hereafter at any time or times in any wise being Item That for the better ratifyings establishing That a Decree shal be had in Chauncery to confirme the now agremeÌ„ts confirming strengthning perfecting and making good of all and singuler the said articles couenants agreements certaintie of fines vsuages customes inlargements and alterations of vsuages and customes compositions liberties priuiledges freedomes immunities discharges matters and things in the said Indenture and Schedules contained and for the setting forth of what estate the said Tho Lo Wentworth is now and then shall be seised of the said Mannors and premisses vpon a bill of complaint against his Lordship in his Maiesties high Court of Chancerie to bee exhibited his Lordship will appeare and make such answere and further such proceedings that therevpon a perfect decree with the free consent and agreement of his Lordship may bee had and there enrolled against his Lordship his heires and assignes By which the said Articles couenants agreements certainty of fines vsuages and customes and alterations of vsuages and customes and all the compositions liberties priuiledges freedomes immunities discharges matters and things in the said Indenture and Schedules or any of them contained shall be decreed ratified established made good and be put in vre vsed enioyed for euer Item That hee the said Thomas Lo Wentworth his heires and assignes at his and their That an act of Parliameâ—t shall be procured to confirme the same for euer owne proper costs and charges will procure at the first Session of the next Parliament of our Soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie his heires or successors one statute or act of Parliament By force whereof the said Articles couenants agreements certaintie of fines vsuages customes enlargement and alterations of vsuages customes compositions liberties priuiledges benefits freedomes immunities discharges matters and things in the said Indenture and Schedules or either of them expressed shall be established ratified enacted and confirmed to be and to continue for euer of force and to be put in vre and vsed for euer hereafter in such state manner and forme qualitie condition and degree as the same are in the said Indenture or Schedules or any of them expressed for and concerning the lands tenements and The Tennants must pay twenty pounds towards the charge of iâ— hereditaments whereof they now are copy-holders or reputed copyholders Towards the charges of the procuring of which said Act of Parliament the said tenants are to pay vnto the said Tho Lo Wentworth his heires or executors within one month next after the obtaining passing therof the somme of 20. pounds Item That he the said Tho Lo Wentworth For better assuranc within fiue yeares his heires and assignes at any time within fiue yeeres next ensuing the date of the said Indenture before such Act of Parliament as aforesaid had and obtained at the costs in the law of the said Copyhold tenants or some of them vpon request made vnâ—o him the said Tho Lo Wentworth his heires or assignes by the said Sir Iohn Iolles William Gough Edmund Barber Iohn Eglesfield Isack Cotton Thomas Best Richard Hoskins George Saris Henry Dethick Iohn Howland Thomas Yardley Iohn Lowden Richard Cheyny Gresham Hoogan William Palmer Nicholas Dickens Nicholas Diggins Peter Sumner Iohn Bennet Richard Edwards Michael Bonner and Nicholas Hollam or any ten of them or any ten of the heires or assignes of them shall and will make doe acknowledge execute and suffer all and euery such further acts deeds and assurances for better settling assuring and confirming of the vsuages customes benefits liberties priuiledges immunities discharges certaintie of Fines compositions agreements matters and things in the said indenture and Schedules contained as by them or any ten of them or any ten of the heires or assignes of them shall be reasonably deuised aduised and required That leases may be let for 31 yeeres and 4 months without lisence Item That euery one of the said Copihold tennants their heires and assignes shall and may freely hereafter from time to time graunt lease or demise by deede or otherwise without See article 38. licence or copie of Court Roll such or so much of their said lands tenements hereditaments to such person and persons and for such terme and estate not exceeding thirtie one yeeres and foure monethes in possession from the time of the making of any such graunt or demise as to them and euery or any of them respectiuely shal be thought fit or necessarie without any forfeite of estate seizure claime disturbance deniall or impeachment of his Lordship his heires or assignes or any of his or their officers So alwaies that such graunt lease and leases so to be made be at the first or second generall Court for the mannor whereof the lands or tenements so happening to be granted leased or demysed are parcell to bee holden next after the making thereof bee published in open court of that Mannor before the homage there and a remembrance thereof to be required to be made in the Rolles of the said Court for the date terme and quantitie of lands cottages or tenements so granted leased or demised Which remembrance of the said Tho Lo Wentworth couenanteth and granteth for him his heyres and assignes To and with the said Sr Iohn Iolls and the rest of the said Copyhold tenants vpon the tender of a certainty therof in writing to the Steward or deputy Steward of that Mannor for the time then being together with sixe pence in money for the entring thereof shall be in the Court Rolls of that Mannor duely and in conuenient time and without delay enrolled and a note thereof deliuered by the Steward or his deputy to the party so leasing or any for him without any other consideration fee or reward to be giuen or paide for the same Recitall of the Letters Pattens from the King to my Lord concernning the Freehold Item That whereas the said Tho Lo Wentworth by his Highnesse letters pattents vnder the great Seale of England dated the 19. day of Iuly in the thirteenth yeere oâ— his Maiesties raigne of England c. and forty eight of Scotland Hath obtained licence to grant to such of his Maiesties liege people as he shall thinke fit messuages cottages lands tenements and hereditaments parcell or reputed parcell of the said Mannors To hold to them their heires and assignes in free and common Socage respectiuely of his said Mannors of Stepny and Hackny by such and the same rents and seruices and other profits as in the conueyances thereof shall be expressed and not to hold of the King in Capite nor of any of his Maiesties Honors or Mannors in Knights seruice as by the said letters pattents more at large may appeare Now if the said Tho Lo Wentworth shal not at the first If the Act of Parliament be not Procured then the Tennants vpon request shal be made Freeholders Session of the next Parliament procure such an
or Mannors for the time being or his or their officers to distraine and auow as for rents and for want of distresse to seize the Lands and Tenements for the which the said fine or fines are to be paid and to enioy the same to his or their owne vse vntill he or they shal be fully satisfied and paid the said Fine or Fines to bee paid by him or them that so ought to pay the same Item If any customarie or copyhold Tennant 36 The like he may doe for non payment of the quitrent of the said Mannors or of either of them shall not pay his rents for his copyhold for which the same is due and demanded by the said Reeue or his Deputie Then it shall bâ—e lawfull for the Lord or Lords of the said Mannor or Mannors for the time being or his or their Officers to distraine and anow and for want of sufficient distresse to seize the lands and tenements out of the which the same ought to be paid and to take and enioy the rents issues and profits of the same to his or their owne vse vntill he or they shal be fully satisfied and paide the same rents by him or them that so ought to pay the same Item That when any Tenant dyeth seized leauing 37 Who shal be Gardian his heire vnder the age of fourteene yeeres the next of the kinne to whom the said Lands and Tenements cannot discend shall haue if hee shall require it the custodie of the heire and of his lands and tenements committed vnto him for the vse of the heire vntill he come to the age of fourteene yeeres as is aforesaid then he to choose his own See article 33. Gardian and the former Gardian at any time after vpon reasonable request to yeeld accompt to the heyre of the profits of his lands receiued Item If any person or persons be disposed to let his or their customarie Lands or Tenements to any other person or persons and to their executors 38 Tennants may let leases for 31 yeeres and foure months without any lysence or Fine and assignes for the terme of one and thirtie yeeres or lesse the same person or persons haue and shall haue full power and authoritie to set or let to farme his or their Copyhold Lands or Tenements to any person or persons their executors administrators and assignes for the terme of one and thirtie yeeres and foure monethes or lesse in See the abstract of the indenture pag. 7. possession from the time of the making thereof by writing without any licence to him or them to be granted and without paying any fine to the Lord or incurring any forfeiture or seisure of or for the same So as the same lease doe not exceede one and thirtie yeeres and foure monethes from the time of the making thereof But such lease is and If such leases be not presâ—nted to the homage within on yeere after the making they shall be void ought to be presented to the Homage of the Mannor whereof the Lands or tenements so leased are held within one yeere after the making thereof or else the same lease so made and not presented as aforesaid shal be void and of none effect Item The custome of the Mannor is to giue to 39 Either mannor is vpon euery chaung of Lord to pay fiue pounds for recognition money the Lord of euery of the said Mannors vpon the change of euery Lorâ— at the next Court after the first entry bona fide ten pounds of lawfull money of England That is to say out of each Mannor fiue pounds for the Recognition and acknowledging the seruices which is to be leauied and collected by the Reeue for the time being amongst all the Copyholders of the said Mannors respectiuely according to the rates they shal be taxed at by the Homage at the next Court to bee holden after the comming of the new Lord. Item The Homage of euery of the said Mannors 40 How the Reeue of either manor is to be chosen ought yeerely at the generall Court to be holden next after Michaelmas to elect and choose seuerall Reeues for euery of the said Mannors That is to say to elect and choose two customarie Tenants either of the said persons named parties to the said presents their heires or assignes or of others not named to beare the Office of the Reeue for each of the said Mannors namely he that was before in election if he be aliue and one other or if he be dead two other to the intent the Lord of the said Mannors or of either of them or his Steward may appoint the one of them so elected for one whole yeere that is one to serue for each of the said Mannors So hee be appointed within that Mannor of which he is a tenant and for which he shal be so chosen which Reeue being so appointed He shall serue one whole yere ought to take vpon him the said Office for one whole yeere then next ensuing to execute the same by himselfe or his Deputie for whom he shall answere and to be subiect to accompt and answere What sine he shall pay if he refuse for the same as in the said presents is set downe And if a Copy-holder shal be duely chosen and appointed by the Homage to bee the Lords Reeue as aforesaid and according to his turne presented by the Homage and shall refuse to serue the said Office by himselfe or his Deputic then euery such person so refusing within the said Mannor of Hackney shall pay for a fine sixe pounds thirteene shillings and foure pence And euery such person so reâ—using within the said Mannor of The homage shall chose another vntill one doe accept and serue Stebenhuth shall pay for a fine ten pounds to the Lord of the Mannor whereof his Lands are holden And the Homage of the same Mannor shal be charged from time to time to choose another Reeue in the place of him that so shall refuse vntill such time as for the same Mannor one bee chosen that shall and wâ—ll serue the said Office And euery Copyholder that shal be chosen and appointed to the said Office as aforesaid and shal refuse to serue the same office shall pay the fine aforesaid to the Lord of that Mannor for his refusall the one halfe The halfe of fines payd by refusers shal be allowed him who next shall serue of all which fine or fines of Tenant or Tennants so refusing to accept and execute the said office of Reeueship according to the true meaning of these Schedules the Lord or Lords of the said Mannors or either of them of whom respectiuely such tenant or tenants so refusing shall hold ought and shall from time to time allow vnto such person or persons as being chosen and appointed to be Reeue as aforesaid and shall and will next after the refusall of any one or more of the said tenants so chosen accept and
art 48. Leet these tennants beeing Reeues are not to be charged with the Leet booke art 42. Marckes Meares and Stakes how to set betwixt Tennants art 59. Partition how to make betwixt Coheires Ioint-tennants and tennants in common art 54. Pownd of the Lord and cattell impounded how to deliuer article 55. 56. 58. Quit-rents when to be paide c. art 2. 36. 41. Reeue to take surrenders art 20. Surrenders taken by him when to be presented 22. How to be chosen 40. How long to serue Ibidem His fine for refusing to serue Ibid. A new to be chosen vpon refusall Ibid. The succeeding Reeue shall haue halfe of the fine of the former refusing and detaine it in his accompt Ibid. His lands shal be seised for not paying rents and fines 41. His forfeiture for not paying Ibid. He is not to answeare any quit-rents vnlesse hee knowe the tennant or the land Ibid. Discharged of the Leet booke Court Baron and dinners 42. Who may be chosen Reeue 43. What allowance and fees he shall haue for executing the office 44. He must deliuer the Rentall to his successor or shall be amerced 45 Recoueries to barre Intailes art 64. Recognition money at the Caunge of the Lord art 39. Surrenders how they are to be made art 1. 19. How to bee taken before Headbrough or Reeue art 20. How to be taked of women couert baron art 21. 24 When surrenders are to be presented art 22. 25. Surrenders made according to these articles are good 27. Surrenders to make the wife a Ioincture art 29. Those to whose vse landes are surrendred ought within three yeares after the presentment to take them vp art 34. Stakes marckes and meares betwixt tennants art 59. Stewards fees particularly set downe art 66. Seuering the Lord of the Mannor may not seuer any of these Copyholders to any person in fee art 68. Titles in controuersie how to decide see Claime  Woemen couert baron see Surrenders  Wast tennants for life or yeares making wast shall be fined by the Homage art 52. FINIS LONDON Imprinted by WILLIAM IONES with consent of the said right honourable THOMAS LORD WENTVVORTH the fourth day of December 1617. Anno. 21. Jacobi Regis MEMORANDVM that according to the former Couenaunts and agreements in this Booke conteyned his said Lordship hath Honorably procured the Acte of Parliament so long desired for perpetuall establishment of the sayd Customes benefits and priuiledges togegether with certaine expositions enlargements and explanations thereunto added The copy of which Acte Verbatim is as followeth viz. An Acte for confirmation of the Copyhold estates and Customes of diuerse Copy-holders of the Mannors of Stepny and Hackney according to certeyne Indentures of agreement and a Decree in the High Court of Chauncery made betweene the Lord of the said Mannors and the Copyholders IN most humble manner doe beseech your most Excellent Maiestie Your Highnes most humble and loyall subiect Thomas Lord Wentworth Lord of the Mannors of Stepney alias Stebenheath and Hackney in Your Maiesties County of Middlesex and Your Highnes most humble and obedient subiects Sir Iohn Iolles knight and all the other Copiholders and customary Tenants of the sayd Mannours or of either of them being parties to certaine Indentures bearing date the twentieth day of Iune in the fifteenth yeare of your Highnes Raigne of England made betweene the said Tho Lo Wentworth of the one parte and the sayd Sir Iohn Iolles divers other Copy-holders and Customary tenants of the said Mannors in the same Indentures named of the other part and all the now Copi-holders customary tenants of the said Mannors and of either of them claiming by from or vnder the said Copy-holders and Customary tenants parties to the said Indentures That whereas heretofore 〈◊〉 of thâ— Indenture oâ— the â—0 of â—unâ— se◠〈…〉 diuers questions and Differences haue arisen and beene moued betweene your said subiect Tho Lo Wentworth and the Copy-holders and customary tenants of the sayd Mannors for and concerning the Copyhold lands tenements hereditaments and estates of and within the same Mannors and diuers customes benefits priuiledges discharges other matters concerning the said Copy-hold estates and premises For appeasing whereof and for preuention of the like and all others which in time to come might happen or grow betweene the said Lord his heyres or assignes and others Lords of the said Mannors and the said Copy-holders and customary tenants named in the said Indentures and others tenants of their tenements that shall be hereafter The same Indentures together with certaine schedules thereunto annexed were by the mutuall consent and agreement of the said Lord and tenants made sealed deliuered and duly inrolled in Your Maiesties High court of Chauncery In which said Indentures and schedules are conteined and comprised diuers customes orders immunities discharges benefits and priuiledges by which the said Copy-holders and customary tenants their heires and assignes were and are to take hold vse and enioy inherit alien demise and dispose all and euery or any the landes messuages tenements cotages and hereditaments which they euery or any of them respectiuely then held claimed or enioyed by force or pretence of any grant before that time made by Copy of Court Roll of the sayd Mannors or either of them And diuers other agreements betweene the said Lord and Copy-holders or customary Tenants as in and by the said Indentures and schedules more at large it doth and may appeare Which said Indentures and schedules The Indenture of the 20 day of Iune was decreed in Chancery See Pag 12. and all the matters therein conteyned in or shortly after Trinitie terme in the said Fifteenth yeare of Your Highnes raigne vpon a bill exhibited into Your Maiesties said court of Chauncery by the said Copy-holders against the said Lo Wentworth and vpon the same Lords answer thereunto were duly confirmed established and Decreed by the Decree of your Maiesties said court of Chauncery as by the said bill answere and Decree remaining of Record in the said court it doth also appeare And whereas in the said Indentures one Recitall of the clause for making of Leases See Pag 7. and Pag 39. Clause or Article is conteined in these words following And the said Thomas Lord Wentworth for him his heyres and assignes doeth by these presents grant and agree to and with the said Sir Iohn Iolles and all other the persons named to be parties to these presents and to and with the heyres and assignes of euery of them that euery one of them and euery of their heires and assignes shall and may freely hereafter from time to time grant lease or demise by Deed or otherwise without licence or copy of Court rolle such or so much of the lands tenements and hereditaments or any part or parts thereof of which they or any of them are Copy-holders or customary tenants or reputed to be Copy-holders or customary tenants to such person and persons and for such terme and
estate not exceeding Thirty and one yeares and foure momonethes in possession from the time of the making of any such grant or demise as to theÌ„ and euery or any of them respectiuely shall be thought fit or necessary without any forfeiture of estate seizure claime disturbance deniall or impeachment of the said Thomas Lo Wentworth his heires or assignes or any of his or their officers So allwayes that such grants lease and leases so to be made be at the first or second generall court for the Mannor whereof the landes or tenements so happening to be granted leased or demised are parcell to be holden next after the making thereof be published in open Court of that Mannor before the Homage there and a Remembrance thereof to be required to be made in the Rolles of the same court for the date terme and quantity of lands cottages or tenements so granted leased or demised Which remembrance the said Thomas Lord Wentworth couenanteth and granteth for him his heires assignes to with the said Sir Iohn Iolles and all other the said persons named parties to these presents and their and euery of their heires and assignes vpon the tender of a certainty thereof in writing to the Steward or Deputy Steward of that mannor for the time then being together with six pence of lawfull money of England for the entring thereof shall be in the court rolles of that Mannor duly and in conuenient time and without delay inrolled and a note thereof deliuered by the Steward for the time being or his Deputy to the party so leasing or any for him without any other consideration fee or reward to be giuen or paid for the same And in the said Schedules one other article Recitall of the 38 article see Pag 39. to the like effect is conteyned in these wordes following Item if any person or persons be disposed to let his or their customary lands or tenements to any other person or persons and to their executors and assignes for the terme of one and thirty yeares or lesse the same person or persons haue and shall haue full power and authority to set or let to farme his or their copy-hold landes or tenements to any person or persons their executors administrators and assignes for the terme of one and thirty yeares and foure monethes or lesse in possession from the time of the making there of by writing without any licence to him or them to be granted and without paying any fine to the Lord or incurring any forfeiture or seizure of or for the same So as the same lease doe not exceed one and thirty yeares and foure monethes from the time of the making thereof But such lease is and ought to be presented to the Homage of the Mannor whereof the landes or tenements so leased are held within one yeare after the making thereof Or else the same lease so made and not presented as is aforesaid shall bee void of none effect as in and by the said Indentures and Schedules appeareth The intent and true meaning of which said Indentures The intent of the Clause and Article was to make good all leases not exceeding 31. yeares and 4. monethes and of all and euery the said parties thereunto was and now is That the said clauses and articles should shall be taken and construed to be to confirme allow and make good all euery leases and grants made and to be made and entred as aforesaid although any such lease or grant leases or grants hath or haue beene or shall be made or limited to commence or beginne from after or at any day or time after the making or date thereof so as the whole terme granted or to be granted in or by such lease or grant leases or grants together with the time incurred or to to incurre from the day of the date or making thereof vntill the day or time limited or to be limited for the beginning or commencement thereof do not exceed Thirty and one yeares and foure monethes in the whole And the said seuerall limitations and prouisions conteyned in the said first recited clause or article for or concerning such publishing of the said leases or grants and such requiring of a remembrance thereof to be made in the said rolles and such tender of the Certainty thereof inwriting and of the said six pence for the entry thereof as in and by the same clause or article is prescribed or metioned And the said limitation or prouision conteyned in the said last recited clause or article for or concerning such presenting of such leases to the said Homage as in and by the same last recited clause or article is prescribed or mentioned were inserted into the sayd seuerall clauses or articles respectiuely as is aforesaid To the onely intent And to prevent frauds c. and purpose to preuent frauds to be vsed by any Copy-holders of the said Mannors or either of them in letting his or their Copy-hold lands or tenements for yeares at a small rent or otherwise and afterwardes surrendring the same to the vse of some other person or persons for money or other considerations as if it were in possession and not charged with any such Lease or grant But not with any purpose that the neglect or omission of publishing any such Lease or But not to giue any forfeictur to the Lord for neglect grant in the court of the said Mannors or either of them or of any request to be made for any such remembrance thereof to be made in the Rolles of the said Court or of the tendring of a certainty of any such lease in writing to the said Steward or Deputy Steward of any of the said Mannors or of the said six pence for entry thereof or of the presenting thereof to the sayd Homage as in and by the said recited clauses or articles is limited or mentioned should giue or be any cause of forfeiture or seizure of any of the said copyhold premisses so to be leased or granted to the Lord of the said Mannors or either of them for the time being but onely to make such Leases and Grantes for and in respect of such neglect or omission as is aforesaid vtterly voyd of no eâ—â—ect which said intent true meaning of the said Indentures and of the said parties thereunto is testified agreed and declared in and by certaine other Indentures made betweene the said parties to the said first recited Indentures and bearing date the last day of The Indentures of the 30 of Iune Iune in the said Fifteenth yeare of your Maiesties Raigne May it therefore please Your most excellent Maiesty at the humble suite of your said subiects and for the setling of perpetuaâ—l peace and quietnesse amongst them in and concerning the premisses That it may be enacted by your highnesse with the assent of the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the commons in this present Parliament Assembled and be it enacted by the Authority of
grounds and commons and laying of bridges ouer the said common Sewers and shall make their accompt in that behalfe to the Homage at the generall Court when the yeere for which they were chosen shall expire 63 The homage may make By-lawes which shall binde the tennants Item The copyhold and customarie Tennants may make by lawes at their generall Courts when neede shall require which custome shal be so continued and the said by lawes so by them made shall binde all the Copyhold Tenants of the said Mannors or of either of them so the same bee not contrarie to the true meaning of these Articles Item By the custome of the said Mannors and of either of them Tennants in taile of customarie 64 Recoueryes may be suffered to barre intailes lands and tenements may suffer common recoueries within the said seuerall Mannors with single or double vouchers or by agreement forfeit the said lands and tenements into the Lords hands for the cutting of the estate taile which custome by these Articles shal haue still continuance and such Recoueries and forfeitures are and shall bee good to bare the said in-taile Item Whensoeuer there shal be any Court or 65 Tennants not appearing at set courtes shall not be amerced aboue 4 pence Courts Baron or other then the said two generall Courts kept within the said Mannors or either of them no copyholder ought nor shall be amerced aboue the summe of foure pence for any default of his apparance at any the same Court or Courts except the said two generall Courts neither shall incurre any forfeiture or seisure of his Copyhold lands or tenements or any other Damage for any such default And the said Amerciament to bee taxed by the Affurors tenants of that Court. Item The Steward or his Deputy is to haue 66 The Stewards fees such Fees and allowances as hereafter are expressed viz. for euery Surrender taken out of Court fiue shillings and nothing for any Surrender taken in Court for euery woman couert Baron that shal be examined sixe shillings eight pence for euery admittance of euery person two shillings for entering euery Surrender and making the copie of Court Roll therevpon sixe shillings eight pence for euery precept for a view of partition and entring the same and the returne thereof vpon the Court Roll and the copie thereof two shillings sixe pence And if it exceede two sheetes of paper then for euery sheete ouer and aboue two sheetes twelue pence more For searching the court Rolls for euery yeere foure pence For euery purchased Court thirteene shillings foure pence For entring a note of a Lease granted of any Lands or tenements containing the date quantitie of lands or tenements certaintie of terme to whom the same shal be granted and for a note thereof to the party sixe pence For these things before expressed the Steward shall haue onely such Fees as before is declared and for all other things hee shall haue as formerly hath anciently beene vsed not more Item All Messuages Tenements and Cottages 67 Buildings to be erected shall pay fines as those allreadie built that shall hereafter bee built vpon any the copyhol Lands whereof the customes are hereby meant to bee declared shal be held and enioyed by the copyhold Tenants thereof vnder the same customes and Articles herein declared as the Lands whereon they shal be built are holden and enioyed But shall pay such fines therefore as is before declared for Messuages Tenements and Cottages 68 The Lord shall not seuer from the mannor any of these copy-holds to any persons in fee simple or other estate of freehold c. that shal be new built Item The Lord of the said Mannors or of either of them their heires or assignes shal not at any time hereafter grant or conuey seuered from the Mannor wherof the same is now holden or ought to bee holden any of the Messuages Cottages Lands Tenemements or Hereditaments whereof any of the said persons named parties to the said Indenture herevnto annexed is now copyholder or customarie Tenant to any person or persons in Fee-simple Fee-taile or for terme of life or other estate of freehold or for any estate or terme other then by copie of Court Roll according to the customes of the said Mannors and true meaning of these presents and the Iudenture whereunto the same are annexed except the Freehold to be granted or seuered at the petition and desire of such person or persons as then shal be copyholder thereof according to the true meaning of these presents And it the Lord hath granted away the Freehold of any the copyhold Lands or Tenements wherof the custome is hereby ment to be declared hee shall get and take the same backe againe and the same shall notwithstanding such grant or alienation be annexed to the Mannor whereof it was or is held and shal be held and enioyed by the Tenant his heires and assignes thereof by copie of Court Roll of the same Mannor vnder the rents seruices and customes in these Articles expressed and not otherwise And also that the Lord shall admit by his Steward or his Deputy all such Tenant and Tenants that ought of right to be admitted vpon the presentment of the Homage AN ALPHABETICALL TABLE OF THE NAMES OF THE COPYHOLD TENANTS OF THE MANNORS OF STEPNEY alias STEBVNHVTH and HACKNEY for whom the said Decree concerning the customes aforesaâ—d was made in Chancerie the two and twentieth day of Iuly in the fifteenth yeere of the raigne of our Soueraigne Lord King Iames against the said Right Honorable Thomas Lord Wentworth then Lord of the said Mannors A VIncent Amcots Limehouse Iacob Ashley Limehouse William Adams Limehouse Will. Ardington White Chappel Thomas Abbot Popler Iane Alder Popler Nicholas Ask with Hackney William Alder of Ratcliffe highway B William Bygot Ratcliffe William Barnet White Chappell Robert Borne Pop. Hugh Bullock vxor Henr. Banister Esquire Hackney William Bird vx Hackney Nicholas Burton Hackney Edward Browne Hackney Gyles Bynckes Hackney Gyles de Budt Hackney Edmond Barbor Oldford Henry Barbor Francis Barbor Tho Baxter vxor Bowe Michael Bonner Bowe Iohn Briggs vxor Bowe Christopher Baker Ratcliffe William Browne Robert Benns Peter Baker Alice Bland Raph Bowers Thomas Best Quescell Bratost alias Lee Limehouse Iohn Ball Iohn Bennet Robert Bradshaw Mathew Barret Richard Bromfield Elizabeth Bedford Iohn Bigot C Thomas Commins Nicholas Cosens Thomas Crane Richard Catcher Edward Catcher Thomas Croxall William Cooke vxor Walter Henley in Reuersion Thomas Catcher Hackney Iohn Catcher Richard Cheyney Francis Clerkevid Iohn Catcher William Catcher Thomas Catcher Iohn Cowper White Chappell Tho Coxan Walter Cooke Ratcliffe Walter Coale Peter Croxall Mary Cope Limehouse Elizabeth Clerke Marion Crispe Popler Mary Carpenter Iohn Chandler Bowe William Clarke George Cooke Inholder Isaack Cotton Richard Catcher fil Tho Iohn Coleman White Chappell D Nicholas Diggins Mileend William Dickinson Hackney Iames Deane William Dauis Nicholas Dickens
THE FREE CVSTOMES BENEFITS AND PRIVILEDGES OF THE COPYHOLD TENNANTS OF THE MANNORS OF STEPNY AND HACKNY IN THE Countie of MIDDLESEX within this Composition BEFORE WHICH IS PREFIXED AN ABSTRACT OR BRIEFE RELATION OF THE ASSVRANCE GIVEN BY THE Right Honorable THOMAS Lord WENTWORTH Lord of both the said Mannors vnto his Lordships said Tennants within this Composition for the ratifying and perpetuall establishing of the same Whereunto two Tables Alphabeticall are fitted the one containing the names of the said Copyhold Tenants now hauing compounded the other with the marginall notes in the booke serueth for the ready finding of any note worthy matter herein contamed At London printed by William Iones 1617. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD WENTWORTH Lord of the Mannors of STEPNY and HACKNY in the County of MIDDLESEX TO whom Right Honorable ought we more iustly to dedicate this Collection of our Customes and Priuiledges then vnto your good Lordship the noble Patron thereof The Clouds of Differences are now ouerblowne euerlastingly may the bright Sun-shine of Peace beevpon these Mannors That their Customes may be as famous to the Right Honourable Family of the Wentworths and sought for to be Presidents to others as were Solons lawes which the Senate of Rome sent Deputies to fetch very neere foure hundred yeeres after the same had beene established at Athens thereby to frame their twelue Tables Many happy yeeres Right Honorable accompany your Lordships life vntill eternall Glory shall make it perpetually blessed Your Honors most deuoted Tenants AN ABSTRACT OF THE INDENTVRE OF COVENANTS WHEREAS of late Differences The cause of the now compounding haue arisen betweene the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Wentworth Lord of the Mannors of Stepny and Hackny and his Lordships Copy-hold Tennants of the said Mannors for and concerning some of the customes benefits and priuiledges of the said Tennants It hath now pleased the said Tho Lo Wentworth in consideration of three thousand pounds of lawfull money of England in the thirtieth yeere of the The consideration giuen for it raigne of our late soueraigne Lady Q. Elizabeth by the Copyholders of the said Mannors Vnto the Right Honorable Henry Lord Wentworth his Lordships Father satisfied and paid As also of three thousand and fiue hundred pounds more to him the said Tho Lo Wentworth The Deede of Couenants now paid by indenture bearing date the 20. day of Iune in the fifteenth yeere of the raigne of our soueraigne Lord King Iames of England France Ireland of Scotland the fiftieth made betweene him the said Tho Lo Wentworth Lord of the said Mannors of the one part And Sr Iohn Iolls Knight diuers others of the Copyhold tenants of the said Mannors whose names are particularly in the said Indenture recited of the other part For the appeasing and finall end of the said differences and for preuention of the like and all other which in time to come might happen arise or grow betwixt the said Lord his heyres or assignes Lords of the said Mannors and the said Copyhold tennants their heires or assignes to couenant grant conclude and fully agree to the effect following that is to say Imprimis That the said Tho Lo Wentworth That the Lord Thomas is seized in Fee is vntill a perfect act of Parliament shal be had and made wherby all the liberties priuiledges benefits customes immunities discharges additions alterations enlargements matters things in the Schedules to the said Indenture annexed mentioned shall be for euer confirmed shall bee and continue seised of a good absolute and indefeazable estate of Inheritance in Fee-simple to him and his heires for euer in possession of and in the said Mannors and either of them and of the Copyhold lands tenements and hereditaments of the said Copyhold tenants before mentioned parties to the said Indenture And that he now hath and then shall And hath power to confirme the following Articles haue full power and lawfull authoritie to ratitifie confirme establish and make good All and singular the couenants articles alterations enlargements free customes immunities discharges and agreements contained in the said Indenture and Schedules or either of them to the said Copyhold tenants respectiuely and to their seuerall and respectiue heires assignes of and in the seuerall and respectiue messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whereof they are seized of any estate by copie of Court Roll. And that the said Tho Lo Wentworth his That these Articles shall for euer be obserued heyres and assignes and all other Lords of the said Mannors shall for euer hereafter obserue performe fulfill allow ratefie make good and keepe all the said Articles certaintie of Fines vsages customes priuiledges benefits immunities discharges compositions and agreements in the said Indenture and Schedules contained And shall not at any time hereafter leauy take require or demand any other fines suites customes workes or seruices or in any other manner then in the said Schedules are specified And the Rents which for the said Copyhold tenements by the space of two yeeres now last past haue beene yeelded and paid by the Copyhold tenants thereof And also that the said tenants their heyres and assignes shall for euer hereafter peaceably and quietly haue hold maintaine and enioy their seuerall and respectiue Copyholds with their appurtenances according to the seueral grants thereof to them made and vnder the seuerall rents for the same respectiuely now due and payable according to the true meaning of the said Indenture and Schedules without any let suit or hinderance interruption alteration question or contradiction whatsoeuer of him the said Lo Wentworth his heyres or assignes or any other claiming any estate right title vse interest office profit charge or demaund vnder his Lordship his heyres or assignes or vnder the said Henry Lo Wentworth deceased And that the said Tho Lo Wentworth his heyres or That hereafter none of these lands shall be seuered from the Mannor See Aâ—ricle 68. assignes hath not nor hereafter shall grant or conuey seuered from the Mannor whereof the same is now holden any of the messuages cottages lands tenements or hereditaments of the said Copyholders for any other estate or terme other then by copie of Court Roll according to the custome of the said Mannors except the free-hold to be seuered at the desire of such person as then shall be Copyholder thereof respectiuely And that the certainty of Fines free customes immunities liberties priuiledges articles discharges and agreements in the said Schedules contained for and concerning the seuerall messuages cottages lands tenements and hereditaments whereof the said parties to the said Indenture are Copyholders or reputed Copyholders shall for euer be and be had vsed accompted adiudged taken and enioyed as the true customes vsuages priuiledges immunities discharges and liberties of and within the said Mannors and either of them not to be violated altered changed or denied by the Lord or Lords of the said Mannors or either of them now or
inheritance held of the Lord by the rod according to the custome and either of them all the Copyhold Lands Tenements Hereditaments which the particular persons named parties to the Indentures whervnto these Schedules are annexed doe hold or enioy are and time whereof the contrarie hath not beene within the memory of man haue beene Copyhold and customarie lands tenements and hereditaments of inheritance demised and demisable by copy of Court Roll of the Mannors aforesaid or one of them respectiuely according to the customes of the Mannor whereof the same are holden and all copies of Court Rolls of the same Mannors and either of them by all the time aforesaid for the same lands tenements and hereditaments haue beene made and ought to be made to hold of the Lord by the Rod according to the custome of the Mannor whereof the same is holden by the rents and seruices therefore due and accustomed And all the said lands tenements and hereditaments haue beene passed and are to passe and goe from such persons as according to the contents of these Schedules haue power and are How Surrenders are to be made See further in the 19 article enabled to make Surrenders to any other person or persons by way of Surrender to be made to the hands of the Lord by the acceptance of the Steward of the Mannor or his Deputy for the time being in Court or out of Court or by the acceptance of the Reeue of the Mannor whereof the same are holden or by his Deputy within the same Mannor or elsewhere in presence of sixe customarie Tennants or by any Headborough of some Towneship or Hambler within that Mannor in presence of sixe customarie Tenants in or out of the same Mannors which Surrender or Surrenders haue beene and shall and may be to the vse of any person or persons and their heyres for euer in fee-simple or any person or persons in fee taile or for life or liues with Remainders or without Remainders as lands may be assured by the course of the common lawes of this Realme or else to the vse of the last Will Testament of the Surrenderers or of any other persons according to the intent and limitation of such last Will and Testament Item the rents of all the Tennants both Freeholders 2 Quitrents are to be paid yearly at Michellmas and Copy holders which hold any Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements or Hereditaments of the said Mannors or of either of them are yearely payable only at the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangell to the Lord and his heires the same to be collected by the Reeues of the said Mannors seuerally and respectiuely to be yearely chosen as hereafter is expressed or their Deputies And all and euery the said customarie or Copyhold Tenants to pay the seueral yearely rents now yeerely due and payable for their seuerall Copyholds and if any of the said Copyholds for which any interequit rent is now paâ—d shall hereafter come into seuerall hands the rent thereof An entire quit-rent come into seuerall hands shal be apportioned shall be then apportioned by the homage at the Court of the Mannor whereof the same are holden and so much onely as by the homage shal be appointed to be paid prorata shall be paid to the Lord for the time being Item All and euery Copyhold Tenant of the 3 At what Courts Tennants are bound to appeare said Mannors or either of them which now be or hereafter for the time being shal be ought to appeare yeerely at two generall Courts holden for the Mannor wherof his lands or Tenements are holden vpon warning as hereafter followeth And also so many of them at all other set or appointed Courts set appointed and kept for the said Mannor wherof their lands are holdâ—n vnder the numbâ—r of eighteene as shall be for that purpose especially warned therevnto by the Reeue or his sufficient Deputy for the time being And â—he said Tenants shall there doe their suites and seruices according to their tenures except they be essoined licensed or haue some other lawfull excuse vpon the paine hereafter following which two generall Courts haue beene commonly kept and are to be kept yearely the one of them on Tuesday the ninth day after Easter day and the other about the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle vpon reasonable The two generall Courtes yearely held warning That is to say in the Churches and Chappels wâ—thin the said Mannors openly vpon the Sunday seuennight or Sunday fortnight before the day of such Court to be holden Item If any of the Coppyhold or customarie 4 Tennants fâ—iling to appeare and not essoyned or reason able excuse shal be amersed Tennants of the said Mannors or of either of them doe or shal make default of their appearance at any of the said two generall Courts to which their suites shall be due Or if such Copyhold Tenants as shal be especially and lawfully warned to appeare at any of the said set Couâ—ts in forme aforesaid yearely to bee holden doe make default to which the said suiteâ—s or shal be due and warning openly giuen as aforesaid of the day and place of the holding of the same generall Courts and vpon speciall and lawfull warning to be giuen for the said seuerall set or purchased Courts that then they that shall so make default except they be essoyned or haue some other lawfull or reasonable excuse shal be amerced by the Homage of the said Court to be taxed and affered by two afferors of the said Court That is to say by two Tenants of the Homage whereof the Steward of the said Mannors or of either of them for the time being hath alwaies vsed to choose and shall choose one for the Lord and the residue of the homage haue chosen and hereafter shall choose the other Item If any Tenant be summoned to apeare at 5 What the tennants are to be allowed at set Courts any set Court or Courts to bee holden within the said Mannors or in any of them doth appeare vpon the said Sommons he ought and is to haue for his paines foure pence and his dinner or eight pence and no dinner which ought and is by the said custome to bee paid by such person or persons who shall be the cause that any such Tenants doe appeare for his or their matter so it be not any matter or cause that concerneth an enquâ—rie or presentment to be made onely concerning the Lord for the time being his heires or assignes Item The Coppyhold Tennants of the said 6 The like allowance for view parâ—icions and and other summons Mannors and of either of them ought to haue euery of them like allowance vpon euery view by them to be made and vpon euery petition by them to be made or vpon other Sommons to appeare betwixt Tenant and Tenant when they bee appointed thereunto by precept from the Steward of the said Mannors or of either of them for
of all and euery the persons named parties to the said Indenture holden by copie of Court Roll are and ought to be certaine and not arbitrarie or at the will of the Lord. And the Lord or Lords of the said Mannors or of either of them ought to haue and take Fines vpon admittances as hereafter What fines are due followeth and not other or greater That is to say vpon the admission of the heire or heires after a discent for euery acre of land of what nature or kinde so euer sixteene pence and so after that rate for greater or lesser quantities of Land And vpon admission of one person onely after any Surrender the like somme of sixteene pence for euery acre and so after that rate for euery greater or lesser quantitie of land But if more then one person be admitted after or vpon any Surrender Then If more then one Person be admitted then c. euery of the same persons are to pay halfe so much as one person ought to pay and not more Likewise vpon admission of the heire or heires after a discent for euery Messuage customarie with the Courts Yards Easements Orchards and Gardens therevnto belonging for a Fine the somme of thirteene shillings foure pence and not more And for a dwelling house called a Tenement with the Courts Yards Orchards Easements and Gardens therevnto belonging the somme of ten shillings and not more and for a cottage vsed for dwelling with easements and gardens therevnto belonging or without garden and not demised for more then three pounds by the yeere the somme of twenty pence But for a building not vsed for a dwelling house so much onely as according to the quantitie of the land after the rate of sixteene What fine for a building not vsed for a dwelling house pence the acre And for greater cottages vsed for dwelling and which shall be let for aboue three pounds by the yeere with the Courts Yards Orchards Gardens and Easements therevnto belonging the somme of ten shillings And the like is of Messuages Tenements and Cottages hereafter to be built And vpon or after any Surrender at the admission the like Fines are to be paide for one person But if any Surrender be made by Admission of man and wife a whole fine any person or persons to a man and his wife then a whole fine is to be paid for the husband and halfe a fine is to be paide for the wife And if more persons be admitted vpon one Surrender then euery of the same persons are to pay for Fine halfe so much as one person ought to pay and not more All acres are to bee accoâ—pted according to the statute or ordinance de terris mensurandis and orchards and gardens not belonging to such Messuages Tenements or Cottages are to pay as lands according to the quantitie thereof according to the rate aforesaid And parts of Messuages The fines must be entred in the margent of the coppies see article 19. parts of Tenements and parts of Cottages are to pay for Fines respectiuely in regard of the whole according to the rate of the whole And all fines paid are to be set downe and expressed in the copie of the Court Roll thereof or in the margent of the same copie And if any question or doubt shall hereafter arise about the discerning and true estimation what or which be or ought to bee accompted a Messuage and what or which a dwelling house called atenement and what or which a Cottage The same is to bee referred to the Homage of the Mannor at the next generall Court and by the same to be tryed ordered determined and presented according to such presentments fines are to be paid 27 The Lord is to allowe of all Surr made according to thes articles Item The Lord or Lords of the said Mannors or either of them and their and euery of their Stewards for the time being shall and ought to accept and allow of all and euery Surrender and Surrenders to be made of any the lands tenements or hereditaments whereof any of the persons named parties to the said Indenture are seised as copy holders according to the tenour intent and true meaning of these Schedules and the Articles therein contained So as the parties Surrendering be not before that time by the Homage of the same Mannor presented and found to haue made or committed some matter of forfeiture of those lands and tenements so Surrendred contrarie to the customes and articles in these Schedules expressed or some or one of them And the Lord of the same Mannor by his Steward for such fine as in or for such things is before expressed shal grant the same copyhold Lands Tenements and hereditaments so Surrendred according to the tenor vse and intent of the same Surrender And shall duely admit such person or persons to whom or to whose vse such Surrenders shal be made Item If the Lord or Lords of the said Mannors 28 If the Lord refuse to admiâ—â— then c. or either of them or his or their Steward for the time being shall refuse to admit any person or persons to whom or to whose vse such Surrender as in the precedent Article is expressed shal be made or shall refuse to admit such person or persons to whom any of the said copyhold or customarie or reputed copyhold or customarie lands tenements or hereditaments shall discend according to the custome of the said Mannors and true meaning of these Schedules Then the person sâ— not admitted paying or tendering to the Lord or his Reeue fine or fines for the same according to the true meaning of these Schedules shall and may into such Lands Tenements or Hereditaments so surrendred or discended respectiuely enter and the same quietly haue hold and enioy as freely and in such sort as if he or they had beene therevnto lawfully admitted and not otherwise Item If any man make a Surrender onely to 29 Surren to make the wife a ioincture the intent to make his wife a ioynture or to assure it to his wife for terme of her life or during her widdowhood not altering the estate of the Inheritance then for the fine of the same or any admittance therevpon there shal be paid but halfe a fine for the same things so Surrendred That is to say halfe so much as one person should pay vpon admittance according to the true meaning of these Schedules And the like is to be vsed where the husband and wife make a Surrender of the lands of the wife to the end only to make an estate thereof to the husband ioyntly with his wife or to the husband for terme of his life in possession or Remainder And likewise by the said custome for euery Tenant that shal be admitted in Reuersion or Remainder expectant vpon the estate of any particuler Tenant for life in taile or for yeeres granted by copie the same is but halfe so much as it is
serue the said office the moyetie of the said Fine or Fines respectiuely to be by him defaulked and retained in his accompt and by the Lord of that Mannor vpon the same Reeues accompt And be by him retayned at his accompting whensoeuer he shall accompt for the same to be allowed Item If any Copyholder that shall accept and 41 In what cases the Lord may seese the Reeues lands execute the said office of Reeue shall refuse to satisfie and pay vnto the Lord the yeerely quitrents and Fines for admittances vpon alienations or discents wherewith such Reeue shall or may be lawfully charged by and according to the true meaning of these presents Or shall refuse to accompt with the Lord within two moneths next yeerely after Michaelmas hauing had the Rentall and estracts of Fines vpon admittances as aforesaid for that yeere by the space of two moneths Euery such Reeues lands and tenements that shal refuse so to accompt and pay the said rents and fines which he shall or may haue collected as aforesaid shal be seized into the Lords hands and the Lord shall and may take to his owne vse the issues and profits of his said lands and tenements vntill he shall pay vnto the Lord the rents and fines aforesaid and vntill he hath also satisfied and paid the Lord for And what he shall pay for his offence his said offence viz. being Reeue of Hackney sixe pounds thirteene shillings and foure pence And being Reeue of Stebunhuth ten pounds Neuerthelesse the Reeue ought not nor shall be charged or chargeable to answere any quitrents contained in any rentall or estracts vnlesse it appeare vnto him He is not to answere any quit-rents vnles he know the tennant or where the land lyeth by the rentall of the former Reeue or otherwise be made knowne vnto him by some of the Lords officers who is the tenant or where the land lyeth for or in respect of which the same quitrents ought to be paid Item No copyholder of the said Mannors or of 42 No Reeues within this coÌ„position shall be charged with the Leet or court baron otherwise then in the 41. article either of them being named parties to the said Indenture nor their heires or assignes ought or shall at any tune bee charged to collect or gather any of the amerciaments fines or other issues or profits of the Courts Leetes or Courts Baron holden within the said Mannors or of either of them or be chargeable to answere or accompt for the same to the Lord of the said Mannors or of either of them otherwise then in the last precedent Article is mentioned nor to prouide or allow for any dinners Nor prouide for any dinnerâ— either on the day or daies the Court Leete shal be holden vpon or on the day or dayes of the two generall Courts But are and shal be thereof for euer freed and discharged Except that such tenant Except c. or his heires shall hereafter purchase or haue other customary lands then those that the said persons named parties to the said Indenture or some or one of them the said persons doe now hold which shal be worth to bee sold at the least two hundred pounds of lawfull money of England or shal be of the cleere yerely value of twenty pounds of like money Item Euery one of the said customarie tennants 43 What tennants may be chosen Recues named parties to the said Indenture whose lands Tenements and Hereditaments holden by Copie of Court Roll of either of the said Mannors are worth sixeteene pounds of like mony as aforesaid by the yeere to be let or two hundred pounds to be sold by the estimation and presentment of the Homage of the same Mannor shall beare the office of Reeue of and for such of the said Mannors whereof he shal be a Tenant by copie of Court Roll and for which hee shal be chosen and appointed Reeue as aforesaid when his or their time and course doth come Item Euery of the said Reeues is to be allowed 44 What allowances the Reeue is to haue of the Lord. of the said Lord or Lords for the executing of the said office for one yeere as followeth viz. the Reeue of Stebunhuth three pounds sixe shillings and eight pence and six shillings eight pence more for and in respect of an allowance of a coate cloth to the said Reeue And the Reeue of Hackney fiftie three shillings and foure pence and sixe shillings eight pence more for and in respect of an allowance of a coate cloth to the same Reeue and all other commodities due and incident to the said office for either of them or vsed heretofore to be paid to the said Reeue by any the Tenants of the said Mannors respectiuely Item The Reeues of the said Mannors and of either of them shall at the next generall Court after 45 The Reeue to deliuer the Rentall to his Successor To be amerced his yeere of seruice expired deliuer the rentall by which hee made his accompt to the Reeue that shall next succeede him vpon paine to bee amerced or fined by the Homage if hee shall not so doe Item All the customarie Tenants of the said 46 Copyholders may breake and digge their grounds fell downe timber woods suffer howsen â—â— decay without forfeicture Mannors and of either of them may breake and digge their copyhold grounds holden of the said Mannors and of either of them at his and their pleasure and fell and cut downe their timber and woods growing or that shall grow vpon the same and conuert it to their best vse and profit and may also suffer their Copyhold Tenements and houses to decay without incurring any seizure or forfeiture of their estates therefore or other paine and may take and pull downe their said Tenements and erect or set them vp againe either where they stood before or vpon any other lands holden by copy of Court Roll of the said Mannors But may not pull downe howsen to set them vpon free hold land or of either of them But they may not or shall not take or pull them downe to set them or any part of them vpon their owne Free-holds or vpon the Freeholds of any other 47 Copyholders may lopp trees growing vpon the wast before their howsen Item Euery of the said copyholders or reputed copyholders named parties to the said Indentures may lop and shred all such trees as grow before their houses or Tenements vpon the waste ground and the same conuert to their owne vse May dig grauell c. vpon the wast without any offence so the said trees stand for the defence of their houses yards or gardens and also may digge grauell sand clay and lome vpon the said waste grounds to build or repaire any of their copyhold Tenements within the said Mannors or in either of them without any licence So alwaies as euery of the said copyholders