office_n at_o westminster_n be_v preserve_v all_o the_o counterfoil_n of_o the_o tally_n range_v by_o month_n and_o year_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v easy_o find_v out_o to_o be_v join_v with_o their_o respective_a stock_n or_o tally_n there_o be_v also_o the_o chief_a usher_n of_o the_o exchequer_n a_o office_n of_o inheritance_n four_o vnder-vsher_n a_o marshal_n and_o six_o messenger_n as_o to_o the_o court_n of_o the_o duchy_n of_o lancaster_n also_o keep_v at_o westminster_n it_o concern_v particular_o the_o revenue_n belong_v to_o that_o duchy_n long_o since_o annex_v to_o the_o crown_n the_o chief_a judge_n of_o this_o court_n be_v the_o chancellor_n of_o the_o duchy_n assist_v by_o the_o attorney_n of_o the_o same_o next_o to_o who_o be_v the_o receiver_n general_n the_o vicechancellor_n of_o the_o duchy_n the_o two_o auditor_n the_o clerk_n of_o the_o duchy_n and_o a_o messenger_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o sheriff_n and_o their_o two_o court_n call_v the_o county-court_n and_o the_o sheriff_n turn_v of_o justice_n of_o peace_n and_o their_o quarter-session_n with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o grand_a jury_n of_o the_o coroner_n clerk_n of_o the_o market_n and_o their_o court_n for_o the_o civil_a government_n of_o county_n city_n town_n and_o village_n there_o be_v divers_a officer_n to_o who_o belong_v several_a court_n for_o the_o due_a administration_n of_o justice_n first_o in_o every_o county_n except_o durham_n and_o westmoreland_n there_o be_v a_o sheriff_n which_o be_v a_o yearly_a office_n the_o power_n whereof_o extend_v all_o over_o the_o county_n except_o such_o city_n and_o town_n as_o be_v county_n of_o themselves_o that_o be_v which_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o county_n in_o middlesex_n only_o there_o be_v two_o sheriff_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o london_n the_o capital_a city_n of_o the_o kingdom_n the_o sheriff_n be_v heretofore_o choose_v as_o knight_n of_o the_o shire_n by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o people_n but_o now_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o king_n after_o this_o manner_n first_o the_o judge_n nominate_v six_o fit_a man_n of_o each_o county_n that_o be_v knight_n or_o esquire_n of_o good_a estate_n out_o of_o that_o number_n three_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o privy_a counsellor_n and_o the_o twelve_o judge_n assemble_v in_o the_o exchequer_n and_o there_o swear_v in_o order_n to_o it_o and_o out_o of_o this_o number_n the_o king_n himself_o choose_v who_o he_o think_v fit_a heretofore_o the_o same_o sheriff_n serve_v many_o year_n together_o and_o to_o this_o day_n this_o office_n be_v hereditary_a to_o the_o clifford_n in_o the_o county_n of_o westmoreland_n by_o charter_n from_o king_n john_n the_o sheriff_n office_n be_v both_o ministerial_a and_o judicial_a as_o ministerial_a he_o be_v to_o execute_v the_o king_n mandate_n and_o all_o writ_n direct_v to_o he_o out_o of_o the_o king_n court_n to_o impannel_v jury_n to_o bring_v cause_n and_o criminal_n to_o trial_n and_o to_o see_v the_o sentence_n execute_v in_o short_a there_o be_v no_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n but_o by_o the_o sheriff_n for_o by_o he_o all_o suit_n begin_v and_o all_o process_n serve_v he_o be_v likewise_o to_o collect_v all_o public_a profit_n as_o tax_n fine_n distress_n and_o amerciament_n into_o the_o king_n exche_n quer_v or_o wherever_o the_o king_n shall_v appoint_v and_o to_o make_v such_o payment_n out_o of_o it_o as_o he_o shall_v have_v due_a order_n for_o at_o the_o assize_n he_o be_v to_o wait_v on_o and_o guard_v the_o itinerant_a judge_n so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v within_o the_o county_n as_o to_o the_o judicial_a part_n of_o his_o office_n he_o hold_v by_o virtue_n thereof_o two_o several_a court_n the_o one_o call_v the_o county-court_n and_o the_o other_o the_o sheriff_n turn_v the_o county-court_n be_v hold_v every_o month_n by_o the_o sheriff_n himself_o or_o his_o deputy_n the_o under_o sheriff_n wherein_o he_o hear_v and_o determine_v civil_a cause_n of_o the_o county_n under_o 40_o shilling_n which_o ancient_o be_v a_o considerable_a sum._n but_o this_o be_v no_o court_n of_o record_n the_o sheriff_n turn_v be_v hold_v twice_o a_o year_n viz._n within_o a_o month_n after_o easter_n and_o within_o a_o montâ—_n after_o michaelmas_n in_o this_o court_n he_o inquire_v of_o all_o criminal_a offence_n against_o the_o common_a law_n wherein_o he_o be_v not_o restrain_v by_o any_o statute_n for_o all_o the_o bishop_n earls_z baron_n and_o all_o such_o as_o have_v hundred_o of_o their_o own_o to_o be_v keep_v be_v exempt_v from_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o this_o court._n in_o short_a this_o be_v a_o court_n of_o record_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o it_o be_v the_o king_n leet_n through_o all_o the_o county_n whereof_o the_o sheriff_n be_v judge_n this_o court_n be_v incident_a to_o his_o office_n the_o justice_n of_o peace_n ancient_o call_v warden_n or_o guardian_n of_o the_o peace_n be_v such_o among_o the_o gentry_n and_o sometime_o among_o the_o clergy_n as_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o king_n commission_n to_o attend_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o county_n where_o they_o dwell_v their_o original_a be_v from_o the_o first_o year_n of_o edward_n the_o iii_o but_o they_o be_v not_o call_v justice_n till_o the_o 36th_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n their_o office_n be_v to_o call_v before_o they_o examine_v and_o commit_v to_o prison_n rioter_n wander_a rogue_n thief_n murderers_z false_a moneyer_n those_o that_o hold_v conspiracy_n and_o almost_o all_o delinquent_n that_o may_v occasion_v the_o breach_n of_o peace_n and_o quiet_a to_o the_o king_n subject_n and_o to_o see_v they_o bring_v forth_o in_o due_a time_n to_o trial._n if_o any_o one_o swear_v himself_o to_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o his_o life_n upon_o the_o threat_n of_o another_o he_o may_v bind_v he_o over_o to_o his_o good_a behaviour_n and_o the_o justice_n shall_v commit_v he_o to_o prison_n unless_o the_o find_v good_a security_n for_o his_o good_a behaviour_n during_o a_o year_n and_o a_o day_n among_o the_o justice_n of_o peace_n the_o number_n whereof_o be_v as_o his_o majesty_n think_v fit_a there_o be_v some_o particular_o call_v justice_n of_o the_o quorum_fw-la from_o these_o word_n in_o the_o commission_n quorum_fw-la a.b._n unum_fw-la esse_fw-la volumus_fw-la as_o for_o example_n where_o a_o commission_n be_v direct_v to_o seven_o person_n or_o any_o three_o of_o they_o whereof_o a.b._n and_o c.d._n to_o be_v two_o these_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o the_o quorum_fw-la because_o the_o rest_n can_v proceed_v without_o they_o so_o that_o a_o justice_n of_o peace_n and_o quorum_fw-la be_v one_o without_o who_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o justice_n in_o some_o case_n can_v proceed_v every_o quarter_n or_o three_o month_n the_o justice_n of_o each_o county_n meet_v at_o the_o chief_a or_o shire_n town_n from_o whence_o this_o court_n come_v to_o be_v call_v the_o quarter_n session_n where_o the_o grand_a inquest_n or_o jury_n of_o the_o county_n be_v summon_v to_o appear_v who_o upon_o oath_n be_v to_o inquire_v of_o malefactor_n rioter_n and_o suspect_v person_n the_o g_z and_o jury_n do_v common_o consist_v of_o 24_o grave_n and_o substantial_a gentleman_n or_o some_o of_o the_o better_a sort_n or_o yeoman_n choose_v indifferent_o or_o at_o least_o ought_v so_o to_o be_v by_o the_o sheriff_n out_o of_o the_o whole_a shire_n to_o consider_v of_o all_o bill_n of_o indictment_n prefer_v to_o the_o court._n which_o bill_n they_o do_v either_o approve_v by_o write_v upon_o they_o billa_z vera_n or_o disallow_v by_o endorse_v ignoramus_n present_o upon_o the_o allowance_n of_o a_o bill_n the_o party_n concern_v be_v say_v to_o be_v indict_v and_o be_v commit_v to_o prison_n but_o what_o bill_n be_v disallow_v be_v deliver_v to_o the_o bench_n by_o who_o they_o be_v forthwith_o cancel_v or_o tear_v if_o the_o approve_a bill_n touch_v life_n and_o death_n they_o be_v further_o refer_v to_o another_o jury_n to_o be_v consider_v of_o because_o the_o case_n be_v of_o such_o importance_n but_o other_o of_o light_a moment_n be_v proceed_v upon_o by_o fine_v the_o delinquent_n without_o any_o more_o ado_n unless_o the_o party_n traverse_v the_o indictment_n or_o challenge_v it_o for_o insufficiency_n or_o remove_v the_o cause_n to_o a_o high_a court_n by_o certiorari_fw-la in_o which_o two_o former_a case_n it_o be_v refer_v to_o another_o jury_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a transmit_v to_o a_o high_a court._n in_o short_a the_o trial_n be_v usual_o refer_v to_o the_o next_o assize_n when_o the_o judge_n at_o westminster_n go_v their_o circuit_n original_o this_o court_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v erect_v only_o for_o matter_n touch_v the_o peace_n but_o now_o it_o extend_v much_o further_a the_o sheriff_n or_o his_o under-sheriff_n be_v bind_v to_o attend_v upon_o this_o court_n with_o his_o constable_n bailiff_n etc._n
the_o king_n court_n because_o the_o authority_n thereof_o original_o belong_v to_o the_o crown_n in_o short_a this_o court_n first_o derive_v from_o the_o sheriff_n turn_v be_v ordinary_o keep_v but_o twice_o a_o year_n and_o that_o at_o certain_a time_n but_o there_o be_v another_o court_n incident_a to_o every_o manor_n call_v court-baron_n because_o in_o ancient_a time_n every_o lord_n of_o a_o manor_n be_v style_v baron_n to_o this_o court_n be_v all_o the_o tenant_n summon_v that_o belong_v to_o the_o manor_n where_o part_n of_o the_o tenant_n be_v swear_v make_v a_o jury_n which_o be_v not_o call_v the_o inquest_n but_o the_o homage_n here_o the_o steward_n sit_v as_o judge_n and_o direct_v the_o jury_n to_o inquire_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v proper_a for_o this_o court._n and_o these_o principal_o inquire_v of_o copy-holders_n and_o freeholders_n that_n be_v dead_a since_o the_o last_o court_n and_o bring_v in_o their_o heir_n and_o next_o successor_n they_o likewise_o inquire_v of_o any_o encroachment_n or_o intrusion_n of_o tenant_n against_o the_o lord_n or_o among_o themselves_o they_o also_o make_v order_n and_o law_n among_o themselves_o with_o a_o penalty_n annex_v for_o transgressor_n payable_a to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o manor_n in_o short_a these_o court_n be_v of_o great_a use_n for_o man_n that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v order_v by_o their_o neighbour_n and_o who_o prefer_v their_o quiet_a and_o advantage_n in_o husbandry_n to_o the_o trouble_v and_o charge_n of_o law-suit_n otherwise_o either_o party_n may_v procure_v a_o writ_n out_o of_o a_o high_a court_n to_o remove_v the_o plea_n to_o westminster_n courts-baron_n may_v be_v hold_v every_o three_o week_n or_o at_o any_o long_a time_n according_a to_o the_o lord_n pleasure_n i_o conclude_v with_o constable_n call_v in_o some_o place_n headborough_n and_o in_o other_o tithing-man_n who_o office_n be_v only_o ministerial_a these_o man_n say_v sir_n thomas_n smith_n be_v former_o call_v custodes_fw-la pacis_fw-la or_o guardian_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o be_v in_o much_o great_a esteem_n than_o they_o be_v now_o who_o power_n and_o authority_n he_o suppose_v to_o have_v be_v equal_a with_o that_o of_o the_o present_a justice_n of_o peace_n lambert_n look_v upon_o this_o office_n as_o a_o stream_n of_o that_o great_a dignity_n lodge_v in_o the_o lord_n high_a constable_n of_o england_n out_o of_o this_o high_a magistracy_n say_v he_o be_v draw_v those_o low_a constable_n which_o we_o call_v constable_n of_o hundred_o and_o franchise_n first_o ordain_v by_o the_o statute_n of_o winchester_n 13_o ed._n i._n which_o appoint_v for_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o peace_n and_o view_v of_o armour_n two_o constable_n in_o every_o hundred_o and_o franchise_n call_v in_o latin_a constabularii_fw-la capitales_fw-la in_o english_a high_z constables_z and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o increase_n both_o of_o people_n and_o offence_n other_o be_v make_v in_o process_n of_o time_n call_v petty_a constable_n which_o be_v of_o like_a nature_n but_o of_o inferior_a authority_n to_o the_o other_o the_o office_n of_o a_o constable_n be_v proper_o to_o apprehend_v such_o as_o break_v the_o peace_n and_o common_a malefactor_n and_o even_a person_n suspect_v of_o any_o crime_n upon_o a_o charge_n give_v they_o or_o a_o warrant_n for_o it_o from_o a_o justice_n for_o a_o badge_n of_o his_o authority_n he_o carry_v a_o long_a staff_n paint_v with_o the_o king_n arm_n and_o for_o a_o surprise_n sometime_o he_o use_v a_o short_a staff_n which_o he_o hide_v till_o he_o think_v it_o convenient_a to_o produce_v it_o the_o party_n apprehend_v he_o keep_v in_o his_o custody_n till_o he_o can_v bring_v he_o before_o a_o justice_n of_o peace_n who_o upon_o a_o strict_a examination_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o hear_v of_o the_o evidence_n commit_v the_o party_n to_o prison_n if_o he_o see_v cause_n in_o order_n to_o his_o trial._n upon_o which_o the_o constable_n conduct_n he_o to_o prison_n and_o there_o deliver_v he_o to_o the_o gaolers_n custody_n with_o the_o committimus_fw-la direct_v by_o the_o justice_n of_o peace_n to_o the_o jailer_n and_o the_o party_n must_o in_o prison_n till_o the_o justice_n of_o peace_n do_v meet_v either_o at_o their_o quarter-session_n or_o at_o their_o goal-delivery_n when_o the_o prisoner_n be_v by_o law_n either_o condemn_v or_o acquit_v when_o he_o be_v upon_o duty_n and_o about_o to_o apprehend_v one_o he_o may_v call_v his_o neighbour_n to_o aid_v and_o whoever_o decline_v to_o give_v he_o assistance_n be_v liable_a by_o law_n to_o punishment_n in_o case_n of_o theft_n robbery_n or_o murder_n in_o a_o country_n town_n or_o village_n and_o the_o malefactor_n be_v upon_o flight_n the_o constable_n have_v notice_n of_o it_o be_v to_o raise_v the_o parish_n in_o pursuit_n of_o he_o and_o this_o be_v call_v hue_n and_o cry_n if_o the_o malefactor_n be_v not_o find_v in_o the_o parish_n the_o constable_n and_o his_o assistant_n be_v to_o go_v to_o the_o next_o to_o get_v the_o hue_n and_o cry_v raise_v there_o by_o the_o constable_n of_o it_o in_o this_o manner_n the_o hue_n and_o cry_n be_v carry_v from_o parish_n to_o parish_n till_o the_o criminal_a be_v find_v and_o that_o parish_n which_o do_v not_o do_v its_o duty_n but_o give_v way_n by_o its_o negligence_n for_o the_o malefactor_n escape_v be_v not_o only_o to_o pay_v a_o fine_a to_o the_o king_n but_o must_v repay_v to_o the_o party_n rob_v his_o damage_n when_o the_o malefactor_n be_v take_v he_o be_v present_o carry_v by_o the_o constable_n or_o any_o other_o by_o who_o he_o be_v apprehend_v to_o a_o justice_n of_o peace_n who_o examine_v the_o malefactor_n write_v the_o examination_n and_o if_o he_o do_v confess_v his_o confession_n then_o he_o bind_v the_o party_n rob_v or_o he_o that_o sue_v together_o with_o the_o constable_n and_o so_o many_o as_o can_v give_v evidence_n against_o the_o malefactor_n to_o appear_v at_o the_o next_o session_n of_o goal-delivery_n there_o to_o give_v their_o evidence_n for_o the_o king_n he_o bind_v they_o in_o a_o recognizance_n of_o 10._o 20._o 30._o 40._o or_o 100_o l._n more_fw-it or_o less_o according_a to_o his_o discretion_n and_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o crime_n which_o be_v certify_v under_o his_o hand_n fail_v not_o to_o be_v levy_v upon_o recognizance_n if_o they_o fail_v of_o be_v there_o thus_o the_o constable_n which_o former_o have_v much_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o our_o modern_a justice_n of_o peace_n be_v now_o subservient_fw-fr to_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n either_o to_o bring_v the_o criminal_n before_o they_o or_o to_o carry_v they_o by_o their_o command_n to_o the_o common_a prison_n and_o according_o this_o office_n do_v common_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o tradesman_n and_o artificer_n and_o man_n of_o small_a experience_n and_o ability_n who_o hold_v it_o for_o a_o year_n there_o be_v common_o two_o of_o they_o to_o each_o parish_n choose_v by_o the_o vestry_n but_o the_o hard_a part_n of_o their_o office_n in_o london_n especial_o be_v their_o watch_v a_o night_n and_o walk_v the_o round_n in_o their_o several_a parish_n but_o then_o they_o have_v the_o chief_a command_n of_o the_o watch_n and_o because_o seldom_o a_o great_a power_n appear_v abroad_o at_o that_o time_n therefore_o a_o constable_n come_v to_o be_v call_v the_o king_n of_o the_o night_n chap._n ix_o of_o the_o assize_n beside_o the_o public_a justice_n administer_v at_o four_o time_n of_o the_o year_n in_o westminster_n both_o for_o civil_a and_o criminal_a cause_n the_o twelve_o judge_n take_v twice_o a_o year_n a_o progress_n in_o the_o country_n and_o exercise_v their_o judicial_a power_n in_o the_o several_a county_n the_o king_n be_v please_v to_o appoint_v they_o for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o year_n fix_v for_o it_o be_v present_o after_o the_o end_n of_o hilary-term_n and_o after_o the_o end_n of_o trinity_n term_n that_o be_v call_v the_o lent_n and_o this_o the_o summer_n assizes_n in_o relation_n to_o which_o england_n be_v divide_v into_o six_o part_n call_v circuit_n viz._n 1._o home-circuit_n comprehend_v essex_n hartford_n sussex_n surrey_n kent_n 2._o norfolk_z circuit_n comprehend_v buck_n bedford_n huntingdon_n cambridge_n norfolk_n suffolk_n 3._o midland_n circuit_n comprehend_v warwick_n leicester_n derby_n nottingham_n lincoln_n rutland_n northampton_n 4._o oxford_n circuit_n comprehend_v berks_n oxon_n gloucester_n monmouth_n hereford_n salop_n stafford_n worcester_z 5._o western_a circuit_n comprehend_v southampton_n wilts_n dorset_n somerset_z cornwall_n devon_n 6._o northern_a circuit_n comprehend_v york_n durham_n northumberland_n cumberland_n westmoreland_n lancaster_n beside_o the_o two_o circuit_n for_o wales_n viz._n north_n and_o south_n wales_n for_o each_o of_o which_o two_o sergeant_n at_o law_n be_v appoint_v now_o these_o court_n be_v call_v assize_n and_o the_o judge_n
thereof_o justice_n of_o assize_n from_o their_o commission_n of_o assize_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o they_o be_v to_o do_v right_o upon_o writ_n call_v assize_n and_o bring_v before_o they_o by_o such_o as_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v wrongful_o thrust_v out_o of_o their_o land_n the_o writ_n so_o call_v 1._o because_o they_o settle_v the_o possession_n and_o so_o a_o outward_a right_n in_o he_o that_o obtain_v by_o they_o 2._o because_o they_o be_v original_o execute_v at_o a_o certain_a time_n and_o place_n former_o appoint_v 3._o for_o that_o they_o be_v try_v common_o by_o special_a court_n appoint_v for_o that_o purpose_n but_o beside_o this_o commission_n there_o be_v four_o other_o by_o which_o these_o itinerant_a judge_n administer_v justice_n in_o the_o country_n as_o the_o commission_n to_o take_v nisiprius_a direct_v to_o none_o but_o the_o judge_n themselves_o and_o their_o clerk_n of_o assize_n by_o which_o they_o be_v call_v justice_n of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la which_o be_v a_o common_a adjournment_n of_o a_o cause_n in_o the_o common_a plea_n to_o put_v it_o off_o to_o such_o a_o day_n nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la justiciarii_fw-la venerint_fw-la ad_fw-la eas_fw-la part_n ad_fw-la capiendas_fw-la assisas_n from_o which_o word_n nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la the_o writ_n come_v to_o be_v call_v a_o writ_n of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la the_o justice_n justice_n of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o assize_n yet_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o as_o justice_n of_o assize_n they_o have_v power_n to_o give_v judgement_n in_o a_o cause_n whereas_o justice_n of_o nisi_fw-la prius_fw-la take_v only_o the_o verdict_n beside_o that_o those_o in_o a_o strict_a sense_n meddle_v only_o with_o the_o possessory_a writ_n call_v assize_n but_o these_o do_v deal_v in_o cause_n both_o real_a and_o personal_a another_o be_v a_o commission_n of_o peace_n in_o every_o county_n of_o the_o circuit_n but_o the_o large_a commission_n of_o all_o be_v that_o of_o oyer_n and_o terminer_n direct_v to_o the_o judge_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o best_a account_n in_o their_o circuit_n but_o in_o this_o commission_n the_o judge_n of_o assize_n be_v of_o the_o quorum_fw-la so_o as_o without_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o proceed_n this_o commission_n give_v they_o power_n to_o judge_v of_o treason_n murder_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o felony_n and_o misdemeanour_n last_o they_o have_v a_o commission_n of_o goal_n delivery_n direct_v only_o to_o themselves_o and_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o assize_n associate_v by_o which_o commission_n they_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o every_o prisoner_n in_o goal_n for_o what_o offence_n soever_o he_o be_v there_o now_o these_o court_n be_v usual_o hold_v at_o the_o principal_a town_n of_o every_o county_n with_o great_a pomp_n splendour_n and_o feast_v two_o judge_n be_v appoint_v for_o every_o circuit_n then_o the_o sheriff_n of_o the_o county_n be_v bind_v to_o attend_v in_o person_n with_o his_o under-officer_n the_o clerk_n steward_n of_o court_n bailiff_n of_o hundred_o constable_n jailer_n sergeant_n or_o beadle_n and_o a_o gallant_a train_n of_o servant_n in_o rich_a livery_n all_o ride_v on_o horseback_n at_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o judge_n who_o they_o wait_v on_o and_o guard_v so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o county_n if_o the_o sheriff_n can_v come_v himself_o he_o must_v depute_v one_o to_o fill_v up_o his_o place_n who_o be_v to_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o judge_n the_o justice_n of_o peace_n be_v also_o to_o wait_v on_o the_o judge_n and_o if_o either_o the_o sheriff_n or_o they_o fail_v in_o this_o part_n of_o their_o duty_n without_o lawful_a impediment_n the_o judge_n may_v set_v a_o fine_a upon_o he_o or_o they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o discretion_n the_o dispatch_n of_o these_o itinerant_a judge_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n in_o their_o several_a circuit_n be_v worthy_a our_o observation_n for_o within_o each_o county_n all_o controversy_n grow_v to_o issue_n in_o the_o court_n at_o london_n be_v common_o determine_v here_o in_o two_o or_o three_o day_n which_o be_v do_v not_o as_o in_o foreign_a country_n by_o the_o sole_a arbitrement_n of_o the_o judge_n but_o by_o a_o jury_n of_o twelve_o man_n in_o each_o county_n choose_v by_o the_o sheriff_n thereof_o and_o only_o direct_v in_o point_n of_o law_n by_o the_o judge_n for_o every_o trial_n by_o assize_n be_v the_o action_n civil_a or_o criminal_a public_a or_o private_a personal_a or_o real_a be_v refer_v for_o the_o fact_n to_o a_o jury_n as_o it_o be_v in_o most_o court_n of_o the_o common_a law_n and_o as_o they_o find_v it_o so_o pass_v the_o judgement_n the_o way_n of_o try_v criminal_n in_o england_n be_v something_o singular_a and_o different_a from_o other_o nation_n it_o will_v not_o be_v improper_a after_o that_o excellent_a and_o most_o ingenious_a author_n sir_n thomas_n smith_n to_o show_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o be_v it_o but_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o foreiner_n how_o criminal_n be_v take_v into_o custody_n in_o order_n to_o their_o trial_n and_o how_o the_o same_o be_v indict_v at_o the_o quarter-session_n i_o have_v already_o show_v the_o indictment_n be_v no_o definitive_a sentence_n but_o only_o praejudicium_fw-la or_o the_o opinion_n the_o country_n have_v of_o the_o malefactor_n case_n therefore_o man_n be_v often_o indict_v in_o their_o absence_n but_o no_o man_n once_o indict_v can_v be_v deliver_v without_o a_o arraignment_n for_o as_o a_o jury_n of_o twelve_o man_n have_v give_v a_o prejudice_n against_o he_o so_o twelve_o again_o must_v acquit_v or_o condemn_v he_o at_o the_o assize_n the_o judge_n sit_v either_o in_o the_o townhouse_n or_o in_o a_o open_a place_n where_o a_o tribunal_n be_v set_v up_o for_o judgement_n the_o judge_n sit_v in_o the_o middle_n the_o principal_a justice_n of_o peace_n on_o each_o side_n of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o degree_n and_o the_o rest_n on_o a_o low_a bench_n before_o the_o judge_n seat_n something_o lower_v a_o table_n be_v set_v before_o they_o at_o which_o the_o custos_fw-la rotulorum_fw-la or_o keeper_n of_o writ_n the_o under-sheriff_n the_o escheater_n and_o the_o clerk_n do_v sit_v near_o the_o table_n there_o be_v a_o bar_n for_o the_o jury_n to_o come_v in_o when_o they_o be_v call_v and_o behind_o that_o space_n another_o bar_n for_o the_o prisoner_n to_o stand_v at_o who_o be_v bring_v thither_o in_o chain_n then_o the_o crier_n cry_v and_o command_v silence_n one_o of_o the_o judge_n make_v a_o short_a speech_n wherein_o he_o declare_v among_o other_o thing_n the_o cause_n of_o their_o come_n his_o speech_n be_v no_o soon_o end_v but_o the_o prisoner_n be_v call_v in_o by_o name_n and_o every_o one_o must_v answer_v to_o his_o name_n then_o the_o keeper_n of_o the_o writ_n produce_v the_o inditement_n and_o the_o judge_n name_v one_o or_o two_o or_o three_o of_o the_o prisoner_n indict_v to_o proceed_v upon_o their_o trial._n the_o clerk_n bid_v one_o of_o they_o come_v to_o the_o bar_n and_o hold_v up_o his_o hand_n then_o he_o charge_v he_o with_o his_o crime_n to_o which_o he_o bid_v he_o answer_v guilty_a or_o not_o guilty_a if_o the_o prisoner_n stand_v mute_a and_o will_v not_o answer_v after_o he_o have_v be_v once_o or_o twice_o so_o interrogated_a which_o happen_v very_o seldom_o he_o be_v judged_n mute_n or_o dumb_a by_o contumacy_n the_o punishment_n whereof_o be_v to_o be_v press_v to_o death_n of_o which_o more_o afterward_o if_o the_o prisoner_n cry_v guilty_a which_o be_v but_o seldom_o too_o his_o trial_n be_v over_o and_o all_o the_o business_n be_v to_o pronounce_v sentence_n upon_o he_o according_a to_o law_n but_o the_o common_a answer_n be_v not_o guilty_a though_o the_o party_n be_v never_o so_o apparent_o guilty_a and_o his_o answer_n be_v perhaps_o contrary_a to_o his_o confession_n of_o the_o fact_n before_o the_o justice_n of_o peace_n by_o who_o he_o be_v examine_v and_o commit_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o flatter_v himself_o that_o he_o may_v chance_v to_o come_v off_o for_o want_n of_o right_a evidence_n for_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v so_o tender_a of_o man_n life_n that_o unless_o the_o evidence_n which_o be_v upon_o their_o oath_n be_v positive_a and_o clear_a against_o any_o prisoner_n he_o may_v come_v off_o upon_o the_o prisoner_n plead_n not_o guilty_a the_o clerk_n ask_v he_o whether_o he_o will_v be_v try_v by_o god_n and_o the_o country_n if_o he_o answer_v yes_o the_o clerk_n tell_v he_o he_o have_v be_v indict_v of_o such_o a_o crime_n etc._n etc._n that_o he_o have_v plead_v not_o guilty_a to_o it_o â—nd_v that_o be_v ask_v how_o he_o will_v be_v try_v he_o have_v answer_v by_o god_n and_o the_o country_n then_o he_o tell_v he_o of_o the_o jury_n present_a that_o represent_v the_o