The articles of lete and courte for the lyberties of Southwarke

ARTICLES .

FYRST , you shal inquire and true presentmente make , by the othes that ye haue taken of all youre Hedboroughes , with there decennaryes and other offycers , with al other persons and resyentes that oughte to be here at thys Courte and lawe daye , and yf any of them make default ye shall present theyr names .

Also ye shall inquire yf anye rightefull custome or lawefull duetye , as hed Siluer , common fyne , or smoke money , as commenlye ( men call it ) be withholden or withdrawen from the Lorde of thys Courte and lete , howe long it hath bene withholden , by whom , and in what baylyffes tyme it seased , and by whose procurement and in whose defaulte and presente their names , that proces maye be made out of this courte to restore and recouer the same againe .

Also ye shall further inquire , what ye paye for your common fyne , or Sheriffes yelde , in carten , at thys daye , and whither it hath bene gathered amongest you as it hath bene vsed and accustomed before thys tyme , and be redye to be payde in Courte .

Also ye shall inquire for Gods part and behalfe of all Heretykes , and Lolleres , and of al theym that preache , teach , and kepe any erromous and heretical opinions , contrary to the catholike faith of Chryst , and of the Quenes Maiesties godly procedynges , and of their adherentes and scoles : Heretikes be they properly that hold any erronious opinions agaynste the faythe of Chryst and ordynaunces lefully vsed in the churche : And Lollers be they that eate fleshe in times of abstinence , and prohibited by the lawe of holye Churche , that be not Sicke or weke or haue any lycence for the same .

Also ye shall inquire of all traytours both by the common law , & by the statute law : A traytor by the common lawe , is properly , he that doth counterfeyte and make false money , or doth clyppe the Quenes coyne , wasshers or demynyshers of the same coine or any other lawful coine that is permitted and suffered to be curraunte within thys Realme , to the derogacion of the Quenes prorogatyue royall and indempnitye of her hyghnes Subiectes , Treason by the Statute is where a manne dothe counterfeyte the Queenes Seales or anye of theym , Signe manuell , stampe or signet for anye faulse intente or purpose : Pety Treason is wher the wyfe apprentys or seruaunte dothe kyll her husbande or the seruaunte or apprentyces hys mayster or anye other personne that owe the dutye , obedyence , or confydence to them .

Also ye shall inqnyre of all manner of murders , whereof somme be more haynous then some , as wylfull murder , whyche is of a malyce pretensed or lyinge in wayte to sleye a man , and accordynge to that malycyous intente and purpose , sleyeth hym soo that he whyche is slayne make no defence agaynst hym , yf anye manne do sley any by chaunce , that is mans slaughter whiche is felonye : and therefore yf the quenes highnes graunte to anye man a generall pardon , for all maner of felonyes , excepte it be contayned within the same , thys worde murder , he shal dye for the sayd murder , and of murders by mysfortune , murder in a mans owne defence .

Also ye shall inquyre of all maner of felonyes , Robberyes , and Burgularyes . Felony is yf a man take felonyously or wyth a felonious intente , anye manner of goodes , or Cattels , of any other person aboue the vale we of twelue pence , as money , Apparell , Oxen , Horsse , or Shepe , and suche other lyke thynges , for the whyche by the lawe of the Realme , he shal be takenne for a fellon , and suffer deathe , and forfeyt hys goodes , and Landes , Robberye is where a manne taketh wyth force from anye personne , eyther by nyghte or by daye , anye manner of thynge of anye valewe by the hyghe waye , way and putteth hym in feare of lyfe , or lyme for the whych he shal lose the benefytte of his cleargye , and shal dye by the newe statute , and forfeit as aforesayde , burgulary , is where a man with force feloniouslye doth breake anye mans house , wyndowe , or wall , and albeit he take nothyng , yet he shall dye , and lose the benefite of his cleargye , for that the lawe gyueth no man coloure to breake any mans house , for his house is his castell and sauegarde .

Also ye shall inquire of Rape , Rape is properlye where any man receaueth anye mans Wyfe , Wydowe , or Mayden , and hath carnallye to do with her agaynst her wyll : Yet although afterwarde she consent to the Acte , he shal be taken for au offend our in the same , and shal be iudged a rauysher and suffre for the same , for bycause it is at the N. sute .

Also , ye shal inquyre of al maner of accessaryes , as well before that felonye as of accessaryes after the felonye Accessary , before the felony is where anye personne procureth and causeth anye man to steale or robbe anye person althoughe he whych procureth thys Acte , be not at the deede doynge , yet he shall dye for it , aswell as he that doth the Acte in deede : Accessarye after the felony is where the acte is fyrste commytted and done , and afterwarde receaueth or taketh the thynge , soo stolyn , or helpeth to conuey hym , this is accessarye after theyr felonye , for the whyche he shall dye as wel as the accessarye before the felony : And of all them that be goers on message of anye suche felons whych be of the nature lykewyse of Accessaryes .

Also , ye shal inquire of Pety Larciny , that is to saye , of pety pykers , and stelers of thynges of smale valewe , as Hennes , Pygges , Geese , Capons , sheffes of Corne in the Felde , Pynnes , and Poyntes , vnder the vale we of twelue pence , for the whych he shall not dye , but otherwyse be ponyshed as by Whyppyng , and by Stockes , orotherwyse as shall seme to the discretion of theim that shal haue the Quenes lawes in gouernaunce and the examination thereof .

Also , ye shal inquyre yf any man hath taken the pryuylege of the Church for murder , in hys owne defence or felonye , and hath abiured to the next Sentuary , accordynge to the Statute laste made for abiuration , and retourned oute of the same into thys Lordeshyp , and hath not obtayned the Queenes pardon for the same .

Also , yf anye man hath bene arrested for suspicions of Felony , murder , or robbery : And hath ben lette at libertie without suffycient bayle takenne by two Iustyces , one of the Quorum , and another of Peace , accordynge to the lawe in that behalfe , the whyche is an escape in the lawe , in hym that soo dothe lette hym goo wyth oute bayle .

Also ye shall inquire of all Cutpurses , and pickepurses that repayre to anye fayres , or markettes or other lefull congregations , of the quenes subiectes , there & at that tyme , to picke steale and imbesyl any maner of money , or Iuels contrary to the law , agaynst them ordayned and prouyded .

Also , ye shal inquyre yf any man haue abiured the realme , for anye maner of offence of murder , felony , or robbery , & is retorned & dwelling here with out the Quenes pardon , whyche as a man with out the Queenes protexcion , and not meate to dwel among the Quenes subiects by the lawe .

Also ye shall inquire of al those that cut out mens tounges , put out mens eyes , contrary to the Statute in that behalfe , made and prouyded .

Also ye shall inquire yf any man haue made anye rescues vppon any of the Quenes officers in seruynge anye processe oute of thys court , or other wyse doynge theyr duetye , or yf any distresse be withholden that was lefullye strayned for any of the Quenes dueties or otherwyse .

Also ye shall inquire of al outecryes , and hues , made in the nyghte , to the disturbaunce of the Quenes Subiectes , beynge in Gods peace , and hers , wherby that such offenders may entre into theyr howses , when they are abrode to do or commit any murder , felony or Robbery , or anye other like offences contrary to the lawe .

Also , ye shal inquire of all assaultes , fraes , batteryes , and bloudshedes , done and committed against the Quenes peace , that is to sai , that he that with force or other acte commeth to any man , he maketh the assault : And he that draweth the fyrst weapon maketh the affray , and he that draweth the fyrst bloud is giltye of the bludshed .

Also , ye shal inquyre of all pounde and cage berkers , which is an offence , and fynable by the lawe , that is to say , the pound brech . v. li. and the cage breking is finable as in cases of rescus .

Also , you shal inquire of al theim that vse anye vnlawefull games , as Dyce , Cardes , Tables , Boulles , Clashe , Tennis , and other suche lyke prohybyted by dyuers statutes , and specyally by the last statute of Anno. xxxiii . Henr. viii .

Also ye shal inquire yf any man haue gyuen any Landes into Mortmayne , that is to say to any spirituall vse or perpetuities as Guyides , Fraternities , or any other lyke vse withoute the Quenes special lycence , hadde and obtayned for the same , the which landes be forfeit by the law . &c

Also ye shall inquire of all treasure troue within the precynte of thys lordeship , that is to say , yf any man haue found any Golde , & siluer , money , Plate , bullen or anye other Iewels , which is called properlye treasure , hydden and belongeth to the lorde of euery Lordshyp , where any such is founde .

Also ye shall inquire yf any man vse to kepe any market in the churche . or churchyarde , or anye other hallowed place whiche is prohybyted by the lawe .

Also ye shall inquire of all home Sokyns that is to say al such that with fasing & brasyng , come to mens dores or houses , & their brag and threaten anye of the Quenes subiectes , putting them in feare and dreade that they dare not come out of their dores , or sit in their shoppes , to ply theyr handy craftes & bodely labours .

Also ye shal inquire of al those that be of th age of .xii. yeares or aboue , & haue dwelt within this lordship , by the space of a yeare and a day , and be not sworne to be the quenes lyege people , and what person doth tetaine them that they may be commaunded to bring them in to be sworne .

Also ye shal inquire of al weyfes and strayes found and strayed into thys Lordshyp weyfes , is where anye man hath stolen anye thynge , and lost it within thys Lordeshoppe and is fiede and in whose hande it is : Strayes , is where any Cattell or beast commeth into thys lordeshyppe estraunge , and no man knoweth who is the owner .

Also ye shal inquyre of al regrators and forestallers , are grator is he that biech al the store of any thing in the markette to th intente to haue muche in hys owne handes , to make the pryce greate , Aforestaller is he that lyeth by the waye , and byeth any thyng before it come to the markette , wherby there commeth oftentimes a great scarutie and necessitie .

Also ye shall inquire of al those that vse to shoote in anye Crosbowe , that maye not dyspend one hundreth pound by the yeare , or shoote in any Handegonne contrary to the statute , that haue not a suffycyent plakette or lycence , for thet sauegarde in that behalfe , and that vse to sheote in them otherwyse then is lymytted in the sayde Statute .

Also ye shall inquyre of all theim that be vnder th age of three scoore yeare , and aboue the age of seuen yeares , whyther they vse there long bowes , as by dyuers and sondrye statutes , it is commaunded and prouyded : And that euerye mans sonne , seruaunte , and prentyses , haue a bowe and three arrowes at the least : Accordynge as in the laste Statute made the .xxxiii. yeare of kyng Henry the eight , it is mentioned .

Also ye shal inquire if anistraūger or alien to shute in any long bowe : for yf they doo , they be forfeyte : And it is laweful for any of the Quenes Subiectes to take them forfeyte .

Also ye shal inquire yf al Vacaboundes and valient Beggers , that come into thys lordeshyp to begge , hauing not the letters of lymitation of thys hundreth .

Also ye shall inquire of the Constables within this Lordeshyp , knoweth any Vacaboundes , resortyng or abydynge within this lordshyp , and will not put them in Stockes , therto abyde by the space of three dayes , and three nyghtes , gyuynge them no other sustenaunce but breade and water yf that vacabounde be personable to bere such dyate vpon payne of .xx. shyllnges for euerye defaulte .

Also ye shal in quire of al such persones as vse to geue anye of the sayde Vacaboundes , beynge in stockes , and maye bere the diate aforesayde , anye other sustenaunce then is afore rehersed for euerye person forfeyteth to the lorde twelue pence .

Also ye shal inquire of al euesdroppers and nyght walkers , that vse to stand at mennes doores , and wyndowes , to herken and here tales , what is said in a mans house , and cary tales from neyghbour to neyghbour , to sette theym at varyaunce .

Also ye shal inquire of all common hasserders , that is to say , of those that be masterles , and that no man can tel from whence they come and whither they wyll , and syt and play at dyce , cardes , and wache all nyght , and slepe all daye .

Also ye shall inquire of al petye Hosteryes , and blynde alehouses , that is to saye , they that kepe any lodging in their houses , and haue not a sygne at theyr dore , or sel ale , and be not auctorised by the Iustices and other officers .

Also ye shall inquire yf there be anye man that kepeth any Greyhounde , that may not dispende xl . s. by the yeare , or yf there be any prest that kepeth any Greyhounde that maye not dyspende ten pounde by the yeare .

Also ye shall inquire of all hunters , and Fawkeners , and takers of fesauntes , and partriges within the precincte of this lordeshyppe .

Also ye shal inquyre of al Fisshers , and Fowlers , within the precincte of thys Lordshyp , and specially of all them , that take Hernes , Culuers , and other foules of warren ,

Also ye shall inquire yf anye man haue incrochid vpon the Quenes hygh wayes , or other wayes in diminyshyng or imparyng the same , or any of them , for the inlarging of his own ground .

Also ye shal inquire of al Sewers , dyches , mylbers , and gutters , be scoured and purged so that they be not noyfull to the Quenes subsectes , or stoppe any water courses .

Also ye shal inquire of al purpresters , by water and by land , that is to say , of al them that do ley by water or by land any great tember logges , stone or donghiles by the which the Quenes liege people are letted or greued of there common passage .

Also ye shal inquire if anye Brydge be broken , or yf anye house , hedge , or pale , be caste downe and lie in the high way , wherby the Quenes liege people be letted of ther common passage to market , or to the churche or otherwyse .

Also ye shal inquire of al bond brekers and fyllers vp of dyches , that is to saye , of theym that remoueth any marke or mere stones , that is sette betwene the Quenes high waies , and other lordes grounde , abuttyng vpon the same .

Also ye shal inquire of all whight tawyers , that sell not good chafer , as they oughte to do resonable , and byeth their skyunes , in anye other places , then in townes , or markettes .

Also ye shal inquire of al Cordwainers , and Artyffecers , that make not good ware for the people as they ought to do .

Also ye shal inquire of al Bouchers , and Poulters , and other Vittellers , that is to say , yf any Boucher kyll and sell any corrupte bytayle , & sel to excessyuely in price , that is to saye , aboue a peny gaynes in a shyllyng , for they ought to haue no more by the St●tute : And the Poulter sel any corrupte or stale pultrye and vnholesome for mans bodye , and for to excessyue pryce .

Also ye shall inquyre yf the Fyshers , and other Vittelers , do bring to markette and sel good and holsesome , & seasonable fyshe for mans body , and lykewyse sell it not to excessyuelye .

Also ye shal inquire of all Bakers , that bake vnholesome breade , and breake the assile , and make not iiii . loues for a peni two loues for a peny , and one for a peny , & set not theyr markes vppon the sayde breade that it maye be knowen , whose breade it was .

Also ye shal inquire of all Brewers , that brewe not good and holsesome Bere and Ale , of good and sufficient strengthe , accordinge to the price of malte , and whither they sell anye oute of there dore before the ale taster haue tasted it , and therof haue set pryce , and whether it put to sale in vesselles marked with the Antonye Crosse or not .

Also ye shal inquire of all Huxsters , and Tapsters that sell Beare , Ale , and breade , by any vnlaweful dishes , booles , cuppes , & measures vnsealed wherby the Quenes liege people are dysceaued , not knowing what they haue .

Also ye shal inquire of al them that vse to sel by double or false waightes , and measures , that is to say , to by a great , and sel by a lesser , lackynge the iust weyght , length , gage , and quantiof the standerd .

Also ye shal inquire if al Brewers , haue theyr vessells marked with the Anthony Crosse , by the artiffycers of the compasse , and that the Bere barrell contayne .xxxvi. gallons , the Kylderkyn .xviii. the Ale barrell .xxxii. the kylderkin xvi . and other vesselles after that rate .

Also ye shal inquire of al Myllers , that vse to take to excessiue tole , otherwise then they ought to do of right according to the old custome and lawe .

Also ye shal inquire whither your cage , Stockes , or Cuckyng stole , be well and suffycyently repared & sufficient for the punyshment and saue kepyng , of offendors , & whyther your Buttes be well and sufficientlye made for the mayntenaunce and increase of Artyllarye .

Also ye shal inquyre and present al them that doth offende in the Statute of Apparell , made in the fyrst and second yeares of kyng Philyp and Quene Mary , that is to say , suche as do weare any Sylke , or veluet , in theyr hattes , cappes , sworde gyrdells , dagers sheathes , or spurre lethers , that be not worthe two hundreth poundes in goodes , or may not spend twenty pounde by the yeare . &c. And whither anye persons kepe any seruaunt offendyng in the premisses , and do knowe thereof , and kepe him in his seruice by the space of xiiii . dayes . &c.

Also ye shal present al those that take any fry or any kynd of Fyshe , by any maner of vnlaw full ingine , contrary to the stat●●●● made in the first yeare of our soueraygne Lady he Quenes Maiestie that nowe is , for whych offence the offendour shall lose .xx. s. &c.

Also ye shall presente whether there be Surueyours by the hygh wayes , accordynge to the statute , and whither all persons , accordynge to the statute , do labour .iiii. dayes in euery yere or not , and whyther your highwayes be in good state and not in decay , vpon the paine limitted in the same statute or not . &c.

Also ye shall present that yf anye Boucher , Bruer , Baker Poulter , Cooke , or Fruterer shall at any tyme conspire couenaunt , promise or make 〈◊〉 othes , that they shall not sell theyr vytalles , but at certayne prices , or anye artifficer , workeman or labourer , do conspire couenaunte or make any promise together , that they shal not make or do theyr workes , but at certayne prices and rates , or shal enterpryse to fynishe that another hath begon or shal do but certayne worke in a daye or shall not worke , but at certayne tymes and howres , that then euerye such offendour for the fyrst offence , to lose ten poundes , yf he be able to pay it , and yf not .xx. dayes imprisonment , and haue but breade and water , and for the second offence , to lose .xx. li. yf he be able , and yf not , then to be set on the pillary and lose one of hys eares .

Also ye shall presente whether that all suche as be inherytours of any estate of anye landes or Tenementes , do kyll or cause to be kylled all Crowes , Chowes , Rowkes , that brede vpon the possessioners , accordyng to the Statute vpon payne of the penaltye conteyned in the same .

Also ye shal inquire of al them that law fully by any commissioners of musters from the Quene shal be commaunded to muster and wilfully do absent them selfes from the sayd muster , and haue noo lefull excuse , the same person so offendyng shal suffre ten dayes imprisonment without bayle &c , except he do agre with the sayd commissioners to paye xl . s. for the same offence to the Quenes Maiestie vse .

Also ye shall inquire of all Corwayners whither they make good and laweful shoes and bowtes , and other like ware of lawefull and sufficient leather , accordynge to the Statute or not .

Also ye shal inquyre yf all the officers within thys lordeshyp , that is to say , the baylyfe concerning his office , the constable concernynge his office , the Ale conner concernynge his offyce the Scauengers , concerning his office haue wel and truely done the same , without any maner of extortion or other misdemenure .

Also ye shall inquire yf all defaultes , and playntes , that were presented at the last law daye , be amended or not , as they ought to be . And of these poyntes and all other that ye were wonte to be charged with that is worthye to be presented , ye shall go together and bryng in your verdycte .