fallitur inter alia suae dispensationis munera quibus nos Regnum nostrum Angliae decorari dignata est Terram Walliae cum Incolis suis prius nobis Jure Feodali Subjectam jam sui gratia in Proprietatis nostrae Dominium Obstaculis quibuscunque cessantibus Totaliter cum Intergritate convertit Corona Regni praedicti tanquam partem corporis ejusdem annexuit univit Yet this Wise and Warlike Nation was long after this not satisfied especially for that taking part with their Rightful Liege Lord King Richard the Second In Revenge thereof many severe Laws were made against them in the Reigns of H. 4. H. 5. c. And they were never in quiet till H. 7. their own Country-man as descended from Owen ap Meredith ap Theodore who Married Katharine Daughter of France and Dowager of King Henry the Fifth and was by Commission found to be Lineally descended from Cadwallader King of the Britons obtained the Crown And yet not so really Reduced in his time as in the Reign of his Son King Henry the Eighth when The Principality of Wales and Dominions thereof was by Act of Parliament 27 H. 8. Incorporated and United to the Realm of England And it is thereby Enacted That every Subject born in Wales should enjoy the Liberties Rights and Laws of this Realm and have Knights of Shires and Burgesses of Parliament c. One Knight for each Shire and One Burgess for each Burrough and the Laws of England used in Wales Vide le Stat. And this Principality consisteth of 12 Counties whereof Eight viz. Glamorgan Anglesey Carnarvan Pembroke Merioneth Flint Carmarthan and Cardigan by Statutum Walliae were Erected 12 E. 1. And the other viz. Brecknock Radnor Denby and Montgomeroy by 27 H. 8. Besides the Shire of Monmouth and other Lordships and Manors in the Marshes united to Salop Herefordshire and Gloucester The Court of the President and Council of Wales THis is a Court of Equity before the President and Council there Warranted by the Statute of 34 H. 8. cap. 36. with Reference to Presciption before in these Words There shall be and remain a President and Council in the said Dominion and Principality of Wales and the Marshes of the same with all Officers Clerks and Incidents to the same in manner as heretofore hath been used who shall have Power to hear and determine by their Wisdoms and Discretions such Causes and Matters as be or hereafter shall be assign'd to them by the King's Majesty as heretofore hath been accustomed They sit by force of the King's Commission and Instructions and proceed as in a Court of Equity by their Wisdoms and Discretions Herefordshire Worcestershire Shropshire and Gloucester are included within this Commission pretending that these Four Shires are within the Marshes of Wales This Court is now Dissolved The Great Sessions in Wales BY the Statute of 34 H. 8. It is Ordained That there shall be Sessions holden and kept Twive in every Year in every of the said Shires within the Dominion of Wales which shall be called The King 's Great Sessions in Wales The Justice of Chester should hold those Sessions in the Shires of Denbigh Flint and Montgomeroy and have nothing but his old Fee of 100 l. for the same That the Justice of North Wales shall likewise hold the Sessions for the Shires of Carnarvan Merioneth and Anglesey and shall have Fifty Pounds yearly of the King for his Fee That one Person Learned in the Laws appointed by the King shall be Justice of the Shires of Radnor Brecknock and Glamorgan and shall hold the said Sessions there and shall have Fifty Pounds yearly of the King for his Fee That one other person Learned in the Laws and appointed by the King shall be Justice for the Shires of Carmarthan Pembroke and Cardigan and shall keep the Sessions there and have the like Sum of Fifty Pounds yearly of the King for his Fee The said Justices shall have several Letters Patents and Commissions for their Offices under the Great Seal of England to be Excercised by themselves or their sufficient Deputies according to the purposes and intents in their Ordinance specified These Justices may hear and determine all Pleas of the Crown as the Chief Justice and other Justices of the King's-Bench may do in their places and elsewhere in the Realm of England and all Pleas of Assize and all other Pleas and Actions Real Personal or Mixt as the Chief Justice of the Common Place in England or other Justices of the same Place may do in the Realm of England That open Proclamation being made in the Shire-Towns Fifteen days before of the Time and Place they intend to keep the said Sessions the said Sessions shall be held and continued for Six days together according to the former Custom heretofore used in North Wales The Seals devised for each Division to be kept by the Steward and Chamberlain of each Division Four Judicial Seals to be in the Custody of the Four Justices respectively and the Teste of Process Judicial shall be in the Name of the Justice who shall pass it Fines Concords Recoveries c. taken before the said Justices within their Authority respectively without any Dedimus potestatem as before the Justice of the Common Place in England There shall be Justices of the Peace and Justices of Quorum and Custos Rotulorum Commissionated by the King in Every of the said Counties not exceeding Eight in a County and those or two of them in each County whereof one to be of the Quorum may keep their Sessions Four times in the Year or oftner if urgent occasion requires and have like Authority and Fees as Justices in England Sheriffs Escheators Coroners Constables of Hundreds and other Officers and their Courts to be had and holden as in England Vide le Statute Rodry Maure King of VVales who died Anno 877 in the time of Alured King of England and left Three Sons Mervyn Anarawd and Cadelh Divided his Kingdom into Three parts Guyneth which the English call north-North-VVales the Latins Venedotia he gave to Mervyn or as some say to Anarawd Powisland in Latin Powisia which some call VVest-VVales he gave to Anarawd or as some say to Cadelh and Deheobarth which the English call South-VVales and the Latins Demetia he gave to Cadelh or as some say to Mervyn The First was the best because the Quietest the Second often Invaded by the English and into the Third Incursions were often made by the English Norman and Fleming The Division of this Kingdom brought in time such Division amongst these Princes that it was never quiet till it came under one Monarch and King again For the Royal Dignity of a Monarch or King from whence all other Subordinate Dignities Tanquam Lumen de Lumine are derived without any Diminution will suffer no Division Regia dignitas est Indivisibilis quaelibet alia derivativa Dignitas est similiter indivisibilis King Edward the Third
in the 17th year of his Reign by Charter Established in Parliament created his Son Son called the Black Prince Prince of VVales in these words De Concilio Praelatorum Comitum Baronum Communiam in Generali Parliamento nostro apud Wesmonaster ' die Lunae in Quindena Paschae proximè praeterito convocato Ipsum Edwardum Pricipem Walliae fecimus creavimus Et dictum Principatum sibi dedimus concessimus per Chartam nostram confirmavimus ac ipsum de dicto Principatu ut ibidem praeficiendo praesidiat praesidendo dictas partes dirigat defendat per sertum in Capite Annulum in Digito aureum ac virgam argenteam investivimus juxta morem Habendum tenendum de nobis sibi Haeredibus suis Regibus Angliae imperpetuum c. And in the same manner is the Noble and primary County Palatine of Chester granted to him at the same time with the same words Sibi Haeredibus suis Regibus Angliae which import a limited Fee and that by his decease or attaining to the Crown these Dignities might be Extinguished in the Crown to the end the King for the time being might have the Honour and power to create his Heir apparent Prince of VVales and Earl of Chester as he himself had been by his Progenitors But otherwise it is in the Case of the Dutchy of Cornwal Vide Coke's 4 Inst cap. 48. that being without Creation and ever since 11 Ed. 3. the First begotten Son of the King is ever Duke of Cornwal And this may suffice for a Short Survey of the Principality of Wales And now proceed to The Military Government of England THe King hath the Sole Supream Goverment Command and Disposition of the Military Power of England both by Land and Sea As is at large declared in Parliament Anno 14 Car. 2. And By Land the next under the King is the Generalissimo when in being of all his Majesties Forces in his Three Kingdoms Horse and Foot in Say as well within Garison as without These Forces in the late King Charles the Seconds time consisted of 4 Regiments of Foot The King's Regiment 24 Companies and near 1700 Men The Dukes Regiment 720 Men Another Regiment 600 Men And the Earl of Craven's Regment of 960 Men And the Earl of Oxford's Regiment consisting of 8. Troops about 500 Horse besides Officers There were likewise in King Charles the Seconds time Three compleat Troops of Horse for his Life-Guard The Kings Troop 200 Horse The Queens Troop 150 Horse and the Duke of Yorks Troop 150 Horse The rest of his Majesties Forces in constant pay were disposed under several Governors in several Garisons of which there are about Thirty two and in some of them the King had 500 Men in constant pay The pay of a Colonel of Horse 12 s. per diem A Collonel of Foot 20 s. per diem and other Officers proportionably Each of the Life-Guards 4 s. per diem And each Trooper 2 s. 6 d. per diem Each Foot Soldier in London 10 d. per diem Each Foot Soldier in Garrison 8 d. per diem These Forces were afterwards much encreased but no Orders are yet setled by Act of Parliament for these Land Forces as there are for Sea Forces But now they are settled by Act of Parliament to be 7000 natural born Subjects The Officers included Besides these Forces before mentioned the Standing Militia of the Kingdom is settled in the King by Acts of Parliament Tempore Car. 2. to be Governed Ordered and Enlarged from time to time as his Majesty shall see occasion For Government of these the King by Commission Creates divers of the Peers of the Kingdom Lieutenants of the several Counties with power to Arm Array and Form into Companies Troops and Regiments and to conduct upon occasion of Rebellion or Invasion and employ there Men so Armed within their respective Counties or into any other County as the King shall direct To give Commissions to Colonels and other Commissionated Officers To present to the King the Names of Deputy Lieutenants To charge ay person with Horse Horse-Men and Arms or Foot Soldiers and Arms within the said County proportionable to their Estates with limitation that no person be charged with a Horse unless he hath 500 l. yearly or 6000 l. personal Estate or with a Foot Soldier unless he hath 50 l. yearly or 600 l. personal Estate Those that have meaner Estates are to joyn Two or Three together to find a Horse or Horseman or a Foot Soldier The said Horse or Foot to Muster once or twice a year and each Horse-Man while he serves to have 2 s. a day and each Foot Soldier 12 d. per diem They have likewise power to levy a Fourth part of the Tax of 70000 l. per Mensem for Ammunition And in case of Marching against an Enemy they have power to cause every Man so charged to allow each Soldier a Months pay which the King is after to pay before they be charged with another Months pay In 1588 Upon the Muster made by Commission from Queen Eliz. in expectation of the Spanish Invasion there were found to be Three Millions and of those fit for War about 600000 Men. In all times of danger some are set to watch at every Beacon to give notice in a few Hours to the whole Kingdom There were anciently many Castles in all parts of England But Inland Castles have been either demolished or willingly suffered to decay that Rebels or Invaders might have no Shelter or the Invaded any Refuge to Fly to whereby to occasion any Lingring And now we come to the Military Courts amongst which the chief is The Court of Chivalry before the Constable and Marshal THis Court is called Curia Militaris and the Marshal Court wherein the Lord Constable and Earl Marshal of England are Judges And is the Fountain of the Martial Law Constable Is compounded of two Saxon words Cunning per contractionem King Stable id est Columen q. Columen Regis anciently written Coningstable Marshal Likewise of two Saxon wards Mare for Equus and Stale for Curator The Jurisdiction is declared by the Statute of 13 R. 1. To the Constable it appertaineth to have Conusance of Contracts and Deeds of Arms and of War out of the Realm and also of Things that touch War within the Realm which cannot be determined or discussed by the Common Law with other Usages and Customs to the same pertaining which other Constables have duly and reasonably used in their time joyning to the same that every Plaintiff shall declare plainly his Matter in his Petition before that any Man be sent for to answer thereunto And if any will complain that any Plea be commenced before the Constable and Marshal that might be Tried by the Law of the Land the same Complainant shall have a Privy Peal of the King without difficulty directed to the said Constable and Marshal to Purcease in that Plea
pray to God for him c. and this by divers Writers appears to be the practice used by the Primitive Churches And this Punishment if the Crime be not very notorious may by the Canons of the Church of England be commuted to a Pecuniary mulct to the Poor or to some other pious Use Punishments Ecclesiastical peculiar to the Clergy TO the before-mentioned Punishments both Clergy and Laity are subject but there are Punishments to which the Clergy only are liable as first Suspensio ab Officio Is when the Minister for a time is declared unfit to execute the Office of Minister Then Suspensio à Beneficio when the Minister is for a time deprived from the profits of his Benefice and these two Censures are wont to be for smaller Crimes Then Deprivatio à Beneficio is for a greater Crime wherein a Minister is wholly and for ever deprived of the profits of his Benefice or Living And Lastly Deprivatio ab Officio when a Minister is for ever deprived of his Orders and this is called Depositio or Degradatiâ—â— and is commonly for some heinous Crime deserving Death and is performed by the Bishop in a Solemn manner pulling off from the Criminal his Vestments and other Ensigns of his Order and this in the presence of the Civil Magistrate tâ— whom he is then delivered to be punished as a Layman for the like Offence And this may suffice for a shoâ—â— view of the Ecclesiastical Government The Civil Government c. A Brief Account of the Ecclesiastical Government having been given In the next place we are to Treat of the Civil Government the first great Wheel moved therein by the King and his Privy Council Being The High Court of Parliament BEfore the Conquest called the Great Council of the King consisting of the Great Men of the Kingdom It was also called Magnatum Conventus or Praelatorum Procerumque Consilium and by the Saxons Michel Gemot and Witenage Mote after the Conquest it was called Parliamentum from the French word Parler still consisting of the Great Men of the Nation as some hold until the Reign of Hen. 3. when the Commons also were called The first Writs to Summon or Elect them being said to bear date 49 Hen. 3. above 400 years ago so that now this High Court consists of The King who being Caput Principium Finis Parliamenti Sits there as in his Royal Politick Capacity The Lords Spiritual As the Two Archbishops and Bishops being in number about Twenty four who sit there by Succession in respect of their Baronies and to every one of these Ex Debito Justitiae a Writ of Summons is to be directed The Lords Temporal As Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons who sit there by reason of their Dignities and were in the Lord Cokes time about 106 now near twice that number And every of these being of full Age Ex Debito Justitiae ought to have a Writ of Summons And The Commons of the Realm being Knights of Shires Citizens of Cities and Burgesses of Burroughs all which are respectively Elected by the Counties Cities and Burroughs and none of them ought to be omitted and these were in number in the Lord Cokes time 493 now about 513 persons Spiritual Assistants are Procuratores Cleri who are so called as by the Writ to the Bishop before mentioned appears to Consult and to Consent but never had Voices as being no Lords of Parliament And by the Treatise De modo tenendi Parliamentum they should appear cum praesentia eorum sit necessaria Temporal Assistants Are all the Judges of the Realm Barons of the Exchequer and of the Coif The King 's Learned Council and the Civilians Masters of the Chancery are called to give their Assistance and Attendance in the upper House of Parliament but have no Voice and their Writs differ from the Barons being Quod intersitis nobiscum cum caeteris de concilio nostro super praemissis tractaturi vestrumque Concilium impensuri Romulus Ordained 100 Senaâ—ours which were afterwards increased to 300 and of that number were our House of Commons in Fortescue's time The Person Summoning is the King or in his Absence the Custos Regni or in his Minority the Protector Regni doth Summon the Parliament which cannot be begun without the Kings Presence either in Person or Representation by Commission under the Great Seal or by a Guardian of England by Letters Patents The manner of Summoning a Parliament is in manner following About 40 days before their time of Sitting the King cum Advisamento Consilij sui Issues out of Chancery Writs of Summons to every Lord of Parliament Spiritual and Temporal Commanding the Lords Spiritual in Fide Dilectione and the Lords Temporal per Fidem Allegiantiam to Appear Treat and give their Advice in certain Important Affairs concerning the Church and State c. And the Warrant is per ipsum Regem Concilium And for Summoning the Commons a Writ goeth to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports for Election of the Barons of the Cinque Ports who in Law are Burgesses and to every Sheriff in the 52 Counties in England and Wales for the Choice and Election of Knights Citizens and Burgesses within every of their Counties respectively Two Knights for each County Two Citizens for each City and One or Two Burgesses for each Burrough according to Statute Charter or Custom Persons Elected for each County ought to be Milites Notabiles or at leastwise Esquires or Gentlemen fit to be made Knights they ought to be Native Englishmen or at least such as have been Naturalized by Act of Parliament No Alien or Denizen none of the 12 Judges no Sheriff of a County no Ecclesiastical person having Cure of Souls may be a Parliament Man And for Legality of Sitting in Parliament he must be 21 years old All the Members of Parliament both Lords and Commons with their Menial Servants and necessary Goods are Priviledg'd during the time of Parliament Eundo Morando ad proprium redeundo But not from Arrests for Felony Treason or Breach of the Peace If the King do not think fit the Parliament shall Sit at the day of Return of the Writ he may by Writ Patent Prorogue them till another day as was done 1 Eliz. At the day of Meeting of the Parliament The King and by his Direction the Lord Chancellor The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal or some other by the Kings appointment Declares the Causes of Calling the Parliament as in Ed. 3. time Sir Henry Green Lord Chief Justice although the Lord Chancellor were present And when a Bishop is Lord Chancellor he usually takes a Text of Scripture in Latin and Discouses thereupon And when a Judge by way of Oration he Declares the Cause of Calling the Parliament The Lords in their House have power of Judicature The Commons in their House to some purposes have power of Judicature and both together have power of Judicature But this
word Districtionem for Destructionem altering the sense of the Statute of Gloucester although but by one letter adjudged it was matter of substance and the Writ could not be amended Cokes 5 Rep. 45. Freeman's Case The Acts of 7 Hen. 7. and 3 Hen. 8. are perpetual Acts for the word King doth include all his Successors Cokes 6 Rep. 27. Case of Soldiers Althô the Statutes speak only of the Party yet Executors and Administrators shall take advantage of it Cokes 6 Rep. 80. Sir Edw. Phitton's Case Resolved in Englefield's Case That by tender of the Ring according to the Condition the Uses were void and the Estate vested in the Queen by force of the Attainder and of the Act 33 H. 8. Cokes 7 Rep. 15. In the case of the Prince the King's Charter having the Force of Parliament is sufficient in it self without any other Act for it is affirmed by Parliament by Stat. 9 H. 5. That it was agreed at the Parliament 11 Ed. 3. That the eldest Sons of the Kings of England were Dukes of Cornwal and that Dutchy should remain to them without being given else where Cokes 8 Rep. Case of the Prince from 25 to 29. In many cases the Common Law doth comptrol Acts of Parliament and sometimes shall adjudge them void For when an Act of Parliament is against common Right and Reason or repugnant and impossible to be performed the Common Law shall adjudge it void Cokes 8 Rep. 118. Dr. Bonham's Case and 128 129 Case of the City of London When an Act of Parliament maketh any Coveyance good against the King or other Person certain it shall not take away the Right of any other althô there be not any saving in the Act Cokes 8 Rep. Sir Francis Barington's Case 138. In case of Sentence of Deprivation of one and Presentment Institution and Induction of another after by relation of a General Pardon all are restored without Appeal or new Presentation Admission or Institution Cokes 9 Rep. Lord Sanchar's Case In an Act of Parliament misnaming of a Corporation when the express meaning appeareth shall not avoid the Act no more than in a Will Cokes 10 Rep 54 to 57. Case of the Chancellor of Oxford If an Act of Parliament were intended to Repeal a former Act it could not be by general and doubtful words Cokes 10 Rep 138. the Case of Chester Mills It cannot be intended that a Statute made by Authority of the whole Realm should do any thing against Truth Cokes 11 Rep. 14. Priddle and Napper's Case The Title of the Act is no part of the Act as the preamble is and Penal Statutes shall be taken by intendment to remedy mischiefs and suppress Crimes Cokes 11 Rep. 34. Powlter's Case Penal Statutes are to be followed chiefly in Informations strictly and in terminis according to the purview of the Act Cokes 11 Rep. 56. Dr. Forster's Case Where the Rule is Leges Posteriores priores contrarias abrogant countrarium est duplex Vide Cokes 11 Rep. 63. Dr. Foster's Case Statut ' Praerogativa Regis saith The King shall have Annum Diem Vastum which is as much as to say he shall have the Trees c. to his own disposition Cokes 11 Rep. 83. Levis Bowles's Case By Stat. 4. Ed. 3.14 A Parliament shall be holden once a year and oftner if need be By Stat. 36 Ed. 3.10 A Parliament shall be holden every year By Stat. 5 R. 2. Stat. 2.4 Every Person and Comminalty having Summons of Parliament shall come thither in pain to be amerced or otherwise punished and if the Sheriff doth not Summon them he shall be likewise amerced or otherwise punished as hath been used in times past What persons are to be Elected Knights Citizens and Burgesses to serve in Parliament the manner of their Election and Levying of their Expences and the divers Acts of Parliament for regulating their Elections you may see in the Statutes at large By Stat. 6 Hen. 8.16 No Knight Citizen Burgess or Baron of any of the Cinque-Ports shall depart from the Parliament without License of the Speaker and Commons in Parliament assembled to be entred upon Record in the Clerk of the Parliaments Book on pain to lose their Wages By Stat. 33. H. 8.21 The Kings Royal Assent by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal and Signed by his Hand and notified in his absence to the Lords and Commons assembled in the upper House is and ever was of as good strength and force as if the King were personally present and had publickly assented thereunto By Stat. 12 Car. 2. cap. 1. It 's declared That the Parliament begun the 3d of November 16. Car. 1. is dissolved and that the Lords and Commons now sitting are the two Houses of Parliament notwithstanding any want of the Kings Writs of Summons or any other defect Stat. 16 Car. 2 cap. 1. The sitting and holding of Parliament shall not be intermitted above three years and now a new Parliament is to be called every Three years Stat. 6 W. M. Stat. 30 Car. 2. cap. 1. No Peer shall Vote make Proxy or Sit during any Debate in the House of Peers nor any Member of the House of Commons Vote or Sit there after their Speaker Chosen till they first take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and Subscribe and Repeat the Declaration in the Act mentioned between the hours of nine in the Morning and four in the afternoon at the Tables in the middle of the said Houses in a full House in such order as each House is called over for which Declaration and other Matters see the Statute at large But now those Oaths by late Acts are altered and others appointed in their stead Tbe Executive Power in Temporal Affairs A Brief account having been given of the Parliament in which is comprehended the Legislative power in Temporal Affairs We are next to consider the Executive power in the same and that is generally in the King he being the Fountain of Justice and Lord Chief Justice of Englaâ—d and because he is Caput Principium Finis Parliamenti by which the Laws are made and nothing can have the force of Law without his consent given in Parliament by Le Roy le veut therefore All the Laws of England are called the Kings Laws All the Courts of Judicature are called the Kings Courts And all the Judges of these Courts are called the Kings Judges And the High Court of Parliament being the Highest Court of Judicature all other Courts and Person in England are subject to it The Court of the High Steward of England HIs Stile is Seneschallus Angliae which word Seneschallus hath several Derivations yet as being applied to England it is properly derived from Sen that is Justice and Schale that is Governour or Officer that is Praefectus seu Officiarius Justitiae And this agreeth well with his Authority and Duty to proceed Secundum Leges Consuetudines Angliae This Office is very ancient and
was before the Conquest For in an ancient and Authentical Manuscript Intituled Authoritas Seneschalli Angliae where putting an Example of his Authority saith Sicut accidit Godwino Comiti Kanciae tempore Regis Edw ' antecessoris Willielmi Ducis Normandiae pro hujusmodi male gestis consilijs suis per Seneschallum Angliae adjudicatus forisfecit Commitivam suam In the time of the Conqueror William Fitz Eustace was Steward of England and in the Reign of William Rufus and Hen. 1. Hugh Grantsemenel Baron of Hinkley held that Barony by the said Office Of ancient time this Office was of Inheritance and appertained to the Earldom of Leicester as it also appeareth by the said Record Seneschalcis Angliae pertinet ad Comitivam de Leicester pertinuit ab antiquo That is that the Earldom of Leicester was holden by doing of the Office of Steward of England Other Records testified thaâ— it should belong to the Barony of Hinkley The truth is That Hinkley was parcel of the Possessions of the Earâ— of Leicester for Robert Bellomont Earâ— of Leicester in the Reign of Hen. 2 Married with Petronilla Daughter and Heir of the said Hugh Grantsemenel Baron of Hinkley and Lord Steward oâ— England and in her right was Steward of England And so it continued until by the Forfeiture of Simon Montford it came to King Hen. 3. who iâ— the 50th year of his Reign created Edmond his Second Son Earl of Leicester Baron of Hinkley and High Steward of England which continued is his Line until Henry of Bullinbrook Soâ— and Heir of John of Gaunt Duke oâ— Lancaster and Earl of Leicester who was the last that had any Estate of Inheritance in the Office of the Steward of England since which time it waâ— never granted to any Subject buâ— but only hac vice and the reason was for that the Power of the Steward of England was so transcendent that it was not holden fit to be in any Subjects hands For the said Record saith Es Sciendum est quod ejus Officium est supervidere regulare sub Rege immediatè post Regem totum regnum Angliae omnes Ministros legum infra idem Regnum temporibus pacis guerrarum c. and proceedeth particularly with divers exceeding High Powers and Authorities which may well be omitted because they serve for no present use And albeit their Power and Authority have been since the Reign of Henry the Fourth but hac vice yet is that hac vice limited and appointed As when a Lord of Parliament is Indicted of Treason or Felony then the Grant of this Office under the Great Seal is to a Lord of Parliament reciting the Indictment Nos considerantes quod Justitia est virtus excellens Altissimo complacens aeque prae omnibus uti volentes ac pro eo quod Officium Seneschalli Angliae cujus praesentia pro administratione justitiae executione ejusdem in hac parte facien requiritur ut accepimus jam vacat De fidelitate strenuitate provida circumspectione induâ—tria vestris plurimum câ—nfidenteâ— ordâ—nâ—vimus constituimus vos ex hac causa causis Seneschallum nostrum Angliae ad Officium illus cum monibus eidem Officio in hac parte debitis pertinentibus hac vice gerend ' accipiend ' exercend ' dantes concedentes vobis tenore praesentium plenam sufficientem potestatem authoritatem ac mandatum speciale indictamentum praedict ' c. So that it appeareth that this great Officer is wholly restrained to proceed only upon the recited Indictment And he to whom this Offic is granted must be a Lord of Parliament and his proceeding is to be Secundum Leges Consuetudines Angliae for so is his Commission And hereof you may read more at large in Coke's 3 Inst Chap. High Treason Also at every Coronation he hath a Commission under the Great Seal hac vice to hear and determine the Claims for Grand Serjeanties and other Honourable Services to be done at the Coronation for the solemnization thereof For which purpose the High Steward doth hold his Court some convenient time before the Coronation See a President hereof before the Coronation of King Richard the Second John Duke of Lancaster then Steward of England who in Claims before him was styled Tres Honourable Seignior Roy de Castile Leon Seneschalle d' Engleterre and held his Court in Alba Aula apud Westm die Jovis proximè ante Coronationem Quae quidem coronatio habita solemnizata fuit die Jovis sequente viz. 16 Julij Anno 1 Ric. 2. The first that was Created Hac vice for the Solemnization of the Coronation of Henry the Fourth was Thomas his second Son and upon the Arraignment of John Holland Earl of Huntingdon the first that was Created Steward of England Hac vice was Edward Earl of Devon When he sitteth by force of his Office he sitteth under a Cloth of State and such as direct their Speech unto him say May it please your Grace my Lord High Steward of England The style of John of Gaunt was Johannes filius Regis Angliae Rex Legionis Castellae Dux Aquitaniae Lancastriae Comes Derbiae Linconliae Leicestriae Seneschallus Angliae And in respect his Power before it was limited was so Transcendent no mention is made of this Great Officer in any of our ancient Authors the Mirror Bracton Britton or Fleta It seemeth they liked not to treat of his Authority neither is he found in any Act of Parliament nor in any Book Case before the 1st of Henry the Fourth and very few since which hath caused me to be the longer saith the Lord Coke in another place to set forth his Authority and due proceeding upon the Arraignment of a Peer of the Parliament by Judicial Record and Resolution of the Judges agreeable with constant Experience As the Peers of the Realm that be Tryors or Peers are not sworn so the Lord Steward being Judge c. is not sworn yet ought he according to his Letters Patents to proceed Secundum legem consuetudinem Angliae Co. 4. Inst. cap. 4. In Enditemene de Treason ou Felony verâ— un des Pieres del Realm le Tryal est per sâ—s Pieres quel maner de tryal in Appel nesâ— grauntable per que depuis que cel Trial per ses Pieres est le proper Trial que appertient al piere del Realm quant sur Enditement de Treason ou Felony il ad plead dâ—rien culpable Veions l'order proces dâ—cest Tryal Appiert An. 1. H. 4. fol. 1. An 13 H. 8. fol. 11. que quant un Seigniour del Parlement serra arraigne de Treason 〈◊〉 Felony dount il est endite Le Roy persâ—â— Letters patents ferra un graunde sagâ— Seigniour d'estre de grand Seneschaâ—â— d' Engleterre pour le jour de l'arraignment qui devant le dit jour ferra precept a son Serjaunt d'Arms qui
in French Pourallèe i. e. Perambulatio By this it appeareth That Chases that never were Forests cannot have any Purlieu and consequently the case of 16 Eliz. Dyer 326. is mistaken for the Chase of Whaddon never was a Forest The Owners of the Soil within the Purlieu may at their will and pleasure Fell Cut down Eradicate and Stub up all Timber Trees Woods and Under-woods and convert the same into Arrable Land or dispose and inclose the same as if the same had never been Afforested The King's Raâ—â—gers may Re-chase with their Hounds any Deer out of the Purlieu into the Forest again and may present unlawful Huntings and Hunters of the Kings Deer within the Purlieu as in the Night or at unseasonable Deer or by one no Purlieu Man As appears by the Rangers Oath Coke's 4 Inst. cap. 73. And where is no Purlieu there are no Rangers The Kings Game or Deer are not marked therefore Ranging out of the Forest and Purlieu if any be belonging to the King Therefoâ—e the Abbot of Whitby Huntting in Whitby Forest adjoyning to the Forest of Pickering which belonged to the Earl of Lancaster The Sheriff being commanded to Summon the Abbot before the Justices in Eyre 8 E. 3. Rot. 42. He pleaded his Title to the Forest and that all Abbots of that place by their Grants might with Engins Netts c. take Wild Beasts By which it appears That when the Kings Game range out of the Forest they are at their natuâ—al Liberty Et occupanti conceduntur And now a word of The Drifts of the Forests by the Statute of 32 Hen. 8. all Forests Chases Commons Heaths Moors and Wast grounds within England and Wales are to be driven at the Feast of St. Michael yearly or within 15 days after or at any other season or time of the year And the end of these Drifts is First To see if those who ought to Common do Common with such Cattel as by Prescription or Grant they ought Secondly That they do not Surcharge Thirdly If the Cattel of any Stranger be there who ought not to Common at all A Forrest being as it is described before that which hath Power to hold the several Courts before mentioned it is further to be observed That if the King having a Forest grant the same to a Subject in Fee the Grantee shall have no Forest because he hath no power to make Justices and Officers of the Forests to hold Courts c. But if the King grant a Forest to a Subject with this further That upon request made in Chancery he and his Heirs shall have Justices of the Forest Then the Subject hath a Forest in Law As the Duke of Lancaster had the Forests of Pickering and Lancaster And the Abbot of Whitby had the Forest of Whitby in the County of York A Chase is where there are Keepers only and no Court of Swanimote but is governed by the Common Law And when a Forest is granted by the King to a Subject without the Power above mentioned to have Justice of the Forest Then that which was a Forest before shall be said to be a Chase and a Chase is a certain compass of Ground to nourish and maintain Deer granted by the King in my own Land and is not inclosed but lieth open A Park is Land inclosed and stored with Wild Beasts which may be had by Prescription as well as by Grant of the King and a Park is always inclosed with some Pale Wall or the like and is not open for if it lie open it is cause of Forfeiture or Seisure A Warren is where one by Grant of the King or by Prescription doth use to have Pheasants Partridges Conies and Hares and no other Wild Beast or Vermin within certain of his Lands And none may make a Warren but the King no more than they may make a Forest or Chase because it is a special Priviledge which belongeth to the King only But it may be had by Prescription And in every Warren is a Master and Servants to attend for the safeguard of the Beasts and Birds of Warren but there is no Court of Swanimote or other Court For Trespass done in a Warren is punishable by the Common Law And the King may grant to me Warren which he hath in such his Demesne Land And also which he hath in Lands of others And may grant me Waren in my Lands for Conies and Hares and to an other that he have Warren there for Partridge and Phesant And if the King grant that none shall Chase or Hunt any Beasts in my Land it is a good grant for Beasts of Chase and Warren and it is not a Warren but a Free Chase And for other matters relating to Forest Park Chase and Warren Vide compton's Jurisdiction of Courts and Coke's 4 Inst The Beasts of Park or Chase properly extend to the Buck the Doe the Fox the Roe the Marton but in a common and Legal Sense to all the Beasts of the Forest The Forest and Chase differ in Offices and Laws every Forest is a Chase but every Chase is not a Forest Beasts of Forest are properly a Hart Hind Buck Hare Boar Wolf ut supra but legally all Wild Beasts of Venery There are both Beasts and Fowls of Warren as Hares Conies and Roes called in Records Capreoli Fowls of two sorts Terrestres and Aquatiles Terrestres of two sorts Silvestres and Campestres Campestres as Partridge Quâ—il Rail c. Silvestres as Phesants Woodcock c Aquatiles as Mallard Hern c Of the Officers of Park Forest c and Conditions annexed and causes of forfeiture See Coke's 1 Inst 233. a. b. Vivarium is taken for Waters where Fishes are kept Coke's 2 Inst 162. It is not lawful for any Man to Erect a Park Chase or Warren without a License under the Great Seal of the King who is Pater Patriae and Head of the Common-wealth for the Common Law gave no way to matters of Pleasure wherein most Men do exceed for that they brought no profit to the Common-wealth Unto a lawful Park three things are requisite First A Liberty either by Grant of the King or by Prescription Secondly Inclosure by Pale Wall or Hedge Thirdly Beasts Savages of Park By Stat. Westm 1. cap 20. Trespasses in Parks and Vivaries shall make good and high amends according to the manner of the Trepass have Three years Imprisonment make Fine to the King or otherwise find Surety no more to Offend or else to Abjure the Realm If one Hunt in a Park or Fish in a Pond altho' he kill no Deer or take any Fish yet this is a Misfeazance within this Statute And this Act being Affirmative to the Common Law the party may bring his Action upon this Statute or may waive the benefit of this Act and bring his Action of Trespass Generally at the Common Law If the Damages given be too small the court may encrease the Damages The King may pardon
The Grant of Earl Marshal of England by Letters Patents of Rich. the 2d and other Grants thereof you may see more at large Coke's 4 Institutes cap. 17. The Maritime Power of England ALL the King 's Maritime Forces are under the Command of the Lord High Admiral of England so called from Amir in Arabick and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek that is Praefectus Marinis A compound word from the Eastern Empire introduced into England after the Wars in the Holy Land by King Richard or King Edward the first His Patent was antiently Angliae Hiberniae Acquitaniae Magnus Admirallus But now it is Angliae Hiberniae Dominiorum Insularum eorundem Villae Calesiae Marchiarum ejusdem Normandiae Gasconiae Acquitaniae Magnus Admirallus Praefectus Generalis Classis Marium dictorum Regnorum And this Office for the Great Trust and Honour is usally given to the King 's younger Son near Kinsman Or one of the Principal Nobility He hath power to Commissionate a Vice-Admiral a Rear-Admiral All Sea Captains And also Deputies for particular Coasts Coroners Commissioners and Judges for the Court of Admiralty to Imprison Release c. and sometimes to confer Knighthood on such as deserve it at Sea To him by Law and Custom belong Penalties and Amerciaments of Transgressors at Sea on the shore in Ports and from the first Bridge on Rivers towards the Sea Also the Goods of Pirates Felons or Capital Faulters condemned Outlawed or Horned All Waifs Strays Goods Wrecks of Sea Deodands a share of lawful Prizes Lagon Jetsam and Flotsam that is Goods lying in the Sea on the Ground Goods Floating on the Sea and Goods cast by the Sea on Shore not granted to Lords of Mannors adjoyning to the Sea All great Fishes as Sea-Hogs and others of Extraordinary bigness called Royal Fishes Except Whales and Sturgeons To the Crown of England belongs the Sovereignty of the Narrow-Sea round the Island of Great Britain whereof by Ancient Right it hath had Possession in all times and King Edgar stiled himself Sovereign of the Narrow-Seas In Testimony whereof the Swedes Danes Hollanders c. were wont to aske leave to pass the British-Seas and to take Licenses to Fish therein And to this day Strike Sail to all the Ships of War belonging to the King of England as oft as they pass by any of them thereby acknowledging his Sovereignty according to an Ordinance made at Hastings in Sussex by King John about 450 years ago To maintain this Right Protect Trade and Defend their Kingdoms The Kings of England have Ships of War for Strength Beauty and Sailing Surpassing all other in the World of these such as Ships then were King Edgar is said to have 3600 And the late King Charles had 7 of the First Rate 9 of the Second Rate 22 of the Fifth and 18 of the Sixth Rate besides 30 Fireships and several Small Vessels for Tenders and Victuallers The Royal Sovereign Built by King Charles the first 1637 being of the First Rate was in Length by the Keel 127 Foot in Breadth by the Beam 47 Foot in Depth 49 Foot her Draught of Water 21 Foot Burthen in all 2072 Tunns and 1492 Tunns besides Guns and Tackle hath 6 Anchors the biggest 6000 l. weight and the least 4300 l. weight 14 Cables the greatest 21 Inches compass and weighs 9000 l. weight the least 8 Inches compass weighing near 1300 l. weight 18 Masts and Yards the Main Mast 113 Foot long and 38 Inches Diameter the Main Yard 105 Foot long and 23 Inches Diameter and her Main Top 15 Foot Diameter Had 10 several sorts of Sails Her greatest called the Main Course contained with her Bonnet 1640 yards of Canvas Ipswich double The least called the Foretop Gallant Sail 130 yards of Canvas The compleat suit cost 404 l. The weight of Sea store in point of Ground Tackle and other Cordage 60 Tuns 800 and odd Pounds Shee carried a Long boat of 50 Foot a Pinnace of 30 Foot and a Skiff of 27 Foot long The weight of her Rigging 33 Tun She hath 3 Tires of Guns 44 in the Upper 34 in the Second and 22 in the Lower Tire in all 100 Guns She carried Officers Soldiers and Mariners in all 850 Men. The charge for Victuals Ammunition Wages Wear and Tear every Month at Sea costs 3500 l. The Charge of Building a First Rate Ship with Guns Tackle and Rigging doth usually amount to 62432 the lesser Rates Charge is proportionable A Second Rate carries from 56 to 80 Guns A Third Rate from 58 to 70 Guns A Fourth Rate from 40 to 60 Guns A Fifth Rate from 24 to 32 Guns A Sixth Rate from 6 to 18 Guns The Lord High Admiral may fitly be reputed Vice-Roy of the Maritime Kingdom of England Nam in Mari sunt Regna distincta idque Jure Gentium sicut in arida Terra The Vice-Admiral is an Officer to whom next under the High Admiral it belongs to see the Royal Navy kept in good Repair The Wages of Mariners and Shipwrights duly paid and the Ships provided of all things necessary The Lord High Admiral doth appoint in divers parts of the Kingdom Vice Admirals with their Judges and Marshals by Patent under the Great Seal of the Admiralty These do Exercise Jurisdiction in Maritime Affairs within their Limits and if any be aggrieved by their Sentence or Decree he may Appeal to the High Court of Admiralty and of these round the Coasts are about 22 in England and Wales The Lord High Admiral hath Courts for the Maritime Affairs whereof the Principal is at London and called The Court of Admiralty IN this Court Erected as some hold by Edward the Third The Lord Admiral hath a Lieutenant called Judge of the Admiralty who is commonly some Learned Doctor of the Civil Law Because The Proceeding is in all Civil Matters according to the Civil Law The Sea being without the Limits of the Common Law and by Libel they Proceed to the Action the Plaintiff giving caution to prosecute the Suit and to pay what shall be adjudged against him if he fail therein The Defendant also giving Security or Caution as the Judge shall think meet that he will appear in Judgment and pay that which shall be adjudged against him and that he will ratify whatever his Proctors shall do in his name Besides the Civil Law The Laws of Rhodes and Oleron are here used The former for their Excellency being Incorporated into the Volumes of the Civil Laws And Oleron being an Island in the Bay of Aquitain belonging to the Crown of England King Richard the first there Compiled such Excellent Laws for Sea Matters that in the Ocean Sea Westward they had almost as much Repute as the Rhodian Laws in the Mediterranean and these Laws were called La Rool de Oleron Many Statutes and Ordinances were made by King Edward the Third and other Princes and People as at Rome Pisa Genoa Marseilles Barcelona and
To take care of the Church and Church Assemblies The Overseers of the Poor To take care of the Poor Sick Aged Orphans and other Objects of Charity And Lastly The Clerk to wait on him at Divine Service And for The Civil Government of Villages THe Lord of the Manor or Soil who from the Crown immediately holds or mediately holds Dominium Soli Is said to have in him The Royalty as if he were a little King and hath a kind of Jurisdiction and a Court Baron incident to the Manor and sometimes a Court Leet by Grant from the King to which the Inhabitants owe Suit and Service and where smaller Matters as Escheats upon Felonies or other Accidents common Nusances c. Admitting of Tenants passing of Estates Reliefs Herriots Hunting Hawking Fishing c. or other matters Of which you may see more at large in the Description of the Jurisdiction of these two several Courts may be heard and determined And under the Lord is The Constable or Headborough Chosen yearly by the Lord or Steward in the Leet to keep the Peace in case of Quarrels to search any House for Robbers Murderers and others who have broken the Peace to raise Hue and Cry after Robbers to seize Offenders and keep them in the Stocks or other Prison till they can bring them before some Justice of Peace to whom the Constables are subservient upon all occasions either to bring Criminals before them or to carry them by their Command to the Common Prison Thus having in a Brief and Methodical manner described the Constitution of the English Government For the Excellency thereof we may welâ— conclude with the Poet O Fortunatos nimium bona si sua Norint Angligenas THE ISLANDS Adjacent to ENGLAND CAlled by Heylin The Sporades not as he saith that they are so named in any Author but being many he thought fit to include them under that general Name The Chief of which are The Isle of Man INsula Euboniae modo Manniae hath been an ancient Kingdom as appears by Walsingham pag. 287. and Coke's Reports Lib. 7. fol. 21. Calvin's Case And yet we find it not Granted or Conveyed by the Name of a Kingdom Sed per Nomen Insulae c. cum Patronatu Episcopatus The Patronage of the Bishoprick of Sodor being a Visible Mark of a Kingdom Est nempe Jus ipsius Insulae ut quisquis illius sit Dominus Rex vocetur cui etiam fas est Corona Aurca Coronari Walsingh 17 R. 2. This Island was taken from the Britains by the Scots and from them regained by Edwin King of Northumberland Afterwards the Norwegians seised it from whom Alexander the Third wrested it and about the Year 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury descended from the Norwegian Kings of Man won it from the Scots and afterwards sold it to W. Lord Scroope who forfeiting the same for Treason to King H. 4 he granted it to H. Percy Earl of Northumberland who being 5 H. 4. Attainted of Treason In 7 H. 4. it was by Parliament Enacted the King should have the Forfeiture of all his Lands and Tenements And afterwards 7 H. 4. the King granted the Isle cum Patronatu Episcopatus unto Sir John Stanley first for Life and afterwards to him and his Heirs Sir John had Issue Sir John Stanley Knight who had Issue Sir Henry Stanly Lord Chamberlain to King Henry the Sixth who Created him Lord Stanley He had Issue Thomas whom King Henry the Seventh Created Earl of Derby to him and the Heirs Male of his Body c. Vide Co. 4 Inst cap. 69. The Laws and Jurisdiction of this Isle differs from other places For they call their Judges Deemsters which they chuse out of themselves And they determine all Controversies without Process Pleading Writing or any Expence at all If any Cases be ambiguous or of greater weight it is referred to Twelve which they call Claves Insulae They have Coroners quos Annuos vocant who supply the Office of Sheriff But altho' the King's Writ runneth not into this Island yet his Commission extendeth thither for Redress of Injustice and Wrong The Bishop was Instituted by Pope Gregory the Fourth is under the Archbishop of York being annexed to that Archbishoprick by King Henry the Eighth but hath neither Place nor Voice in the Parliament of England In hac Insula Judex Ecclesiasticus citat definit infra Octo dies parent aut carcere intruduntur The People are a Religious Industrious and True People They have peculiar Laws or Customs For if a Man steal a Horse or an Ox it is no Felony because he cannot hide them but if he steal a Capon or Pigg he shall be hanged c. In this little Kingdom are Two Castles Seventeen Farishes Four Market Towns and many Villages It is scituate against the South part of Cumberland from which it is distant 21 Miles Is in Length 30 Miles in Breadth 15 but in some part only 8 Miles The Soil is abundant in Flax Hemp Oats Barley Wheat and Bishop Merrick writing to Cambden when he was composing his Britannia saith Our Island for Cattle Fish and Corn hath not only sufficient for it self but sendeth store into other Countries The chief Towns are Balacurri and Russin or Castle-Town the Seat of the Bishop On the Hill Sceaful may be seen England Scotland and Ireland Here are also bred the Soland Geese The People speak a Mixture of the Norwegian and Irish Tongues Anglesey IS accounted a Shire of Wales bordereth on Carnarvanshire is in Length 20 in Breadth 17 Miles containing in former times 360 Towns and Villages the chief whereof are 1. Beaumaris towards Wales 2. Newburg 3. Aberfraw on the South-side This Island for its abundant Fertility is called Mam Cymri i. e. Mother of Wales It was once the Seat of the Druids first Conquered by Suet onius Paulinus and united to the English Crown by the Valour of Edward the First Jersey olim Caesarea IS in Compass 20 Miles and sufficiently strong by reason of the dangerous Seas It containeth 12 Towns or Villages the Chief being St. Hillary and St. Malo and four Castles The Ground is plentiful in Grain and Sheep most of them having four Horns of whose Wool our Jersey Stockings are made Gernsey olim Servia IS distant 20 Miles from Jersey to whom it is much Inferiour in respect of Fertility and Largness but more commodious by reason of the safe Harbours It containeth 10 Parishes the Chief being St. Peters the Port or Haven and Market Town These Islands of Jersey and Gernsey lye both nigh unto Normandy and Bretaign and did in ancient time belong to the Dutchy of Normandy But Henry the First Overthrowing his Elder Brother Robert united the Dutchy of Normandy with these Isles to the Kingdom of England And altho' King John lost Normandy and Henry the Third took Money for it yet these Isles continued Faithful to England the possession thereof being a good Seisin of the whole
Ratification or to the end of the next Session of Parliament By the Statute of 22 Car. 2. cap. 9. Persons to be nominated by the King under the Great Seal or so many of them as shall be appointed to be of the Quorum shall have power to Treat with Commissioners to be Authorised by the Parliament of Scotland concerning an Union of the Realms and such other Matters as they shall think fit for the Kings Honour and Good of both Kingdoms Their Proceedings to be reduced into Writings or Instruments Tripartite one part whereof to be presented to the King another to the Parliament of England and a third to that of Scotland Provided that nothing to be agreed on by them shall be of force till confirmed by Act of the Parliament of England By the Statute of 4 Jac. 1.1 He that is once Tried in Scotland shall not be called in Question again for the same Offence By the Statute of 2 Ed. 4.8 Merchandize carried into or brought out of Scotland or the Isles thereof shall be first brought to Berwick in pain to forfeit the same As the Law hath wrought four Unions 1st The Union of both Kingdoms under one Natural Liege Sovereign King being so acknowledged by the Act of Recognition 2ly The Union of Liegeance and Obedience of the Subject of both Kingdoms due by the Law of Nature to their Sovereign 3ly The Union of Protection of both Kingdoms equally belonging to the Subjects of either of them 4ly The Union of the three Lyons of England with that one of Scotland United and Quartered in one Escutcheon So the Law doth make four Seperations 1st England and Scotland remain several and distinct Kingdoms 2ly They are Governed by several Judicial or Municipal Laws 3ly They have several distinct and seperate Parliaments 4ly Each Kingdom hath several Nobilities For albeit a Postnatus in Scotland or any of his Posterity be the Heir of a Nobleman of Scotland and by his Birth Legitimated in England yet he is none of the Peers or Nobility of England for his Natural Ligeance and Obedience due by the Law of Nature maketh him a Subject and no Alien within England But that Subjection maketh him not Noble within England for that Nobility had its Original by the Kings Creation and not of Nature More of which matter you may Read at large hereafter in Ireland And that the highest and lowest Dignities as a King and that of a Knight are nevertheless universal Coke's 7 Rep. 15. Calvin's Case In ancient time part of Scotland besides Berwick was within the Power and Ligeance of the King of England yet was Governed by the Laws of Scotland The Case in 42 Ed. 3.2 Ruleth it That so many as were Born in that part of Scotland that was under the Ligeance of the King were no Aliens but inheritable to Lands in England yet was that part of Scotland in another Kingdom governed by several Laws And certainly if they were Natural Subjects in that Case when the King had but part of Scotland when the King hath all Scotland they shall be Natural Subjects and no Aliens Barwick is no part of England nor Governed by the Laws of England yet they that have been Born there under the Obedience of one King are Natural Born Subjects and no Aliens There were sometimes in England whiles the Heptarchy lasted seven several Crowned Kings of several and distinct Kingdoms but in the end the West Saxons got the Monarchy and all the other Kings melted as it were their Crowns to make one Imperial Diadem for the King of the West Saxons over all Now when the whole was made the actual and real Ligeance and Obedience of one King they were all Natural born Subjects and capable of and Inheritable unto any Lands in any of the said Kingdoms Of all which matters and things last above mentioned you may read at large in Coke's 7 Report Calvin's Case By the Statute of 4 Jac. 1. For Repeal of Hostile Laws It is Enacted That no Englishman shall be sent out of England into Scotland for any Offence done in Scotland until the Realms be made one in Laws and Government There was a Proclamation the 20 of Octob. 20 Jac. 1. concerning the Kings Stile of Great Britain wherein all Judicial and Legal Proceedings are excepted Cokes 4 Inst 345. The Lesser Islands near Scotland ARE the Orcades or Isles of Orkeny in number 32 Situate against the North Cape of Scotland The chief being Pomonia whose prime Town is Kirkwal honoured with a Bishops See and strengthened with two Castles It is stored with Tinn and Lead and called by the Inhabitants Mainland The 2d Hotlands or Oceti the Inhabitants Bibacissimi sunt tamen non inebriantur These Isles in Solinus time were not Inhabited being over-grown with Rushes Now are they Populous and Fertile were first discovered by Julius Agricola and first possessed by Normans or Norwegians who surrendred them to Alexander King of Scotland 1266. They speak the Gothish Language Schetland lies two days Sailing North of Orcades and is supposed to be the Thule of the Ancients The Hebrides because Scituate West of Scotland in number 44. The chief Ila 24 Miles long and 16 broad Plentiful in Wheat Cattle and Herds of Red Deer The Isle of Sky 40 Miles long Iona famous for Sepulture of the Kings of Scotland Mula 25 Miles bigger than the other The People both in Language and Behaviour resemble the Wild Irish and are called Redshanks A COMPENDIUM OF THE Laws and Government OF IRELAND WITH THE ISLANDS Thereunto belonging Anno Domini 1699 IRELAND FROM Erinland signifying in their Language a Western Land lies on the West of England and Wales in length from the North parts of Antrim to the South parts of Cork 285 in breadth from the East parts of Down to the West parts of Mayo 160 Miles long Anciently called Juverna Hibernia Overnia Jernia Scotia minor Bernia and Vernia now by the Natives Eryn by the Welsh Yverden by the Germans Irlandt by the Italians Irlanda and by the French Irlande The first Inhabitants came out of Britain were anciently Rude and Barbarous having little Law or Government First partly Conquered by the Saxon Monarchs of England Then by the Norwegians not long after by Henry the Second of England till by little and little it was wholly Reduced to England and still remaineth so Governed by a Vice-Roy call the Lord Lieutenant or Deputy of Ireland whose Seat is at Dublin They received the Christian Faith by St. Patrick Anno 335 and are both Protestants and Papists Their Language is a Dialect of the Old British intermixed with Norwegian Danish and English The English is also frequently used among them and in some places a Mongrel Speech between both Their chief Commodities are Cattle Hides Tallow Butter Cheese Honey Wax Furs Salt Hemp Linnen Cloath Pipe-Staves Wool Frizes c. This Country is divided into Four Great Provinces Anciently Kingdoms viz. 1. Ulster Ineol Cui-Guilly on the North
And sometimes the Kings of England have called the Nobles of Ireland to come to the Parliaments of England Coke's 4 Inst 350. And by Special Words the Parliaments of England may bind the Subjects of Ireland Co. 4 Inst ibid. And seeing good Acts of Parliament made in England since the Reign of King John extended not to Ireland unless it were especially named or by General Words included a Right profitable Act was made at a Parliament holden in Ireland Anno 10 Hen. 7. before Sir Edward Poynings then Deputy or Pro-Rex in Ireland and thereupon called Poyning's Law That all Statutes late made in England concerning the publick Weal should be accepted used and executed in Ireland Co. 4 Inst. 351. In what manner a Parliament is to be holden in Ireland and how Bills offered to the Parliament there shall be first Transmitted hither under the Great Seal of that Kingdom and having received Approbation here shall be returned hither to be preferr'd to the Parliament and several Questions and Doubts Resolved concerning this matter Vide Co. 4 Inst 353. By the Statute of 3 Hen. 2. all Persons having Lands Tenements or Offices Ecclesiastical or Temporal shall Reside upon the same and those that have Castles must there reside and repair and fortifie them And if they Depart they must appoint some able to supply their room or the Governour may dispose half their Living to such Defence Co. 4 Inst 356. At a Synod holden by St. Patrick in Ireland it was unanimously agreed That Irish Priests should have Wives Co. 4 Inst 356. There is an Ancient Record concerning Ireland necessary to be Explained In these Words REX Thesaurario Hiberniae Solutem Cum Edwardus primogenitus noster terram Hiberniae habeat teneat de dono nostro cum omnibus pertinentiis suis adeo libere quiete sicut eam in manu nostra teneremus per quod charissima filia nostra Alianora Consors dicti filij nostri Aurum suum tam de finibus quam sponte Oblatis in terra Hiberniae habere Debet sicut charissima Consors nostra Alianora Regina Angliae Aurum suum habet de eisdem in Regno nostro Angliae Vobis mandamus c. quatenus praefat ' Consorti filij nostri praedicti Aurum praedictum de finibus sponte oblatis etiam de quibuscunque aliis finibus praedictis habere facias in forma praedicta Et hoc c. In cujus c. Teste Rege 29 die Februarij Anno 52 Hen. 3. By this Record first it appeareth that as the Law was taken at that Day by Gift of King Henry the Third his Eldest Son Prince Edward was Lord of the Dominion and Lordship of Ireland Secondly That albeit the Wife of Prince Edward was not Queen in Name but had the Effect of it therefore she should have a Duty called Aurum Reginae as well as the Queen of England being but Lady in Ireland For albeit the Kings of Ireland were until the Statute of 33 Hen. 8. styled by the Name of Lords of Ireland yet was he Supremus and absolutè Dominus and had Royal Dominion and Authority and that his Consort was in rei veritate Regina or else she could not have had Aurum Reginae Albeit this Royal Dominion and Land of Ireland was of ancient time permitted to be granted De facto to the King's Sons before-mentioned yet by the Law the King by his Letters Patent could not grant so Royal a Member of his Imperial style to any no more than he could do of the Kingdom of England Co. 4 Inst 357. What was the Duty of Aurum Reginae and when due Vide 4. Coke's Inst 358. At a Parliament holden in Ireland by Howel Duke of Clarence Lieutenant there Anno 40 Edw. 3. called The Statute of Kilkenny The Brehon Law which was the Irish Judges Law is no Law but a Lewd Custom crept in of later times and never was the Law of the Ancient Britains from whom they are descended Co. 4 Inst 358. The Pro-Rex there hath been sometime called Custos Warden Lieutenant Chief Justice Deputy of Ireland Coke's 4 Inst ibid. If an Archbishoprick or Bishoprick in Ireland be void then the Chapter shall Sue to the King in England to go to Election and after Election made they ought upon Certificate thereof made to the King to obtain his Royal Assent to this Election and thereupon a Writ shall be directed out of the Chancery here to the Chief Justice of Ireland or his Lieutenant rehearsing all this matter and commanding him to take Fealty of the Bishop and to restore him to his Temporalties But now the Course is in Ireland to make such Writs there in the Name of the King But the King Names the Archbishops and Bishops there as he doth in England and then the Chapter chuse him whom the King Names and thereupon Writs are made of Course Coke's 4. Institutes 359. And whereas some have Divided this Kingdom into the English Pale and Wild Irish let Oblivion bury it for now all are reduced to Obedience and civil Behaviour◠So as a Man may justly say of the Old Britains Sunt in Bello fortes in Pace fideles And whereas some have said the Crown of England had the Country of Ireland by Donation from the Pope the following Record will manifest the Truth therein Altitonantis Dei largiflua Clementia qui est Rex Regum Dominus Dominantium ego Edgarus Anglorum Basileus omniumque rerum Insularum Oceani qui Britanniam circumjacent cunctarumque Nationum quae infra eam includuntur Imperator Dominus gratias ago ipsi Deo Omnipotenti Regi meo qui meum imperium sic ampliavit exaltavit super regnum patrum meorum Qui licet Monarchiam Totius Angliae adepti sunt à tempore Athelstani qui primus Regum Anglorum omnes Nationes quae Britanniam incolunt sibi armis subegit nullus tamen eorum ultra fines Imperium suum Dilatare aggressus est Mihi tamen concessit propitia Divinitas cum Anglorum imperio omnia regna Insularum Oceani cum suis ferotissimis Regibus usque Norvegiam maximamque partem Hiberniae cum sua Nobilissima Civitate de Dublina Anglorum regno Subjugare quos etiam omnes meis imperiis colla subdere Dei favente gratia Coegi Quapropter ego Christi gloriam laudem in regno meo exaltar◠ejus servicium amplificare devotus deposui Et per meos fideles fautores Dunstanum viz. Archiepiscopum Ayelyolanum ac Oswaldum Archiepiscopos quos mihi patres spirituales consiliatores eligi magna ex parte disposui c. Facta sunt haec Anno Domini 964 Indictione 8. Regni vero Edgari Anglorum Regis 6 in Regia urbe quae ab incolis Ocleayeceastrie nominatur in natale Domini festivitate Sanctorum Innocentium feria 4 c. ✚ Ego Edgar Basileus Anglorum Imperator Regum gentium cum consensu principrim
in London Page 400 Chartereux in London Page 404 Cambridge City Page 426 Civil Government of Villages Page 431 Carolina Page 512 Caribee Islands Page 519 St. Christophers Page 526 Court of First-fruits and Tenths c. Page 548 D. DIvine Law Page 6 Delegates Court Page 44 Durham County Palatine Court Page 252 De Conservatore Treugarum i. e. Induciarum c. Page 302 Dominica Island Page 522 E. ENgland's Government Page 22 Ecclesiastical Government of England Page 28 Executive power in Causes Ecclesiastical Page 36 Executive power in Temporal Affairs Page 80 Exchequer Court Page 127 Eyre Justices Court Page 193 Execution of Laws in each County Page 222 Escheator 's Court Page 239 Ely's Royal Franchise Page 254 Ecclesiastical Government of the King's Court Page 308 Ecclesiastical Government of the Queen's Court Page 341 Ecclesiastical Government of Cities Page 344 Ecclesiastical Government of London Page 347 Ecclesiastical Government of Villages Page 431 English Plantations in Asia Page 491 English Colonies in Africa Page 492 English Plantations in America Page 492 F. FUndamentals of the Laws Page 8 Forrest Justices Court Page 175 Franchise of Ely Page 254 Franchise of Hexam and Hexamshire Page 255 First-fruits and Tenths Ecclesiastical Page 548 G. GOvernments in General Page 1 Government of England Page 22 Government Ecclesiastical of England Page 28 Government civil of England Page 51 Gaol-Delivery Justices Court Page 169 Government of Counties in England Page 207 Great Sessions in Wales Page 270 Government Military of England Page 275 Government Ecclesiastical of the King 's Court Page 308 Government civil of the King's Court Page 312 Green-cloth Court Page 315 Government Military of the King's Court Page 338 Government of the Queen's Court Page 341 Government Ecclesiastical of the Queen 's Court Page 341 Goveonment civil of the Queens Court Page 342 Government of Cities Page 344 Government Ecclesiastical of Cities Page 344 Government civil of Cities Page 345 Government Ecclesiastical of London Page 347 Government civil of London Page 348 Government Military of London Page 363 General Post-Office Page 381 Gresham Colledge in London Page 402 Government of the two Universities Page 415 Government of Boroughts in England Page 430 Government of Villages in England Page 430 Government Ecclesiastical of Villages Page 431 Government civil of Villages Page 431 Guernsey olim Servia Page 437 Government of Scotland Page 445 Government of Ireland Page 463 Guinea Page 492 Guardian of England Page 540 H. HUmane Law what Page 7 High Commission Court Page 36 High Court of Parliament Page 51 535 High Stewards Court Page 81 539 High Court of Chancery Page 90 Hundred Court Page 233 630 Heralds Colledge Page 283 Hustings Court Page 351 Halmote Court Page 358 Hebrides Islands Page 460 I. JUstices of Assize Nisi-prius Court Page 144 Justices of Oyer Terminer Court Page 153 Justices of Gaol-delivery Court Page 169 Justices of the Forrest Court Page 175 Justices in Eyre's Court Page 193 Justices of Trailbastons Court Page 195 Inns of Chancery Page 383 Inns of Court Page 384 Inns of Court manner of keeping Christmas Page 390 Judges Page 394 Islands adjacent unto England Page 433 Jersey olim Caesarea Page 437 Insula Vectis or Vectae Page 439 Ireland Page 463 Jamaica Page 530 K. KING Page 22 King's Bench Court Page 113 King 's Swanherd Page 204 587 King's Aulnager Page 205 590 King of England's Court Page 308 Knight Marshal Page 320 King 's great Wardrobe Page 332 St. Katherine's Page 378 Keeping Christmas in the Inns of Court Page 390 L. LAws in General Page 4 Law Eternal Page 4 Law of Reason Page 5 Law Divine Page 6 Law Humane Page 7 Law fundamentals Page 8 Laws and Constitutions Ecclesiastical Page 45 Leet Court Page 224 Law study Page 383 London Page 346 Lindisfarne Page 441 M. MOney collected for Houses of Correction or for the Poor Page 166 Mayor of the Staple's Court Page 263 Military Government of England Page 275 Maritime Power of England Page 287 Marshalsea Court Page 321 Military Government of the King's Court Page 338 Mayor and Aldermens Court Page 356 Military Government in London Page 363 Mootings in the Inns of Court Page 388 Mootings in the Inns of Chancery Page 390 Manner of holding Parliaments in the Inns of Court Page 392 Man Isle Page 433 Mariland Page 507 Montserrat Page 521 Mevis or Nevis Page 524 N. NAvy Office Page 295 Norwich City Page 411 Newfoundland Page 494 New England Page 496 New York Page 500 New Jersey Page 504 Nevis or Mevis Page 524 O. OFfice of Pleas in the Exchequer Page 142 Office of Tents Page 335 Office of the Robes to the King Page 335 Officers of the Robes to the Queen Page 342 Orphans Court Page 356 Office of the Ordnance Page 368 Office of the Warden of the Mint Page 373 Office of Records in the Tower Page 375 Oxford Page 415 Orcades Page 459 P. PRivy Council Page 22 Prerogative Court of Canterbury Page 40 Punishments by Ecclesiastical Courts Page 47 Punishments Ecclesiastical peculiar to the Clergy Page 49 Parliament High Court Page 51 535 Pipowders Court Page 246 Pembroke Palatine's Cuort Page 255 President and Council in the North Page 258 Principality of Wales Page 266 President and Council of Wales Court ibid. Port Courts Page 298 Parliament-holding in the Inns of Court Page 322 The Palace ibid. Post-Office General Page 381 Physicians Colledge in London Page 400 Plantations in Asia Page 491 Plantations in Africa Page 492 Plantations in America ibid. Pensylvania Page 505 Protector of England Page 540 Q. QUeen of England's Court Page 341 R. ROyal Franchise of Ely Page 254 River of Thames Conservator's Court Page 360 S. STar-chamber Court Page 104 Swanherd Page 204 587 Sessions of the Peace Court Page 210 Stannaries Court in the County of Devon and Cornwall Page 261 Lord Steward 's Court Page 324 325 Sheriffs Court in London Page 352 Serjeants Inns Page 392 Serjeants Call or Creation Page 393 Sion Colledge Page 403 Schools in London Page 405 Southwark ibid. Sorlings Page 440 Scotland Page 445 Scottish Isles or the Lesser-Islands near Scotland Page 459 Schetland I. ibid. T. TRyals Ecclesiastical in civil Causes Page 46 Tryals Ecclesiastical in criminal Causes ibid. The Tourn Page 223 Tower of London Page 365 Tangier Page 492 V. UNiversities Page 415 Virginia Page 510 St. Vincent Page 523 260 W. WItnesses Examination by Commissioners Page 203 Wardens Courts c. Page 260 Wales 266 Wardrobe of the King 332 Wardmote Inquest 358 Westminster City 406 Wight Island 439 Y. YEomen of the Guard 340 FINIS ERRATA PAge 14. line 11. read Escheators p. 17. l. 31. r. the. p. 21. l ult for of the Laws of England r. of the Jame p 25. l. 11. the Comma at without Warrant p. 57. l. 4. r. Roy. p. 69. l. 4. r. Martial p. 74. l. 23. r. The Stat of p. 78. l. 1. r. Sess 2. cap. 4. p. 102. l. 20. r. by a Deputy p 114. l. 12. r. Westminster p. 133. l. 4. r. Auditeth p. 136. l. 13. r. 2d p. 141. l ult r. 4. Instit p. 171. l. 10. r. plevisable p. 182. l. 7. r. circa l. 3. for nolucrint r. vâ—lâ—â—rint p. 185. l. 22. r belong p. 190. l. 15. r. nor p. 193. l. 19. r. of a Commission p. 201. l. 24. r. Banque p. 307. l. 15. dele in p. 209. l. 18. dele and. p. 225. l. 27. r. Easter p. 243. l. 10. r. Drachme l. 17. r. Avoir p. 275. l. 15. r. Pay p. 276. l. 21. r. were heretofore p. 279. l. 13. r. scale p. 280. l. 5. r. seale l. 7. r. surcease l. 13. surcease 281. l. 4. r. fact ' l. 16. r. Foy p. 291. l. 3. r. 62432. pounds p. 298. l. 19. r. 4 Instit 147. p. 301. r. Lynne p. 302. l. 6. r. Raised p. 303. l. 24. the Comma at concitat p. 304. l. 27. r. Foreign p. 306. l. 23. r. to that Sin p. 307. the Comma at Tacitus p. 327. l. 26. r. stick p. 350. l. 21. r. Camera Regis Reipublicae Cor totius Angliae Epitome p. 353. l. 6. dele and if they be not Inrolled p. 407. l. 13 r. secular p. 411. l. 17. for ortam r. ortum p. 463. l. ult r. called p. 464. l. 24. r. Belfast p. 468. l. 8. r. Universities one p. 476. l. 27. r. Ego p. 486. l. 6. r. Alienigena l. 19. r. 25. p. 510. l. 27. r. as p. 564 r. Plea p. 565. l. 4. r. F. N. B. 27 28 l. 7. r. 100. p. 570. l. 29. r. new framed p 579. l. 15. r. Testmoignes l. ult r. Bokland p. 607. l. 25. r. Letae
Law-Books lately Printed for J. Walthoe in the Temple Cloysters 1 COke's Reports with References to all the Ancient and Moderâ— Books of the Laws in 11 Vol. Fol. 2. Dalton's Countrey Justice with large Additions Fol. 3. Cases argued and decreed in the High Court of Chancery Fol. 4. A Collection of the Orders relating to the Practice of the Courts of Chancery and Exchequer 12mo 5. The Law of Common and Commoners or a Treatise shewing the Original and Nature of Common 8vo 6. The Method of Pleading by Rule and President 8vo 7. The Compleat Sheriff wherein is set forth his Office and Authority together with that of a Coroner 8vo 8. A View of the Penal Laws concerning Trades Professions and Traffick and what Offences are punishable in the Crown Office 12mo 9. The Abridgement of the Statutes of King William 8vo 10. Bridgman's Conveyances is now in the Press and will be speedily published with Additions Fol. 11. Tryals per Pais or the Laws of England concerning Juries 8vo A COMPENDIUM OF THE Laws and Government Ecclesiastical Civil and Military OF ENGLAND SCOTLAND IRELAND AND DOMINIONS Plantations and Territories Thereunto belonging WITH THE Maritime Power thereof AND Iurisdiction of Courts THEREIN Methodically Digested under their Proper Heads By H. C. sometime of the Inner-Temple LONDON Printed by the Assigns of Rich. and Edw. Atkins Esquires for I. Walthoe and are to be sold by Iohn Deeve at Bernard's-Inn-Gate in Holbourn 1699. THE PREFACE TO THE READER AT my first Entrance into the Study of the Laws of England knowing Method and Order conduce much to the enlightning of the Vnderstanding rendring things more perspicuous and comprehensive to the discerning Judgment and sitting them better for the retaining Memory I resolved to observe a Regular Course and therefore searched for such Authors and endeavoured to make use of such Means as might best correspond with my Design therein But among the several Treatises of the Laws and Government of this Kingdom and Jurisdiction of Courts heretofore written by several Eminent and Learned Men finding none were so compleat nor had that Beauty of Order and Vniformity at might be expected And the Lord Coke in the Epilogue to his Fourth Institutets concerning the Jurisdiction of Courts desiring the Wise-hearted and Expert Builders would amend both the Method and Vniformity and the Structure it self where they should find any Deficiency in the Architecture and considering that great Alterations have been made since by divers Acts of Parliament and otherwise I was enduced to compile this Methodical Compendium of the Laws and Government of England and the Dominions thereunto belonging to direct and facilitate my farther Studies But the Importunity of some having prevailed with me to promise contrary to my first Intention and Inclination to make it Publick If it prove beneficial to others it will surmount all the Ambition may be thought to be in Yours To the extent of his Power H. Curson A Table of Contents Governments in General ORiginal of Government Pag. 1 Law is General Pag. 4 Law Eternal ibid. â—aw of Reason Pag. 5 Divine Law Pag. 6 Humane Law Pag. 7 Fundamentals of the Laws of England Pag. 8 The Government of England The Government of England Pag. 22 The King ibib Privy Council ibid. Ecclesiastical Government of England Ecclesiastical Government Pag. 28 Convocation Pag. 32 Executive Power in Causes Ecclesiaical Pag. 36 High Commission Court Pag. 36 Court of Arches Pag. 39 Court of Audience ibid. Court of the Faculties Pag. 40 Prerogative Court of Canterbury ibid. Court of Peculiars 41 Consistory Courts of Archbishops Bishops 42 Court of the Archdeacon or his Commissary 44 Court of Delegates 44 Laws and Constitutions Ecclesiastical 45 Trials Ecclesiastical in Civil Causes 46 Trials Ecclesiastical in criminal Causes 46 Punishments by Ecclesiastical Courts 47 Punishments Ecclesiastical peculiar to the Clergy 49 Civil Government of England Civil Government of England 51 High Court of Parliament 51 535 Executive Power in Temporal Affairs 80 Court of the High Steward of Eng. 81 539 High Court of Chancery 90 Court of extraordinary Jurisdiction 93 Court of the Star-Chamber 104 Court for Redress of Delays of Judgment in the King 's great Courts 108 Court of Kings Bench 113 Court of Common Pleas Court 121 Court of the Exchequer 127 Court of Inquiry to certifie untrue Accompts in the Exchequer 140 Court of Equity in the Exchequer 141 544 Office of the Pleas in the Exchequer 142 Courts of Justices of Assize Nisi-prius 144 Court of Justices of a Oyer and Terminer 153 Court of special Justices of Oyer and Terminer 166 Money collected for the Houses of Correction or for the Poor 166 Colledges Hospitals or Alms-houses or for charitable and lawful Purposes and Uses 167 Court of Justices of Goal-delivery 169 Court of Justices of the Forrest 175 Court of Justices in Eyre 193 Court of Justices of Trailbaston 195 Court of Wards and Liveries 196 Court of Ancient Demesne 196 559 Court of Commissioners of Sewers 198 569 Court of Commissioners upon the Statute of Bankrupts 201 573 Commissioners for Examination of Witnesses 203 578 King's Swanherd 204 587 King's Aulnager 205 590 The Government of Counties in England 207 Court of the Sessions of the Peace 210 Court of Inquiry of the Defaults of Justices of the Peace Justices of Assize Sheriffs and Under-Sheriffs 222 The Execution of Laws in each County ibid. Court of the Tourn 223 595 Court Leet or View of Frankpledge 224 597 County Court 228 615 Court of the Hundred 233 630 Court Baron 235 632 Coroners Court 237 635 Court of Escheators and Commissioners for finding of Offices 239 635 Court of the Clerk of the Market 241 Court of Pipowders 246 Court of the Dutchy-chamber of Lancaster at Westminster 247 Courts of the County Palatin of Chester 251 Court of the County Palatin of Durham 252 Royal Franchise of Ely 254 Court of the County Palat. of Pembroke 255 Franchise of Hexam and Hexamshire 255 Courts of the Cinque-Ports 256 President and Council in the North 258 The Wardens Courts in the East West and Middle Marshes adjoyning to Scotland 260 Court of Stannaries in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall 261 Court of the Mayor of the Staple 263 The Principality of Wales The Principality of Wales 266 Court of the President and Council of Wales 269 The great Sessions in Wales 270 Military Government of England Military Government of England 275 Court of Chivalry before the Constable and Marshal 279 Colledge of Heralds 283 Maritime Power of England Maritime Power of England 287 Court of Admiralty 292 638 Navy Office 295 Court of Commission by force of the Statute 28 H. 8. Cap. 15. 298 Port Courts 298 Commissioners and others for Beacons Signs of the Sea Light-houses Sea-marks and concerning Watches 299 De Conservatore Treugarum i. e. Induciarum c. 302 Court of the King of England Court of the King of England 308 Ecclesiastical Government of the King's Court
308 Civil Government of the King's Court 312 Compting-House 314 Court of Green-Cloth 315 The Knight Marshal 320 Court of the Marshalsea 321 Court of the Palace 322 Court of the Lord Steward Treasurer and Comptroller of the King's Houshlod concerning Felony c. 324 Court of the Lord Steward of the King 's House or in his Absence of the Treasurer Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea 325 King 's great Wardrobe 332 The Office of the Tents 335 The Office of the Robes ibid. Military Government in the King's Court 338 The Band of Pensioners 339 The Yeomen of the Guard 340 Court of the Queen of England Government of the Queen's Court 341 Ecclesiastical Government of the Queen's Court 341 Civil Government of the Queens Court 342 Officers of the Robes ibid. Government of Cities Government f Cities 34â— Ecclesiastical Government of Cities 344 Civil Government of Cities 345 City of London 34â— The Ecclesiastical Government of London 347 The Civil Government of London 34â— Court of Hustings 351 Sheriffs Court in London 352 Court of Conscience 354 Court of the Mayor and Aldermen 356 Court of Orphans 356 Court of Common Council 357 Court of Wardmote Inquest 358 Court of Halmote ibid. Chamberlain 's Court for Apprentices 359 Court of the Conservators of the Water and River of Thames 360 Court of the Coroner in London ibid. Court of the Escheator in London ibid. Court of Policies and Assurances 361 Military Government of London 363 Tower of London 365 Office of the Ordnance 368 Office of the Warden of the Mint 373 Office of Records in the Tower 375 St. Katherine's 378 Bridge ibid. Custom House 379 General Post-Office 381 Law Study 383 Inns of Chancery ibid. Inns of Court 384 Mootings in the Inns of Court 388 Mootings in the Inns of Chancery 390 Keeping Christmas in the Inns of Court ibid. Manner of holding Parliaments in the Inns of Court 392 Serjeants Inns ibid. Call or Creation of Serjeants 393 The Judges 394 Colledge of Civilians in London 396 Colledge of Physicians in London 400 Gresham Colledge in London 402 Sion Colledge in London 40â— Chartreux in London 40â— Schools in London 40â— Southwark ibid City of Westminster 40â— City of Norwich 41â— Government of the Two Universitieâ— The two Universities in England 41â— Oxford ibid Cambridge 42â— Government of Boroughs Government of Boroughs is England 43â— Government of Villages Government of Villages in England 43â— Ecclesiastical Government of Villages 43â— Civil Government of Villages ibid Islands adjacent to England Islands adjacent unto England 43â— Isle of Man ibid Anglesey 43â— Jersey olim Caesarea 437 Guernsey olim Servia ibid Insula Vectis or Vecta 43â— Sorlings 44â— Island Lindisfarne 44â— The Government of Scotland Scotland 445 The Islands near Scotland The Lesser Islands near Scotland 459 Orcades ibid. Schetland ibid. Hebrides 460 The Government of Ireland Ireland 463 English Plantations in Asia English Plantations in Asia 491 Bantan ibid. Bombaine ibid. English Colonies in Africa English Colonies in Africa 492 Guinea ibid. Tangier ibid. English Plantations in America 492 Newfoundland 494 New England 496 New York 500 New Jersey 504 Pensylvania 505 Mariland 507 Virginia 510 Carolina 512 Bermudas 515 Caribee Islands 519 Barbuda ibid. Anguilla 520 Montserrat 521 Dominica 522 St. Vincent 523 Antegoa 524 Mevis or Nevis ibid. St. Christophers 526 Barbadoes 527 Jamaica 530 See the Alphabetical Table at the End of the Book Finis Tabulae OF GOVERNMENTS c. The Original of Governments OF GOVERNMENTS there can be but Three kinds viz. One or More or All must have the Sovereign Power of a Nation If one then it is a Monarchy If more as an Assembly of Choice Persons then it is Aristocracy if All that is a General Assembly of the People then it is a Democracy And now in course we are first to speak of The Monarchical Government which as most resembling the Divinity and approaching nearest to Perfection being esteemed the most Excellent is of two sorts Regal and Political The first sort Monarchy Regal was begun by Nimrod who after the World began to increase got unto himself a Dominion over others and yet in Scripture he is not called a King but a Mighty Hunter before the Lord So Belus did subdue the Assyrians and Ninus the most part of Asia and so did the Romans usurp the Empire of the World And thus having set forth the beginning of the Regal Government of Kingdoms which Law Regal was no other thing but the Pleasure of the Prince as in the First of Kings you may read more at large We will now as being more for our purpose declare how Kingdoms of Political Government were first begun which we may term Monarchy Political St. Augustine in the 19th Book De Civitate Dei saith Aâ— People is a Multitude of Men associated by the Consent of Law and Communion of Wealth And yet such a People without a Head is not worthy to be called 〈◊〉 Body as in Natural things the Head cut off is not called a Body but a Trunk Wherefore Aristotle in his Civil Philosophy saith Whensoever One is made of Many among the same One shall be the Ruler and the other shall be the Ruleâ— And this Ruler thus raised and appointed in Kingdoms is called a King from the Saxon word Koning intimating Power and Knowledge wherewith every Sovereign ought especially to be Invested And thus of a Multitude of People ariseth a Kingdom which is a Body Mystical And in this Body Mystical or Political the Intent of the People like Blood in the Natural Body is the first lively thing that is Politick provision for the Utility and Wealth of the same People which is imparted to the Head and members of the same Body whereby it is Nourished and Maintained and by the Law which cometh from Ligando of Binding this Mystical Body is knit and preserv'd together and the Members and Parts thereof as the Natural Body by Sinews do every one retain their proper Functions And as the Head of a Natural Body cannot change his Sinews nor withhold from his Inferiour Members their peculiar Powers of Nourishments no more can a King which is the Head of the Body Politick change the Laws of that Body or withdraw from the said People their proper Substance against their Wills And therefore it now follows that we speak somewhat of the Fundamentals of laws in General and then descend to the particular Fundamentals of the Laws of England and afterwards briefly declare the Executive Powers of the same And first of Laws in General WHich are Four that more properly belong to this our Business viz. The Law Enternal The Law of Nations Divine Law and Human Law The Law Eternal LEx Aeterna is the Reason of the Divine Will whereby God will â—ave all things of him Created to be moved and directed to a good End and it is called The first Law and all other Laws are derived from it And this Law Eternal none may be able to
that there need not be any Written Law had thereof And we find so many Secundary Reasons in the Laws of England that many are willing to affirms the whole Law of England to be proved by Reason which notwithstanding is by no means to be affirmed as by another Example By a certain Statute it is Ordained That he who hath abjur'd the Realm whilst he is in the publick High-way shall be in peace with our Lord the King and not in any sort molested and by the Custom of the Kingdom he is to be conducted from Town to Town by the Constables c. to the Sea-port c. Now if he Escape the Constable ought not to be charged to the King because by reason of the Statute he could not keep him in safe Custody or use any Force or Imprisonment whereby he might be kept in safe Custody and the Reason is grounded upon that Statute And some say Robbery is to be prohibited from Reason Primary even before the Law of Property for that it was not Lawful even when all things were in Common to take any thing from another by force or to throw him out of his Habitation but that such Robbery is to be punished with Death is from the Custom of the Law of England Also from the General Law of Property aforesaid by the Laws of England are excepted Birds Wild beasts and Beasts of Warren in which by the Laws of England is no Property to any One unless they be Tame yet nevertheless by the Laws of England in the Eggs of Herons and such like Building in the Woods of any is a Property And for that every Deduction of Reason in the Laws of England proceeds from the first Principles or from somewhat from those Principles derived no Man althô the most Wise can Judge justly or Argue rightly in the Laws of England if he know not these Principles The Second Fundamental of the Law of England is Lex Divina whereby to punish the Transgressors against the Divine Law The Law of England in many Courts of our Lord the King doth Inquire of Hereticks Also if any Statute be made or set forth against them as that none shall give Alms it ought to be of no force also Persons Excommunicated in the Laws of England may not Prosecute nor have Communication with others whilst the Excommunication is certified And from the same Fundamental the Law of England admits the Spiritual Jurisdiction of Tithes and other things which do of right belong to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and receives Canonical or Ecclesiastical Laws Quae non Excedunt potestatem ferentis so that in many Cases it behoves the Kings Justices to Judge according to the Laws of the Church As if the Law of the Church be that the Sentence of Divorce is not in force till it is affirmed upon Appeal The Judges of our Lord the King shall form their Judgment according to the Laws of the Church And if A. B. and C. D. have Goods and Chattels joyntly and A. B. by his last Will give his part to E. F. the Ecclesiastical Judges are bound in this case to adjudge this Will void The Third Fundamental of the Law of England is the General Customs of the Kingdom which are divers General Customs used and approved of in Ancient time throughout the whole Kingdom of England and who attempts any thing against them Works against Law and Justice And these are properly called the Common Law and ought always to be determined by the Judges whether a General Custom or not and not by the Country and of these and other Principles or Maxims a great part of the Law of England depends and therefore the King by his Coronation Oath promiseth inter alia that he will faithfully observe all the Customs of the Kingdom and the Ancient Customs of the Kingdom is the Original and Foundation of divers Courts in the same Kingdom Whereof one is The Chancery of the Kingdom in which inter alia Writs original are obtained directed to other Courts of the King another The Kings-Bench in which are handled all Treasons Murders Homicides Felonies and other things done against the Kings Peace another Court is called The Common Bench in which Common Pleas are handled That is to say of Lands and Tenements Debts and Chattels and such like another Court is called The Kings Exchequer in which are handled divers matters touching the King alone as of Sheriffs Escheats or Receivers Bayliffs and other the Kings Officers and the like and these are called Courts of Record because those who preside as Judges ought to be assigned by the Kings Letters Patent and these Courts have many and divers other Authorities of which we shall speak more hereafter in their proper places and likewise of divers other Courts of inferiour Authority in the Kingdom of England And althô in divers Statutes and Books mention is made of the Authority of these Courts yet we have no written Law of their Institution for their Institution depends upon the Custom of the Kingdom which hath so great Authority that they may not be altered or their Names changed or altered but by Act of Parliament Also there is an Ancient Custom which is confirmed by the Statute of Marlebridge That all shall do and receive Justice in the Kings Court and another that none shall be put to Answer or be judged but according to the Law of the Land and this is confirmed by Magna Charta And there are other General Customs in the Kingdom of England which retain the force of Law as that the eldest Son shall succeed the Father in the Inheritance and many more not here to be recited From whence it appears that Customs in the Laws of England may not be proved by Reason alone for how can it be proved by Reason that the Husband shall have the Wife's Land for Term of his Life as Tenant by that Law and that the Wife shall have only the Third part scilicet that it shall be so done and not otherwise And it is certain that the Law of Property is not the Law of Reason but a Customary Law and ought to be accounted amongst the General Customs of the Kingdom and there is not any Statute or written Law of the Institutions of the Customs of the Law of England but according to the Skilful in the Law of England The Ancient Customs of the Law of England are of themselves of sufficient Authority and the Customary Law is the most firm Law provided such a Custom be not against the Law of God or the Law of Reason The Fourth Fundamental of the Law of England consists of Divers Principles which the Learned in the Law call Maxims always esteemed and held for Law of this Kingdom of England which none Learned in the Law may contradict because every one of them gives Faith or Credit to it self and whether a Maxim or not is to be tried by the Judges as before is said of General Customs of
the Kingdom and not by the Country And these Maxims are not alone taken for Law but also all other like cases and all things necessarily following upon them are to be placed in like Law and they are in the same force and strength in Law as Statutes and althô all these Maxims might conveniently be numbred amongst the aforesaid General Customs since Ancient Custom is the sole Authority as well of these as those yet because those General Customs are diffused and known they may easily and without study in the Laws be known but these Maxims are only known in the Kings Courts or by those who are Learned in the Law and now for example sake we will mention a few of them since to declare them fully great Volumes would not suffice And first there is a certain Maxim in the Laws of England that no Prescription in Lands maketh a Right also that Prescription in Rents and Profits to be taken in the Lands of another maketh a Right also that the limitation of Prescription is generally taken à tempore cujus centrarij Memoria hominum non existit c. And further there are many other Maxims as in certain Actions The Process is by Summons Attachment and Distress Infinite and in some by Capias Infinite c. and that there should be these divers Processes in divers Actions may seem expedient and reasonable but that there should be these divers Processes had in the Law of England and none other cannot be proved by Reason therefore they must necessarily have their force from the Maxims aforesaid or the Ancient Custom of the Kingdom And some Maxims seem to be founded upon Reason Secundary and therefore some may think they may be put unto the first Fundamental of other Laws of England as if any command a Trespass he is a Trespassor c. And there are other Maxims and Customs which are not so manifestly known but may be known by the Law of Reason partly by Books of the Law of England which are called Year Terms partly by Records in the Kings Treasury and remaining in the Kings Courts and by a Book called the Register and by divers Statutes in which such Customs and Maxims are often recited Vide Doctor Student The Fifth Fundamental of the Law of England consists of Divers particular Customs used in divers Countries Towns Lordships or Mannors and Cities of the Kingdom which said particular Customs because they are not against Reason nor the Law of God altho' they are contrary to the aforesaid General Customs and Maxims of Law yet they retain the force of Laws And they ought not always to be determined by the Judges whether there be such a Custom or not unless in a few particular Customs sufficiently known and approved in the Kings Courts but ought to be tryed by the Country And of these particular Customs I shall put a few for Example As there is a Custom called Gavelkind in Kent where all the Brothers shall Inherit as the Sisters do at Common Law By Burrough English in the Town of Nottingham the younger Son shall Inherit In some Countries the Wife shall have all the Inheritance of her Husband in Name of Dower so long as she continues a Widow And in some Countries the Man shall have half the Inheritance of the Wife during his Life although he hath no Issue by her In some Countries the Infant may make a Feoffment at his Age of Fifteen years And in some Countries when he can Measure an Ell of Cloth yet such Infant may not make Warranty for if he do it is void in Law neither may he in such case make a Release Thus are held many other particular Customs The Sixth Fundamental consists of Divers Statutes Ordained in Parliament when other Fundamentals of the Law of England are not sufficient for it is to be known that altho' the Law of Reason may be assigned to be the first and principal Fundamental of the Law of England yet the Law of Reason is not of so great force and efficacy in the Laws of England that it alone being known all the Law of England is known For besides the Law of Reason he who desires to know the Laws of England ought to know the Custom of the Kingdom as well General a Particular and the Maxims and Statutes of Law or otherwise altho' hâ— were the wisest of Men he will understand but few things of the Truth oâ— the Law of England From these things before contain'd it may be deduced which often fall out That in one and the same case two or three Fundamentals of Law ought to concur together before the Plaintiff may obtain his Right as by Example may appear As if any afteâ— Entry by him made into any Land with a strong hand make a Feoffmenâ— for Maintenance to defraud the Possessor of his Action then the Demandant by the Statute of 8 Hen. 6. cap. 9. shall recover his treble Damages according to what Damages shall be assessed by the Jury In which case it appeareth that such Entry is prohibited by the Law of Reason Secundary but that the Demandant shall Recover his treble Damages is by the aforesaid Statute And that the Damages shall be Assessed by the Jury is by the Custom of the Kingdom And thus Three Fundamentals of Law concur in this case And it is to be noted that there are many Customs as well General as Particular and also Divers Laws called Maxims which take not their force from strong Reason but from the Custom of the Kingdom For by Statutes they may be changed into the contrary and what can be changed can never be affirmed to be the Law of Reason Primary As for Example How doth it stand with Reason or Conscience That if one bound in an Obligation to pay Money pay part of the Money but takes no Acquittance or lose it by the Laws of England he shall be compell'd to pay that Money again because of the General Maxim That in an Action of Debt upon Bond the Defendant may not plead Nihil debet or Quod poecuniam solvit nor otherwise discharge himself unless by Acquittance or other sufficient Writing amounting to a Discharge in Law and this to avoid the great Inconvenience which would follow if every one by word alone might avoid an Obligation And thus having briefly set forth the Fundamentals of the Law of England we shall proceed to the Government and the Legislative and Executive Power of the Laws of England The Government of England THe Government of England is 〈◊〉 the first and best kind viz. Monarchical Political Government The King BEing Supream Governour in 〈◊〉 Causes and over all Persons froâ— Him is derived all Authority and Jurâ—diction He being Quasi Intellectus Ageâ—â— Forma formarum c. And from thâ— King with the Advice of His Majesties Privy Council THat most Honourable Assembâ—â— in the Kings Court or Palace aâ— others receive their Motion It is calleâ— Concilium Secretum Privatum
vel Contâ—nuum Regis Concilium This is the Higâ— Watch-Tower wherein the King anâ— his Nobles Counsellors survey all hâ—â— Dominions and sometimes all the Dâ—minions of the World Consulting thâ— Honour Defence Profit and Peace 〈◊〉 his People and their Protection froâ— Violence or Injuries either at home 〈◊〉 from abroad And these Privy Counsellors by the Custom of the Kingdom being part of the Fundamental Laws of England as before is mentioned are such as the King pleaseth to choose and are made without Patent or Grant being only Sworn that according to their Power and Direction they shall truly justly and evenly Counsel and Advise the King in all Matters to be treated in His Majesties Council and shall keep Secret the Kings Council c. And they are so to continue during the Life of the King or during the Kings Pleasure And these Lords of the Privy Council are as it were incorporate with the King in bearing the burthen of his Cares wherefore the Striking in the House or Presence of a Privy Counsellor shall be grievously Fined Conspiring his Death by any within the Cheque-Roll is Felony and Killing any one of them is High Treason And although before the latter end of Henry the Third Quod provisum fuit per Regem Consilium suum Privatum Sigilloque Regis Confirmatum proculdubio Legis habuit vigorem saith Spelman yet at present they take Cognizance of few Matters that may well be determined by the known Laws and Ordinary Court of Justice The President of this Council was sometime called Principalis Conciliarius and sometimes Capitalis Conciliarius and this Office was never granted but by Letters Patent of the Great Seal durante bene placito and is very ancient for John Bishop of Norwich was President of the Council Anno 17 Regiâ— Johannis Dormivit tamen hoc Officium regnante magna Elizabetha The Lord President is said in the Statute of 21 H. 8. cap. 20. to be attending upon the King most Royal Person and the reason oâ— his attendance is for that of latter times he hath used to report to the King the Passages and the State of the Business at the Council Table Next to the President sitteth in Council c. The Lord Privy Seal who besides his Oath of a Privy Counsellor taketh a particular Oath of the Privy Seal which consisteth of four parts First That he justly exercise the Office of Keeper of the King 's Privy Seal to him committed Secondly Not leaving so to do for Affection Love Doubt or Dread of any Person Thirdly That he shall take special regard that the said Privy Seal in all places where he shall go to may be in such substantial wise used and safe kept That no Person without the Kings Special Command or Assent shall Move Seal or Imprint any thing with the same Fourthly Generally he shall observe fulfil and do all and every thing which to the Office of the Keeper of the Kings Privy Seal duly belongeth and appertaineth This is an Office of great Trust and Skill That he put his Seal to no Grant without Warrant nor with Warrant if it be against Law undue or inconvenient but that first he acquaint the King therewith Upon the Lord Privy Seal are attendant four Clerks of the Privy Seal How the Kings Grants Writings and Leases pass the three Seals viz. The Privy Signet the Privy Seal and the Great Seal and the Duties of the Clerk of the Privy Signet and Privy Seal and what Fees shall be paid and where none at all c. and many Articles concerning the passing of the Kings Grant c. you may Read in the Stat. of 27 Hen. 8. This Officer is named in some Statutes Clerk of the Privy Seal in others Garden del Privy Seal and in the Stat. 34 Hen. 8. Lord Privy Seal By Stat. 11. R. 2. cap. 10. It is provided That Letters of the Signet nor of the Kings secret Seal shall be from henceforth sent in Damage or Prejudice of the Realm nor in Disturbance of the Law It appeareth by Writs and Records of Parliament that the High Court of Parliament is resolved to be holden by the King Per advisamentum Consilij sui viz. by advice of his Privy Council Acts and Orders of Parliament for the Privy Council and other things concerning them in the Rolls of Parliament you may Read in the Statutes and Originals at Large mentioned in Cokes 4. Inst. cap. 2. No Loâ—d of Parliament takes any place of Precedency in respect he is a Privy Councellor but under that Degree such place a Privy Councellor shall take as is set down in Serie ordinum tempore Hen. 7. The King by advice of his Privy Council doth publish Proclamations binding to the Subject provided they be not against Statute or Common Law The Privy Councellors sit in order Bareheaded when the King Presides and the lowest declares his Opinion first and the King last declares his Judgment and thereby determins the matter For their Precedency and Place see the Statute of 31 H. 8. directing the same The time and place of holding the Council is wholly at the Kings pleasure which is seldom or never held without the presence of One of The Secretaries of State of which since the latter end of the Reign of H. 8. there have been Two both of equal Authority and both styled Principal Secretaries of State these every day attend upon the King and receive and make dispatch of the Petitions and Desires of the Subjects at home and for Foreign matters The Sectetaries have the Custody of the Kings Seal called the Signet which gives denomination to an Office constantly attending the Court called The Signet Office wherein Four Clerks prepare such things as are to pass the Signet in order to the Privy Seal or Great Seal The Four Clerks in Ordinary of the Privy Council are to Read what is brought before the Council and draw up such Orders as the King and Lords shall direct and cause them to be Registred And belonging to the Secretaries is The Paper-Office where all Paper-Writings and publick Matters of State and Transactions of Ministers abroad and what passes the Secretaries is transmitted and kept And now we proceed to The Ecclesiastical Government THe King being Chief Person as being Persona Sacra Mixta cum Sacerdote is the Supream Bishop of England For at his Coronation by a solemn Consecration and Unction he becomes a Spiritual Person Sacred and Ecclesiastical having both Corona Regni Stola Sacerdotis put upon him He is Patron Paramount of all Ecclesiastical Benefices to whom the last Appeal in Ecclesiastical Affairs is made and who alone hath the Nomination of all Persons for Bishopricks and Chief Dignities and Deaneries and some Prebends in the Church c. And next to the King are the Primates Metropolitans or Archbishops one of Canterbury the other of York each of which have their peculiar Diocess besides a Province of several Diocesses and
will require a whole Treatise 4 Co. Inst 23. The Lords give their Voices from the Puisne Lord Seriatim Content or not Content The Commons give their Votes by Yeas and Noes and if it be doubtful Two are appointed one for the Yeas another for the Noes to number them the Yeas going out and the Noes sitting still as being content with their Condition but at a Committee although of the whole House the Yeas go on one side and the Noes on the other whereby the greatest number will easily appear The Royal Assent to Bills passed both Houses is given in this manner The King Sitting in his Throne of State with his Crown on his Head in his Royal Robes and the Lords in their Robes The Clerk of the Crown Reads the Title of the Bills to which the Clerk of the Parliament according to directions from the King Answers if a publick Bill Le Roy le veut if a private Bill Soit fait comme el est Desire or otherwise Le Royn s'advisera being a absolute Denial in a Civil way If it be a Bill for Money given his Majesty then the Answer is Le Roy remercie ses loyaux sujets accepte leur Benevolence aussi le veut The Bill for the King 's General Pardon hath but one Reading in either House for this Reason because they must take it as the King will please to give it so the Bill of Subsidies granted by the Clergy assembled in Convocation for the same Reason When the Bill for the General Pardon is passed by the King the Answer is thus Les Prelates Seigneurs Communes en ce Parliament Assembles au nom de tous vos autres Sujets remercient tres humblement votre Majeste prient Dieu vous donner en sante bonne Vie longue All Acts of Parliament before the Reign of Hen. 7. were passed and enrolled in Latin or French now in English Most of our ancient Acts of Parliament run in this Stile The King at the Humble Request of the Commons with the Assent of the Prelates Dukes Earls and Barons hath Ordained or Enacted After it was thus The King by the Advice and Assent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and with the Assent of the Commons doth Enact Of latter times it hath been thus Be it Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and of the Commons Although the words of the Writ for Summoning the Commons is only ad Consentiendum and not ad consilium impendendum as it is in the Writ to the Lords The Adjourments are made in the Lords House by the Lord Chancellor to what other Day or Place the King thinks fit The Prorogations are made in the same manner only a Prorogation makes a Sessions and puts an end to all Bills not passed the Royal Assent At the Dissolution of the Parliament the King commonly comes in Person sending for the House of Commons After Speeches made the Lord Chancellor by the King's Command Declares the Parliament Dissolved The House of Commons is not prorogued or adjourned by the prorogation or adjournment of the Lords House but the Speaker upon signification of the King's pleasure by the assent of the House of Commons doth say This House doth Prorogue or Adjourn it self But when it is Dissolved the House of Commons are sent for up to the Higher House and there the Lord Keeper by the King's Commandment Dissolveth them And it may be observed That as the Parliament cannot begin without the King's presence either in Person or by Representation so it cannot end without Nihil enim tam conveniens est Naturali Aequitati unumquodque Dissolvi eo Ligamine quo ligatum est Coke's 4 Inst 28. The Proceedings and Transactions being referr'd to Authors who have Written thereof at large we shall only mention some remarkable things concerning the same And first Any Lord upon just cause to be absent may make his Proxy but he cannot make it but to a Lord of Parliament And a Commoner may not make a Proxy King John in the Thirteenth year of his Reign sent Embassadours to Admiralius Murmelius Great Emperour of Turkey Sir Thomas Harrington and Sir Ralph Nicholson Knights and Sir Robert of London Clerk Nuncios suos Secretissimos to offer to be of his Religion and become Tributary to him and He and his Subjects would be his Vassals and to hold his Kingdoms of him But that Infidel Great Prince as a thing unworthy of a King to Deny his Religion and betray his Kingdom utterly refused to accept King John the next year surrendred his Kingdoms of England and Ireland to Pope Innocent the Third paying 1000 Marks for them which being afterwards Demanded with Homage by the Pope Anno 40. Ed. 3. In full Parliament it was fully agreed That Answer should be Returned That niether King John nor any for him could put Himself his Realm or People in any Subjection without their Consent And that if the Pope did attempt to gain it by Force they would resist with all their power Rot. Parl. 4.2 Ed. 3. It is Declared in full Parliament That they could not assent to any thing in Parliament that tended to the Disherison of the King or his Crown whereunto they were sworn By the Law and Custom of Parliament when any New thing is Devised they may Answer That they dare not Consent to it without Conference with their Countries Co. 4 Inst 14 34. As every Court of Justice hath Laws and Customs for its directions some by the Common Law some by the Civil Law and Canon Law some by Peculiar Laws or Customs c. so the High Court of Parliament Suis propriis Legibus Consuetudinibus subsistit Informations were preferr'd by the Attorney General against 39 Members of the House of Commons for Departing without the King's License whereof six submitted to their Fines and Edmund Plowden the Learned Lawyer pleaded That he remained continually from the beginning to the end of the Parliament and took a Traverse full of Pregnancy and after his Plea was Sine die per demise le Reigne In the Kings-Bench Upon Petition of Right to the King either in English or in French and the Answer thereunto Fiat Justitia a Writ of Errour may be had directed to the Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench to remove a Record in praesens Parliamenâ—um An Act of Parliament must have thâ— Assent of King Lords and Commons but if it want this Threefold Consent it is not an Act but an Ordinance Of Acts of Parliament some be Declaratory of the ancient Law some be Introductory of a New Law and some be of both kinds by addition of greater Penalties or the like In ancient Times all Acts of Parliament were in form of Petitions and for the several Forms of Acts of Parliament see the Prince's Case 8 Co. Rep. 20. The Passing of a Bill doth not make a Sessions but the
Sessions continueth till a Prorogation or Dissolution And the difference between an Adjournment and Prorogation is that after an Adjornment all things stand as they did before but after a Prorogation alâ— former proceedings not passed the Royal assent are made null and void When a Parliament is called and doth sit and is Dissolved without any Act of Parliament passed or Judgmenâ— given then it is no Sessions but a Convention Co. 4 Inst 28. A Bill was preferred An. 6 Hen. 6. that none should Marry the Queen Dowager of England without license and assent of the King on pain to lose all his Goods and Lands The Bishops and Clergy assented by content so far as the same swerved not from the Law of God or of the Church and so far as the same imported no deadly Sin The Act of Parliament is holden good and absolute for that the assent of the Clergy could not be conditionally neither was it against the Law of God c. as appears by Magna Charta cap. 7. Confirmed by 32 Acts of Parliament Co. 4 Inst fo 35. Of this Court it is said Si Antiquitatatem spectes est Vetustissima si Dignitatatem est Honoratissima si Jurisdictionem est Capacissima Fortescue Huic nec metas rerum nec tempora pono Virgil. King Henry the Eighth commanded Thomas Earl of Essex to attend the Chief Justices and know Whether a Man that was forth-coming might be attainted of Treason by Parliament and never called to answer The Judges answered It was a dangerous Question and that the High Court of Parliament ought to give Examples to Inferiour Courts for proceeding according to Justice and no Inferiour Court could do the like and they thought the High Court of Parliament would never do it But being by express Commandment of the King pressed by the said Earl to give a Direct Answer they said That if he be attainted by Parliament it could not come in question afterwards whether he were called or not called to Answer which was according to Law Altho' they might have made better Answer since by Magna Charta no Man ought to be condemned without being called to answer But Facta tenent multa quafieri prohibentur By ancient Law when any one was to be charged in Parliament with any Crime Offence or Misdemeanour The King's Writ was directed to the Sheriff to summon and enjoyn the Party to appear before the King in the next Parliament or otherwise it may be directed to the party himself as appean by the Writs King Henry the Eighth being in Convocation ackowledged Supream Head of the Church of England thought it no difficult matter to have it confirmed by Parliament but was secretly desirous to have the Impugners of it incur High Treason but having little hope to effect that concerning High Treason sought to have it pass in some other Act by words closely couch'd and therefore in the Act for Recognition of his Supremacy the Title and Style thereof is annexed to the Crown Afterwards by another Act whereby many Offences are made High Treason It is amongst other things Enacted That if any person or persons by Word or Writing Practise or Attempt to deprive the King or Queen or their Heirs apparent of their Dignity Title or Name of their Royal Estates should be adjudged Traytors Whereupon many were put to death The Will of Richard the Second whereby he gives Money Treasure c. to his Successors upon condition that they observe the Ordinances and Acts made at the Parliament in the 21th year of â—is Reign is adjudged void it being in â—estraint of the Sovereign Liberty of his Successors And it is a certain Maxim That Leges posteriores priores â—ontrarias abrogant The Acts of Parliament or Petition of Right may be Inrolled in any or all â—ther Courts of Record Every Member ought to come or â—e may be Fined and the Sheriff if he â—ake not due Return of all Writs may â—e punished King Henry the Eighth projected in Parliament No King or his Kingdom could be safe without Three Abilities First To be able to Live of his own and to be able to defend his own Kingdom Secondly To assist his Confederates else they would not assist him Thirdly To reward his well deserving Servants Now the Project was That if the Parliament would give all Priories Monasteries c That for Ever in time to come He would take care the same should not be converted to private use but employ'd to enrich hiâ— Exchequer for the purposes aforesaid To maintain 40000. Soldiers for strengthning the Kingdom The Subjects should not be burthened with Subsidies Loans c. That for 29 Lords of Parliament Abbots and Priors he would create 〈◊〉 Number of Nobles Now the Monasteries were given to the King but 〈◊〉 Provision for the Project made by thesâ— Acts only Ad faciendum populum thesâ— Possessions were given to the King anâ— his Successors to do therewith at his anâ— their own Wills to the pleasure of Alâ— mighty God and the honour and proâ—â— of the Realm Now observe the Catâ—strophe in the same Parliament of Henâ—â— the Eighth When the Opulent Priorâ— of St. John's of Jerusalem was given tâ— the King he demanded and had a Subsidy both of the Clergy and Laity And the like he had in the 34th of Henry the Eighth and in the 37th of Henry the Eighth And since the Dissolution of Monasteries he Exacted divers Loans and against Law received the same If the King by Writ call any Knight or Esquire to be a Lord of Parliament he may not refuse for the good of his Country The Fees of Knights of Parliament is Four shillings per diem Citizens and Burgesses Two shillings Coke's 4. Inst 46. The Parliament at Coventry Anno 6 Hen. 4. for that in the Writs it was Directed pursuant to the precedent Ordinance of the House of Lords That no Lawyer should be Elected It was called Indoctum Parliamentum and such Prohibition was Null and Void and the Ordinance afterwards Repeal'd The Sheriff of Bucks was Returned Knight for Norfolk and being afterwards served with a Subpoena pendente Parliamento had the priviledge of Parliament allowed him 1 Caroli Regis primi Judges are not to Judge of any Law Custom or Priviledge of Parliamenâ— they being more properly to be learneâ— out of the Rolls of Parliament Recordâ— and by Presidents and continual experience than by or from any Man Penn. Parliament from Parler la Ment 〈◊〉 called because every Member oughâ— sincerly Parler la Ment for the good 〈◊〉 the Common-wealth is the Highest anâ— most Honourable Court of Justice 〈◊〉 England consisting of the King thâ— Lord Spiritual and Temporal and thâ— Commons consisting of Knights Citizeâ— and Burgesses and in Writs and Judical Proceedings it is called Commâ—â— Concilium Regni Angliae It appeareth That divers Parliaments have beeâ— holden before and since the time of the Conquest which are in print and many more appearing in ancient Records anâ—
Manuscripts There have been in that time and since the Conquest till the Lord Cokeâ— time 280 Sessions of Parliament and at every Sessions divers Acts made nâ—â— small number whereof are not in Print Cokes 1 Inst 110. a. The Jurisdiction of this Court is sâ— Transcendent That it Maketh Inâ—largeth Diminisheth Abrogateth Repealeth and Reviveth Laws Statutes Acts and Ordinances concerning Matters Ecclesiastical Capital Criminal Common Civil Marshal Maritime c. And none can begin continue or dissolve the Parliament but by the King's Authority Cokes 1 Inst 110. None can be sent out of the Realm no not into Ireland against his will albeit by Order of Parliament Cokes 2 Inst. 47 48. Trial by Peers of Peers of Parliament was very ancient and in the time of the Conqueror both for Men and Women and anciently those that were not Lords of Parliament were Judged in case of Treason or Felony by the Peers of the Realm By Authority of Parliament it was declared That Urban the 12th was duly elected Pope Cokes 2 Inst 274. Few or none of the Acts made in Ed. 1. time have been Repealed Cokes 2 Inst 280. Where Communitatem Angliae and many such Words are taken for the Parliament and as there was a legal word Guidagium being an Office for guiding Travellers through dangerous passages so the Laws of the Realm are â—o guide the Judges in all Causes Cokes 2 Inst. 526. Cardinal Woolsey endeavouring to bring in the Civil Law was the occasion that but one Parliament was held from the 7th to 21th year of Hen. 8. Cokes 2 Inst. 626. George Nobles a Priest Attainted by Verdict for Clipping the Kings Coiâ— was Adjudged and Executed at Tyburâ— as a common person and Merx 〈◊〉 shop of Carlisle for Treason againâ—â— Hen. 4. had Judgment as in case 〈◊〉 High Treason But Cor Regis in manu Dâ—mini he was pardoned Cokes 2 Inst 63â— The Parliament at Oxford 42 Hen. 〈◊〉 was called Insanum Parliamentum 12 Ed. 2. The Parliament of Whiteband 5 Ed. 3. Parliamentum bonum 10 R. 〈◊〉 Parliamentum quod fecit Mirabilia 21 R. 〈◊〉 Magnum Parlimentum 6 H. 4. Parlâ—â—mentum indoctum 4 Hen. 6. Parliamâ—â—tum Fustium 14 H. 8. The Black Parlâ—â—ment 1 E. 6. Parliament ' pium 1 Maâ—â— Parliament ' propitium Parliaments of Q. Pia Justa Provida 21 Jac. 1. Foelix Paâ—â—â—amentum And the Parliament in the 〈◊〉 year of King Ch. 1. Benedictum Parlâ—â—mentum The Reasons of most of the Appellations appear upon Record Câ—â— 3 Inst 2. It is Lex Consuetudo Parliamenâ—â— That wheresoever the Parliament Sâ—â— Proclamation should be made forbâ—ing wearing of Armour and all Plays and Games of Men Women or Children Cokes 3 Inst 160. The Britons loved the Laws of England and petitioned to have the Laws of England in all cases of the Crown used in Wales And now seeing there are Sheriffs in Wales the Writs for Election of Knights Citizens and Burgesses are directed to them returnable in Chancery Cokes 4 Inst. 241. Every Lord of Parliament ought to have a Writ of Summons sent to him out of the Chancery at least 40 Days before the Parliament begin and the Writ of Summons to the Barons is Quod intersitis cum Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus super dictis Negotijs tractaturi vestrumque Consilium Impensuri but the Writ to the Assistants as all the Judges Barons of the Exchequer of the Coif the Kings Learned Councel and the Civilians Masters of the Chancery are different from the other as thus Quod intersitis Nobiscum cum caeteris de Concilio nostro and sometimes Nobiscum only super Praemissis tractaturi vestrumque Consilium Impensuri and the Writs of Summons to the Bishops c. you may see in Cokes 4 Inst 4 5 6 9 10 14 47 48 50. And at the Return of these Writs the Parliament cannot begin but by the Royal Presence of the King either in Person or by Representation Cokes 4. Inst. 6. The Writs of Summons are to be found in the Close Rolls and the Forms of them you may see in Cokes 4 Inst 9 10. Which Forms as also the Forms of all other original Writs are not to be altered but by Act of Parliament and where they Issued out of the Chancery and were Returnable in the Court of Parliament the Return thereof could not be altered and Returnable into the Chancery But by Act of Parliament 7 H. 4. cap. 15. They be now returned into the Chancery and kept in the Office of the Clerk of the Crown there see the Statute of 4 H. 7. cap. 15. and Cokes 4 Inst. 9 10. Who shall be Electors and the Sheriffs duty in Electing you may see in the several Statutes whereof some are mentioned in Cokes 4 Inst. 48. If Erroneous Judgment be given in the Kings-Bench it shall upon petition of Right be brought into Parliament to be reversed or affirmed and the proceedings thereupon you may read in Cokes 4 Inst 21. None of the Judges of Kings-Bench Common-Pleas or Exchequer are Eligible because Assistants in the House of Lords nor any of the Clergy because of the Convocation but those who have Judicial places in other Courts are Eligible Cokes 4 Inst 47. Thorpe could not be Speaker unless he were Knight of the Shire Cokes 4. Inst 47. in the margent Tenants in ancient Demesne not contributary to the expences of Members in Parliament nor Chaplains who are Masters in Chancery to Proctors in Parliament F. N. B. 507. Cokes 1 Rep. 25 160. A saving in an Act of Parliament Repugnant to the Body of the Act is void Cokes 1 Rep. 47. Alton Woods's Case He who taketh a Gift by Act of Parliament shall not have other Estate than is given by the Act Cokes 1 Rep. 47 48. Alton Woods Case An Act of Parliament or the Common Law may make an Estate void as to one and good as to another which a Man by his breath or words cannot do Cokes 1 Rep. 87. Corbet's Case The Statute of 27 Hen. 8. Extirpating and Extinguishing all the Estate of the Feoffees Non possunt agere seu permittere aliquid in prejudice of Cestuy que use Cokes 1 Rep. 132. Chudley's Case An Act of Parliament may make Division of Estates and therefore not like to Cases at Common Law Cokes 1 Rep. 137. Chudleigh's Case An Act of Parliament is the Highest Conveyance and a latter doth take away a former Act Cokes 2 Rep. 46. Parliamentum Testamentum Arbitramentum to be construed according to the intent of the makers Cokes 3 Rep. 27. Butler and Baker's Case Of Statutes which concern the King the Judges ought to take notice Cokes 4 Rep. 13. Lord Cromwell's Case The like of general Acts Cokes 4 Rep. 76. Holland's Case The of Stat 13 18 Eliz. concerning Leases by Deans and Chapters are general Statutes whereof the Court ought to take notice although they be not found by the Jurors Cokes 4 Rep. 120. Davenport's Case Mistaking the
dicitur diuturnam cepit dilationem ad grave dampnum ipsius A. Sicut ex querela sua accepimus Vobis praecipimus quod ad judicium inde reddend cum ea celeritate quae secundum Legem consuetudinem regni nostri procedas c. Likewise when Justices or Judges of any Court of Record or not of Record give Judgment and delayed the party of his Execution the party grieved may have a Writ De executione Judicij by which Writ the Justices or Judges are commanded Quod executioonem judicij nuper redditi c. de loquela quae fuit c. per breve nostrum c. sine dilatione Fieri fac ' and thereupon an Alias Plur ' and Attachment c. do lye By the meeting together upon Adjournment of the Cause out of the Court where the Cause dependeth c. all the Judges c. which now we call an Exchequer Chamber Cause Warranted by the Common Law and Ancient Presidents before this Statute and the frequent use of this Court of Exchequer Chamber hath been the Cause that this Court upon the Act of 14 E. 3. hath been rarely put in ure By the King 's Writ comprehending Quod si difficultas aliqua intersit that the Record should be certified into the Parliament and to Adjourn the parties to be there at a certain Day Si obscurum difficile sit Judicium ponantur judicia in respect ' usque magnam curiam An excellent Record whereof you may read in the Parliament holden at Westminster the Tuesday after the Translation of St. Thomas Becket Annâ— 14 E. 3. Secondly By Acts of Parliament Nulli vèndemus nulli negabimus aut differemus justitiam vel rectum That it shall not be commanded neither by the Great Seal nor by the Little Seal nor by Letters nor any other cause to delay Right and albeit such commandment come c. that by them the Justices surcease not to do Right in no manner In divers cases the party grieved shall have an Action for unjust delay Tolle moram semper nocuit differre paratis But seeing neither the Common Law nor any of the Acts of Parliament do extend to Ecclesiastical Courts it is then demanded What if an Inferiour Ordinary will refuse or delay to admit and institute a Clerk presented by the right Patron to a Church within his Diocess or the like or delay or refuse to give Sentence in a Case depending before him It is Answered That the Archbishop of the Province may grant his Letters under his Seal to all and singular Clerks of his Province to admonish the Ordinary within Nine days to perform that which by Justice is desired or otherwise to cite him to appear before him or his Official at a day in those Letters prefixed and to cite the party that hath suffered such delay then and there likewise to appear and further to intimate to the said Ordinary that if he neither perform that which is enjoyned nor appear he himself without further delay will perform the Justice required or in the former of the said Cases the party delayed may have his Quare impedit but that is thought not to be so speedy a remedy Cokes 4 Inst cap. 6. The Kings Bench Court THis Court is so called because antiently the King sat there sometimes in Person upon a high Bench and the Judges upon a low Bench at his Feet to whom the Judicature belongs in the absence of the King And the Pleas here are betwixt the King and Subject As for Treasons Felonies Breach of the Peace Oppression Misgovernment c. And moreover it examineth and corrects all Errors in facto and in jure of all the Judges and Justices of England in their Judgments and Proceedings and this not only in Pleas of the Crown but in all Pleas Real Personal and Mixt except only in the Exchequer And in this Court are Four Judges First The Lord Chief Justice created by Writ thus Mathis Hale Militi Salutem Sciatis quod constituâ—mus vos Justiciarium Nostrum capitalem ad Placita coram nobis tenenda durantâ— bene placito Nostro Teste me ipso apâ—l Westminst Three other Judges hold their Places by Letters Patents in these word Rea Omnibus ad quos Praesentes Litterae peâ—â—nerint Salutem Sciatis quod Constituâ—mus Dilectum Fidelem R.R. Militem unâ—â— Justiciariorum ad placita coram nobis â—â—nenda durante bene placito nostro Testâ— c. These Judges and all the Officers of this Court have Salaries from the King and the Chief of them Liveries out of the great Wardrobe In this Court all young Lawyers who have been called to the Bar are allowed to Plead and Practise This Court may grant Prohibition to keep other Courts both Ecclesiastical and Temporal within their Bounds and due Jurisdiction The Jurisdiction thereof is General and extendeth to all England is more uncontrolable than any other Court because the Law presumes the King always is present there in Person None may be Judge here but a Serâ—eant who upon taking his Degree is obliged to wear a Lawn Coif under â—his Cap for ever after The King hath wholly left matters of Judicature according to his Laws to his Judges and albeit the Delinquent shall be Fined at the Will of the King Non Dominus Rex Camera sua nec aliter nisi per Justiciarios suos Finem imponit Errors in the Kings Bench cannot be reversed except in certain particular cases by Stat. 27 Eliz. c. 8. wherein the â—urisdiction of the Court is saved but in the High Court of Parliament A Record brought into this Court cannot as it were being in its Center be remanded back unless by Act of Parliament But Indictments of Feâ—onies and Murders may be remanded â—nd sent by the Justices of that Court â—nto the several Counties The Justices of the Kings Bench may grant a Nisi prius in case of Treason Felony and other Pleas but if they perceive an Indictment to be removed into that Court by practise or for delay they may send it back again for Justice to be done In this Court the Sentence is giveâ— by the Chief Justice the others all 〈◊〉 the most part assenting If they cannot agree it is referred to a Demurrer iâ— the Exchequer Chamber before all the Judges of both Benches and Chieâ— Baron of the Exchequer And now 〈◊〉 us speak somewhat of The Officers THe Prothonotary recordeth all Judâ—ments Orders and Rules of Courâ—â— and all Verdicts given being not 〈◊〉 Crown matters The Secondary is his Deputy for 〈◊〉 said Cause who keeps and makâ— up these Records in Books and alwayâ— attends the Court. The Clerk of the Crown Frames 〈◊〉 Indictments of Felony Treason Mâ—ther c. all manner of Appeals aâ—â— is after to Record them and enter 〈◊〉 Verdict and to make and keep thâ— Records of these matters And hath 〈◊〉 Deputy The Clerk of the Exigents Frames 〈◊〉 Process of Exigi facias and Recoâ—â— the Oulawry The Clerk
of the Papers keeps all Rolls Script Pleadings and other things which are not of Record The Custos Brevium Files all Writs Original and Judicial after their Return by the Sheriffs and is chargable for the same if imbezled The Custos Sigìlli Seals all Judicial Writs Patents and Licenses issuing out of the Court and taketh the Fee and thereof makes Accompt The Attorneys which are for Plaintiffs and Defendants in every Cause Frame and make Pleadings The Marshal of the Court who either by himself or his Deputy or Servants attends the Court to receive Prisoners committed to their Custody The Clerk of the Declaration keeps and Files Declarations after they are Ingrossed and continued on the Back from the Term you Declare till Issue Joyned The Clerk of the Rules makes all Rules and Enters them and gives Copies and also Files all Affidavits c. The Phillizers one for each County to make all mean Process after Original in proceeding to the Utlary The Clerk of the Errors allows 〈◊〉 Writs of Error and makes the Supersedeas thereupon and Transcribes the Records into the Exchequer Chamber The Cryers always attend the Court to call Non-suits give Oaths to Wiâ—nesses Jury Men at Tryals and dâ— such other Business as the Court shaâ—â— direct and at the end of every Term do attend the Court. The Porter of the Court who bringâ— all Records into Court when they aâ—â— to be used This Court may Bail any person foâ— any Offence whatsoever and if a Free man in any City Burrough or Towâ— Corporate be Disfranchised unjustly albeit he hath not priviledge in thâ—â— Court yet this Court may relieve the party as appears in Coke's 11 Rep. Jamâ—â— Bagg's Case Et sic in similibus H. P. Captus per querimoniam Mercaâ—â—rum Flandriae imprisonatus offert Domino Regi Hus Haut in plegio ad stâ—â—dum recto ad respondendum praediâ—â—â— Mercatoribus omnibus alijs qui vâ—â—sus eum loqui voluerint c. The French word Hus signifying an Elder-Tree and Haut the Staff of a Halbert aâ—â— thought then to be Common Baâ— changed now to Doo and Roo and thâ—â— then putting in Bail at one Man's Suit was in Custodia Mareschalli to answer all others that should Sue him by Bill and this continueth to this Day A Scire facias to Repeal a Patent of the King may be brought in this Court In Ancient time when Pleas were holden in Parliament when the Parties descended to Issue the Record was Adjourned into the Kings-Bench By Stat. 18 Ed. 3. The Oath to be given to Justices when they take their place is to this effect viz. To serve the King in their Offices To warn them of any Damage do Justice take no Bribe give no Council where he is a Party maintain no Suit nor deny Right though by command from the King To procure the Kings profit and to be answerable to the King in Body Lands and Goods if found in default By Stat. 10. H. 6. not in Print The Justices Serjeants and the King's Attorney shall be paid their Wages by the Treasurer of England at Easter and Michaelmas without any other Suit By Stat. 28 Hen. 8. All Attaints shall be taken in the Kings-Bench and Common-Pleas and not elsewhere Stat. 5 Ed. 3.12 If Outlary happen before Justices of Oyer and Terminer and the Justices be risen before the Party yield himself he shall do it in the Kings-Bench The Justices in this Court are the Sovereign Justices of Oyer and Terminer Gaol Delivery Conservators of the Peace c. in the Realm and Sovereign Coroners of the Land And therefore where the Sheriff and Coroners may receive Appeals by Bill à Fortiori the Justices of this Court may do it Out of this Court are other Courts derived in respect of the multiplicity of causes which have increased Jurisdictio istius Curiae est Originalâ—â— seu ordinaria non delegata And the Justices of this Court were called Anciently Justiciae Justiciarij Locum tenentes Domini Regis c. And the Stile of this Court is Anglia in the Margent and the Chief Justice was called Justicia Angliae Justicia prima Justiciarius Angliae capitalis Justiciarius noster capitalis ad placita coram nobis terminandâ— and in divers Acts of Parliament he is called Chief Justice of England The Kings Bench hath Authority for Great Misprisions and Offences to Adjudge and Inflict corporal Punishments as Pillory Papers and the like Coke's 4 Inst cap. 7. The Court of Common Pleas. THis Court is so called because there are debated the usual Pleas between Subject and Subject althô not in respect of Persons but in respect of the Pleas being Communia placita And some say this Court as well as others was at first held in the King's House wheresoever he resided But by Magna Charta it is ordained This Court should not be Ambulatory but held at a certain place and that hath ever since been in Westminster-Hall And this Court is the Lock and Key of the Common Law in Common Pleas for here all Real Actions whereupon Fines Recoveries and Common Assurances of the Realms do pass and all Real Actions by Original Writs are to be determined and all Common Pleas mixt or personal in divers whereof this Court and the Kings Bench have a concurrent Authority This Court Regularly holds no Plea but by Original Writ out of the Chancery and returnable into this Court But in certain cases it holds Plea by Bill without such Writ as for or against persons priviledged in this Court Also without Original Writ this Court may upon suggestion grant Prohibitions to keep Ecclesiastical Courts within their Limits and Jurisdiction This Court but no inferiour Court may write to the Bishop to certifie Bastardy or Legal Matrimony so likewise upon ancient Demesne pleaded The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas or Common Bench holds his place Durante bene-placito by Letters Patent in this form Rex c. Sciatis quod constituimus dilectum fidelem E C. Militem Capitalem Justiciarium de Communi Banco habendum quamdiu nobis placuâ—â—it cum Vadijs Feodis ab antiquo debitis consuetis In cujus rei Testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Teste c. And the three other Judges have Letters Patent Sciatis quod constituimus dilect ' Fidelem P. W. Militem unum Justiciariorum nostrorum de Communi Banco c. The Jurisdiction of this Court is general and extendeth throughout all England And for the Antiquity of this Court Vide 6 E. 3. where a Fine was levyed in this Court 6 R. 1. And none of the Judges of this Court may take Fee of any but the King and they ought to observe and likewise all other Officers the Rule in Law Nemo Duobus utatur Officijs And now we come to The Officers THe Custos Brevium who is the Chief Officer of the Court. The Three Prothonotaries in whose Offices
to appoint for whom they will answer and such as are sufficient and will be Faithful and Diligent in their places In the same manner we have Ordained in the Right of the Barons of the Exchequer that we have expresly charged them in our presence that they shall do Right and Reason to all our Subjects and that they shall deliver the People reasonably and without delay c. And more of the Officers of this Court and their Duty you may read in the Statutes at large Resolved in the Case of Auditor Provy that if A. be indebted to B. and B. is indebted to the King that the King by his Prerogative may Levy his Debt upon A. but this Levying ought to be of an immediate and not of a mediate Debtor to the Debtor of the King As if A. be indebted to B. and B. to C. and C. to the King the King cannot Levy his Debt of A. for then it might be Levied in infinitum Quod reprobatur in Jure The Barons of the Exchequer are the Sovereign Auditors of England for if a Man Assign Auditors to a Bailiff or Receiver to Accompt and the Auditors will not allow just and reasonable allowances but will Commit the Bailiff or Receiver to Prison such Prisoner may have an Original Writ of Ex parte talis returnable before the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer for his relief If the Barons do not allow an Accomptant before them such just Demands as he maketh he may have a Writ De Allocatione facienda directed to the Treasurer and Barons Commanding them to allow the same Gifts by word of Mouth from the King not allowable but void Neither is a Warrant under the Signet sufficient to Issue any Treasure of the King out of the Receipt but it must be under the Great or Privy Seal Whereas it is said That the King may Distrain in all the other Lands of his Tenant of whomsoever they are holden it is thus to be understood That the other Lands must be in the actual Possession of the Kings Tenant for he cannot Distrain in those Lands in the Possession of his Tenant for Life Tenant for Years or at Will Coke's 4 Inst cap. 11 12 13. The Oath of the Barons of the Exchequer expressing there Duties consisteth upon Ten Articles 1st That well and truly he shall serve in the Office of Baron of the King's Exchequer 2ly That truly he shall charge and discharge all manner of People as well Poor as Rich 3ly That for no highness nor for Riches nor for hatred nor Estate of no Person or Persons whatsoever nor for any Deed Gift nor Promise of any Person the which is made to him nor by Craft nor by Engin he shall let the King 's Right 4ly Nor none other Persons Right he shall disturb let or respite contrary to the Laws of the Land 5ly Nor the Kings Debts he shall put in respite where that they may goodly be levied 6ly That the Kings need he shall speed before all others 7ly That neither for Gift Wages nor good Deed he shall lain disturb nor let the profit or reasonable advantage of the King in the advantage of any other person nor of himself 8ly That nothing he shall take of any person for to do wrong or right to delay or to deliver or to delay the people that have to do before him but as hastily as he may them goodly to deliver without hurt of the King and having no regard to any profit that might thereof to him be therein he shall make to be delivered 9ly Where he may know any wrong or prejudice to be done to the King he shall put and do all his power and diligence that to redress and if he may not do it that he tell it to the King or to them of the Councel which may make relation to the King if he may not come to him 10ly The King's Counsel he shall keep and lain in all things And like to the Chief Baron the rest of the Baron are constituted by Letters Patent and the Patents of the Attorney General and Solicitor are also Quamdiu se bene gesserit Coke's 4. Inst cap. 11 12. The Lord Chief Baron is Sworn by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper for the time being and in matters of Law Information and Plea he answereth the Bar and all Suitors He ever giveth Judgment in the Term-time only and gives his directions to the Remembrancer in this manner If the King's Attorney say nothing for the King between this and such a day for such a matter enter Judgment for A.B. Or if the Party foâ— nothing for such a matter by such a day enter Judgment for the King Practick part of the Law Court of Exchequer The Court of Inquiry to certifie untrue Accompts in the Exchequer THis Court Sits by Commission under the Great Seal by force of the Statute of 6 Hen. 4. Directed and sent with the Tenor of the Accompt to discreet persons in the County where the Officers be to Enquire and certifie the profits by them received and if they be attainted of Fraud they forfeit treble value and their Bodies to Prison until they make Fine and Ransom at the discretion of the Judges In the Exchequer Wall is this old Verse Ingraven Ingrediens Jani rediturus es aemulus argi The Court of Equity in the Exchequer THe Judges of this Court are the Lord Treasurer Chancellor and Barons of the Exchequer And generally their Jurisdiction is as large for matter of Equity as the Barons in the Court of Exchequer have for benefit of the King at the Common Law For all the Proceedings both in this Court of Equity and of that at the Common Law ought to be touching the King or otherwise there lieth a Prohibition which appears by the Register for all are Communia Placita which are not Placita Coronae More of the Jurisdiction and Authority of this Court you may see by the Statute of 33 Hen. 8. and Coke's Instit cap. 13. The Office of Pleas in the Exchequer THis is the Office of the Common Law and the Proceedings in most things agreeable to the Kings-Bench and Common Pleas. Their Leading Process is Quo minus or Subpoena the Quo minus is like the Capias or Latitat to take the Body of the Defendant and was anciently granted to the Kings Tenants or Debtors only But now the Practice of this Office is grown General in all cases almost by the Subpoena which being easier brings much into this Office especially in Wales where the King 's Writ runs not only Capias Utlagatum There are Four Attorneys and in their Declarations they always suppose the Plaintiff to be Debtor to the King In this Office all Officers of the Exchequer are to Sue and be Sued and all manner of Accomptants and all Suits removed out of any Court of Record by the King 's Writ or out of any Court at Westminster by the Red Book The Execution after
into the Counties where such Felonies were committed and also to command the Justices of Gaol-delivery of Peace and all other Justices and Commissioners there to proceed and determine such Felonies in like manner as if their Bodies and Indictments had not been removed Justices of Gaol-delivery may take a Pannel of a Jury Returned by the Sheriff without making any Precept to him as Justices of Oyer and Terminer ought to make because a General Commandment is made to the Sheriff by the Justices of Gaol-delivery to Return Juries against their coming They may deliver Suspects for Felony c. by Proclamation against whom there is no sufficient Evidence produced to the Great Inquest to Indict them c. which Justices of Oyer and Terminer or Justices of Peace cannot do If a Man be Indicted before Justices of the Peace and thereupon Outlawed and is taken and committed to Prison the Justices of Gaol-delivery may award Execution of this Prisoner They may assign a Coroner to an Approver and make Process against the Appellee in a Foreign County They may punish those that let Men to Bail or Mainprize which are not Bailable by Law or suffer them to Escape By the Statute of 1 E. 6. In all Cases where any Person or Persons heretofore have been or hereafter shall be found guilty of any manner of Treason Murder Manslaughter Rape or other Felony whatsoever for the which Judgment of Death should or may ensue and shall be Repried to Prison without Judgment at that time given against him her or them found so Guilty that those Persons that at any time hereafter shall by the King's Letters Patents be assigned Justices to deliver the Gaol where any such Person or Persons found Guilty shall remain shall have full Power and Authority to give Judgment of Death against such person so found Guilty and Repried as the same Justices before whom such Person or Persons was or were found Guilty might have done if their Commission of Gaol-Delivery had remained in force Justices of Gaol-Delivery shall send their Records and Process determined and put in Execution to the Exchequer at Michaelmas every year to be delivered there to the Treasurer and Chamberlains c. to keep them in the Treasury Justices of Gaol-delivery may receive Appeals of Robbery and Murder by Bill but the Appellees must be in Prison before them Co. 4 Inst c. 30. And more of their Jurisdiction and Authority you may read in the Statutes at large The Court of Justices of the Forests THe word Forest is made by changing E. into O. from Feresta hoc est Ferarum statio it being a Mansion or safe dwelling of all Beasts of the Wood and this Forest doth consist of Eight things viz. Soil Covert Laws Courts Judges Officers Game and certain Bounds of all which we shall speak somewhat in order as they lie And First of The Soil of the Forest which is Woody ground where there is good Covert and Fruitful Pastures and it is not material that the Wood belong to the King or another And when the King will make a Forest a Writ shall be Issued to the Sheriff of the County where the Forest shall be to Enquire what place shall be fit to make a Forest who thereupon shall take an Inquest and Inquire of the content of the Place and the Bounds and shall put the same Bounds in certainty and all he doth he ought to return into the Chancery and when the King is thereof ascertained by such matter of Record the King shall by Letters Patents command the Sheriff to make Proclamation That the place which he hath returned shall be afterwards a Forest and that none shall Hunt within those Woods they being for his Pleasure to reserve the Wild Beasts and Game to himself And this Forest is not necessarily to be made in every County But in The Grand Covert and Woody Ground where the Beasts may have place of Defence and Food which are called Vert and are to be preserved to the end that the Game may have both Shelter and Browze And yet altho' such Commandment be made by the King as aforesaid it is no Forest until Wild Beasts are put there which sort of Wild Beasts are those which are herein after mentioned And are called The Game of the Forest consisting of Seven kinds which by the Laws of England are Beasts of the Forest viz. The Hart in Summer The Hind in Winter with their proceed which are thus Termed The Male The first year A. Calf The second A Brooket The third A Spayad The fourth A Staggard The fifth A Stagg The sixth A Hart. And so afterward the Female The first year A Calf The second A Brocketts Sister The Third A Hinde The Buck in Summer The Doe in Winter with their proceed thus Termed The first year A Fawn The second A Pricket The third A Sorel The fourth A Sore The fifth A Buck of the First Head The sixth A Great Buck. The Hare Male and Female with their proceed which are called The first year A Leveret The second A Hare The third A Great Hare The Wild Boar whose proceed is Termed The first year A Pig The second A Hogg The third A Hogg-stear The fourth A Boar and after A Sanglier And these four kinds being wholesome Food for Man are called Beasts of Venery and Venison But the other Three kinds as The Wolf The Marton The Fox being Solivaga and Nociva are not called Venison although they are accompted Beasts of the Forest And befor it be a perfect Forest the King must appoint certain Officers Foresters or Keepers in Fee or for Life who by Charta de Foresta are to be as many as shall seem sufficient Four Verderors Twelve Regarders Agistators Four Under Foresters Eight The Wood-ward and the Game-keeper or Master of the Game of the Forest The Forestor is made by Letters Patents The Verderors by Writ How the Rest are made and for their Authority See the Books at large And next we shall briefly describe The Courts of the Forests which are Four To be held within the Forests at such places times and in manner herein after expressed viz. The Court of Attachments or the Woodmote Court This is to be kept before the Verderors every Forty days throughout the year and thereupon it is called the Forty-day Court At this Court the Foresters bring in the Attachments de Viridi Venatione and the Presentments thereof and the Verderors do Receive the same and Inrol them But this Court can only Inquire and not Convict But it is observed That no Man is to be Attached by his Body for Vert or Venison unless he be taken with the mayneer within the Forest or otherwise the Attachment must be by his Goods The Court of Regard or Survey of Dogs is holden every third year for Expeditation or Lawing of Dogs The Court of Swanimote is to be holden before the Verderors as Judges by the Steward of the Swanimote thrice in
Court Baron THe Stile of this Court is Curia Baronis A. B. Militis Manerij sui praedicti having the name of the Manor written in the Margent Tent ' tali die c. coram C.D. Seneschallo ibidem And being calle Barons Court is the same as to say Freeholders Court This Court is incident to every Manor and is of Two natures The First by the Common Law and the Suitors thereof are Judges although the Plea be holden by force of a Writ of Right and this is called a Court Baron and may be holden from Three Weeks to Three Weeks The Second is a Customary Court and that doth concern Copyholderss And therein the Lord or his Steward is Judge And for as much as the Title or Estate of the Copyholder is entred in the Roll whereof the Steward delivereth him a Copy he is therefore called Copyholder And as there can be no Court Baron without Freeholders So no Customary Court without Copyholders And aâ— there may be a Court Baron of Freeholders only and then the Steward is Register So their may be a Customary Court of Copyholders only and then is the Lord or his Steward Judge And when the Court Baron is of this Double Nature The Court Roll containeth matters appertaining to the Court Baron as also to the Customary Court For the Antiquity f this Court it is to be observed That by the Laws and Ordinances of King Alfred and others It appeareth That the First Kings of this Realm had all the Lands of England in Demesne And Les grand Mannors and Royalties they Reserved to themselves and of the Remnant they for the Defence of the Realm Enfeoffed the Barons under which Name are comprised all the Nobility with the like Jurisdiction the Court Baron now hath And this Court was first Instituted for the ease of the Tenants and for the ending of Suits for Debts and Damages under Forty shillings And this Court may be held at any place within the Manor unless a Lord who hath Two or Three Manors hath usually kept at one of them Courts for all the said Manors For the Customs and manner of Proceeding in this Court you may Read more at large in Coke's 1 Inst sect 73. Greenwood of Courts Shepheard's Court-keepers guide c. The Court of the Coroner THe Coroner Coronator is so called because he deals principally with Pleas of the Crown Or Matters concerning the Crown And as appears by the Writ De Coronatore Eligendo he is Eligible by the Freeholders of the County and after he is Elected the Sheriff gives unto him his Oath duly to Execute his Office and being thus Eligible as the Sheriff and Conservators of the Peace were in ancient Times they continue notwithstanding the Demise of the King And of these are Fout in every County But in the Twelve Shires of Wales and Cheshire are but Two and sometimes Six in a County and sometimes but one The Court which he holdeth is a Court of Record And as the Sheriff in his Tourn may Inquire of all Felonies by the Common Law except the Death of Man So the Coroner can Inquire of no Felony but the Death of Man and that super visum Corporis He may also Inquire of the Escape of the Murderer of Treasure Trove Deodands and Wrecks of the Sea Besides his Judicial place he hath also Authority Ministerial as Sheriff c. When there is just Exception to the Sheriff Judicial Process shall be awarded to the Coroner for the Execution of the King's Writs in which case he is Locum tenens Vicecomitis and in some especial Case the King 's Original Writ shall be directed to him In ancient time none might have this Office but a Knight and he must have sufficient Lands within the County whereof he may answer all People But more concerning this matter you may see in Coke's 4 Institutes cap. 59. And besides these General Coroners of Counties there are Special Coroners of Liberties and Priviledged Places who have the like Jurisdiction and Power within those Places as the other have in the County Vide Stat. de Coronatoribus 3 and 4. E. 1. When any person hath Murdered himself or is Felo de se The Coroner goeth to view the Body and maketh out his Warrant to the Bailiffs of the Liberty to Summon a Jury And further For the manner and method of keeping this Court See Greenwood of Courts and others who treat thereupon The Court of Escheators and Commissioners for finding of Offices THis Office is in the Gift of the Lord Treasurer who grants it by Deed and he is to continue in his Office but one year or Once in Three years and are One in every County And this name Escheator cometh from the word Escheata a word of Art derived from the French word Eschear i. e. excidere or accidere to happen and signifies properly when the Lands by accident Fall to the Lord of whom they are Holden And then we say the Fee is Escheated And this Escheat happeneth Aut per defectum Sanguinis For the default of Heir Aut per delictum Tenentis for Felony and by Judgment Three ways Aut quia suspendatur per Collum Quia abjuravit Regnum Aut quia utlagatus est And therefore such as are Hang'd by Martial Law in furore Belli forfeit no Lands He ought to be seised of Forty Marks Land Except in Cities and Counties Palatine In case of Treason or Felony he may find an Office Virtute Officij If he sit by force of a Writ he ought to take the Inquest within a Month after he deliver the Writ and he ought to Return the same within a Month after he taketh it either by Writ or Virtute Officij All Offices found before him or Commissioners ought to be by Oaths of Twelve Men every Juror to have Lands of the yearly value of Forty shillings in the same County and ought to be Indented and one part Sealed by them and the other by him which is to remain with the Foreman of the Jury and they to be taken in good Towns c. He or the Commissioners can take no Inquest of any but such are Returned by the Sheriff If he or the Commissioners deny any Person to give Evidence to any Inquest taken before him he shall forfeit Forty pounds If he or they refuse to take a Verdict of the Inquest they forfeit One hundred pounds to the Party grieved An Office found before Commissioners is as forcible as if it had been found before the Escheator himself The Escheator ought to take no Fee but of the King But if he find an Office by Writ for the King he shall have a Fee of Forty shillings by the Statute of 23 Hen. 6. But if such Lands exceed not in value Five pounds then he shall take but Fifteen shillings And if it be found that Lands are holden of a Subject he ought to take no Fee at all And the Escheators may make Deputies that
Honoured his Son J. Duke of Lancaster therewith for Term of his Life It is called Comitatus Palatinus a County Palatine à Comitatu Palatio Regis because the Owner be he Duke or Earl c. Hath in that County Jura Regalia as fully as the King had in his Palace And he may have his Chancery and Writs under his Seal for the Office of the Chancellor to Depute Justices as well touching Pleas of the Crown as all other Pleas and Execution of Writs and making Officers and Servants and all other as by the Letters Patents above mentioned granted in Parliament appears And the King may Erect a County Palatine without Parliament by his Letters Patents But now by the Statute of 27 H. 8. cap. 24. several of those Jura Regalia are taken from them and recontinued and annexed to the Crown And all Writs are now to be made in the King's Name but the Teste in Name of him who hath the County Palatine And they shall have Forfeiture of Lands and Goods for High-Treason which Forfeiture accreweth by the Common Law But Forfeitures given after the Erection of the County Palatine by an Act of Parliament they shall not have Justices of Assize of Gaol-Delivery and of the Peace are and ever since the Erection have been Assigned by Commission under the Seal of the County Palatine of Lancaster Fines were levied with 3 Proclamations c. before the Justices of Assize there or one of them and all Recoveries to be had of Lands there are to be had in the Court of the County Palatine at Lancaster and not at Westminster All Lands c. Parcel of this Dutchy given to the King by the Statute of Monasteries Chantries c. are still within the Survey of the Dutchy Lands within the County Palatine should pass by the Dukes Charter without Livery of Seisin or Attornment But of Lands parcel of a Manor annexed to the Dutchy without the County Palatine there ought to be Livery of Seisin and Attornment of Tenants and in the same Degree is it in the King's Case The Proceedings in this Court of the Dutchy Chamber at Westminster is as in a Court of Chancery for Lands and other Matters within the Jurisdiction of the Court by English Bill c. and Decree But this Chancery is not a mixt Court as the Chancery of England is partly of the Common Law and partly of Equity but admitting only some small mixture of the Common Law in some Cases And in some Cases they are led by their proper Customs and Prescriptions respectively The Process of this Court is by Privy Seal Attachment and Commission of Rebellion as in the Chancery The Officers of this Court be the Chancellor The Attorney The Receiver General Clerk of the Court The Auditors Surveyors The Messenger There is an Attorney of the Dutchy in Chancery and another in the Exchequer And there are Four Learned in the Law Assistants and of Councel with the Court. The Seal of the Dutchy of Lancaster remains with the Chancellor at Westminster And the Seal of the County Palatine remains in a Chest in the County Palatine under the safe Custody of the Keeper thereof All Grants and Leases of Lands Offices c. in the County Palatine of Lancaster shall pass under that Seal and no other And all those out of the County Palatine and within the Survey of the Dutchy under the Seal of the Dutchy See the Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 24. For the great Royalties Priviledges c. the Duke of Lancaster had for him his Men and Tenants which are necessary to be known by all concerned in those Possessions and other matters concerning the same See Coke's 4 Institutes 36. and Books and Records their recited And the Statute of 16 and 17 Car. 1. c. 10. For dissolving the Court of Star-Chamber and annulling and making void the like Jurisdiction excercised in the Court called the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster held before the Chancellor and Councel of that Court c. The Courts of the County Palatine of Chester THis is the most Ancicent and most Honourable County Palatine remaining at this Day with which Dignity the King 's Eldest Son hath been of long time honoured And this is a County Palatine by Prescription Within this County Palatine and the County of the City of Chester there is and aciently hath been a principal Officer called the Chamberlain of Chester who time out of mind hath had the Jurisdiction of a Chancellor and the Court of Exchequer at Chester is and hath time out of mind been the Chancery Court for the said County Palatine whereof the Chamberlain of Chester is Judge in Equity He is also Judge of Matters at the Common Law within the said County as in the Court of Chancery at Westminster for the Court of Chancery is a mixt Court There is also a Vice-Chamberlain which is the Deputy of the Chamberlain And also the Justice called the Justice of Chester who hath Jurisdiction to hear and determine Matters of the Crown and of Common-Pleas Of Fines and Recoveries levied and suffered as well within the County Palatine as of the City of Chester For which and much more concerning the same See Coke's 4 Institutes cap. 37. and the Statute of 16 17 Car. 1. c. 10. For disabling the Court of Star Chamber and Annulling and making void the like Jurisdiction exercised in the Court of Exchequer in the County Palatine of Chester held before the Chamberlain and Council of that Court. The Courts of the County Palatine of Durham THis is also a County Palatine by Prescription parcel of the Bishoprick of Durham and raised soon after the time of the Conqueror Here is a Court of Chancery which is a mixt Court both of Law and Equity as in the Chancery at Westminster But herein it differeth from the rest that if any Erroneous Judgment be given either in the Chancery upon a Judgment there according to the Common Law or before the Justices of the Bishop a Writ of Error shall be brought before the Bishop himself and if he give Erroneous Judgment thereupon a Writ of Error shall be sued Returnable in the King 's Bench. If the Bishop do wrong within his County Palatine for that he cannot be Judge in his own Cause Justices shall be Assigned to hear and determine the Cause as was done in the case when Richardus de Hoton Prior Dunelm ' queritur de Anthonio Episcopo Dunelm ' alledging several Plaints against the Bishop whereupon Issue was Joyned and Verdict given against the Bishop And by that Record which was Termino Paschae 30 E. 1. it appears the Bishop had within the County of Duresme Regalitatem suam And more concerning the same you may Read in Coke's 4 Institutes cap. 38. The Royal Franchise of Ely KIng Henry the first of the Rich Monastery of Ely made a Cathedral Church and of the Abbey made a Bishoprick and for his Diocess Assigned him the
County of Cambridge which was before within the Diocess of Lincoln And this King Henry the first granted to this new Bishop and his Successors Jura Regalia within the Isle of Ely But the Priory and Convent were by Henry the eighth suppressed and instead thereof a Dean and Prebendaries raised to be the Chapter of the Bishop and a Grammar School for a Master and 24 Scholars This Royal Jurisdiction the Bishop hath by Prescription granted upon the said Grant as well in Pleas of the Crown as in Common Pleas before his Justices of his Liberties and other Matters Vide Coke's 4 Instituets cap. 39. The County Palatine of Pembroke THis was an ancient County Palatine within Wales and the Earl was Comes Palatinus and had Jura Regalia and all things belonging to a County Palatine but the Jurisdiction thereof was taken away by the Statute of 27 Hen. 8. cap. 26. It being then in the King's hands The Franchise of Hexam and Hexamshire THis was sometime parcel of the Possessions of the Archbishop of York and claimed by him to be a County Palatine And at the Parliment 2 Hen. 5. resolved that Hexamshire was a Franchise where the Kings b Writ went not And in the Statute of 33 Hen. 8. It is named a County Palatine but by the Statute of 14 Elizab. cap. 13. It is declared no County Palatine or Franchise Royal The Courts of the Cinque-Ports BY Doomesday-Book it appears that the priviledged Ports were but Three at first viz. Dover Sandwich and Rumney afterward Two more Hastings and Hythe were added to them by the Conqueror And these have several Priviledges as to be free from Burthens and Charges and many others and every of these send Two Burgesses to Parliament by Name of Barons of the Cinque-Ports and although Two more viz. Winchelsey and Rye be added yet they hold their former Names of Cinque-Ports These lying towards France Antiquity provided they might be securely kept for performance whereof they have a Governour by his Office called Lord Wardon of the Cinque-Ports who is Admiral also and hath the Jurisdiction of the Admiralty amongst them He is also Constable of Dover Castel of whose Jurisdiction as Constable vide Stat ' Artic ' super Chartas and Coke's 2 Inst. 556. There is a Diversity between the Principality of Wales the Counties Palatine and the Cinque-Ports For Wales was no part of England but Counties Palatine are parcel of the Realm of England but divided in Jurisdiction and the Cinque-Ports are parcel of the County of Kent and yet Ubi Breve Domini Regis non currit but have not Jura Regalia And therefore regularly no Writ of Error did lye of a Judgment in Wales otherwise it is in the Counties Palatine A. Judgment here of Lands in Wales or in the County Palatine is void but a Judgment given here of Lands in the Cinque-Ports is good if the Priviledge be not pleaded for they are part of the County And in the Cinque-Ports are Divers Courts as first The Court before the Constable of the Castle of Dover And there be other Courts before the Majors and Jurators within the Ports themselves and another called Curia Quinque Portuum apud Shepway If any of the King's Courts write to have a Record in the Cinque-Ports or for doing any thing within the same the Writ is directed Constabulario Castri de Dover Guardiano Quinque Portuum And all Plaints against the Barons of the Cinque-Ports ought to be determined at Shepway before the Warden of the Cinque-Ports And if an Erroneous Judgment be given in the Cinque-Ports before any of the Mayors and Jurats it is to be Redressed before the Constable of Dover at the Court at Shepway which Court was raised by Letters Patents of Edward the First Vide more in Coke's 4 Inst cap. 42. and Records there cited The President and Counsel in the North. THis Counsel was raised by H. 8. by his Commission giving them two Authorities under one Great Seal For the King having suppressed Monasteries of 200 l. per Annum by Act of Parliament 27 H. 8. Insurrection was raised by Lord Hussey and 20800 Men in Lincolnshire whom Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk appeased and afterwards of 40000 Men more commanded by Sir Robert Aske whom the Duke of Norfolk dispersed and afterwards a Great Commotion was raised in Lancashire Westmorland Cumberland and Northumberland whom the Earl of Derby quieted and divers other Rebellions being raised and overcome and appeased the King intending to suppress the Great Monasteries which he brought to pass in 31 H. 8. for preventing future Dangers By Commission 31 H. 8. gave power of Oyer and Terminer De quibuscunque Congregationibus Transgressionibus Riotis Routis c. per quae Pax c. in Com' Ebor ' Northumberland Westmorland Durham Com' Civitatis Ebor ' Kingston super Hull Newcastle super Tinam gravetur c. secundum Legem c. vel aliter secundum Sanas Discretiones vestras c. Necnon quascunque Actiones Reales seu de Libero Tenemento Personales c. audiend terminand ' But afterwards the said Commission being adjudg'd to be against Law First For that the Clause Secundum Sanas Discretiones vestras being Resolved by the Judges 6 Jacobi primi to be against Law and Secondly the latter Clause was then also so Resolved For that Actions Real and Personal were not to be heard and determined by Commission but Secundum Legem c. to the end their Authority should not be known they procured their Commission should not give them any Authority but wholly to refer to Private Instructions given them not to be Inrolled in any Court whereof King James being informed did give Order their Instruictions should be Inrolled for the Advantage of the Subjects This Commission hath had continuance therefore the Lord Coke thinks it worthy of some Establishment by Parliament Henry the Eighth likewise raised a President and Council for the Western parts but they of Devon and Cornwal opposed it Et sic Commissio illa cito evanuit Likewise no doubt is that there hath been a President and Councl of York De facto but what Jurisdiction they had is the Question But now the Courts are Dissolved the Jurisdiction being taken away by the Statute of 17 Car. 1. cap. 10. The Wardens Courts in the East West and Middle Marshes adjoyning to Scotland THey proceed according to Marsh Law or Borders Law but their Jurisdiction was increased by Statutes and confin'd to Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland and Newcastle upon Tine But since King James was Monarch of both Kingdoms the said Courts are vanished and Hostile Laws on both Sides by Authority of Parliament in either of the Kingdoms are Repealed The Court of Stannaries in the Counties of Devon and Cornwal Is so called à Stanno and the Style of this Court is Magna Curia Domini Regis Ducatus sui Cornubiae apud Crokerenton in Com' Devon ' coram A. B. Custode Stannariae
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
till it be discussed by the King's Council if that Matter ought and of right pertaineth to that Court Or otherwise to be Realm of England and also that they Purcease in the mean time For Tryal by Battel between the Lord Morley and the Earl of Sarum and divers others there cited See Coke's 4 Inst cap. 17. In an Appeal between Upton and Down 8 Hen. 6. after Battle joyned the King 's Writ out of the Chancery Issued to the Sheriffs of London as followeth REx c. Vic' London salutem Praecipimus vobis firmiter injungentes quod quasdam Listas Barras de Maremio fortes satis sufficientes pro quodam Duello inter Joh. Upton Appellantem Johan ' Downe Defend ' Secundum Legem Armorum die Lunae prox ' futur ' apud Westsmithfield in Suburb ' Civitatis praed ' Deodanti perficiend ' contra diem praed ' nostris Sumptibus Expensis erigi construeri fieri fac ' in Omnibus prout in Ultimo Duello ibidem facto fact fuer ' quod terra inter Listas praed ' cum sabulo sufficienter Equalitter cooperiatur Ita quod aliqui Lapides Grandes aut arena infra easdem Listas minime inveniantur quovis modo Et de omnibus singulis paecuniarum Summis quas circa praemissa aplicaveritis nos vobis in computo vestro ad Scaccarium per praesens madatum nostrum debitam allocationem habere faciemus c. And by a French Manuscript Intituled Modus faciendi Duellum Coram Rege Bone Foy Droit Ley de Armes voet quel Apellant encourge mesme peyne que le Defendant deveroit sil soit Convicte discomfit And this seemeth to be consonant to the Law of God Deut. 19 18. They proceed according to the Customs and Usages of the Court and in cases omitted according to the Civil Law Secundum Legem Armorum and therefore upon Attainders before the Constable and Marshal no Land is Forfeited or corruption of Blood wrought It was resolved in the Reign of Queen Eliz. in the Case of Sir Francis Drake who struck off the Head of Dowty in Partibus transmarinis That his Brother and Heir might have an Appeal Sed Regina noluit constituere Constabularium Angliae c. ideo dormivit Appellum The Proceeding and Sentences here is upon Witnesses or Combat and not by Jury and after Sentence in this Court in Case of Arms the party grieved may Appeal to the King What Judgment shall be given when either party is vanquished and when Tryal by Battel shall be for things within the Realm before the Justices of the King's Bench or Common Pleas Vide Coke's 4 Institutes cap. 17. Crompton's Jurisdiction of Courts Fol. 82. The effect of the Grant of the Office of Constable is in few words Officium Constabularij Angliae unacum Omnibus Feodis proficuis comditatibus Emolumentis quibuscunque Offico praedicto qualitercunque pertinentibus ab antiquo debitis consuetis And now as in some respects incident to this Court as being created by the Earl Marshal we shall in the next place speak somewhat of The Colledge of Heralds OF this Collegiate Society are Three Stiled Reges Armorum Anglorum Kings at Arms the principal of which is called Garter Instituted by King Henry the 5th whose Office is to attend the Knights of the Garter at their Solemnities To Advertise them of their Election And to call them to be Installed at Windsor To cause their Arms to be hung upon their Seats there To carry the Garter to Kings and Princes beyond Seas for which purpose he was wont to be joyned in Commission with some principal Peer of the Realm and to Marshal the Solemnities and the Funerals of all the Higher Nobility of England The next is Clarencieux So called from the Duke of Clarence to whom he first belonged which Dukedom Escheating to King Edw. the 4th by the Death of his Brother George Duke of Clarence he made this Herald a King at Arms and named him Clarencieux in French and Clarentius in Latin His Office is to Marshal and dispose the Funerals of the Lesser Nobility as Baronets Knights and Gentlemen on the Southside of Trent and therefore sometimes called Surroy or Southroy And then Norroy or Northroy whose Office is to do the like on the Northside of Trent And these Two last are called Provincial Heralds These by Charter have power to visit Noblemens Families to set down their Pedigrees to distinguish their Arms to appoint Men their Arms and Ensigns and with Garter to direct the Heralds And next are the Six Heralds anciently belonging to Dukes have been sometime named Dukes at Arms and are thus called and ranked Windsor Richmond Chester Sommerset York and Lancaster Their Office anciently was to attend Dukes in Marshal Execution now to wait at Court attend publick Solemnities Proclaim War and Peace c. And perhaps named Heralds from the German Here and Healt that is The Armies Champion to denounce War or offer Peace as the Feciales of the Romans did These wait by turns upon the Kings at Arms and have part of their Fees And of these antiently were many as likewise of Pursuivants But now there are but Four Pursuivants named Rouge Crosse Rouge Dragon Portcullice and Blewmantle from such Badges heretofore worn by them as is throught These King's Heralds and Pursuieants were anciently Crowned and had their Creation from the Kings Hand But of later times the Earl Marshal hath had a Commissions for every particular Creation by Letters Patents The manner whereof you may see in the Present State of England They were incorporated by King Richard the 3d and afterwards had another Charter of Priviledge by King Edward 6th in the Third year of his Reign The Duty of the whole Colledge is to Marshal and Order Coronations Marriages Christnings Funerals Interviews Feasts of Kings and Princes Cavalcades Justes Tournaments Combates before the Constable and Marshal c. Also they take care of the Coats of Arms of the Genealogies of the Nobility and Gentry and whatsoever concerns Honour is their Care and Study They are Tanquam sacrorum Custodes Templi Honoris Aeditui All these receive Annual Stipends out of the Exchequer Are all to be Gentlemen at least and the Six Heralds at their Creation are expresly made Esquires by the King When Capias or Exigent are awarded against a Peer or Baron he may have a Writ to command that they Sue out no other Process against him than what they ought to have against Lords and Great Men which come to the Parliament by the ancient Laws and Customs of England Edmond Dein Court of Langley in Com' Lincoln ' By Letters Patents from Ed. 2. had License to Assign his Surname Arms and Possessions which 19 E. 2. he accordingly did But the Lord Hoc Tempore Edw. 4th Granting his Name Arms and Dignity over without the King's License the same was in Parliament adjudged void
Messina yet that Fragment of the Rhodian Law still extant holds the Preeminence in Maritime Affairs The Customs and former Decrees of the English Court of Admiralty are there of Force for deciding Controtroversies And under this Court there is also A Court of Equity for determining Differences between Merchant and Merchant In Criminal Affairs which is most commonly about Piracy The Proceeding in this Court was by Accusation and Information by a Man 's own Confession or by Eye witnesses he was found Guilty before he could be Condemned But that being found inconvenient there were two Statutes made by King Henry the Eighth that Criminal Affairs should be Tried by Witnesses and Jury and that by Special Commission from the King to the Lord High Admiral wherein some of the Judges of the Realm are ever Commissioners and the Tryal according to the Laws of England directed by those Statutes as is herein after mentioned Between the Common Law of England and the Civil Law there seems to be Divisum Imperium For in the Sea so far as the Low Water mark is counted Infra Corpus Comitatus adjacentis and Causes there arising determinable by the Common Law yet when the Sea is full the Admiral hath Jurisdiction there also so long as the Sea Flows over Matters done between the Low Water mark and the Land as appears in Hen. Constables Case Coke's 5 Rep. fol. 107. But for these Limitations and Jurisdictions of the Court of Admiralty see the Statutes above mentioned And the Statute of 13 R. 2. 15 R. 2. 27 Eliz. cap. 11. Coke's 4 Inst cap. 22. And for regulating his Majesties Navies Ships of War and Forces by Sea Vide le Statute of 13 Car. 2. cap. 9. And now as pertinent hereunto we shall say somewhat of The Navy Office THe Treasurer is to Receive out of the Exchequer by Warrant from the Lord High Treasurer of England and pay all charges of the Navy by Warrant from the principal Officers of the Navy his Salary is 220 l. 13 s. 4 d. besides 3 d. in the pound of all Moneys paid by him The Comptroller of the Navy who is to Attend and Comptrol all Payment of Wages To know the Market Rates of all Stores belonging to Shipping To Examine and Audit all Treasurers Victuallers and Store-keepers Accompts c. his Salary 500 l. per Annum The Surveyor of the Navy whose Office is generally to know the State of all Stores and see the wants supplied to find Hulls Masts and Yards and Estimate the value of Repairs by Indenture to charge all Boat-swains and Carpenters of his Majesties Navy with what Stores they receive and at the end of each Voyage to State and Audit their Accompts his Salary 490 l. The Clerk of the Acts is to Record all Orders Contracts Bills Warrants and other Transactions by the Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy The Commissioners of the Navy whose Office is as above specified and Salary to each is 500 l. yearly Two other Commissioners to be at Portsmouth and Chatham always in readiness to give Orders for better Management of his Majesties Affairs in his Yards and Store-houses Salary to each 350 l. Each of these Officers above-named have Two Clerks and some more all paid by the Treasurer of the Navy All hold their Places by Patent from the King and most of them during pleasure The King hath for his Navy Royal and Stores Four Great Yards or Store-Houses viz. at Chatham Deptford Woolwich and Portsmouth where his Ships are built Repaired and Laid up after their Voyage In which Yards are employed Divers Officers of which Six are principal The Clerk of the Check Salary about 180 l. per Annum Store-Keepers Salary 286 l. per Annum Master Attendants Two at Chatham 100 l. per Annum Master Shipwright Salary about 113 l. per Annum Clerk of the Comptooll 100 l. per Annum Clerk of the Survey 140 l. per Annum The Charges of their Clerks and Instruments are included in their Salaries His Majesty hath Divers Rope-Yards as at Chatham Deptford VVoolwich and Portsmouth where are made the Cable and Cordage for his Navy In time of War the King hath a Yard at Harwich where out of War is continued An Officer at 100 l. yearly This whole Navy Office is govern'd by The Lord Admiral whose Lieutenant Admiral hath Salary 20 s. per diem and 10 l. per Mensem for each Servant whereof he is allowed 16. The Lord Admiral 's Secretary hath a Salary from the King of 500 l. per Annum All the Under Officers as well those in Yards as those belong to Ships hold their Places by Warrant from The Lord High Admiral of England The Ordinary Charge of the King's Navy in time of Peace is scarce 70000 l. per Annum besides the Building of Ships Setting out Fleets c. which some years even in Peaceable Times amounts to 12 or 1300000 l. more as may easily be computed The Court of Commission by force of the Statute of 28 H. 8. cap. 15. THis Court must be held coram Admirallo Angliae seu ejus Locum tenente and Three or Four such other substantial Persons as shall be Named by the the Lord Chancellor Their Jurisdiction is to hear and determine all Treasons Felonies Robberies Murders and Confederacies committed or done upon the Sea c. These Offences shall be heard and determined according to the Common Law and therefore some of the Judges of the Realm are ever in Commission The Mischief before making this Statute you may see Co. 3 Inst cap. Piracy Vide Co. 4 Inst The Port Courts A Port-Mote is a Court kept in Haven Towns or Ports and thereof taketh his Name Curia Portus Portus à portando Est locus in quo Exportantur Importantur Merces and they are Portae Regni The Gates of the Realm Hitha and Heda often in Doomsday is taken for a Haven or Port anciently written Hafne and now Haven and hereof cometh Queen-Hith in London and Lambhith Every Haven is within the Body of the County whereof see more in Coke's 4th Institutes Court of Admiralty and the Statute of 43 Eliz. cap. 15. Commissioners and others for Beacons Signs of the Sea Light-Houses Sea-Marks and concerning Watches BEacon is from the Saxon Bechan which is Signum dare and we use the word to Becken at this day Before Edward the Third they set Stacks of Wood in High Places but in his time Pitch Boxes as now they be were set up and this is properly called a Beacon Light-Houses Ignes Speculatorij seu Lumen Maritimum are properly to direct Sea-faring Men in the Night when they cannot see Marks and these also Signa speculatoria sui Pharus unde Versus Lumina Noctivagae tollit Pharus aemula Lunae Sea-Marks as Steeples Churches Castles Trees and such like for direction of Seafaring Men in the Day time are called signa Marina or Speculatoria or signa Nautis whereof Virg. 5 Aeneis Hic
viridem Aeneas frondenti ex ilice Metam Constituit signum Nautis pater unde reverti Sciverit longos ubi circumflectere Cursus At the Common Law none could Erect any of these Three but the King It being done ever by the King's Commission under the Great Seal But of later times by Letters Patents to the Lord Admiral he hath power to Erect the same By the Act of 8 Eliz. the Master Wardens and Assistants of Trinity-House of Deptford Stroud a Company of the chiefest and most expert Masters and Governours of Ships shall and may lawfully from time to time at their will and pleasure and at their costs Make Erect and Set up such and so many Beacons Marks and Signs for the Sea in the Sea-shoars and Upland places near the Sea-coasts or Forelands of the Sea only for Sea Marks as to them shall seem most meet whereby the Dangers may be avoided and Ships the better come to their Ports And all such beacons Marks and Signs so by them to be Erected shall be continued renewed and maintained from time to time at the Costs and Charges of the said Master Wardens and Assistants If any cut down c. any Beacon c. by the Statute of 8 Eliz. 13. he shall incur the Penalty therein mentioned which if he be not able to pay he shall be ipso facto convict of Utlawry Vide Coke's 4. Inst. cap. 25. The Transcript of a Manuscript Ordination which hath been observ'd for Watch to be kept in the County of Norfolk from Lyme to Yarmouth and it is very probable the like hath been done by like Authority in other Maritime Counties Vide Stat. 5 H. 4. cap. 3. Watches to be made in the Sea Coasts in places of Danger through the Realm by the Number of People and in manner they were wont to be made in times past De Conservatore Treugarum i. e. Induciarum Salvorum Regis Conductuum BY 2 H. 5. Conservatorum Induciarum salvorum Regis conductuum was Praised and Appointed in every Port of the Sea by Letters Patents His Office was to Inquire of all Offences done against the King's Truces and fafe Conducts upon the Main Sea out of the Counties and out of the Liberties of the Cinque-Ports as Admirals of Custom were wont It concerns the Jurisdiction of divers Courts especially the Court before-mentioned upon the Statute of 28 H. 8. and of the Court of Admiralty to know the Rights of Leagues and Ambassadors as far as the Laws of England Extend unto All Leagues or Safe Conducts are or ought to be of Record Inrolled in Chancery that the Subject may know who may be in Amity with the King and who not who be Enemies and can have no Action here and who in League and may have Actions Personaâ— here In all Treaties the Power of the one and the other ought to be Equal A League may be broken by Levying of War or by Ambassador or Herald Bryan 19 E. 4. held if all the Subjects in England would make War with a King in League with the King of England without the Assent of the King of England yet such a War was no breach of the League See 2 H. 5. cap. 6. in the Preamble But in the Duke of Norfolk's Case 14 Eliz. the Question was Whether the Lord Herise and other Subjects of the King of Scots who without his Consent had wasted and burnt divers Towns in England and Proclaimed Enemies were Enemies in Law within the Statute of 25 E. 3. the League being between the King and Scotland and Resolved they were Enemies And in the Bishop of Rosse's Case Anno 13 Eliz. The Question being An Legatus qui Rebellionem contra Principem ad quem Legatus concitat Legati Privilegiis gaudeat non ut Hostiis Poenas subjaceat and Resolv'd he had lost the Priviledge of an Ambassador and was subject to Punishment Ambassadors were called Orators afterwards Legati à legando Nuntij à nâ—nciando and afterwards Ambassiatores or Embassatories and sometimes Agents For Omnis Legatus est Agens sed Omnis Agens non est Legatus In Sam. Palach's Case 12 Jac. 1. affirming himself to be Ambassador of Mula Sedan King of Morocco mentioned Coke's 4 Inst. cap. 26. It was Resolv'd there could be no Ambassador without Letters of Credence from his Sovereign to another who had Sovereign Authority and although in his Letters of Credence he be termed an Agent or Nuntius yet in such Case he is Ambassador or Legate And it was likewise Resolv'd That Ambassadors ought to be Free and Safe in every place by the Law of all Nations yea although they be Ambassadors of our Enemies or a Banish'd Man be sent to the place from whence he is banish'd And in the Case of Cardinal Poole fled to Rome from Henry the Eighth the Pope sent him Ambassador to the French King the King of England Demandeth him as a Traytor from the King notwithstanding he was sent Ambassador sed non praevaluit But if a Sovereign Ambassador being Prorex committeth here any Crime which is contra jus Gâ—ntium as Treason Murder Adultery c. he may be punished as another private Alien and not remanded to his Sovereign but of Courtesie And so of Contracts that be good Jure Gentium he must answer here but if any thing be Malum prohibitum by an Act of Parliament Private Law or Custom of this Realm which is not Malum in se Jure Gentium nor contra Jus Gentium an Ambassador residing here shall not be bound by them but otherwise it is of the Subjects of either Kingdom Vide Information upon the Statute of 19 H. 7. cap. 1. Coke's 4 Inst. cap. 26. concerning Prohibited Goods brought hither See more in Palach's Case Where one may not be Indicted of Piracy for taking the Goods of the Subjects of an Enemy Prince solo Amici and where The Court of Admiralty shall have the Jurisdiction and where not And now a word or two concerning Leagues of which are four kinds I. Foedus Pacis and that a Christian Prince may have with an Infidel Si fieri possit quod ex vobis est cum omnibus hominibus Pacem habeatis 2. Foedus Congratulationis sive Consolationis And this a Christian Prince may make with an Infidel as David did with Hanon I Chron. 19.2 3. Foedus Commercij sive Commutationis Mercium And this also may be made with an Infidel as King Solomon did with Hiram and Joshua did with the Gibeonites 4. Foedus Mutuâ— Auxilij And this cannot be done with an Idolater Jehosaphat King of Judah made Foedus mutui auxilij with Ahab King of Israel an Idolater For Ahab said to Jehosaphat Veni mecum in Ramoth Gilead cui ille respondet Ut ego tu sicut populus tuus sic populus meus tecum erimus in Bello In which War Ahab was slain and Jehosaphat in extream danger But seeing Foedus Pacis and Foedus
Commercij may be with an Infidel Pagan and Idolater and those Leagues are established by Oaths whether the Infidel or Pagan may Swear by False Gods seeing he thereby offendeth the True God by giving Divine Worship to False Gods St. Austin moved by Publicola resolveth That he who taketh the Credit of him that sweareth by False Gods not for any Evil but Good doth not joyn himself that Sin of Swearing by Devils but is partaker of those Lawful Leagues wherein the other keepeth his Faith and Oath But if a Christian should any way induce another to Swear by them herein he should grievously sin And the League in these Cases is warranted by the Word of God Et per Praxin Sanctorum in Sacra Scriptura all incidents thereunto are permitted In ancient time no Ambassador came into this Realm before he had Safe Conduct For as no King can come in without the King's License or Safe Conduct so no Prorex c. which representeth a King's Person can do it For Safe Conducts see the Writs in the Register and the Statute of the 15th 18th and 20th of Henry the 6th with all Incidents thereunto King Henry the 7th that Wise King would not in all his time suffer Lieges Ambassadors of any Foreign King or Prince within his Realm nor he any with them but upon occasion used Ambassadors Every Ambassador ought to have Four Qualities Nuntie sis verax tacitus celer atque fidelis And of him another saith Foederis Orator Pacis via Terminus Irae Semen Amicitiae Belli fuga Litibus hostis The difference between a League and Truce is that a Truce is a Cessation from War for a certain time A League is a perfect striking of Peace It 's said 9 E. 4. That a League between Two Kings without naming of Successors doth not extend to Successors notwithstanding by our Law Rex non intermoritur See more of this and Ambassadors to the Pope and General Councils c. Co. 4 Inst cap. 26. The Court of the King of England IS a Monarchy or Common-wealth within a Monarchy consisting of Ecclesiastical Civil and Military Persons and Government And for The Ecclesiastical Government of the King 's Court. IS a Dean of the King's Chappel chosen by the King and acknowledgeth no Superiour but the King For as the King's Palace is Exempt from all Inferiour Temporal Jurisdiction so is his Chapel from all Spiritual His Fee is 200 l. per Annum and a Table And By the Dean are chosen all other Officers viz. A Sub-Dean or Praecentor Capellae Fee 100 l. Thirty Two Gentlemen of the Chappel whereof Twelve are Priests and one of them is Confessor to the Houshold whose Office is to Read Prayers every Morning to the Family to Visit the Sick to Examine and prepare Communicants to Inform such as desire Advice in any case of Conscience or point of Religion c. The other Twenty Gentlemen called Clerks of the Chappel are with the aforesaid Priests to perform the Office of Divine Service in Praying Singing c. One of these being well skilled â—n Musick is Master of the Children whereof there are Twelve in Ordinaâ—y To instruct them in the Rules and Art of Musick for service of the Chappel Three other of the said Clerks â—re Organists to whom upon Sundays Collardays and other Holydays are â—oyned the Sack-Buts and Cornets beâ—onging to the King 's private Musick Their Fee to each is 70 l. per Annum Four Vergers so called from the Silver Rods they carry in their Hands Also a â—erjeant a Yeoman and a Groom of the Chappel The King hath also his Private Oratory where some of his Chaplains read Divine 8ervice unto him on Working-days every Morning and Evening Twelve principal Feast-Days in the Year are called Offering-Days viz. Christmas Easter Whitsunday and All Saints called Houshold-Days upon which the Besant or Gold to be Offered is delivered to the King by the Lord Steward or some other of the principal Officers then New Years-Day and Twelfth-Day upon the latter of which are offered Gold Frankinsence and Myrrh in several Purses Lastly Candlemass Annunciation Ascension Trinity Sunday St. John Baptist and Michaelmas-Day when only Gold is offer'd These Offerings made by the King to God In Signum Speciale Dominij after Divine Service or at the Offertory he being attended by the Principal of the Nobility with their Collars of the Garter did anciently belong to the Archbishop of Canterbury's Disposal But now are to be Dispos'd by the Dean of the Chappel amongst the Poor The Lord High Almoner who is the Bishop of London for the time being disposeth of the King's Alms and besides all Money allowed by the King hath all Deodands and Bona Felonum de se for that purpose And under him is A Sub-Almoner Two Yeomen and Two Grooms of the Almonry The High Almoner hath no Fee his Sub-Almoner hath Fee 6 l. 6 s. 10 d. The Clerk of the Closet or Confessor to His Majesty who is to attend at the King 's Right Hand during Divine Service to Resolve all Doubts concerning Spiritual Matters to wait on His Majesty in his private Oratory or Closet and his Fee is Twenty Nobles And there is A Keeper of the Closet whose Fee is 5 l. per Annum The King hath also Forty Eight Chaplains in Ordinary besides the Extraordinary who wait by Turns Four every Month. Anciently at Court were Sermons in Lent only and that in the Afternoons in the open Air by Bishops Deans or principal Prebendaries And them also appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Now on Ashwednesday in the Morning begins the Dean of the Chapel to Preach on each Wednesday after one of the Chaplains Every Friday the Dean of some Cathedral or Collegiate Church On Good Friday the Dean of Westminster on every Sunday a Bishop and on Palm Sunday an Archbishop On Easter-day the Lord High Almoner The Civil Government of the King 's Court. THe Lord Steward is the Chief Officer of the King's Houshold to whom is committed the State of the King's House and all his Commands in Court to be obey'd He hath Authority over all except those of his Majesties Chappel Chamber and Stable He is a White Staff Officer and by his Office without any other Commission Judgeth of all Treasons Felonies Bloodsheds within the King's House or within the Verge which is 12 Miles round the Tunnel of the Court only London by Charter is Exempted And this Jurisdiction of the Verge hath from ancient time been executed by the Lord Steward with great Ceremomony in the nature of a peculiar King's Bench and that not only within but without the King's Dominions The Lord Chamberlain is the next Officer who hath Oversight of all the Officers belonging to the King's Chamber except the Precincts of the King's Bed Chamber which is wholly under the Groom of the Stole and all above Stairs who are all Sworn by him Or by his Warrant to the Gentlemen Ushers to the King
Hath the Oversight of all the Officers of the Wardrobes at all his Majesties Houses and of the removing Wardrobes of the Tents Revels Musick Comedians Hunting Messengers Trumpetters Drummers of all Handicrafts and Artisans Heralds Pursuivants Serjeants at Arms Phisicians Apothecaries Chyrurgeons Barbers c. and Chaplains although himself be a Layman Also the charges of Coronations Marriages Entries Cavalcades Funerals c. His Fee is 100 l. yearly and 16 Dishes each Meal with the Appurtenances And most of the Places before mentioned are in his Gift or Disposal The Master of the Horse is the Third Great Officer And hath now the ordering of the King's Stables and Races and Breed of Horses and hath Power over Escuries and Pages over Footmen Grooms Riders of the Great Horse Farriers Smiths Coachmen Sadlers and all other Trades working to the King's Stables To all whom he or by his Warrant the Avenor giveth an Oath to be True and Faithful He hath the charge of all Lands and Revenues appointed for the King's Breed of Horses and Charges of the Stable and for Litters Coaches Sumpter horses c. He only hath priviledge to make use of any Horses Pages or Footmen belonging to the King's Stables At Solemn Cavalcades he Rides next the King and leads a Leer Horse of State His Fee is 666 l. 16 s. 4 d. yearly And a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal Under these Three principal Officers of his Majesties Houshold are almost all other the Officers and Servants The Compting House SO called because Accompts for all Expences of the King's Houshold are there daily The Lord Steward The Treasurer of the Houshold The Comptroller The Cofferer The Master of the Houshold The Two Clerks of the Green Cloth And the Two Clerks Comptrollers who also make Provisions for the Houshold according to the Law of the Land and make Payments and Orders for well Governing of the Servants of the Houshould And the Cofferer is to pay the Wages of the King's Servants below Stairs and the Lord Chamberlain above Stairs Vide 39 Eliz. cap. 7. And he is accomptable in the Exchequer for about 40000 l. And in the Compting House is The Court of Greencloth SO called of the Green Cloth whereat they sit and is composed of the Persons last above mentioned whereof the Three first are usually of the King 's Privy Councel To this Court being the first and most ancient Court of England is committed the Oversight of the King's Court Royal for Matters of Justice and Government with Authority for maintaining the Peace within Twelve Miles distance wheresoever the Court shall be and within the King's House the Power of correcting all the Servants therein that shall any way offend The Treasurer of the King's Houshold in the absence of the Lord Steward hath Power with the Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea to Hear and Determin Treasons Felonies and other Inferiour Crimes committed within in the King's Palace and that by Verdict of the Houshold He bears a White Staff and his yearly Fee is 124 l. 14 s. 8 d. And a Table of 16 Dishes each Meal The Comptrollers Office is to Comptrol the Accompts and Reckonings of the Green Cloth and his yearly Fee is 107 l. 12 s. 4 d. And bears a White Staff and hath 16 Dishes each Meal The Cofferer is a principal Officer and hath special charge over other Officers of the House for their good Demeanor and Carriage and is to pay the Wages to the King's Servants and for Provisions by the Direction of the Green Cloth He hath a Fee of 100 l. yearly and a Table of 7 Dishes daily The Master of the Houshold is the next Officer who is to Survey the Accompts of the House His Fee 100 Marks and 7 Dishes daily Two Clerk's Comptroller's are to Tolt and Allow all Bills of Comptrolment Parcels and Brievements And the Two Clerk's of the Green Cltth are to Sum them up And the Fee to each of these Four Clerks is 48 l. 13 s. 4 d. And between them Two Tables of 7 Dishes to each Table The rest of the Compting House being less considerable we pass over And come to give a brief Accompt of the Officers or persons in the several Offices As first in the Acatery is a Serjeant a Clerk Purveyors Yeomen In all Twelve Poultry a Serjeant a Clerk Yeoman Grooms Purveyors in all Ten. Bakehouse a Serjeant Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all Eighth Woodyard a Serjeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all Eight Scullery a Serjeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Pages in all Twelve Lardour a Serjeant Clerk Three Yeomen Three Grooms Two Pages Pastry a Serjeant a Clerk Yeomen Grooms and Children in all Eleven Pantry a Serjeant a Yeomen Grooms Pages Cellar a Serjeant a Gentleman Yeomen Grooms Purveyors Pages in all Twelve Buttery a Gentleman Yeoman Grooms Pages Purveyors in all Eleven Pitcher-house a Yeoman Grooms Page and Clerk in all Five Spicery Three Clerks and a Grocer Chandlery a Serjeant Two Yeomen Two Grooms and a Page Wafery a Yeoman and a Groom Confectionary a Serjeant Two Yeomen a Groom and a Page Ewry a Serjeant a Gentleman Two Yeomen a Groom and Two Pages Laundry a Yeoman a Groom Three Pages and a Draper Kitchen Three Clerks to the King and Two to the Queen The chief of these Clerks hath a Fee and Diet equal to an Officer of the Green Cloth A Master Cook to the King A Master Cook to the Queen A Master Cook to the Houshold each of these Three a Table of 5 Dishes Six Yeomen Seven Grooms Five Children in all Twenty six Persons Boyling House a Yeoman Two Grooms Scalding House Yeoman Grooms and Pages in all Six Harbingers Office a Knight Three Gentlemen and Seven Yeomen Harbingers The Knight Harbingers Office is by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England during Life So oft as the King goes broad either in England or beyond Seas He doth by himself or his Deputy provide and appoint all Lodgings and Harbingage for all Great Persons All Noblemen Bishops All his Majesties Servants and Attendants and for all other his Liege People for Ambassadors and Foreigners c. His Salary 20 Marks per Annum and 10 s. per diem Out of the Exchequer besides Fees for Honour given by the King and Homage done to his Majesty and divers other Perquisites Porters at Gate a Serjeant Two Yeomen Four Grooms Clerks of the Carriage Two Yeomen Cart Takers Six in Number Surveyors of the Dresser Two one above Stairs and another below Marshals of the Hall Four Sewers of the Hall Five Waiters of the Hall Twelve Messenger of the Compting House One Bellringer One Long Cart Takers Four Wine Porters Eight Woodbearer One The Cock of the Court One. Besides the aforesaid Officers bâ—low Stairs there are also under the Loâ—d Steward all the Officers belonging to the Queens Kitchin Cellar Pantry c. And to the Kings Privy Kitchin and to the Lords Kitchin together with
Servants of the Houshold at a Day Place and under a pain therein appointed to appear whereof the Judges or Officers before whom they shall be returned shall cause 12 without Challenge to be allowed except for Malice To try the Offenders and if they are Found Guilty of Treason Murder or Manslaughter they shall have Judgment of Life and Member and other Forfeitures as if Tried by the Common Laws of the Realm If Guilty of Strking whereby Bloodshed Then to have his Right hand stricken off Imprisonment during Life and Fine and Ransom at the Kings Pleasure The Execution to be done in the Solemn manner by the Act directed A Cryer to be appointed from time to time to call Juries make Proclamations and do other things belonging to the Cryer of the Court. The Coroner to be appointed from time to time by the Lord Steward Tryal of Peers as hath been used The Priviledges and Authorities of the Marshalsea Court within the Verge saved The Limits and Bounds of the said House or Houses to be for these offences within all the Edifices Courts c. within the Porters Ward or within 200 Foot of the Standard of any Gate or Gates of the said Houses This Act extends not to any Nobleman or other Person that shall Strike to correct his Servants or any of the Councel or other Head Officers Striking with their Hand of small Strick in Executing their Office To Steal the Kings Goods or entring his House to Steal shall be Felony Vide le Statute at large The Servants in Ordinary above Stairs THe Groom of the Stole that is according to the Greek from whence the Latin and French derive it Groom or Servant of the Robe or Garment he having the Honour to present and put on His Majesties first Garment or Shirt every Morning and to order things of the Bed-chamber The Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber consisting of the prime Nobility of England Their Office in general is To Wait a Week in every Quarter by Turn in the King's Bed-chamber there to lye by the King in a Pallat-Bed all Night and in the absence of the Groom of the Stole to supply his place Moreover they Wait on the King when he eats in private for then the Cup-bearer Carver and Sewers do not Wait. The Fee to each is 1000 l. Of these are Fourteen or more Then there is The Vice-Chamberlain The Keeper of the Privy-Purse Treasurer of the Chamber He pays Riding and Lodging Wages as the Lord Chamberlain shall direct The Master of the Robes belonging to His Majesty's person who is to have the ordering of all His Majesty's Robes as those of Coronation St. George's Feast Parliament and of all His Majesty's Wearing Apparel of his Collar of Esses Georges and Garters beset with Diamonds and Pearls Grooms of the Bed chamber ought to be Twelve these are to be under the Degrees of Knights Their office is to Attend in the King's Bed-chamber to Dress and Undress the King in private and the yearly Fee to each is Five hundred pounds Pages Six whereof one is Keeper of the King's Cabinet Closet Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy-chamber These Wait one at a time in the Privy Lodgings c. and are Four Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary Forty eight Quarter-Wainters by Turns Their office is Twelve every Quarter to Wait on the King's Person within Doors and without so long as he is on Foot and when the King eats in the Privy Chamber they wait at the Table and bring in his Meat they Wait also at Reception of Ambassadors and every Night lye Two of them in the King's Bed-chamber A Gentleman of the Privy Chamber by the King's Commandment only without any written Commission is sufficient to Arrest any Peer of England as Cardinal Woolsey acknowledged These wear Cloak and Sword Grooms of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary Six all Gentlemen of Quality These as all Grooms wait without Sword Cloak or Hat Gentlemen Ushers daily Waiters in the Presence Chamber Four The First whereof hath that considerable Office of the Black Rod and in the time of Parliament is to attend every day the Lord's House and is also Usher of the most Honourable Order of the Garter Their office is to wait in the Presence Chamber and to attend next to the King's person and after the Lord Chamberlain and Vice Chamberlain to order all Affairs and all Under Officers above Stairs are to obey these Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters in Ordinary Eight These wait also in the Presence Chamber and are to give Directions in the absence of the Gentlemen Ushers Daily Waiters to the Grooms and Pages and other Under Officers Gentlemen Waiters Six Cupbearers Five Carvers in Ordinary Four Sewers to the Person in Ordinary Four Esquires of the Body in Ordinary Six Their office is to Guard the King's Person by Night to Set the Watch and give the Word and keep good Order in the whole House by Night as the Lord Chamberlain and his other Officers are to do by Day The Sewers of the Chamber are Eight Groom Porter his Office is to see the King's Lodgings furnished with Tables Chairs Stools and Firing To furnish Cards Dice c. To decide Disputes arising at Cards Dice Bowlings c. Serjeants at Arms Sixteen all Gentlemen or Knights attending upon His Majesty There are also Four other Serjeants at Arms whereof one attends the Lord President of Wales another the Speaker of the House of Commons and another the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Physicians in Ordinary Four one assigned to the Queen and one to the Houshold besides Twelve more who are not the King 's sworn Servants nor have Fee Master and Treasurer of the Jewel-House and Three Under Officers called Yeomen and Grooms Their office is to take charge of the Gold or Silver Gilt Plate for the King and Queens Table of all Plate in the Tower of Chains and loose Jewels not fixed to any Garment The Master of the Ceremonies Fee 200 l. One Assistant Fee 120 l. and One Marshal One Geographer One Historiographer One Hydrographer One Library Keeper One Poet Laureat One Publick Notary The King 's Great Wardrobe THe Master or Keeper of the Great Wardrobe is an Office of great Antiquity and Dignity High Priviledges and Immunities were conferred by King Henry the Sixth confirmed by his Successors and enlarged by King James the first who ordained this Great Officer should be an Incorporation or Body Politick for ever His Office is to make Provisions for Coronations Marriages and Funerals To furnish the Court with Beds Hangings Carpets and other Necessaries To furnish Houses for Ambassadours at their first Arrival here Presents for Foreign Princes and Ambassadours Cloaths of State and other Furniture for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Lord President of Wales and His Majesty's Ambassadours abroad To provide all Robes for the Foreign Knights of the Garter for the Officers of the Garter Coats for Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms Robes for the Lord
Chancelor Lord Treasurer c. Rich Liveries for the Two Lord Chief Justices All the Barons of the Exchequer All the Officers of those Courts All Liveries for His Majesty's Domestick Servants All Linnen for the King's person c. In which there is ordinarily Expended yearly about 25000 l. besides all Extraordinaries as Coronations Funerals c. His Salary in compensation of all Ancient Fees is 2000 l. per Annum This Office is now kept in the Savoy Under the Master is A Deputy whose Salary is 200 l. A Clerk whose Salary in compensation of all Fees and Allowances is 300 l. per Annum To this Office have been lately added by Patent during pleasure A Comptroller and Surveyor Salary to each 300 l. Belonging to this Office are divers Tradesmen Artificers and others to number of about Forty all sworn Servants to the King Besides the Great Wardrobe the King hath divers Standing Wardrobes at Whitehall VVindsor Hampton-Court the Tower of London Greenwich c. Whereof there are divers Officers And Lastly There is a Removing Wardrobe which attends upon the Person of the King Queen and Children Ambassadours Christnings Masks Plays c. at the Command of the Lord Chamberlain who hath the disposing of the Vacant places Here are six Officers one Yeoman two Grooms and three Pages The Salary of the Yeomen 200 l. each Groom 100 pounds and each Page 100 Marks To All these together is allowed six Dishes each Meal All Moveables belonging to this Office are at length Divided into Three parts whereof the Yeoman hath one for his own use the Grooms another and the Pages the Third part The Office of Tents c. IN this Office of Tents Toyls Hays and Pavilions are Two Masters Four Yeomen one Groom one Clerk Comptroller one Clerk of the Tents The Office of the Robes BEsides the Master before-mentioned there is one Yeoman three Grooms one Page Two Surveyors one Clerk and Persons of several Trades Faulconers MAster of the Hawks and other Officers under him about London and other Places belonging to the King in all Thirty Three Huntsmen MAster of the Buck-Hounds a Serjeant and Thirty Four others one Master of the Otter-Hounds one Master of the Harriers and Five under him Messengers OF the Chamber in ordinary two Clerks of the Cheque and Forty others Musitians in ordinary Sixty Two Trumpeters in ordinary and Kettle-Drummers in all Fifteen Drummers and Fifes Seven Tradesmen one or two of all sorts Watermen Fifty Five Comedians Seventeen Men and Eight Women Keeper of Birds in St. James's Park one Keeper of the Volery and Serjeant Painter one of each With divers other Officers and Servants under the Lord Chamberlain to serve His Majesty upon Extraordinary occasions Many of these Offices and Places are of good Credit great Profit and Enjoyed by Persons of Quality Officers under the Master of the Horse FOur Querries from the French Escurie a Stable of the Crown-Stable and Eight of the Hunting-Stable Their Office is to attend the King in Hunting or Progress or on any occasion of Riding abroad to help His Majesty Up and Down from his Horse Fee to each of these is 20 l. yearly the ancient Fee but have 100 l. yearly Allowance for Diet besides Lodgings and two Horse Liveries Avenor from Avena Oats Fee 40 l. This Place with all the following is in the Gift of the Master of the Horse One Clerk of the Stable Four Yeomen besides Four Child Riders Yeoman of the Styrup Serjeant Marshal and Yeoman Farriers Four Groom Farriers Serjeant of the Carriage Three Surveyors A Squire and Yeoman Sadler Four Yeomen Granators Four Yeomen Purveyors A Yeoman Peck-man A Yeoman Bill-maker Four Coach-men Eight Litter-men A Yeoman of the Close Wagon Sixty four Grooms of the Stable whereof Thirty Grooms of the Crown-Stable and Thirty four of the Hunting and Pad-Stable Twenty six Footmen in their Liveries to Run by the King's Horse c. The Clerk of the Market who within the Verge is to keep a Standard of all Weights and Measures and to burn all False Weights and Measures And from the pattern of this Standard are to be taken all the Weights and Measures of the Kingdom The Military Government in the King 's Court. THe Horse Guards Life Guard or Guard of the King's Body consisting of Five hundred Horsemen all or most of them Gentlemen and old Officers commanded by their Captain who is at all times of War or Peace to Wait upon the King's Person as oft as he Rides abroad with a considerable number of those Horsmen well Armed His pay is 30 s. per diem These Horse have been divided into Three parts whereof 200 under the Command of the Master of the Horse and 150 under another Officer and the other 150 Commanded by another Officer The Pay to each of these Officers 20 s. per diem Under the Captains of the Guards are Two Lieutenants a Coronet a Quarter-Master and Four Brigadiers The Horsmens Pay is 4. s. per diem The Band of Pensioners FIrst Instituted by King Henry the Seventh and chosen out of the Best and most Ancient Families of England not only as a Faithful Guard to the King's Person but to be as a Nursery to breed up hopeful Gentlemen and fit them for Employment Civil and Military abroad or at home as Deputies of Ireland Ambassadors Counsellors of State Captains of the Guard Governours of Places and Commanders in Wars both by Sea and Land Their Office is to attend the King's Person to and from his Chappel and all publick Solemnities A Peer of the Realm is usually Captain whose Pay is 1000 l. per Annum his Lieutenant 200 l. yearly his Standard-Bearer 200 l. yearly Clerk of the Cheque 120 l. 1 s. 3 d. yearly and Forty Gentlemen Pensioners Fee to each is 100 l. yearly a Gentleman Harbinger to provide Lodging for them his Fee 70 l. 11 s. yearly These Wait one Half by Quarter Upon Extraordinary occasions All are Summoned Their ordinary Arms are Gilt Poleaxes their Arms on Horseback in time of War Curassiers Arms with Sword and Pistol They are not under the Lord Chamberlain but their own Officers and always Sworn by the Clerk of the Cheque who takes Notice who are absent from their Duty The Yeomen of the Guard ARe at present 100 Men in daily Waiting and 70 more not in Waiting as any of the 100 dye his Place is filled out of the Seventy these are chosen of the best Men under Gentlemen and of Larger Stature than ordinary for they were formerly to be six Foot high Their Office is in their Coats and Caps one Half with Harquebusses and the other Half with Partizans to wait upon the King in his Standing Houses Forty by Day and Twenty to Watch by Night and about the City to Wait on the King's Person abroad by Water or Land Their Captain 's Fee is 1000 l. yearly the Lieutenant 500 l. Ensign 300 l. Clerk of the Cheque 150 l. Four
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
Priviledges and Franchises are taken from them and a Guardian set over them as was done by Hen. the Third and Ed. the First He is usually Knighted by the King before the end of his Mayoralty if he had not that Honour before His and the Sheriffs Tables are open to all comers and for his Grandeur is allowedâ— 1000 l. for his Sword-bearers Table His Domestick attendance is very Honourable and hath Four Officers reputed Esquires by their places viz. The Sword-bearer Common Hunt who keepeth a Kennel of Hounds Common Cryer and the Water Bailiff There is also the Coroner Three Serjeant Carvers Three Serjeants of the Chamber A Serjeant of the Channel Four Yeomen of the Water-side One under Water Bailiff Two Yeomen of the Chamber Three Meat weighers Two Yeomen of the Wood-wharfs most of which have their Servants allowed them and have Liveries for themselves Upon the Death or Demise of the King he is said to be the Prime Person of England On the day of the Kings Coronation he claims to be chief Butler and to bear the Kings Cup amongst the Highest Nobles of the Kingdom His Authority reaches not only over all the City but part of the Suburbs and on the River of Thames Eastward as far as Yendale or Yenleete and Westward as far as Colney Ditch above Stanes Bridge and keeps several Courts in the Counties adjacent to the Thames for Conservation of the River and Punishment of Offenders therein And there are Two Sheriffs of London who are also Sheriffs of the County of Middlesex and are Annually chosen by the Citizens from among themselves in the Guild-hall upon Midsumer day approved by the King and then upon Michaelmas Eve Sworn and presented to the Barons of the Exchequer to be allowed by the Barons and Sworn If the Persons so chosen refuse to hold they incur a Penalty unless they will make Solemn Oath they are not worth 10000 l. Twenty six Aldermen Preside over the 26 Wards of the City When any of these die The Lord Mayor and Aldermen chuse another out of the most substantial Men of the City and if any so chosen refuse to hold he is commonly fined 500 l. All the Aldermen who have been Lord Mayor and the Three eldest who have not yet arrived to that Honour are by their Charter Justices of Peace And this City of London is Camera Regis Reipublicae Cor totius Angliae Epitome To the Lord Mayor and the City of London belong divers Courts of Judicature amongst which the chief is The Court of Hustings DOmus Causarum Hus being in the Saxon Tongue House and Dhing Things It is the Highest Court of London And is holden before the Lord Mayor and Sheriff or now in the Sheriffs absence Six Aldermen which sit in Court there every Tuesday altho' that it may not seem to Vary from the Command of St. Edward the Confessor that it should be holden every Monday it is still written to be holden on the Monday And hath Cognizance of all Pleas Real mixt and Personal For the Rule in the Register is Quodlibet breve quod tangit Liberum Tenementum in London dirigitur Majori sive Custodi Vicecomitibus Et â—lia Brevia tantum Vicecomitibus By Fleta lib. 28 48. It appears that the name or Court is not appropriated to London only for the King hath his Court in Civitatibus Burgis Locis Exemptis sicut in Hustingis London Winton Lincoln Eborum apud Shepway ubi Barones Cives Recordum habent c. One Week the Judges sit upon Pleas Real The next upon Actions mixt or of any other nature So that all Lands Tenements Rents and Services within London and the Liberties and Suburbs thereof are Pleadable at Guild-Hall in two Hustings one called Husting de placito Terrae and the other Husting Commun ' Placitorum And if a Man be impleaded in the Common Pleas of Lands in London The Tenant shall say the Lands are in London and time out of mind c. every one hath been impleaded for them within the City in the Hustings But since Real Actions have grown out of use by trying Titles by Ejectionâ— firmae The ancient Customs and Practise of this Court are much declined The Sheriffs Court in London THe Two Sheriffs keep each of them a Court of Record within the City by Prescription or Custom where they hold Plea of all personal Actions and have belonging to these Courts Two Prisons called Compters the one in Wood-street The other in the Poultry They hold Two Court-days each in every Week That for Wood-street on Wednesdays and Fridays And that for the Poultry Compter on Thursdays and Saturdays In Plaint of Debt the Custom is the Sheriffs Ore Tenus send to the Serjeants to Summon or Attach the Defendant without Warrant and upon Nihil Returned within the City the Serjeants by Commandment from the Sheriff have used to Attach and Arrest the Defendant to have his Body at the next Court before the Sheriff at the Guild-Hall They certifie their Records in that manner but the usual practise is to enter an Action in the Office for that purpose at one of the Compters which Action must be carefully entred for it is the Original of that Court by which you declare and from which there can be no variance And when an Action is entred the Serjeant may Arrest the Defendant and bring him into Custody until he find Bail to answer the Condemnation which Bail is taken by one of the Clerk Sitters at the Compter who constantly attend The Plaintiff ought to declare the first Court after the Defendant is Arrested although further time is usually given Ex gratia Curiae per mot ' But if the Plaintiff have no Attorney the first Court a Non-suit may be had by the Defendant If the Defendant be a Freeman he hath four defaults But they are allowable only in Debt Accompt or Covenant broken and not otherwise If the Defendant be in the Compter he is brought to the Bar by a Duci facias which is but the Sheriffs Mandate made by the Clerk of the Papers They have in each Court a Steward or Judge who is Learned in the Laws and besides their particular Customs their Proceedings are generally according to the Common Law at Westminster But of their particular practise Vide Compleat Sollicitor and others There is also in London a Court of Chancery or Equity held before the Lord Mayor which is commonly called The Court of Conscience WHerein they do proceed by English Bill Answer Replication and Rejoynder much like the Proceedings in the High Court of Chancery And the Custom of London is when a Man is Impleaded before the Sheriff The Mayor may send for the Parties and for the Record upon Suggestion of the Defendant and Examin the Parties upon the Pleas and if it be found upon Examination that the Plaintiff is satisfied The Mayor may award the Plaintiff shall be Barred But by no Custom he
the Government of the Office as likewise all Patents and Grants and the Names of all Officers Clerks Artificers Attendants Gunners Labourers and others who enjoy the said Grants or any other Fees from the King for the same To draw all Estimates for Provisions and Supplies to be made and all Letters Instructions Commissions Deputations and Contracts for His Majesty's Service To make all Bills of Imprest and Debentures for the payment and satisfaction of the respective Artificers and Creditors of the Office for Work done or Provisions received and Quarter-Books for the Salaries Allowances and Wages of all Officers Clerks and other Ministers belonging to the said Office and also to keep Journals and Liegers of the Receipts and Returns of His Majesty's Stores that nothing be Bought Borrowed Given Received Lent or Employed without due Record thereof to serve as a Cheque between the Two Accomptants of the Office the one for Money the other for Stores The Storekeeper is to take into his Custody all His Majesty's Ordnance Munitions and Stores thereunto belonging and to Indent and put in Legal Security for the safe keeping thereof and to make Just and True Accompt from time to time to Receive no Provisions whatsoever that are manifestly inserviceable or before they have been Reviewed by the Surveyor nor to Issue any proportion of Ordnance c. but what is agreed upon and signed by the Officers according to the appointment of the Master of the Ordnance grounded upon the Order of the King or six of the Privy Council or the Lord Admiral for Matters concerning the Navy Nor to Receive back any Stores issued till they have been Reviewed by the Surveyor and Registred by the Clerk of the Ordnance in the Book of Remains To look that all His Majesties Store-Houses be well Repaired and well Accommodated and the Stores kept in such order and lustre as is fit for the Service and Honour of the King The Clerk of the Deliveries is to Draw all Proportions for Delivery of any Stores and Provisions and to be present at the Delivery and by Indenture to Charge the particular Receiver of the King's Munitions whether Captain Gunner or other and to Register as well the Copies of all Warrants for Deliveries as the Proportions delivered whereby to discharge the Store-keeper The Treasurer and Paymaster of the Office was formerly an Appendix to that of Lieutenant of the Ordnance But the late King Charles Erected it into a particular and distinct Office and granted the same as all the other before-mentioned are by Letters Patent And there are other Subordinate Officers which likewise hold by Patent as The Master Gunner of England who is to teach all such as desire to Learn the Art of Gunnery and to oblige every Scholar by Oath not to serve any Foreign Prince or State without leave nor to Teach any other the said Art but such as have taken the said Oath and to certifie the Master of the Ordnance the Sufficiency of any person Recommended to be one of the King's Gunners and his Ability to discharge the said Duty The Keeper of the Small Guns who hath the charge and custody of the King 's Small Guns as Musquets Harquebusses Carabines Pistols c. with their Furniture There are many other Inferiour Officers and Ministers Attendants and Artificers as Clerks Proof-Masters Messengers Master Smith Master Carpenter Master Wheelwright Master Gunnsmith Furbusher c. which for Brevity are here omitted as likewise the King 's principal Engineer The Master of the Ordnance hath a Superintendency and Jurisdiction over all the King's Engineers Employed in the several Fortifications of the Kingdom most of whom have their Salaries and Allowances payable in the said Office to which they are accountable and from whence they receiev their particular Orders and Instructions according to the Directions and Commands given by the King and signified by The Master of the Ordnance Nota The several sorts of Cannon seem to be denominated from the Rapacious kind of Creatures whose Names they bear as Faulcons Faulconets Sakers Culverins from the Latin Coluber Basilisks Griffons Dragons c. The Office of the Warden of the Mint WHere is minted all the Bullion that is Minted in England although the King may set up a Mint in any other Place of the Kingdom In this are divers Persons of Quality and Worth whereof the principal is The Warden of the Mint who is to Receive the Silver and Gold brought in by Merchants or Goldsmiths or others to pay them for it and to Oversee all the rest his Fee is 100 l. per Annum And next is The Master Worker who Receives the Bullion from the Warden causes it to be Melted delivers it to the Moneyers and receives it from them again when Minted and hath an Allowance by the Pound weight but no set Fee And next is The Comptroller who sees all the Money be made according to the Just Assize to oversee the Officers and Comptrol them if the Money be not as it ought to be his Fee is 100 Marks and these three last above hold by Patent of the King The next is The Assay-Master who weighs the Bullion and sees it be according to the Standard his Fee is 200 Marks The Auditor to take the Accounts and make them up The Surveyor of the Melting who is to see the Bullion cast out and not to be alter'd after it is delivered to the Melter which is after the Assay-Master hath made Tryal thereof There are moreover A Clerk of the Irons A Graver A Weigher A Teller Melters Blanchers Moneyers and other Officers belonging to the Mint The Office of Records in the Tower IS of Venerable Antiquity and the Keeper and Deputy dignified with Special Trust The Keeper hath a Salary of 500 l. per Annum and is properly in the Gift of the Master of the Rolls and afterwards His Majesty hath usually by Letters Patents Confirmed it As the Chappel of the Rolls and Petty-Bag Office fill the Records are sent hither by a Writ formed for that purpose and these Records amongst other things contain the Foundations of Abbeys and Religious Houses as The Chappel of the Rolls contain those of their Dissolution and the Donation of the Lands of which many Families are now possessed The Leagues and Treaties with Foreign Princes The Atchievements of this Nation in France and Foreign parts The Original of All Laws that have been Enacted or Recorded until Richard the Third The Homage and Dependency of Scotland upon England The Establishment of Ireland in Laws and Dominions The Dominion of the Brittish Seas totally excluding French and Dutch to Fish therein without License from England proved by Records before the Conquest The Interest of the Isles of Man and of Jersey Guernsey Sarke and Alderney the Four last being the Remaining part of the Norman Possessions The Title of our Kings to the Realm of France and how obtained And all that our Kings and Princes have till that time Done
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
Dutchy Concerning the Judicature and Customs of these Isles it appeareth by Records in the Tower Quod Rex Johannes constituit 12 Coronatores Juratos ad Placita Jura ad Coronam spectantia custodienda Et concessit pro securitate Insularum Quod Ballivus de caetero per visum Coronatorum poterat placitare sine Breve de Nov. Disseisinae facta infra Annum De Morte Antecessorum infra Annum De Dote similiter infra Annum And now they have a Governour appointed by the King of England and Twelve Assistants selected out of every several Parish And for the most part they proceed according to the Customs of Normandy Altho' the King's Writ runneth not into these Isles yet his Commission under the Great Seal doth But the Commissioners must judge according to the Laws and Customs of the Isles Insula Vectis or Vecta THe Isle of Wight is esteemed part of Hampshire from which it is severed by a dangerous Streight of the Sea It contains 20 Miles in Length Twelve in Breadth and is Governed by the Laws of England as the other Shires have been the Soyl is answerable to the Husbandman's Expectation The Sheep bear fine Wool and the Trees store of Fruit. Here are One Forest Two Parks and 36 Towns and Villages the Chief being Newport Yarmouth and Brading The Island is strongly scituated being Inaccessible towards France but because the North-shoar is Level it is fortified on that side with Three Castles viz. Yarmouth Cows and Sand-head Castle and in the Midst of the Island is Carisbrooke Castle wherein hath sometimes been Armor for 50000 Men and in every Village a Great Piece of Ordnance This Isle was taken from the Britains by Wolphur King of Mercia and hereof King Henry the Sixth Crowned Henry Beauchamp Earl of Warwick King and he was after named Primus Comes totius Angliae sed cum illo Novus hic insolitus Titulus omnino evanuit The Sorlings CAlled by the English and Belgians Scilly Islands by Antonine in his Itinerary Sigdoles by Solinus Silyres by some Greek Writers Hesperides and Casterides are scituate against the Western Cape of Cornwal from which they are distant 24 Miles They are in Number 145 of which 10 only are of Estimation viz. 1. Armath 2. Agnes 3. Sampson 4. Scilly 5. Bresar 6. Rusoâ— 7. St. Helens 8. St. Martins 9. Arthur 10. St. Maries Chief of all the rest being 8 Miles in compass sufficiently Fruitful and strengthned with a Castle called Stella Maria by Queen Elizabeth These Islands are stored with Grass Grain and Lead which last was once carried hence into Greece Hither the Roman Emperors Banished Condemned Men to Work in the Mines These were subdued to the English Crown by Athelstane The Island Lindisfarne Or LEndisfarne scituate near the River Lied called also Holyfarne or Holy Island on the confines of Northumberland Hath one Castle one Church one Parish and a safe Haven defended by a Blockhouse It was in ancient time a Bishops Seat after Translated to Duresme and is Governed by the Laws of England It was called Holy Island for that many Religious Men in times past retired thither being a Solitary place There are divers other Islands as Denny Londay and Chaldey in the Severn Sea Thanet and Sheppey near Kent Farne Isle near Lindisfarne and Cockat Islands near Northumberland and many others of small account A COMPENDIUM OF THE Laws and Government OF SCOTLAND WITH THE ISLANDS Thereunto belonging Anno Domini 1699 SCOTLAND IS so called from Scotti Scitti or Scythi a People of Germany over whose Northern Bounds the Name Scythia did once extend These seized on a part of Spain next to Ireland and Anno 424. on the West part of this Country It is the rest of the Isle of Albion or Great Britain in Length from Dungesby-Head to the South parts of Gallway 250 Miles in Breadth from Aberdeen to the Isle of Mule 150 Miles hath no place distant from the Sea 62 Miles and ends like the sharp point of a Wedge It was anciently called Calidonia and sometimes Albania now by the French l'Escosse by the Italians la Scotia by the Spaniards la Escocia and by the Germans Schotlandt and is separated from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway and the Cheviot Hills in the midst between which were The Borders sometimes extended to Edinburgh and Sterling in Scotland and at other times were enlarged and took in Cumberland Northumberland and Westmorland in England and were Secured or Defended by three Officers in each Kingdom called Lord Wardens of the Marshes But now by the Marriage and Union of the two Kingdoms The Officers and Warres which were the cause of them are extinct Scotland was for many Ages Governed by its own Kings but with divers considerable Alterations till the year 1602 it was to our great satisfaction united to England for ever and does still remain under it Governed by a Vice-Roy called Lord Commissioner Here were formerly two Populous Nations the Scots before described and the Picts who were indeed very Britains who Fled into the Northern parts which are still almost Free when the Romans entred the Scuth parts of Britain These using the ancient Customs of Painting their Bodies after the rest were more Civilized were by the Romans called Picts They Swayed here a long while alone till the year 424 when the Scots set footing in Britain with whom they contracted a League against the Britains but after Warring among themselves Kenneth King of Scots vanquished Dunsken King of the Picts and thereby extinguished both their Kingdom and Name Anno 839. After James the 6th being the 36th King united the Crown of England and Scotland Their chief Commodities Cattle Course Cloaths Frizes Fish Lead Oar Iron Saltpetre Linnen Cloath Train Oyl some Hides and Tallow The Country is divided into the High-lands and Low-lands The first Rude The other of like Ingenious Disposition and Language almost with the English these being the Off-spring of the Saxons and the High-landers The true Scots who speak the Irish Tongue and call both the Low-landers and English Saxons The Gospel was first Preached here by Palladius Anno 431. They are now Protestants and those chiefly Presbyterians Their Language in the South parts a corrupt English and on the North and West parts a Dialect of the Irish The Division is into two Parts viz. 1. High-land or North Scotland somewhat the larger of the Two the Seat of the old Scots 170 Miles long and 130 broad divided into 13 Counties viz. 1. Cathness Chief Towns-Wick and Catness 2. Strathnavern Chief Town Strathy 3. Sootherland Chief Town Dornock 4. Rosse Chief Town Tayne 5. Murray Chief Town Elgen 6. Loquabrea Chief Town Innerlochy 7. Broad-Alben Chief Town _____ 8. Athol Chief Town Blaire 9. Buquihan Chief Town Stanes 10. Marr Chief Town Aberdeen 11. Mernis Chief Town Bervy 12. Anguis Chief Towns Dundee and Brechin 13. Perth Chief Town Perth the Chief Town of the whole Aberdeen 2.
Lowland or South Scotland bordering on England The Seat of the old Picts 156 Miles long and 110 broad divided into 22 Counties viz. 1. Lorn chief Town Dunstafag 2. Cantire chief Town Kiltan 3. Argile chief Town Innerera 4. Lennox chief Town Dunbarton 5. Menteith chief Town Dunblain 6. Strathern chief Town Abernethy 7. Fife chief Town St. Andrews 8. Sterlin chief Town Sterlin 9. Lothien chief Town Edinburgh 10. March chief Town Coldingham 11. Tivedale chief Town Jedburg 12. Twedesdale chief Town Pebles 13. Cledesdale chief Town Glascow 14. Cunningham chief Town Irwing 15. Kile chief Town Aire 16. Carrick chief Town Bargenny 17. Galloway chief Town Kircowbrig 18. Niddesdale chief Town Dumfrees 19. Annandale chief Town Annand 20. Eskedale 21. Eusdale and 22. Isle of Arran Edinburgh is the Chief of the Kingdom and Seat of the former Kings These Provinces are divided into Sheriff-doms which are Hereditary and into 13 Diocesses for Ecclesiastical Government by Malcolm 3d Anno 1072. And into the two Arch-bishopricks of St. Andrew and Glasco Ann. 1478. St. Andrew having 8 Bishops under him and Glasco 3. The Archbishop of York before that time being Metropolitan of Scotland And Palladius Anno 411 was sent by Celestinus Bishop of Rome to be their first Bishop The chief Rivers are two viz. 1. Spey and 2 Tey The chief Hills are those of Cheviot and Albany The chief Lakes 1 Lomond 2 Nessa and 3 Tay. The miraculous things 1. The Lake of Mirton part of whose Waters Congeal only 2. The Lake of Lennox 24 Miles round in which are 30 Islands one of them driven with every Tempest and 3. the Deaf-stone 12 foot high and 33 Cubits thick The Archbishopricks two Bishopricks 12 and Universities 4. The Arms Sol a Lyon Rampant Mars with a double Tressure Counterflowry added upon making the perpetual League with France Barbarons were the Feides here and the Custom changed into Mercheta Mulieris by Malcolm Conmer at Request of his Wife Sister to Edgar Atheling Scotland was an Heptarchy but now a Monarchy King James the first endeavoured in Parliament to make a Union of both Kingdoms But the Judges Resolved That Anglia had Laws and Scotia had Laws But the new Erected Kingdom of Britannia should have no Laws and therefore till there was a Union of the Laws there could be no Union of the Kingdoms The mighty and ancient Kingdoms of England and Scotland were anciently but one and as their Religion and Language was one so there was one kind of Government and one Law which Ruled both with many Unanimous Agreements between them which evidently appeareth by many Proofs First That the Laws of Scotland are divided as the Laws of England into the Common Laws Acts of Parliament and Customs their Common Laws being principally contained in two Books One called Regiam Majestatem because it beginneth as doth Justinian's Institutes with those words And agreeth in substance with our Glanvil and most commonly de Verbo in Verbum and many times our Glanvil is cited therein The second Book is called Quoniam Attachiamenta it beginning with those Words Secondly The Descent of the Crown of Scotland and of Lands to Subjects is the same with England Thirdly They have the like High Court of Parliament consisting of Lords Spirituals Lords Temporal and Commons But of latter times the Lords Spiritual chuse eight Temporal Lords and the Lords Temporal eight Spiritual Lords These Sixteen make choice of eight for Counties and eight of Cities and Burroughs in all 32 But whatsoever is agreed upon by them the King or his High Commissioner doth allow or disallow by moving of the Scepter c. Fourthly They have the same Degrees of Nobility as Dukes Marquisses Earls Viscounts and Barons Fifthly The same great Officers as Chancellor Treasurer Lord Privy Seal Secretary c. Sixthly The same Ministers of Justice as Sheriffs Coroners c. Seventhly The same Laws for the most part appropriated unto England viz. Tenant by the Curtesy because they had Laws as England had Eighthly The like Writs as De Recto Assisa de Novel Disseisin Mort de Ancestor de Gard de Ideot ' inquirend ' Replegiar ' Attachm ' c. Ninthly They agree with Magna Gharta concerning Ward-ships Tenthly With Charta de Foresta for it is lawful for Bishops Earls and Barons coming or returning through the Kings Forests at the Kings Command to kill own or two Beasts in the sight of the Forester Or otherwise in his Absence to blow his Horn that he appear not to take it Thievishly Eleventhly The Lord of whom the Land is holden per Antiquius Feoffamentum shall have the Wardship of the Body Twelfthly The Sheriffs should cause the Acts of Parliament to be proclaimed as heretofore in England Thirteenthly The Sheriffs there have Inheritance in their Office as sometimes in England and still in Cumberland they have Fourteenthly The same Vocables of Art are used in both Kingdoms But by reason of their Acts of Parliment which in many Points have altered diminished and abrogated many of the old and made new Laws and other Proceedings the distinct Kingdoms as they now stand have many different Laws Coke's 4 Inst. 345 346. By the Statute of 1 Jac. 1.2 An Authority is given to certain Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament to Treat with certain Commissioners of Scotland concerning the Settlement of an Union and Peace between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland By the Statute of 4 Jac. 1. Laws of Hostility and the dependences thereof between the two Nations of Scotland and England are Repealed Felonies Committed by English Men in Scotland shall be Tried in Cumberland Westmorland or Northumberland before Commissioners and Jurors of England for which see more in the Statute By the Statute of 7 Jac. 1.1 If an English Man shall commit Felony in Scotland and then fly into England the Justices of Assize or one of them the Justices of Gaol Delivery in their Gaol Delivery or four of them or the Justices of Peace in Sessions or four of them may send the Offender into Scotland to be Tried By the Statute of 19 Car. 2. cap. 13. Twelve persons to be nominated by the King shall be Commissioners for this Kingdom who or five or more of them after the 10th of January 1667 and before the 25th of March 1688 and so from time to time may meet at such place in England as the King shall appoint with Commissioners for the Realm of Scotland and Treat and Determine concerning the Liberty of Trade between the two Kingdoms by suspending Impositions c. charged since the 25 of March in 12 year of the Kings Reign upon Commodities of the Growth or Manufacture of either Kingdom or of any of the English Plantations or other Commodities Exported out of England into Scotland their Determinations to be reduced into Writing under the Hands and Seals of the Commissioners and being Ratified by the King shall be in force for a year from the Date of such
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.
Archiepiscoporum meorum hanc meam munificentiam signo meo corroboravi ✚ Ego Alfrye Regina consensi Signo Crueis confirmavi Ego Dunstan Archiepiscopus Dorobor ' Ecclesiae Christi consensi subscripsi ✚ Ege Osticel Archiepiscopus Eboracenses Ecclesiae consensi subscripsi Ego Alferic Dux Ego Buthnod Dux Ego Arigdary Dux And what Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Archbishop of Canterbury had in Ireland in ancient time before it was Subject to the Crown of England you may read in Cambden's Britannia p. 735 765. as namely in the Consecration and Confirmation of their Bishops by reason of his Primacy in Ireland Co. 4 Inst 360. King Henry the Second at a Parliament holden at Oxford Created his Son King John King of Ireland But succeeding Kings wrote themselves Domini Hiberniae till 33 Hen. 8 in which year he took upon himself the Style of King of Ireland being so Declared at a Parliament in Dublin Coke's 4 Inst 360. Certain it is that whilst the Liberal Sciences in Europe lay Buried in Darkness their Lustre did shine forth clearly in Ireland Thither did our English Saxons repair as to a Mart of good Literature whence of the Holy Men of those times we often read Amandatus est ad Disciplinam in Hiberniam Co. 4 Inst 360. In the Book of Magna Charta is an Ordinance for Ireland concerning divers Matters Entituled Ordinatio pro statu Terrae Hâ—berniae By the Statute of 17 Ed. 1 cap. 1. The King's Officers in Ireland shall purchase no Land there without the King's License King's Officers in Ireland shall make no Purveyance there but by Writ out of Chancery there or in England and that in time of Necessity only and by the Advice of the Council there All kind of Merchandizes may be Exported out of Ireland except to the King's Enemies and if any Officer restrain them he shall satisfie double Damages to the party grieved and be also punished by the King The Fees for every Bill of Grace in Ireland under the Seal of the Justice there shall be Four pence for the Bill and Two pence for the Writing thereof The Marshals Fee for a Prisoner when he shall be Delivered is Four pence No Pardon of the Death of a Man or other Felony or for flying for the same shall be granted by the Justices there but only at the King's Command and under his Seals No Officers there shall receive any Original Writ which is not Sealed by the Seal of Ireland or by the Exchequer Seal there of things concerning that Court. The Justices of Ireland shall not Delay or Adjourn Assize of Novel disseisin there save only in the County where he is and while he shall remain there By the Statute of 34 Ed. 3.17 all kind of Merchandize may be Exported and Imported out of and into Ireland as well by Aliens as Denizens Persons who have Lands and Possessions in Ireland may freely Import and Export their Commodities thither and from thence without Impeachment By the Statute of 1 Hen. 6.3 all Irish Men shall avoid the Kingdom except Graduates Beneficed Men Lawyers having Inheritance in England and English Parents Religious Persons Professed Merchants Burgesses and other Inhabitants of good Fame and Persons Married in England and all they shall find Surety for their Good Behaviour No Irish Man shall Inhabit here in the Universities or elsewhere without a Testimonial under the Seal of the Lieutenant or Justices of Ireland Testifying that he is of the King's Obeysance to be Delivered to the Chancellor here in pain to be punished as a Rebel No Irishman shall be Head or Governour of any Hall or House By the Statute of 2 Hen. 6.8 Irishmen coming to live in England shall give Surety for their Good Behaviour viz. in the Universities to the Chancellors in Counties to the Justices of Peace and in Corporations and other Liberties to the Head Officers respectively By the Statute of 16 17 Car. 1.30 an Act for a speedy Contribution and Loan towards the Relief of the King 's Distressed Subjects of the Kingdom of Ireland See the Statutes at large An Act for the Speedy and Effectual reducing of the Rebels in Ireland to their due Obedience to the King and the Crown of England and certain other Additional Acts were made for the same purpose and for the Sale of Forfeited Lands there By the Statute of 32 Car. 2. cap. 2. The Act made 18 Car. 2. Entituled An Act against Importing Cattle from Ireland and other parts beyond the Seas and Fish taken by Foreigners is revived and Power given not only to Constables and Officers but to every Person whatsoever in any place whatsoever to take and seize the Cattle and Goods Imported contrary to the said Act And that such Seizer shall have the Benefit given by this Act. The other Acts concerning Ireland made in England and the divers Acts made in Ireland you may see in the Books of the Statutes of either Kingdom at large The Rule Quando duo jura concurrunt in una persona aequum est acsi in diversis holdeth not in Personal things that is when two Persons are necessarily and inevitably required by Law For no man can now say That the King of England can make War or League with the King of Scotland or King of Ireland c. there being but One Head of both and as Liegance of the Subjects of both Kingdoms is due to their Sovereign by one Law and that is the Law of Nature So there is a Union of Protection of both Kingdoms equally belonging to either of them altho' in other respects they are distinct Kingdoms For and Earl or Baron of Ireland is not a Peer or of the Nobility of this Realm as appeareth by the Book 8 R. 2. where in an Action of Debt Process of Outlawry was awarded against the Earl of Ormond in Ireland which ought not to have been if he had been Noble here But there is a diversity worthy of Observation for the highest and lowest Dignities are Universal For if a King of a Foreign Nation come into England by leave of the King as it ought to be in this case he shall Sue and be Sued by the Name of a King And a Knight shall be so named wheresoever he received that Dignity Co. 7 Rep. Calvin's Case If a King come to a Christian Kingdom by Conquest he having Vitae Necis potestatem may alter the Laws of that Kingdom at his pleasure but until such alteration the Ancient Laws of that Kingdom remain But if a a Christian King Conquer the Kingdom of an Infidel there ipso facto the Laws are abrogated and in that case until certain Laws be established the King by himself and such Judges as he shall appoint shall judge them and their Causes according to Natural Equity in such sort as Kings in ancient time did their Kingdoms before any certain Municipal Laws were given But if a King have a Kingdom by Title of
Descent for that by the Laws of that Kingdom he doth Inherit he cannot change those Laws of himself without Consent of Parliament Also if a King have a Christian Kingdom by Conquest as King Henry the Second had Ireland after King John had given to them being under his Obedience and Subjection the Laws of England for the Government of that Country no succeeding King could alter the same without Parliament And in this case whilst the Realm of England and that of Ireland were Governed by several Laws any Born in Ireland was no Alien to the Realm of England And in case of a Conquest of a Christian Kingdom as well those that served in the Wars at the Conquest as those that remained at home for the Safety and Peace of their Country and other the King's Subjects as well Antenati as Postnati are capable of Lands in the Kingdom or Country Conquered and may maintain any Real Action and have the like Priviledges there as they may have in England Co. 7 Rep. 17 Calvin ' Case Ireland came to the King 's of England by Conquest but who was the first Conquerour hath been a Question The Lord Coke saith he had seen a Charter made by King Edgar in these Words Ego Edgarus Anglorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omniumque Insularum Oceani quae Britanniam cirumjacent Imperator Dominus gratias ago ipsi Deo Omnipotenti Regi meo qui meum Imperium sic ampliavit exaltavit super Regnum Patrum meorum c. mihi concessit propitia Divinitas cum Anglorum Imperio omnia Regia Insularum Oceani c. cum suis ferocissimis Regibus usque Norvegiam maximamque partem Hiberniae cum sua Nobilissima Civitate de Dublina Anglorum Regno subjugare quapropter ego Christi gloriam laudem in Regno meo exaltare ejus servitium amplificare devotus disposut c. Yet for that it was wholly Conquered in the Reign of King Henry the Second the Honour of the Conquest of Ireland is attributed to him and his Style was Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Normanniae Dux Aquitaniae Comes Andegaviae It is evident by our Books that Ireland is a Dominion separate and divided from England And 2 R. 3.12 Hibernia habet Parliamentum faciunt Leges nostra Statuta non ligant eos quia non mittunt Milites ad Parliamentam which is to be understood unless they be especially named sed Personae eorum sunt Subjecti Regis sicut Inhabitantes in Calesia Gasconia Guyan Concerning their Laws Ex Rotulis Patentium de Anno 11 Regis H. 3. there is a Charter which that King made beginning in these Words Rex c. Baronibus Militibus omnibus libere Tenentibus Salutem Satis ut credimus vestra audivit discretio Quod quando bonae memoriae Johannes quondam Rex Angliae Pater noster venit in Hiberniam ipse duxit secum Viros discretos legis peritos quorum Communi consilio ad instantiam Hibernensium Statuit praecepit Leges Anglicanas in Hibernia ita quod Leges easdem in scripturas redactas reliquit sub Sigillo suo ad Scaccarium Dublin ' So as now the Laws of England became the proper Laws of Ireland But because they have Parliaments holden there whereat they have made divers particular Laws and for that they retain unto this day divers of their Ancient Customs The Book 20 H. 6.8 holdeth That Ireland is governed by Laws and Customs separate and diverse from the Laws of England A Voyage Royal may be made into Ireland which proveth it a distinct Dominion In the Statute of 4 H. 7. cap. 24. Of Fines Provision is made for those that be out of this Land and it is holden in Plowden's Commentaries in Stowel's Case 375. That he that is in Ireland is out of the Land and consequently within that Proviso Co. 7 Rep. Calvin's Case But he is no Alien that is Born within the King's Obedience And no Man can be Alien to the Subject that is no Alien to the King Non potest esse Aliegena Corpori qui non est Capiti Non gregi qui non est Regi If an Irish Man dwelling in Ireland hath Lands in England he shall be chargable for the same to all intents as if an English Man were Owner thereof and dwelt in Ireland But if Irish Men or Men of the Isles of Man Jersey Guernsey c. have Lands within England and dwell here they shall be subject to all Services and publick Charges within this Realm as an English Man shall be Co. 7 Rep. 26. Calvin's Case A COMPENDIOUS DESCRIPTION OF THE English Plantations IN ASIA AFRICA AND AMERICA Anno Domini 1699 English Plantations IN ASIA BAntan or Banda Scituate near the Molucco's in the East-Indies abounding more in Nutmegs than any other Island of India and for that cause much frequented but this Trade is now taken from us by the Dutch The chief Town is Nera Here the Christian Faith hath taken deep Root according to the Church of Rome The English have a Colony at Surrat and Fort called the Fort of St. George c. which are not for our purpose more to describe Bombain Is also under the English Government but being of no great account we shall no further describe it The English Colonies in Africa GUinea in Terra Nigritarum doth acknowledge the English Government It extendeth from Sierra Leona in the 10th Degree of Longitude to Benin in the 30th Here is neither Town or Castle except Mina Built by the Portugals This is a Country very Fruitful having Mines of Gold The Juice of a Tree as Strong as Wine and much abounding in Rice Barley Ivory and Guinea Pepper Tanger Did here formerly belong to the English but the Mole and Castle is now Demolished The English Plantations in America THis Immense Country may be properly called a New VVorld being discovered by Christopher Columbus Anno 1492. The ancient Fathers Philosophers and Poets being of Opinion That the places near the North and South Pole were not Inhabitable by reason of the Extremity of Cold and the Middle part because of Excessive heat and thought it a great Solecism to believe the Earth was round For holding which Opinion 'T is said Pope Zacheus was so Zealous against Bishop Virgil That he Sentenced him to be cast out of the Temple and Church of God and to be deprived of his Bishoprick for this perverse Doctrin That there were Antipodes or People whose Feet are placed against ours although this discovery of America hath fully confirmed these Opinions and the yearly compassing the World evidenceth the necessity and certainty of Inhabitants living on all Parts of the Earthly Globe But the particular Discoveries and Voyages into the several parts of America being not for our present purpose I shall proceed to give some Relation of the Discovery Plantation and Government of those Countries and Islands in the VVest-Indies which
are in the Possession of the English at this day and intending to begin from the North and proceed South towards the Equinoctial Line The farthest as being North is Newfoundland CAlled also by some Estotiland Scituate between 46 and 53 Degrees North Latitude Hath South Terra Corterialis North the Streights called Fretum Davisij from John Davis an Englishman who endeavoured by the North of America to find a more quick passage to Cathai and China Sebastian Cabot first attempting it Anno 1527. Who is said to be the first discoverer of this Country not then known to be an Island and Sir Martin Frobisher seconded him in 1576 who made three Voyages and called a great Promontory there Queen Elizabeth's Foreland and the Sea runing by it Frobisher's Streights on the other side of these Streights lieth Groenland and not far distant Friesland This Island is Esteemed as big as England The North part being more Inhabited than the South tho' that be fitter for Habitation within 50 Leagues of the Shore is a Bank or Ridge of Ground many Hundred Leagues long in breadth where broadest only 24 About it are certain Islands which Calvert called Baccaloes for the great number of Codfish of which one Man may catch One hundred in an hour the Sea Coasts abounding likewise with Salmons Herring Thornbacks Oysters Muscles with Pearls and the Island with Bears and Foxes After the first discovery the business of Trading thither was laid aside for many years in the mean time the Normans Portugals and Britains of France resorted to it and changed the Names which had been given by the English to the Bays and Promontories but the English not willing to Relinquish their Pretensions in 1583. Sir Humphrey Gilbert took Possession thereof in the Name and by the Commission of Queen Elizabeth forbidding all other Nations to use Fishing and intended to have setled an English Colony there but being Wreckt in his Return the setling of the Colony was discontinued till 1608 when John Guy a Merchant of Bristol in 23 days Sailed from thence to Conception Bay in Newfoundland By Jus Gentium or the Law of Nations whatever wast Country is discovered at the charge of any Prince It is the right of that Prince who was at the charge of the discovery now this Country being among others in that part of America which hath been discovered at the charge of the Kings of England King James the first by Letters Patents Anno Dom. 1623. Granted unto Sir George Calvert afterwards Lord Baltimore part of Newfoundland which was Erected into the Province of Avalon where he setled a Plantation and erected a stately House and Fort at Ferriland where he dwelt sometime which since his Death is descended to the present Lord Baltimore New England WAs first discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1497 and in 1584 Mr. Philip Amadas and Mr. Arthur Barlow were the first who took Possession of it for Queen Elizabeth The next year Sir Richard Greenvil conveyed an English Colony thither under the Government of Mr. Ralph Lane who continued there till the next year and then returned with Sir Francis Drake into England who is by some accounted the first discoverer thereof It hath New France North and Virginia South North East Norumbegia and South West Novum Belgium on other parts it hath Woods and the Sea-coast Situate between 40 and 41 Degree of North Latitude In the midst of the Temperate Zone yet is the Clime more uncertain as to Heat and Cold than those European Kingdoms which are in the same Latitude The Air is Clear Healthful and agreeable to the English well watered with Rivers having variety of Beasts Tame and Wild with several sorts of Trees and excellent Fruits The Commodities it Yieldeth are Rich Furs Flax Linnen Amber Iron Pitch Tar Cables Masts and Timber to Build Ships with several sorts of Grain wherewith they drive a considerable Trade to Barbadoes and other English Plantations in America supplying them with Flower Bisket Salt Flesh and Fish and in return bring Sugars and other Goods To England they Trade for Stuffs Silks Cloath Iron Brass and other Utensils for their Houses The Weights and Measures are the same with England Though the Planting of this Country by the English was designed by divers yet it lay much neglected till a small Company of Planters under the Command of George Popham and Captain Gilbert were sent over at the charge of Sir John Popham in 1606. to begin a Colony in the Northerly part of this Country but that design in Two years expiring with its Founder soon after some Honourable persons of the West of England commonly called the Council of Plymouth being well informed of several Navigable Rivers and Commodious Havens with other places fit for Traffick and Planting obtained of King James the first a Patent under the Great Seal of all that part of North America called new-New-England from Forty to Forty eight Degrees of North Latitude In 1612 It was Canton'd and Divided by Grants into many lesser parcels according as Adventurers presented But afterwards for want of good Conduct they were by degrees in a manner destitute of Laws and Government In 1610 One Mr. Robinson a Presbyterian or Independent Preacher and several English then at Leyden in Holland Intreated King James to grant them Liberty under his Royal Authority to place themselves in some part of new-New-England and obtaining a Patent or Grant they Sailed from Plymouth in England to the Southern parts of New-England there laying a Foundation for a new Colony naming their Town New Plymouth after which things were very prosperously and succesfully carried on in New-England till An. 1636. The Indians committed many Outrages upon the English and Dutch whereupon all the Colonies unamimously falling upon them suppressed them in 1637. The English possess many potent Colonies being since very numerous and powerful and are Governed by Laws of their own making having several Courts of Judicature where they meet once a Month so they be not Repugnant to the Laws of England Every Town sends two Burgesses to their Great and Solemn General Court The Government both Ecclesiastical and Civil is in the Hands of the Independents or Presbyterians The Military part of their Government is by one Major General and three Serjeant Majors to whom belong the 4 Counties of Suffolk Middlesex Essex and Norfolk They have several Towns whereof Boston is the Metropolis likewise Dorchester Cambridge Beautified with two Colleges and many well Built Houses Reading Salem Berwick Fraintree Bristol and many others having most of them Names of some Town in Old England New York FOrmerly named New Netherland being part of that New England which the Dutch once possess'd It was first Discovered by Mr. Hudson and sold presently by him to the Dutch without Authority from his Sovereign the King of England in 1608. The Hollanders in 1614 began to plant it there and called it New Netherlands but Sir Samuel Argall Governour of Virginia routed them after
which they got leave of King James to put in there for Fresh-Water in their passage to Brasile and did not offer to plant till a good while after the English were settled in the Country In 1664. His late Majesty King Charles the Second sent over Four Commissioners to Reduce the Colonies into Bounds that had before Incroached upon each other who Marching with Three Hundred Red-Coats to Manhades or Manhatees took from the Dutch their Chief Town then called New Amsterdam now New York and August 29. Turned out their Governour with a Silver-Leg and all the rest but those who acknowledg'd Subjection to the King of England suffering them to enjoy their Estates and their Houses as before Thirteen days after Sir Robert Carr took the Town and Fort of Aurania and Twelve Days after that the Fort and Town of Arosapha then De la Ware Castle Mann'd with Dutch and Sweeds so that now the English are Masters of Three handsom Towns Three strong Forts and a Castle without the loss of one Man The first Governour of these parts for the King of England was Colonel Nichols one of the Commissioners This Country is blessed with the Richest Soil in all New England I have heard it Reported says an Author That one Bushel of European Wheat hath yielded One Hundred in a Year The Town of New York is well seated both for Trade Security and Pleasure in a small Isle called Manahaten at the Mouth of the Great River Mohegan which is very commodious for Shipping and about Two Leagues broad The Town is large built with Dutch Brick alla Moderna consisting of above Five hundred Houses the meanest not valued under One hundred Pounds To the Land-ward it is encompassed with a Wall of good thickness and Fortified at the Entrance of the River so as to Command any Ship which passeth that way by a Fort called James Fort. It hath a Mayor Aldermen a Sheriff and Justices of Peace for their Magistrates The Inhabitants are most English and Dutch and have a considerable Trade with the Indians for Bever Otter Raccoon Skins with other rich Furrs Likewise for Bear Deer and Elk-Skins and are supply'd with Venison and Fowl in the Winter and Fish in the Summer by the Indians at an easie Rate The Province of New York formerly contained all that Land which lyes in the North parts of America betwixt New England and Mary-Land the Length towards the North is not fully known the Breadth is about 200 Miles The Principal Rivers are Hudson's River Raritan River and De la Ware Bay The chief Islands are Manahaten Island Long Island and Staten Island Manahaten Island so called by the Indians lieth within the Land betwixt 41 and 42 Degrees of North Latitude and is about 14 Miles long and two broad New York is seated on the West of this Island having a small Arm of the Sea which divides it from Long Island on the South Long Island runs Eastward above 100 Miles and is in some places 8 12 or 14. Miles broad Inhabited from one end to the other having an Excellent Soil for all English Grain the Fruits Trees and Herbs very good In May you may see the Woods and Fields so curiously bedeck'd with Roses and a multitude of other delightful Flowers as equal if not excel many Gardens in England There are several Navigable Rivers which run very swift and are well furnished with Variety of Fish as the Land is with all sorts of English Cattle besides Deer Bears Wolves Raccoons Otters and Wild Fowl in abundance Hudson's River runs by New York Northward into the Country toward the Head of which is seated New Albany a place of great Trade with the Indians betwixt which and New York being above 100 Miles distance is as good Corn Land as the World affords It was reduced to his Majesties Obedience by Colonel Nichols and a League of Friendship concluded between the Inhabitants and the Indians by whom they have never been since disturbed but every Man hath sate under his own Vine and hath peaceably Reaped and Enjoyed the Fruits of his own Labours New Jersey IS part of the Province of New Albion afore-mentioned and is Subdivided into East and West Jersey East Jersey lies between 39 and 41 Degrees of North Latitude being about 12 Degrees more to the South than the City of London It is bounded on the South-East by the Main Sea East by that vast Navigable Stream called Hudson's River West by a Line of Division which separates it from West Jersey and North upon the Main Land and extends it self in length on the Sea-Coasts and along Hudson's River 100 Miles and upwards The Proprietors of this Province Anno 1682. Published an Account of the Scituation Conveniences and Product thereof for Incouragement of such who had an Inclination to Settle there Which you may read in Burton's Description of America fol. 99. The Constitutions of this Country were made in the time of John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret the late Proprietors thereof in which such Provision hath been made for Liberty in matter of Religion and Property in their Estates that under the Forms thereof this Country hath been considerably increased Pensylvania BY Letters Patent Dated the 4th of March 1680. King Charles the Second in Consideration of the Faithful Service of Sir William Penne Deceased did Grant unto William Penne Esquire Son and Heir of the said Sir William Penne all that Tract of Land called Pensylvania as the same was Bounded on the East by De la Ware River from 12 Miles distance of New-Castle Town unto the 43 Degree of Northern Latitude with other Boundings and Limits therein mentioned And all Powers Preheminence and Jurisdictions necessary for the Government of the said Province And by other Letters Patent Dated April the 2d 1681. did Publish and Declare his Will and Pleasure That all Persons settled or inhabiting within the Limits of the said Province should yield all due Obedience to the said William Penne his Heirs and Assigns as absolute Proprietors and Governours thereof as also to the Deputy or Deputies Agents or Lieutenants Commissioned by him or them Whereupon William Penne taking upon him the Government in a Letter from Philadelphia the then intended Chief City Dated 16 Aug. 1683. giveth a full Description of the Province and the Soil Air Seasons and Produce thereof The Planted part of the Province being cast into six Counties viz. Philadelphia Buckingham Chester New-Castle Kent and Sussex containing then about 4000 Souls Two Assemblies had then been held with such Concord and Dispatch that in Three Weeks time at least Seventy Laws were past And for the Well-Government of the Counties Courts of Justices are Established in every County with proper Officers as Justices Sheriffs Clerks Constables c. Which Courts are held every Two Months but to prevent Law-Suits there are Three Peace-Makers chosen by each County-Court in the Nature of Common Arbitrators to hear and end Differences betwixt Man and
Man And Spring and Fall there is an Orphans Court in each County to Inspect and Regulate the Affairs of Widows and Orphans The Government of the Natives is by Kings which they call Sachema and those by Succession but always of the Mothers side For Instance the Children of â—im who is now King will not succeed but his Brother by the Mother or the Children of his Sister whose Sons and after them the Children of her Daughters will Reign for no Woman Inherits This they do that their Issue may not be spurious Every King hath his Council and that consists of all the Old and Wise Men and also the Young without which Assembly nothing of moment is undertaken The Justice they have is Pecuniary even for Murther it self And it 's agreed That in all differences between the Natives and English Six of each side shall end the matter The Chief City Philadelphia In the Center of which is a Square of Ten Acres at each Angle is or was intended Houses for publick Affairs as a Meeting House Assembly or State-House c. Mary-Land THis Province is bounded on the North with Pensylvania on the East by De la Ware Bay and the Atlantick Ocean on the South by Virginia from whence it is parted by the River Patowmeck Chesapeack Bay is the passage for Ships both into this Country and Virginia and runs through the Middle of Mary-Land being found Navigable near Two hundred Miles into the Land into which fall divers considerable Rivers The Climate is very agreeable to the English Constitution especially since the clearing of the Ground from Trees and Woods which formerly caused much unhealthfulness neither is the Heat extream in Summer being much qualified by the Cool Winds from Sea and the refreshing Showers and the Winter so Moderate as doth no way Incommode the Inhabitants It is seated between 37 Degrees and 40 Degrees of Northern Latitude and was discovered at the same time with Virginia The Country is generally Plain and Even the Soil rich and fertile Naturally producing all such Commodities as are found in New England as to Fish Fruits Plants Roots c. The chief Trade of the English hither is Tobacco which is not inconsiderable since 100 Sail of Ships have in One Year Traded hither from England and the Neighbouring English Plantations It is divided into Ten Counties in each of which a Court is held every Two Months for little Matters with Appeal to the Provincial Court at St. Maries which is the Principal Town seated on Saint George's River and Beautified with several well Built Houses This Province was granted by Patent to the Right Honourable the Lord Baltimore and to his Heirs and Assigns with many Civil and Military Prerogatives and Jurisdictions as conferring Honours Coyning Money c. paying Yearly as an acknowledgment to His Majesty and Successors Two Indian Arrows at Windsor Castle upon Easter Tuesday The Lord Baltimore hath his Residence when there at Mattapany about 8 Miles distant from St. Maries where he hath a pleasant Seat tho' the General Assemblies and Provincial Courts are kept at St. Maries and for Encouraging People to settle here His Lordship by the Advice of the General Assembly Established a Model of excellent Laws for the Ease and Security of the Inhabitants with Toleration of Religion to all that profess Faith in Christ which hath been a principal Motive to many to Settle here Virginia DIscovered with others by Sebastian Cabott 1497 after was Visited by Sir Francis Drake and called Virginia by Sir Walter Rawleigh in Honour of his Mistress Queen Elizabeth In 1603 some Persons at Bristol by Leave from Sir Walter Rawleigh who had the Propriety thereof made a Voyage hither who Discovered Whitson's Bay in 41 Degrees and afterwards in 1607. Sir John Popham and others settled a Plantation at the Mouth of the River Sagahador the Captain James Davis choosing a small place almost an Island to sit down in where having heard a Sermon and read their Patent and Laws and Built a Fort They Sailed farther Discovering a River the Head whereof they called Fort St. George Captain George Popham being President After the first Discovery Virginia cost no small Pains and Experience before it was brought to perfection with the loss of many English Lives In the Reign of King James the First a Patent was granted to certain Persons at a Corporation who were called The Company of Adventurers of Virginia But upon several Misdemeanors and Miscarriages in 1623 the Patent was made void and hath since been free for all His Majesty's Subjects to Trade to It is scituate South of Mary-Land and hath the Atlantick Ocean on the East The Air is good and Climate agreeable to the English since the clearing it from Woods The Soil very fruitful but Tobacco is their chief Commodity and the Standard whereby all the rest are prized This Country is well Watered with many great and swift Rivers that lose themselves in the Gulph or Bay of Chesapeak which gives Entrance into this Country as well as Mary-Land being a very large and capacious Bay and running up into the Country Northward above 200 Miles The Rivers of most account are James River Navigable 150 Miles York River large and Navigable above 60 Miles and Rapahanok Navigable above 120 Miles Adjoyning to these Rivers are the English settled for the Conveniency of Shipping having several Towns the chief whereof is James Town commodiously seated on James River very neat and well beautified with Brick-Houses where are kept the Courts of Judicature and all publick Offices which concern the Country Next to James is Elizabeth Town well built and seated on the Mouth of a River so called Likewise the Towns of Bermudas Wicornoco and Dales-Gift The Country is Governed by Laws agreeable to those in England for the better observing whereof those parts possessed by the English are divided into the Counties of Caroluck Charles Gloucester Hartford Henrico James New Kent Lancaster Middlesex Nausemund Lower Norfolk Northampton Northumberland Rappohanock the Isle of Wight and York In each of which Counties are held petty Courts every Month from which there may be Appeals to the Quarter Court at James Town The Governour is sent over by the King of England Carolina SO called from the late King Charles the Second is a Colony not long since Established by the English and is that part of Florida adjoyning to Virginia between 29 and 36 Degrees of North Latitude On the East it is washed with the Atlantick Ocean and is bounded on the West with Mare Pacificum or the South-Sea and within these Bounds is contained the most fertile and pleasant parts of Florida which is so much commended by the Spanish Authors Of which a more ample Account cannot be given than what an English Man who Lived and was concerned in the Settlement thereof Delivered in these Words This Province of Carolina was in the Year 1663. Granted by Lett es Patent of His late Majesty King Charles
expresly forbid the same as heretofore hath sometimes been done It is free for any Man of the Parliament or not of the Parliament to get a Bill drawn by some Lawyer and give the same to the Speaker or Clerk of the Parliament to be presented at a time convenient and this Bill may be put first either in the Lords House or the Commons House Whatever is proposed for a Law is firâ—t put in Writing and called a Bill which being read commonly after Nine of the Clock in a full Assembly it is either unanimously Rejected at first or else allowed to be Debated and then it is committed to a certain Number of the House presently nominated and called a Committee After it hath been amended and twice read two several Days in the House then it is Ingrossed that is written fair in Parchment and read the third time another Day and then if it be in the Lords House the Lord Chancellor in the Commons House the Speaker demandeth if they will have it put to the Question Whether a Law or no Law If the Major Part be for it there is written on the Bill by the Clerk Soit Baille aux Communes or Soit Baille aux Seigneurs retaining still in this and some other things about making Laws the Custom of our Ancestors who were generally skilled in the French Tongue Note That when the Speaker finds divers Bills prepared to be put to the Question he gives notice the Day before That on the Morrow he intends to put such Bills to the Passing or third Reading and desires the special Attendance of all the Members Note also That if a Bill be Rejected it cannot be any more proposed during that Session A Bill sent by the Commons up to the Lords is usual to shew their Respect attended with Thirty or Forty of the Members of the House As they come up to the Lords Bar the Member that hath the Bill making three profound Reverences delivereth it to the Lord Chancellor who for that purpose comes down to the Bar. A Bill sent by the Lords to the Commons is usually sent by some of the Masters of the Chancery or other Person whose Place is on the Wooll-sacks and by none of the Members of that House and they coming up to the Speaker and bowing thrice deliver to him the Bill after one of them hath read the Title and desired it may be there taken into Consideration if aftewards it pass that House then is written on the Bill Les Communes oâ—t assentez When any one in the Commons House will speak to a Bill he stands up uncovered and directs his Speech only to the Speaker then if what he delivers be confuted by another yet it is not allowed to answer again the same Day lest the whole time should be spent in Debate Also if a Bill be debating in the House no Man may speak to it in one day above once If any one speak words of Offence to the King's Majesty or to the House he is called to the Bar and sometimes sent to the Tower The Speaker is not allowed to perswade or disswade in passing of a Bill but only to make a short and plain Narrative nor to Vote except the House be equally divided After Dinner the Parliament ordinarily assemble not though many times they continue sitting long in the Afternoon Committees sit after Dinner where it is allowed to speak and reply as oft as they please Note By Death or Demise of the King the Parliament is ipso facto dissolved Anciently after every Session of Parliament the King commanded every Sheriff to proclaim the several Acts and to cause them to be duly observed yet without that Proclamation the Law intending that every one hath Notice by his Representative of what is transacted in Parliament of later times since Printing became common that Custom hath been laid aside See before in High Court of Parliament Page 51. To the Court of the High Steward of England BUT now by Stat 7 W. 3. Upon the Trial of any Peer or Peeress either for Treason or Misprision all the Peers who have Right to sit and Vote in Parliament shall be duly summoned Twenty days at least before every such Trial to appear at every such Trial and every Peer so summoned and appearing at such Trial shall Vote in the Trial of such Peer or Peeress so to be tried every such Peer first taking the Oaths mentioned in the Act of Parliament made 1 W. M. Intituled An Act for Abrogating the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and Appointing other Oaths And subscribing and audibly repeating the Declaration mentioned in the Act made Anno 30 Car. 2. Regis For disabling Papists to sit in either House of Parliament Provided that neither the Act nor any thing therein contained be construed to extend to any Impeachment or other Proceedings in Parliament in any kind whatsoever Provided also That the Act nor any thing therein contained shall any ways extend to any Indictment of High Treason nor to any Proceedings thereupon for Counterfeiting the King's Coyn his Great Seal or Privy Seal his Sign Manual or Privy Signet See before in The Court of the High Steward of England Page 81. Of the Power and Authority of the Protector and Defender of the Realm and Church of England during the King's tender Age. And Guardian c. of England in the King's Absence FOR his Authority Place and Precedency See Rot. Parl. Anno 1 Hen. 6. Nu. 26 27. 2 Hen. 6. Nu. 16. 6 Hen. 6. Nu. 22 23 24. 8 Hen. 6. Nu. 13. 11 Hen. 6. Nu. 19. 32 Hen. 6. Nu. 71. The Lord Coke in his 4th Inst. Cap. 3. saith The surest way is to have him made by Authority of the Great Council in Parliament Richard Duke of Gloucester Uncle to King Edward the 5th and afterwards King by the Name of Richard the 3d. was by the Council then Assembled made Protector of King Edward the 5th and his Realm during his Minority Holinshead's Chron. fol. 1363. And for the Government of the Realm and Surety of the Person of King Edward the 6th his Uncle Edward Earl of Hertford was by Order of the Council and the Assent of his Majesty appointed Governour of his Royal Person and Protector of his Realms Dominions and Subjects and so proclaimed the 1 st of February Anno 1547. by an Herauld at Arms and Sound of Trumpet through the City of London in the usual places thereof And on the 6th of Feb. Anno 1547. the said Earl of Hertford Lord Protector Adorned King Edward with the Order of Knighthood remaining then in the Tower and therewith the King standing up called for Henry Hubblethorn Lord Mayor of the City of London who coming before his Presence the King took the Sword of the Lord Protector and Dubbed the said Hubblethorn Knight Holinshead Chron. fo 1614. The King when he intends to go or is in remotis out of the Realm appoints a Guardian c.
of England by Letters Patent under the Great Seal Or in respect of some Infirmity or other urgent Occasions hath sometimes by Commission under the Great Seal of England appointed certain Lords of Parliament to represent his Person he being within the Realm The Patent of the Office of a Guardian of England reciteth his speedy going beyond Sea or in remotis or urgent Occasions and the Causes thereof Nos quod pax nostra tam in nostra absentia quam praesentia inviolabiliter observetur quod fiat communis Justitia singulis conquerentibus in suis actionibus querelis de fidelitate dilecti fidelis nostri Edwardi Ducis Cornub. Comitis Cestriae filii nostri primogeniti plenarie confidentes constituimus ipsum Custodem dicti Regni nostri ac locum nost um tenent ' in eodem Regno quamdiu in dictis transmarinis partibus moram fecerimus vel donec inde aliud duxerimus And this is that Capitalis Justiciarius mentioned in Magna Charta Cap. 1. when the King is extra Regnum with a Clause of Assistance But yet if any Parliament is to be holden there must be a Special Commission to the Guardian to begin the Parliament and to proceed therein But the Teste of the Writ of Summons shall be in the Guardian 's Name A Parliament was holden Anno 5 H. 5. before John Duke of Bedford Brother and Lieutenant to the King and Guardian of England and was summoned under the Teste of the Guardian or Lieutenant By Stat. 8 H. 5. Cap. 1. It was Enacted That if the King being beyond the Seas cause to summon a Parliament in this Realm by his Writ under the Teste of his Lieutenant and after such Summons of Parliament gone out of the Chancery the King arriveth in this Realm That for such Arrival of the same King such Parliament shall not be dissolved but the Parliament shall proceed without new Summons In 3 E. 4. a Parliament was begun in the presence of the King and prorogued until a further day and then William Archbishop of York the King's Commissary by Letters Patent held the same Parliament and Adjourned the same c. The Cause of the said prorogation was for that the King was enforced to go in person to Gloucestershire to Repress a Rebellion there The King's Person may be represented by Commission under the Great Seal c. as before is said to certain Lords of Parliament authorizing them to begin the Parliament Both the Guardian and such Commissioners do sit on a Form placed near the Degrees that go up to the Cloth of Estate Coke's 4th Inst Cap. 1. fo 6 7. To the Court of Equity in the Exchequer-Chamber BY the Statute of 33 Hen. 8. Cap. 39 the Judges of this Court have full Power and Authority to discharge cancel and make void all and singular Recognizances and Bonds made to the King for Payment of any Debt or Sum of Money or for performance of Conditions c. upon shewing the Acquittance c. or any Proof made of Payment and performance also to cancel and make void by their Discretion all Recognizances made for any Appearance or other Contempt And that if any Person of whom any such Debt or Duty is demanded alledge plead declare or shew in the said Court sufficient Cause and Matter in Law Reason and good Conscience in Barr or Discharge of the said Debt or Duty and the same Matter sufficiently prove in the said Court then the said Court shall have Power and Authority to judge and allow the said Proof and clearly acquit and discharge such Person and Persons Also Lands chargeable to the King's Debts in the Seisin and Possession of divers and sundry Persons the same shall be wholly and intirely and in no wise severally liable to the payment of the said Debt and Duty But in the said Act of 33 Hen. 8. All manner of Estate Rights Titles and Interests as well of Inheritance as Freehold other than Joyntures for Term of Life are excepted J. S. holdeth Lands of the King by Fealty and yearly Rent and maketh a Lease thereof for Years to A. B. pretends that J. S. leased the same to him by a former Lease Albeit there is a Rent issuing out of these Lands to the King yet neither A. nor B. can sue in this Court by any priviledge in Respect of the Rent for that the King can have no prejudice or Benefit thereby For whether A. or B. doth prevail yet must the Rent be paid And if this were a good Cause of Priviledge all the Lands in England holden of the King by Rent c. might be brought into this Court. But if Black-acre be extended to the King for Debt of A. as the Lands of A. and the King leaseth the same to B. for Years reserving a Rent C. pretends that A. had nothing in the Land but that he was seized thereof c. this Case is within the Priviledge of this Court for if C. prevail the King loseth his Rent The King maketh a Lease to A. of Black-acre for Years reserving a Rent and A. is possessed of a Term for Years in White-acre the King may distrain in White-acre for his Rent Yet A. hath no Priviledge for White-acre to bring it within the Jurisdiction of this Court Some are of Opinion that a Court of Equity was holden in the Exchequer-Chamber before the Stat. of 33 Hen. 8. And then it must be a Court of Equity by Prescription for we find no former Act of Parliament that doth create and establish any such Court And if it be by Prescription then Judicial Presidents in Course of Equity must guide the same As to the Jurisdiction certain it is that there hath been of ancient time an Officer of the Exchequer called Cancellarius Scaccarii of whom amongst other Officers of the Exchequer Fleta saith thus Officium vero Cancellarij est Sigillum Regis custodire simul cum controrotulis de proficuo Regni And the Mirror saith Perjure est per la ou il fuit Chancellor del Exchequer vea a tiel a fair luy Acquittance de tant que avoit payè al Eschequer de la deit le Roy south le Seal del Exchequer ou delay faire Acquittance de tiel jour tanque a tiel jour c. His ancient Fee is 40 Marks Livery out of the Wardrobe 12 l. 17 s. 4. d. in toto 39 l. 10 s. 8 d. See 15. Hen. 8. Cap. 16. The Exchequer hath a Chancellor and Seal and the Writs usual in the Chancery in the Exchequer to seize Lands are more ancient than Praerog Regis Hereunto it is collected that seeing there hath been timeout of mind a Chancellor of the Exchequer that there should also be in the Exchequer a Court of Equity In Rot. Par. 2 Hen. 4. we find a Petition of the Commons That no Writs or Privy Seals be sued out of the Chancery Exchequer or other place to any Man to appear
if any such Person had come to this Court the Steward ought to have given him this Oath If any Customs or Profits as Treasure Trove Waif Estray or Wreck be withheld from the Lord of the Leet or if any claim any Royal Franchise or levy any new Franchise or abuse any old Franchise within the Leet All common and popular Nusances or Grievances done to the Kings Subjects by Purprestures made in any Land Wood or Water by Walls Hedges Ditches or Houses made up or broken down by straightning turning stopping surrounding or otherwise hurting the common Ways Bridges or Waters by poisoning or corrupting the Air by laying of any Carrion or Filth by selling of corrupt and unwholsom Provision or by the breaking of the due Assize of Bread Beer c. By Erecting Cottages and suffering Inmates by not scowring Ditches or not repairing Highways and Bridges and the like And for all these be the Offend or one Man or a whole Parish he or they may be Amerced and the Jury may order the Reforming of them under a Pain And all great Affrays Outcries and Bloodsheds and such like popular Trespasses which are Trespasses by the Common Law Riots Routs and unlawful Assemblies at the Common Law are punishable in this Court and for this the Offendors are to be Amerced according to Discretion but this must be reasonable and the reasonableness tryable and avoidable by Plea or Judgment of the Court in which the Suit depends Evil Members and persons of ill Behaviour that are dangerous to the Neighbours as Malefactors in Parks such as take Doves by Engines such as are common suspected Thieves or that are the common Messengers of Thieves the common Drunkards the common Haunters of Alehouses or Taverns not having whereon to live Nightwalkers and Day-sleepers that live idlely that have no Estate yet fare well Eves-droppers common Hedge-breakers common Peace breakers Railers and Sowers of Discord between Neighbours Keepers or Haunters of Bawdy-houses common Scolds common Barretors common Usurers Innkeepers who do commonly entertain Thieves and suspicious Persons knowing or suspecting them to be so and such as do remove Bounds or Landmarks between Parishes Hundreds or Counties but not such as remove Bounds between Persons only These last the Steward of this Court heretofore might have bound to the Peace or Good Behaviour but at this day he can only by the Presentment of the Jury Amerce them or make way to have them bound to their Good Behaviour by a Justice of Peace Constables Tythingmen Haywards Aleconners Bailiffs and such like Officers which are chosen and sworn in this Court if any such being chosen refuse the Office and to take the Oath or accepting doth not execute his Office duly or misbehave himself therein as if Constables and Tythingmen do not take care of Watch and Ward keeping the Peace raise Hue and Cry and pursue it for the apprehending Felons when any Felony is done or raise Hue and Cry when none is done or do not punish Rogues and the like or Tythingmen Chief Pledges Surveyors of High-ways Searchers and Sealers of Leather and such like Officers as do not their Duty All that Rescue Persons or Things taken in a course of Law as Rescuers of Persons Arrested or Goods or Cattel Distreined Pound-breakers and the like The lack of Stocks Pillory and Tumbrel Cucking-stool or Common Pound All that use Deceit in Buying and Selling that Sell false Wares for good especially if it be that which is to be Eaten or Drunk That Sell by false Weights and Measures Inn-keepers Victuallers Brewers Bakers Fishers Poulterers or Fishmongers that Sell that which is unwholsome for Food or Sell at unreasonable Prices Bakers and Brewers that do not keep the Assize of Bread and Beer and Millers that take excessive Toll Forestallers Regrators and Ingrossers may be punished in this Court by the Common Law And Usurers as Enemies to Trading But in these and such like Cases the Penalty of the Statute cannot be Imposed for Stewards have no Power by the Statutes but it is punished here as an Offence at the Common Law before the Statute which doth remain still and for these the Offender is to be amerced 2. By Statute Law are punishable Tanners Curriers Shoomakers Searchers and Sealers of Leather such as offend about Fish Malt Archery Guns Unlawful Games Artificers and Labourers Musters Highways Horses Hostlers and Victuallers about the price of Wine Pheasants Partridges Tracers of Hares Hunting in Corn about Cottages and Inmates about Drinking and Drunkenness Watering of Hemp where Cattle Drink about Rogues Crows c. Of all these and some others this Court may Inquire by Authority of divers Acts of Parliament for all which see Shepheard's Court-keepers Guide Coke's 4 Inst. and other Authors and the Statutes at large The Articles to be enquired of by the Leet by 18 Ed. 2. were inquirable therein by the Common Law This Court cannot take Indictments of any Felony for the death of a Man or in any other case where it hath not Cognizance And if it do it is void and it seems the Judge may be punished for it Neither can it take a Presentment of an offence done against a Parish or against a Man The like of Presentments of any thing which is not within the Jurisdiction of the Court. The Jury in this Court may make By-Laws and enquire of the breach of them as they have been used to do And for Cawseys High-ways and Bridges the greater part may bind the rest without consent 44 Ed. 3.19 But no By-Law can be made to Imprison Refusers but Distress and Action of Debt in this Case is the proper Remedy for a Penalty Imposed or Breach of a By-Law Coke's 5 Rep. 64. Shepheard's Court-keepers Guide cap. 39. The manner of Summoning this Court Proceeding therein and Adjournment and Discharging thereof you may see in Kitchins Court Leet Shepheard's Court-keepers Guide and other Authors Visus Franc ' Pleg ' i. e. Libere Fide jussores was instituted for the keeping of the King's Peace that every Freeman at his Age of 12 years should in the Leet if he were in any or in the Tourn take the Oath of Allegiance to the King and that Pledges or Sureties should be found for his Truth to the King and to all his People or else to be kept in Prison This Frank-pledge consisted most commonly of ten Housholds which the Saxons called Theothung in the North parts they call him Tenementale in other places of England Tything whereof the Masters of the Nine Families who were bound were of the Saxons called Freeborgh which in some places is to this day called Freebarow i. e. Free Surety or Frank-pledge And the Master of the 10th Houshold was by the Saxons called by divers Names viz. Theothungmon to this day in the West called Tythingman and Tihenheofod and Freoborher i. e. Capitalis plegius chief Pledge and these Ten Masters of Families were bound one for anothers Family that each Man of their
of Felony c. Yet when the Sea doth ebb the Land may belong to a Subject The King shall have Flotsam Jetsam and Lagan when the Ship perisheth or the Owners of the Goods are unknown A Man may have Flotsam and Jetsam by the King's Grant and Flotsam by Prescription as before is said Resolved that the Stat. of Westminst 1. cap. 4. by which it is Enacted That of Wreck of the Sea it is agreed That where a Man Dog or Cat escape alive out of the Ship or Vessel not any thing within them shall be accounted Wreck but the Goods shall be saved and kept by the View of the Sheriff Coroner or King's Bailiff c. So that if any sue for those Goods and can prove that they belonged to him or that they perished in his keeping within a year and a day they shall be restored to him without delay c. was but a Declaration of the Common Law And therefore all that which is provided as to Wreck extendeth also to Flotsam Jetsam and Lagan The Common Law gave all these three as also Estray Treasure-Trove and the like to the King for when no Man can claim Property in Goods the King shall have them by his Prerogative But Wreck may belong to the Subject by Grant from the King or by Prescription Flotsam Jetsam and Lagan so long as upon the Sea do not belong to the King but occupanti conceduntur eo quod constare non possit ad quam regionem essent applicanda And Wreck as well as Estrays of an Infant Feme-Covert Executrix a Man in Prison or beyond Sea if proclaimed and none claim them within a Year and a Day are bounden by the Law Coke's Rep. lib. 5.106 108. Sir Henry Constable's Case Rex pro salute animae suae ad malas consuetudines abolendas concessit quod bona in mari periclitata non perdantur nomine Wrecci quando aliquis homo aut bestia vivus de navi evaserit Veies le Stat. W. Primer Cap. 4. And Coke's 2 Inst 167 168. The Sheriff ought to sell bona peritura within the Year And the Subject must prove his Property in them within the Year and Day But the King may claim when he will and make proof If Treasure be found in the Sea the Finder shall have it at this day But otherwise it is now of Treasure Trove upon Land See Coke's 2 Inst. 168. If Wreck be not rightfully seized but taken by wrong-doers the Party may have a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to enquire of them Wreck shall be tried before the King's Justices at Common Law Coke's 2 Inst. 168. Coke's 4. Inst 134 154. The Coroner is to enquire of Wreck Coke's 4 Inst 271. and 3 Inst Title Appeals FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE A ARchbishops and Bishops Consistory Courts Page 42 Archdeacons Court Page 44 Aulnager Page 205 Admiralty Court Page 292 638 Aldermen and Mayors Court Page 356 Anglesey Isle Page 436 Anguila Page 520 Antegoa Page 524 B. BArons Court Page 235 Band of Pensioners Page 339 Bridge Page 378 Bantam or Banda Page 491 Bombaine Page 491 Bermudas Islands Page 515 Barbudas I. Page 519 Barbadoes I. Page 527 C. Convocation Page 32 Court of Arches Page 39 Court of Audience Page 39 Court of the Faculties Page 40 Court of Peculiars Page 41 Consistory Courts of Archbishops Bishops Page 42 Court of the Archdeacon or his Commissary Page 44 Court of Delegates Page 44 Civil Government of England Page 51 Court of the High Steward Page 81 539 Chancery High Court Page 90 Court of extraordinary Jurisdiction Page 93 Court of the Star-Chamber Page 104 Court for Redness of Delays Page 108 Court of Kings Bench Page 113 Common Pleas Court Page 121 Court of Exchequer Page 127 Court of Inquiry to certifie untrue Accompts in the Exchequer Page 140 Court of Equity in the Exchequer Page 141 544 Court of Justices of Assize Nisi prius Page 144 Court of Justices of Oyer and Terminer Page 153 Court of special Justices of Oyer and Terminer Page 166 Colledges Hospitals c. for charitable and lawful Purposes and Uses Page 167 Court of Justices of Goal-delivery Page 169 Court of Justices of the Forrest Page 175 Court of Justices in Eyre Page 193 Court of Justices of Trailbaston Page 195 Court of Wards and Liveries Page 196 Court of Ancient Demesne Page 196 559 Court of Commissioners of Sewers Page 198 569 Court of Commissioners upon the Statute of Bankrupts Page 201 573 Commissioners for Examination of Witnesses Page 203 578 Court of the Sessions of the Peace Page 210 591 Court of Inquiry of the Defaults of the Justices of the Peace Page 222 Court of the Tourn Page 223 595 Court Leet or View of Frankpledge Page 224 597 County Court Page 228 615 Court of the Hundred Page 233 630 Court Baron Page 235 632 Coroners Court Page 237 635 Court of Escheators and Commissioners for finding of Offices Page 239 635 Court of the Clerk of the Market Page 241 Court of Pipowders Page 246 Court of the Dutchy-chamber of Lancaster at Westminster Page 247 Courts of the County Palatin of Chester Page 251 Court of the County Palatin of Durham Page 252 Court of the County Palat. of Pembroke Page 255 Courts of the Cinque Ports Page 256 Court of Stannaries in the County of Devon and Cornwall Page 261 Court of the Mayor of the Staple Page 263 Court of the President and Council of Wales Page 269 Court of Chivalry before the Constable and Marshal Page 279 Colledge of Heralds Page 283 Court of Admiralty Page 292 638 Court of Commission by force of the Statute 28 H. 8. Cap. 5. Page 298 Commissioners and others for Beacons Signs of the Sea Light houses c. Page 299 Court of the King of England Page 308 Civil Government of the King 's Court Page 312 Compting-House Page 314 Court of Green-Cloth Page 315 Court of the Marshalsea Page 321 Court of the Pallace Page 322 Court of the Lord Steward Treasurer and Comptroller of the King 's House concerning Felony Page 324 Court of the Lord Steward of the King 's House or in his Absence of the Treasurer Comptroller and Steward of the Marshalsea Page 325 Court of the Queen of England Page 341 Civil Government of the Queens Court Page 342 Civil Government of Cities Page 345 Civil Government of London Page 348 Court of Hustings Page 351 Court of Conscience Page 354 Court of the Mayor and Aldermen Page 356 Court of Orphans Page 356 Court of Common Council Page 357 Court of Wardmote Inquest Page 358 Court of Halmote Page 358 Chamberlain 's Court for Apprentices Page 359 Court of the Conservators of the Water and River of Thames Page 360 Court of the Coroner in London Page 360 Court of the Escheator in London Page 360 Court of Policies and Assurances Page 361 Custom-House Page 379 Call or Creation of Serjeants Page 393 Colledge of Civilians in London Page 396 Colledge of Physicians
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