholars fit for the University have Twenty poundâ— yearly allowed them for Eight year after they come to the University 〈◊〉 and others fitter for Trades have a considerabl Sum of Money to bind them out Apprentices And they have all Officers expedient for such a Society as Physician Apothecary Steward Cooks Butlers c. who have all Competent Salaries This vast Revenue was the Gift of an ordinary Gentleman Mr. Thomas Sutton Born in Lincolnshire and was of such Account that by the King's Letters Patents Persons of the Highest Quality as the Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancelor Lord Treasurer and Thirteen others are Governours and Overseers thereof Schools in London ARe St. Paul's Founded An 1512. by John Collett Dr. of Divinity and â—ean of St. Paul's for 153 Children to â—e Taught gratis There being a Master Usher and Chaplain who have â—arge Stipends and the Master Wardens and Assistants of The Company of â—ercers in London have the oversight â—hereof And divers other Schools which are â—ndowed as Merchant-Taylors Mercers-Chappel c. which for brevity sake I â—mit The Arms of the City of London â—re Argent A Cross Gules with the Sword of St. Paul not the Dagger of William â—alworth as some have conceited â—or this Coat did belong to the City before Walworth slew Wat Tyler as â—earned Antiquaries affirm Southwark THis Burrough was granted by King Edward the Sixth by Lettâ—ers Patents to the Major Commonalâ—y and Citizens of London and is calâ—ed the Bridge-Ward without and Governed by One of the 26 Aldermen of London It hath nothing Remarkable but that it pays more in a Subsidy to the King and Musters more Men than any City in England except London The City of Westminster THE Ancient Stately Abby Church here was Founded by the Pious King Edward thâ— Confessor and richly Endowed afterwards Rebuilt by King Henry the Third with that rare Architecture now seen Wherein are most Magnificent Tombs and Monuments of our Kings Queens and Greatest Nobles To the East-end of which is added A Chappel by King Henry the Seventh which for curiouâ— Artificial Work without and within For a Monument of Massy Brass most curiously wrought is scarce to be parallel'd in the whole World This huge Fabrick stands where first was the Temple of Apollo and afterwards King Sebert the First Christened King of the East Saxons who first Built St. Paul's Church in London Built here likewise this Church to St. Peter It taketh the name from this Monastery which Minster signifieth it being called Westminster in respect of the East Minister not far from the Tower of London This Monastery 30 Hen. 8. was Surrendred to the King who Erected thereof a Dean and Chapter Anno 33 Hen. 8. It was raised to a Bishopâ—ick and Tho. Thurlby made the first and last Bishop thereof Queen Eliz. Converted it into a Collegiate Church and therein placed a Dean Twelve seculiar Canons or Prebendaries Pety Canons and others of the Quire to the number of Thirty Ten Officers belonging to the Church as many Servants belonging to the Collegiate Diet Two School-Masters Forty Scholars Twelve Alms-men with plentiful Allowance for all besides Stewards Receivers Registers Collectors and other Officers The Principal whereof is the High Steward of Westminster who is usually one of the Prime Nobility The Dean is intrusted with the Regaâ—ia at the Coronation and Honoured with a place of necessary Service at â—ll Coronations and with a Commisâ—ion of the Peace within the City and Liberties of Westminster The Dean and Chapter invested with all Jurisdiction both Ecclesiastical and Civil not only within the City and Liberties of Westminster but within the Precincts of St. Martins le Grand and in some Towns in Essex Exempted in the one from the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of London And in the other from that of the Archbishop of Canterbury It hath a Royal Jurisdiction for Ecclesiastical Causes and Probate of Wills and a Commissary from whom is no Appeal but to the King in his Chancery Who thereupon Issueth out a Commission of Delegates under the Great Seal of England When the Convocation is Adjourned from St. Pauls for the conveniency of being nearer the Parliament to Westminster The Bishops first declare upon a Protestation made by the Dean there that they intend thereby not to violate that High Priviledge viz. That no Archbishop or Bishop may come there without leave of the Dean first obtained There is also a fair publick Library free for all Strangers to Study both Morning and Afternoon always in Term time Within this City are Twelve Wards Out of which are Elected One Burgess and One Assistant in every Ward and out of these Twelve Two are Elected yearly on the Thursday in Easter Week to be Chief Burgesses and so to continue for the year ensuing These Burgesses have Authority by Act 27 Eliz. To Hear Examine Determine and Punish according to the Laws of the Realm and lawful Customs of the City of London Matters of Incontinency Common Scolds Inmates and Common Annoyances and to commit such Persons as shall offend against the Peace and thereof give knowledge within Twenty four hours to some Justice of Peace within the County of Middlesex Next the Abbey Church stood the Palace Royal and usual Place of Residence of the Kings of England who ordinarily held their Parliaments and Courts of Judicature in their Dwelling Houses and many times sate themselves in the said Courts of Judicature as they do still in Parliament But after the Parliament was divided into two several Houses which was about 50 Ed. 3. The Commons assembled in the Chapter House of the Abbot of Westminster until 1 Ed. 6. which gave to the King Colledges Chauntries Free Chappels c. The King being thereby Possessed of the Ancient Beautiful Free Chappel of St. Stephen Founded by King Stephen which had Revenues of the old yearly value of 1085 l. It afterwards served for the House of Commons A great part of this Huge Palace was in the time of Hen. 8. destroyed by Fire what remained hath still been Employed for the use of the Parliament and Courts of Judicature The
Great Hall where those are kept Built by King William Rufus or by Richard the Second as some hold being for all Dimensions not to be equalled by any Hall in Christendom Radulphus de Ingham Chief Justice of England a very poor Man being Fined before him at 13 s. 4 d. in another Term moved with Pity caused the Record to be rased and made 6 s. 8 d. For which he for his Fine made the Clock to be heard into Westminster Hall and the Clock-house which cost 800 Marks Tempore Ed. 1. and continueth to this Day Anno 37 Hen. 8. The King's Mannor of Westminster was made an Honour The City of Norwich THis is an Ancient City For in Ancient Manuscripts it appears That In tempore Steph. Regis de nova Fundata ut Villa populata Communitas factâ— And it is highly commended for many things Quod suis Opibus Frequentia Aedificiorum Elegantia Templorum Pulchritudine Numero Paraecias enim plus minus 30 complectitur Civum sedulitate in Principem fide in Exteros Humanitate inter Celebrrimas Britanniae Urbes merito connumeranda c. Moenibus Validis in quibus crebrae dispositae Turres Undecim Portae undique Obsepta nisi ad ortam qua Flumen cum sinuoso flexu 4 Pontibus pervium Septentrionalem urbis partem interluerit profundo alveo praecipitibus Rupis defendit It is preferred before all the Cities in England except London hath above 30 Parishes and is as large within the Walls as London it had within it and the Liberties Six Religious Houses and One Hospital Anno 27 Hen. 8. The Bishoprick of Norwich becoming void by the Death of Richard Nick commonly called the Blind Bishop The King nominated the Abbot of the Monastery of St. Bennets de Hulmo in the County of Norwich to be Bishop of Norwich And afterwards 4 Feb. 27 Hen. 8. It was Enacted by Authority of Parliament That such Person as should be Elected and Consecrated Bishop of Norwich should have and enjoy united to the said Bishoprick the Monastery of St. Bennets And all Manors c. belonging to the same And should be Abbot of the said Monastery of St. Bennets and have the Dignity of the said Abbacy United Incorporated and Knit to the said Bishoprick For the Courts of Justice in this City we have Treated of the like in London and therefore shall only mention an Act of Parliament concerning the Jurisdiction thereof 2 R. 2. N. 39. Not in Print Whereby it is Enacted for the Citizens of Norwich That if their Customs and Usages heretofore used or hereafter to be used be Difficult or Defective in part or in all Or that the same need any due amendments for any matter arising whereof Remedy was not aforetime had That then the Bailiffs and Twenty four Citizens of the same City so therefore yearly to be Chosen or the greater part of them shall from henceforth have Power to Ordain such Remedies as are most agreeable to Faith and Reason and for the most Profit the Good and Peaceable Government of the same Town and of Strangers thereto repairing as to them shall seem best So as such Ordinance be profitable for the King and his People By the Statute of 14 Hen. 4. The Merchants and Artificers of Worsteds in Norfolk may sell their single Worsteds to any Place or Persons in Amity with the King notwithstanding any Inhibition or Liberty to the contrary In the time of King Edward the Confessor there were 1300 Citizens within this City and they paid 20 l. to the King and 10 l. to the Earl And besides these 20 s. and Four Prebendaries and Six Sextaries of Honey a Bear and Six Dogs to Bait him Now it pays 70 l. to the King and 100 l. to the Queen and a Palfrey and 20 l. of White Rent to the Earl It is a County of it self and hath Two Sheriffs and large Liberties without the Walls See the Statute of 33 Heâ— 8. How many Attorneys should be at Norfolk See Rot. Parl. 18 Ed. 1. f. 5. Concerning the ancient Liberties of this City Burgi Civitat ' Fundat ' Aedificat ' sunt ad Tuitionem Gentium Populorum Regni idcirco obsiâ—vdri debent cum omni Libertate Integâ—itate Ratione The Beautiful Cathedral was begun by Herbert Bishop of Norwich Anno 9 Willielmi Rufi The Strong Castle called â—â—anch Flower Environed with the City but no part thereof but of the County of Norwich was not Built by Bigott Earl of Norwich for we find a Charter of King Stephen Rex c. Sciatis me Dedisse in Feode Hereditate Willielmo Commiti Warren Filio meo Castellum Norwici cum Toto Burgo c. And Reef de Wâ—et Earl of Norwich Defended this Castel against William the Conquerour who was driven out of England and Travelled with his Wife to Jerusalem Vide Coke's 4 Inst cap. 52. The Two Vniversities in England THese are the Two Eyes or Luminaries of the Kingdom and are now Stiled Universities A Professione Universalium Scientiarum Artium Liberalium A University being properly an Incorporation under one Government of many publick Schools ordained especially for the Study and Profession of Divinity Civil-Law and Physick as also Philosophy and other Liberal Arts and Sciences And of these Universities the first and most ancient is thought to be Oxford QUasi Ousford Isidis Uadum From the name of the Chief River Isis whereon it is Seated It lies in 51 Degrees 42 Minutes Latitude and above 22 Degrees Longitude almost the same Climate with the Famous University of Athens and was a place for publick Studies above 900 years ago and much Augmented by the Learned Saxon King Alured And is an ancient City consisting of Two sorts of Inhabitants viz. Students and Citizens living one amongst another yet wholly Separate for Government Laws and Manners The University next under the King being Governed by The Chancellor who is commonly some of the prime Nobility Elected by the Students in Convocation to continue Durante Vita And is to take care of the Government of the whole University To maintain the Liberties and Priviledges thereof To call Assemblies To hear and determine Controversies Call Courts Punish Delinquents c. And next to him in Dignity is The High Steward nominated by the Chancellor and approved by the University and is also Durante Vita and to Assist the Chancellor the Vice Chancellor and Proctors upon their Requests in the Execution of their Places Also to hear and determine capital Causes according to the Laws of the Land and Priviledges of the University so oft as the Chancellor shall require him And the Third Officer is The Vice Chancellor who is commonly the Head of some Colledge nominated yearly by the Chancellor And in the Chancellors Absence may do almost whatever the Chancellor might do if present Moreover he takes care that Sermons Lectures Disputations and other Exercises be performed That Heretiques Fanatiques Nonconformists Panders
the Seat of the old Robogni Darnij Volentij Venicnij and Erdini 116 Miles long and 100 broad It contains Ten Counties viz. 1. Antrim divided into Nine Baronies the chief Towns Carrick-fergus Belfalst and Antrim 2. London-Derry or Colerain divided into Five Baronies chief Towns London-Derry and Colerain 3. Dunnagal or Tir-Conel divided into 5 Baronies chief Town Dunnagal and Balishannon 4. Tyrone divided into Four Baronies chief Towns Dungannon 5. Fermanagh divided into Eight Baronies chief Town Enniskilling 6. Cavan divided into Seven Baronies chief Town Cavan 7. Monaghan divided into Five Baronies chief Town Monaghan 8. Armagh divided into Five Baronies chief Towns Charlemont and Armagh 9 Down divided into Eight Baronies chief Town Down and Newry And 10 Louth often reckoned in Lemster divided into Four Baronies chief Towns Drogheda Dundalk and Louth the chief Town of the whole is London-Derry 2. Connaught Incol Connauhty on the South-west of Ulster bordering on the Western Ocean The Seat of the old Gangani Auteri and Nagnatae 130 Miles long and 84 broad It contains Six Counties viz. 1. Letrim divided into Five Baronies chief Towns Letrim and James Town 2. Slego divided into Six Baronies chief Town Slego 3. Mayo or Majo divided into Nine Baronies chief Towns Mayo or Moy and Killalore 4. Roscommon divided into Six Baronies chief Towns Athlone Roscommon and Boyle 5. Galway divided into Seventeen Baronies chief Towns Galway Tuam and Clonefart And 6 Thomond or Clare oft reckoned in Munster divided into Eight Baronies chief Towns Clare and Killalow The chief Town of the whole is Gallway 3. Leinster Incol Leighnigh on the East of Connaught and South of Ulster The Seat of the old Briguntes Menapij Cauci and Blani 112 Miles long and 70 broad It contains 11 Counties viz. 1. Longford divided into Six Baronies chief Town Longford 2. VVest Meath divided into Eleven Baronies chief Town Molingar 3. East Meath divided into Eleven Baronies chief Towns Trim and Athboy these three made the Province of Meath 4. Dublin divided into Six Baronies chief City Dublin the Metropolis of all Ireland Seated on the Liffie Built by Harfager the first King of Norway and after the English Conquest was Peopled by a Colony of Men from Bristol 5. VVicklow divided into Six Baronies the chief Town VVicklow and Arcklow 6. Kildare divided into Eight Baronies chief Town Kildare 7. Kings County divided into Eleven Baronies chief Town Phillips Town 8. Queens County divided into Seven Baronies chief Town Martborow or Queens Town 9. Kilkenney divided into Eleven Baronies chief Towns Kilkenny and Thomas Town 10. Catherlagh divided into 5 Baronies chief Town Catherlagh And 11. Wexford divided into Eight Baronies the chief Towns VVexford and Ross The chief Town of the whole is Dublin 4. Muuster or Mounster Incol Mown on the South of Leinster and Connaught The Seat of the old Ulterni Coriandi Luceni Velibori and Vodij 135 Miles long and 120 broad It contains Five Counties viz. 1. Tipperary divided into Fourteen Baronies the chief Towns Clonmel Cashel and Tipperary 2. VVaterford divided into Six Baronies chief Town VVaterford and Dungarvan 3. Limerick divided into Nine Baronies chief Towns Limerick and Kilmalock 4. Kerry divided into Eight Baronies chief Towns Dingle and Ardfeart And 5 Cork divided into Thirteen Baronies chief Towns Cork King-sale and Youghil In this lies the County of Desmond divided into Two Baronies chief Town Bantry chief Town of the whole is Limerick but many reckon Cork The Rivers 1. Shannon 2. Barro 3. Shure and Black-water The Soil is Fertile if improved by Industry Amongst other Prerogatives no Venemous Serpent breeds here according to the Verses Illa ego sum c. The chief Loughs are 1. Lough-Earne 2. Lough-Neagh and Lough Corrib the last 26 Miles long and in breadth 4 Miles hath 20. Ilets abounding in Pine Trees The Mountains 1. Knock Patrick 2. Sliew-Bloemy 3. Curlew Hills The Archbishops here are 4. Bishops 19. Universities The Arms Azure an Irish Harp Or Stringed Argent King James the first First Marshalling them with the Arms of England as the first Absolute King thereof altho' Henry the eighth was declared King in Dublin by an Irish Parliament In each of the Counties is a Sheriff and Justices of the Peace and they are Governed by the Laws of England and Statutes Enacted at our English Parliaments But the Deputy hath now Power to Asemble the States here and make what Laws the necessity of the time requireth King John in the 12th year of his Reign went into Ireland and there by advice of Grave and Learned Men whom he carried with him by Parliament de comuni omnium de Hibernia consensu Ordained that Ireland should be Governed by the Laws of England which of many of the Irishmen according to their own Desire was joyfully accepted and obeyed and by many the same was soon after absolutely refused preferring their Brehon Law before the Just and Honourable Laws of England Co. 1 Inst. 14.1 By Poyning's Law made by Authority of Parliament in Ireland Anno 10 H. 7. all the Laws and Statutes of this Realm of England before that time made do extend to Ireland so as now Magna Charta doth extend to Ireland Co. 2. Inst 2. Resolved by all the Judges in England That for a Treason done in Ireland the Offender may be Tryed by the Statute of 35 Hen. 8. in England because the Words of the Statute be All Treasons committed out of the Realm of England and Ireland is out of the Realm of England Coke's 3 Inst 11. Albeit Ireland be a distinct Kingdom and out of the Realm of England to some purposes as Protections and Fines levied c. yet to other intents is as a Member of or belonging to the Crown of England And therefore a Writ of Error is maintainable here in the King's Bench of a Judgment given in the King's Bench in Ireland so as the Judges did construe that part of the Statute of 25 Ed. 3. Making it High Treason to bring in false Money into this Realm Counterfeit to the Money of England not to extend to Money brought out of Ireland Coke's 3 Instit 18. The Irish being Descended from the Ancient Britains now have the same Laws with us in England therefore I shall not write of the Jurisdiction or particular Courts of Justice there they being the same in England But take Notice That King John and also Henry the Second the Father of King John did Command at the Request of the Irish That such Laws as he had in England should be of Force in Ireland and hereby Ireland being a distinct Kingdom was to have Parliaments holden there as in England And thereupon in the Reign of King John a Parliament was holden there as by Record appeareth Co. 4 Inst. 349. King Henry the Second when he had Conquered Ireland sent thither that Treatise fairly Written in Parchment Intituled Modus tenendi Parliamentum for better holding of Parliaments there Coke's 4 Inst 349.