THE CHARTER OF Romney-Marsh: OR THE LAWS and CUSTOMS OF Romney-Marsh: Framed and Contrived by the Venerable Justice, HENRY the bath. Very useful for all Professors of the Law, and also for all Lords of Towns, and other Land-holders' within Romney-Marsh, Bedford-Level, and all other Marshes, Fens, and Sea-Borders. Rerum Ordo confunditur, si unicuique Jurisdictio non servetur. LONDON, Printed by S. R. for Samuel Keble at the Turks Head in Fleetstreet. 1686. THE PREFACE. Reader, THis small Treatise now put into thy Hand, has no less of Authority and Use, than it has of Antiquity. It contains the Ancient Charter of King Henry the Third, concerning the Ordinance of Romney-Marsh, and the Laws and Customs made by the Learned Justice Henry de bath, in the Two and fortieth year of the Reign of the said Henry the Third, for the Reparation of the Sea-Banks, and for the preservation of the said Marsh from Inundations; and is since become the Pattern or Law for all other Sea-Borders, and great Marshes and Fens. I need not use much Art to recommend to the Ingenuous Reader, the Authority and usefulness of this Book; It being the Grant of a Wise Prince, and the Law and Ordinance Framed and Contrived by a Learned Sage in the Laws of this Realm, and continues to this day the Standard from whence all England receives Light and Direction, as will appear by those following Examples. The Act of 6 H. 6. cap. 5. in the 6 H. 6. cap. 5. very Form of the Commission of Sewers, it is there said, That the Commissioners shall make and ordain necessary and convenient Statutes and Ordinances for the Defence and Safety of the Sea-Banks and Marshes, and the parts adjoining according to the Laws and Customs of ROMNEY-MARSH, and to hear and determine according to the Law and Custom of our Realm of England, and the Custom of ROMNEY-MARSH, all and singular the Premises, etc. The Famous English Lawyer Sir Edward Cook, 4 Inst. cap. 62. fo. 276. in the Fourth Part of his Institutes of the Laws of England, hath these words, ROMNEY-MARSH in the County of Kent containing 24000 Acres, is at this day, and long time hath been, Governed by certain Ancient and Equal Laws of Sewers, made by the Venerable Justice Henry de bath, in the Reign of King HENRY the Third, from which Laws, not only other Parts in Kent, but all ENGLAND receive LIGHT AND DIRECTION. For Example, in the General Act of 23 H. 8. cap. 23 H. 8. cap. 5. 5. concerning Sewers in Section 3. there is a Clause which giveth power to the Commissioners to make Statutes, Ordinances and Provisions, etc. necessary and behooveful after the Laws and Customs of ROMNEY-MARSH in the County of Kent, or otherwise by any ways and means, etc. The Learned Sergeant Calais in his Reading Calais his Readins. upon the Statute of 23 H. 8. cap. 5. of Sewers, makes very great use of, and frequently quotes the Charter of Romney-Marsh, as the Basis on which that Statute was founded, as you find by perusing that Reading. By all which it will evidently appear, of what Use and Esteem the Law and Customs of Romney-Marsh have been held in, in time past, by the most Eminent Prosessors of the Law. Nor is it of any less Use and Esteem at this day, as may be seen by the Statute of 15 Car. 15 Car. 2. cap. 2. Sect. 5. 2. cap. 2. made for the draining the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford-Level, in Section the fifth, where there is a Clause, That the Governors, Bailiffs, and Conservators of Bedford-Level, shall have further power (as well for the Maintenance of the said GREAT LEVEL, as for laying and levying of Taxes) to use and exercise within the said Great Level, such and the like Laws and Customs; and constitute and appoint such and the like Officers, from time to time, as are or lawfully may be used in ROMNEY-MARSH in the County of Kent. Now Reader, having given thee the Opinion of the Learned upon this Treatise itself: I shall let the Reader know the Reasons that induced the Publisher to reprint it: (1.) The General Benefit and Advantage that all may Reap thereby. Secondly, The particular Solicitation of some Friends, who are Interested in this, or some other Marshes subject to these Laws and Customs, and having long Endeavoured to purchase this small Tract, could not obtain it under 6 s price, its scarceness and usefulness having enhanced its price so far beyond its bulk; for which Reasons the Reprinting it was deemed of General Acceptation and Advantage; which that it may so prove, is the Publishers great Design and Aim. A TABLE OF THE Principal Matter Contained in this BOOK. A. ACtion of Trespass against the Bailiff for taking a Distress, with proceedings thereon 10, 20 Accounts by the Officers how to be made 66 Amerciaments set, with the time to be proclaimed and how 74 B. BAiliff to give notice to repair 14 Bailiff to Repair if the owner neglect and to recover double Costs 14, 15 Bailiff how and when to be chosen 45, 63 The Bailiffs Office and Duty 51 Bailiff of Romney-Marsh to oversee the Bailiff and Jurors beyond the Creek towards Suffex 51 Bailiff of Romney-Marsh to oversee the Bailiff and Jurors of Oxney and Lyde 54 Bailiff Refusing to serve to be Amerced 40 s. 63. Bailiffs Fee 63 Bailiff absent when chosen how to be proceeded against 66 How the Bailiff is to Account 66 Bailiffs Oath 70, 71 Bailiff and Jurors to be allowed their Costs on making their Ordinance in any Foreign Marshes or places 75 C. CHarter of King Henry the third 1, 2 Charter of H. 3. pleaded 41 Collectors Oath 70 Collectors how to be Chosen. 67. Collectors refusing to be Sworn to be Amerced 67 Collectors of Assessments how to Account 66 Commission of Oyer and Terminer to Henry de Bathonia 7, 8 Lands held in Common how to be taxed 14 Commission of King E. 1. unto Justice Lovetot and others 37 Commission of King E. 2. to William de Walleyns' 54 Commission of E. 3. to Thomas Lord Ludlow and others 56 Conduits how to be kept 74 Confirmation of the Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia, by Justice Lovetot and others 45. D. Dams not to be made 71 Those that make dams to be Amerced at the discretion of the Bailiff and Jurors 71 Damages by making dams to be recompensed to the party prejudiced thereby 71 Defaulters in not repairing how punished 14, 15 Distresses to be made by the 24 Jurates 1, 2 Who shall be Distrained to Repair 47 Double Costs to be recovered for not repairring after notice 14 Double Costs how to be levied and applied 46, 47 J. JUrors to assign every man his proportion of Perches by certain Bounds to repair 11, 12 Jurors to determine Differences 51 Jurors by whom to be chosen 11, 12 Jurors making Default to be Amerced 67 Jurors displaced, others to be chosen and how 67 Jurors refusing to be Sworn, to be Amerced 67 Jurors not appearing on Summons to be Amerced 67 Jurors Oath 70 Jurors and Bailiff to be allowed their Costs upon making any Ordinance in any Foreign Marshes or places 75 L. Lyde Marsh to have the same Officers and Laws with Romney Marsh 54 Labourers repairing the Walls, not to be taken off under a pain 74 Law of Romney Marsh how far it shall extend. 75 M. HOw the Walls are to be measured 11, 12 Who shall measure the Walls and Lands subject to danger ib. The Marshes beyond the Creek towards Sussex to be under the same Jurors and Bailiff. 50, 51 O. OAth of the Jurors 70 Oath of the Collectors 70 Oath of the Bailiff 70, 71 Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia 5, 9 Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia confirmed 45 Ordinance of William de Walleyns' and others 2 E. 2. fo. 63 Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia pleaded 28, 44 Oxney-Marsh to have the same Officers and Laws as Romney-Marsh 38, 53 Commission of Oyer and Terminer to Henry de Bathonia 7, 8 P. CUstom and Charter of Romney-Marsh pleaded in Justification by the Bailiff in taking a Distress 22 Prescription in non Reparando 26 Precept to the Sheriff to return a Panel 41, 42 Proclamation to be made of all Amerciaments, and of the time of their payment 74 R. REscous on the Bailiff in making his Distresses how to be punished 75 Reparations how Assigned and by whom to be done 14, 47 S. SHeriff or his Officers not to intermeddle with Distresses 3, 4, 18 Sheriff to Return a Panel to inquire 41, 42 Sussex part thereof Governed by the Laws and Customs of Romney-Marsh 50, 51, 75 T. TRespass brought against the Bailiff for taking a Distress 19 Tenants in Common how to be Taxed 14 W. Walls how to be Measured and by whom 11, 12 THE CHARTER OF Romney-Marsh. CHARTA HENRICI REGIS ANGLIAE, De Ordinatione Marisci de ROMNEY. HENRICUS Dei gratia, Rex Angliae, Charta Henrici tertii Regis. Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Normandiae, & Comes Andeg. Omnibus Ballivis suis & fidelibus suis, ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, Salutem. Quia per viginti quatuor legales homines de Marisco de Romeney, à tempore quo non extat memoria, ad hoc electos & Juratos, debent districtiones fieri, super omnes illos qui terras & tenementa habent in dicto Marisco, ad reparandum Wallias & Watergagia ejusdem Marisci contra Maris periculum. Et etiam super omnes, qui ad reparationem praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiorum obligati sunt & tenentur, Nos concessimus eisdem viginti Concessio 24. 〈◊〉 ' quod instrictiones ●●●ri faciant quatuor, quod pro securitate dicti Marisci, districtiones illas fieri faciant, ita quod aeque siant, secundum portiones majores & minores, quas homines habent in eodem Marisco, & secundum quod quidam ad hoc obligantur & tenentur. Et ideo volumus & concedimus, quod nullus Vicecomes noster Kanciae, Nullus Vicecomes vel aliquis Balliorum suorum cum districtionibus illis se intromittant. vel aliquis Ballivorum suorum, de districtionibus illis per considerationem praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum factis propter praedictum periculum evitandum, in aliquo se intromittant. Quicunque enim de consideratione ipsarum districtionum, ad nos querelam detulerit, nos ei in Curia nostra justitiam fieri faciemus, & illam justitiam nobis vel Mandato nostro speciali, specialiter reservamus. In cujus rei Testimonium, has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes. Teste meipso apud Sanctum Edmundum, Secundo die Septembris, Anno Regni nostri tricesimo sexto. ¶ Ordinatio Henrici de Bathonia, Justiciarij Domini Regis Henrici, filij Regis Johannis, facta per praeceptum ejusdem Domini Regis, super contentione orta inter viginti quatuor Juratores & homines de Marisco de Romenal, de reparatione Walliarum & Watergagiorum, ibidem existentium apud Romenal, die Sabbati proximè post Nativitatem beatae Mariae Virginis, Anno regni Regis Henrici praedicti quadragesimo secundo, associatis sibi Nicholas de Handlo, & Aulredo de Dene, etc. DOminus Rex Mandavit praedicto Ordinatio Henrici de Bathonia. Henric● de Bathonia, quod cum judicia fieri debeant per viginti quatuor legales homines de Marisco de Romenal, ad districtiones faciendas super omnes illos, qui terras, & tenementa habent in praedicto Marisco, ad reparandum Wallias & Watergagia ejusdem Marisci, contra Maris impetum & inundationem aliarum aquarum. Et etiam super omnes illos qui ad reparationem praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiorum alias obligati sunt vol tenentur. Et eisdem viginti quatuor Juratis, Dominus Rex, per Ch●rta H. 3. 〈◊〉. Literas suas Patentes, nuper concessisset quod pro securitate praedicti Marisci, districtiones praedictas fieri facerent, ita quod debitè fierent, secundum portiones majores & minores, quas homines habent in eodem Marisco, & secundum quod quidam ad hoc obligantur vel tenentur. Ita quod nullus Vicecomes Domini Regis Kanciae, vel aliquis Ballivorum suorum, de districtionibus illis per considerationem praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum factis propter periculum praedictum evitandum, in aliquo se intromittant. Sed si quis de consideratione praedictarum districtionum Calais Lect. fol. 155. se injuste gravatum sentiret, & inde conqueri vellet, ad ipsum Dominum Regem, querelem suam deferret, & ipse ei in Curia sua Justitiam fieri faceret, & illam Justitiam, ipsi Domino Regi vel Mandato suo speciali specialiter reservasset, iidem Juratores propter resistentiam hominum Marisci dictas districtiones facere nequeant. viginti quatuor Juratores, propter considerationem & resistentiam quorundam hominum de praedicto Marisco, qui ad reparationem dictarum Walliarum & Watergagiorum, secundum quantitatem terrarum & tenementorum quae habent in eodem Marisco tenentur, dictas districtiones facere nequeant, unde Walliae illae & Watergagiae irreparatae existunt per quod inundationes Maris & aliarum aquarum de dicto Rex constituit Henricum de Bathonio ad audiend' & 〈◊〉 ' contentiones inter praedict●s 〈◊〉. Jurat' & 〈…〉. Marisco magnum occupant spatium, ad ipsius Domini Regis & hominum dicti Marisci inestimabile dispendium. Ipse Dominus Rex, dictum Henricum constituit, Justiciarium suum, ad audiendum & terminandum contentiones ortas de reparatione praedicta, inter praedictos viginti quatuor Juratos, & homines praedicti Marisci. Et providendum securitati & defensioni praedicti Marisci, contra Maris & aliarum aquarum inundationem & periculum, per reparationem praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiorum faciendam, per eos qui ad reparationem illam, secundum quantitatem Terrarum & Tenementorum quae habent in eodem Marisco tenentur, & secundum quod quidam ad hoc, alias obgligantur & tenentur. Mandans eidem Henrico, dictus Dominus Rex, quod ad diem & locum quos ad hoc duxerit providendum esset in partibus illis, ad praedicta faciendum sicut praedictum est: Et quod ipse quid inde fecerit, ipsi Domino Regi in scriptis, distinctè & apertè scire faceret, ut idem Dominus Rex ea irrotulari facere posset, etc. Per quod Mandatum, idem Henricus die supradicto, existens apud Romenal associatis sibi praedicto Nicholas de Handlo, & Aulredo de Dene, & assistente eidem Vicecomite Kanciae, qui per praeceptum Domini Regis ad diem illum, coram illo Ordinatio Henrici de Bathonia Justiciarij Domini Regis H. 3. venire fecit, tot & tales probos & legales homines de Balliva sua, per quod dictae contentiones terminari, & dicta provisio melior fieri possunt, nullo homine de praedicto Marisco tunc contradicente; dictus HENRICUS communitatis praedicti Marisci similiter ibidem tunc existentis, interveniente Consilio ordinavit in forma subscripta: videlicet, quod per totam Quod 12. homines Eligantur per totam Communitatem, viz. 6. de Food ' Archiepiscopi, et 6. de Baronia qui mensurabunt Wallias et Terras quae infradictum Mariscum periculo subjacent. Calais Lect. fol. 158. communitatem dicti Marisci eligantur duodecim legales homines, videlicet, sex de feodo Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, & sex de Baronia qui jurati mensurabunt Wallias novas & antiquas, & illas qui de novo construi oporteat. Et debet fieri eadem mensuratio per unam & eandem perticam, scilicet, viginti pedum. Et postea praedicti Jurati per eorum Sacramentum similiter per eandem perticam mensurabunt, per Acras omnes Terras & Tenementa quae infra dictum Mariscum periculo subjacent. Quibus mensurationibus factis, viginti quatuor per communicatem prius electi & jurati, habito respectu ad quantitatem Walliarum, Terrarum & Tenementorum, quae periculo subjacent, per eorum Sacramentum ordinabunt, quantum ad praedictarum Walliarum sustentationem & reparationem faciendam & sustinendam, ad quemlibet pertineat: Ita quod pro portione Acrarum Terrarum Jarat' proportione Acrarum Terrarum periculo singulis assignetur sua portio perticarum per loca certa. periculo subjacentium singulis assignetur sua portio perticarum, & praedicta assignatio fiat per loca certa. Ita ut sciatur ubi & per quae loca, ad quantum singuli defendere teneantur. Et cum necessitas evenerit cujus occasione oporteat periculo & impetu Maris obviare vel resistere per reparationem Walliarum praedictarum, convenire debent viginti quatuor Jurati, ad videndum per quae loca praedicta emineat necessitas, & cui & quibus praedicta loca assignata fuerint defendenda, & ipsum terminum praedicta loca oporteat reparare. Qui quidem communis Ballivus illis quibus praedicta loca Ballivus illis quibus loca assignata fuerint defendenda, scire faciet quod reparare faciant infra terminum assignat' per Jurat '. assignata fuerint defendenda, scire faciet, quod loca illa defendent, & reparare faciant, infra terminum à praedictis viginti quatuor Juratoribus, assignatum, infra quem terminum, si ipsi ad hoc facere neglexerint: dictus Ballivus communis de suo proprio, tales reparationes fieri faciet, per visum viginti quatuor Juratorum. Et idem negligens eidem Ballivo duplum reddere Si ipsi ad hoc facere neglexerint Ballivum tales reparationes facere. Et idem negligens Ballivo duplum reddere et distringi possit per Terras suas. teneatur pro custa apposito circa hujusmodi reparationes, quod duplum reservetur ad utilitatem dictarum reparationum. Et super hoc hujus negligens distringi possit per Terras suas, infra dictum Mariscum. Et si aliquae perticulae Terrarum teneantur in communi, à participibus, ita quod ad quemlibet participem, pro portione partis suae assignari non possit, locus certus, scilicet, integra vel medica pertica, pro parvitate dictae perticulae, tunc per Sacramentum viginti quatuor Juratorum ordinabitur & videbitur De Terris tentis in Communi. ad quantum praedicta Terra quae sic tenetur in communi sufficiat defendere, & assignabitur certa portio defensionis, Jurat' ordinabit quantum quilibet eorum defendere debet. praedictis participibus in communi pro portione Terrae suae communis. Et si quis participum, partem suam neglexerit defendere cum per praedictum Ballivum dicti participes fuerint admoniti, pars participis negligentis aliis participibus Si aliquis participum neglexit pars sua aliis participibus assignetur, qui defensionem facient. Et illi tenent donec ips● duplum solverint, Et si omnes participes neglexerint, Ballivum defensionem facere, et distringere duplum super participes. assignetur, qui defensionem facient. Et qui partem participis sui negligentis in manu sua tenent, illam tenebunt, donec ipse negligens appositi custos circa praedictam defensionem, partem suam contingentem, per visum viginti quatuor Juratorum, duplum solverit, ad utilitatem praedictarum reparationum, sicut dictum est. Et si omnes hujus participes circa praedicta negligentes extiterint, tunc praedictus communis Ballivus totam defensionem praedictam faciet de suo proprio, & praedictos participes postea ad duplum custi circa hujusmodi defensionem, per visum viginti quatuor Juratorum appositi distringat, sicut praedictum, salvo capitalibus Dominis feodi in praedicto Marisco jure suo quod habeant Salvo Capital' Dominis feodi suo jure. versus tenentes suos de hujus defensione, secundum Feoffamenta sua; Et quod omnes Terrae in Marisco custodiantur contra Maris impetum & aquarum dulcium inundationes per Wallias & Watergagia per Sacramentum & considerationem viginti quatuor Juratorum, ad minus perdendum & ad plus salvandum sicut antiquitas utebatur. Salvo etiam tenore Chartae Domini Regis Communitati dicti Marisci concessae, ne aliquis Vicecomes Kanciae nec Ballivus suus aut Salvo Communitati dicti Marisci tenore Chartae Domini Regis eisdem concessae. minister aliquis infra dictum Mariscum aliquam faciat districtionem, occasione aliquorum dictorum Articulorum, sicut in praedicta Carta continetur; Quae quidem Carta ista non obstante Ordinatione in suo perpetuo robore perseveret, etc. Rex Vicecomiti Kanciae Salutem. Cum nuper assignaverimus dilectum & fidelem 〈◊〉 Domini Regis vicecomite Kanciae quod de distructionibus praedictis in nullo se intro●●●tat. nostrum Henricum de Bathonia ad audiendum & terminandum contentiones habitas inter 24. legales homines de Marisco de Romenal, per quorum considerationem reparationes Walliarum & Watergagiorum ejusdem Marisci contra Maris impetum, & periculum aliarum aquarum ibidem inundantium fieri debent, & alias Terras & Tenementa in eodem Marisco habentes, qui Wallias & Watergagias illas reparare debent & solebant. Et idem Henricus ad partes illas personaliter decedens, ordinaverit quod secundum considerationem praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum districtiones fierent pro reparatione Walliarum & Watergagiorum praedictarum. Ita quod nullus Vicecomes aut alius Ballivus noster se intromittent de districtionibus praedictis, sicut in Rotulis Cancellariae nostrae, ordinationem illam exprimentibus continetur. Tu nichilominus districtiones illas propter hoc factum, per viginti quatuor Juratores in praejudicium considerationis eorundem relaxasti. Et quia si quis se gravatum sentiat, ex consideratione praedicta pro qua conqueri voluerit, ad nos venire debet remedium petiturus. Tibi praecipimus, quod de districtionibus praedictis in nullo te intromittas, sed eas viginti quatuor Juratoribus & eorum Ballivo ad hoc deputato, districtiones illas returnari facias. Ne iteratus clamor ad nos inde perveniat, pro quo ad te graviter capere debeamus. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium vicesimo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri quadragesimo tertio, per Henricum de Bathonia, etc. Tunc sequitur numerus omnium Acrarum infra dictum Mariscum sicut reperitur per mensuram factam, Anno Regni Regis Henrici quadragesimo secundo, & etiam agistatio tam in Magna Wallia de Apuldre, quam in parva Wallia, ad quantitatem Terrarum Tenementum infra, etc. Hamo Pitte, Johannes Cobbe, Henricus Hamo Pitte & al' attach' fuer' ad respond' Godfr' Fauconer in placito transgr' quare venerunt ad Manerium suum de Hurst & Bona & Catalla sua ibidem ceperunt & aspertaverunt, &c Calais Lect. fo. 〈…〉. le Long, & Johannes Ermynard attachiati fuerunt, ad respondendum Godefrido le Fauconer, quare ipsi simul cum aliis, nuper venerunt ad Manerium ipsius Godefridi in Hurst, & Bona & Catalla sua ibidem inventa ad valenciam viginti librarum ceperunt & asportaverunt, & alia Damna & Enormia ei ibidem intulerunt, ad ipsius grave damnum, & contra Pacem, etc. Et unde praedictus Godefridus conqueritur, quod die Jovis in septimana Pasche, Anno, etc. Ipse Hamo simul cum aliis ceperunt decem vaccas in Villa de Hurst, etc. Unde dicit quod deterioratus est, & damnum habet ad valenciam, etc. Et inde producit sectam, etc. Et praedictus Placitum defeadentis. Hamo & alii venerunt & defenderunt, etc. & quicquid quod est contra Pacem, etc. quando, etc. & bene cognoscunt quod ipsi caeperunt decem vaccas praedictas, etc. ipsius Godefridae juste & in Pace Domini Regis, quia dicit quod praedictus Godefridus habet Terras, etc. in Marisco de Romeney ubi omnes tenentes Terras & Tenementa in eodem Marisco secundum quantitatem Terrae suae debent facere Wallias & Watergagias contra Mare, propter inundationes Aquarum, ac viginti quatuor homines legales de dicto Marisco electi per communitatem dicti Marisci, & Juratores super Tenentes in eodem Marisco facere debent districtiones, secundum quantitatem tenementorum suorum cum necesse fuerit, ad praedictas Wallias & Watergagias faciendum & reparandum. Qui quidem Jurati in eodem Marisco, prout moris est, eo quod omnes ad hoc vacare non potuere, elegerunt praedictum Hamonem, ad faciendum praedictas districtiones, & ipsum fecerunt Ballivum suum ad hoc faciendum, & istam libertatem habent per antiquam consuetudinem ejusdem Marisci, & per cartam Domini Regis quam nunc proferunt in hec verba. Henricus Dei gratia, etc. Unde dicit, quod ratione defectus ipsius Godefridi, juste fecit super ipsum praedictam districtionem ad praedictas Wallias & Watergagias reparandas, de quibus in Wallia de Apuldre ei assignatae sunt ad portionem suam, per praedictos Juratos, tres perticatae & dimidium ad minus ad Custum suum reparandum, & secundum inundationem. Aquarum plus, si necesse fuerit per loca diversa, & quod super ●ipsum majorem districtionem nisi fecerint ponunt se super Patriam, etc. Dicunt tamen, quod ceperunt super quendam A. B. sex Boviculos, qui fuit firmatius ipsius Godefridi, & decem Agnos super I. N. Tenentes ipsius Godefridi, ratione defectuum praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiarum, propter quod post modum ipsi satisfecerunt & rehabuerunt averia sua. Quaesitis pro quanto fecit primam districtionem & pro quanto secundam dicunt quod primus defectus ipsius Godefridi estimabatur ad quatuor Marcas, & secundus defectus ad quadraginta octo Solidos. Et praedictus Godefridus dicit, quod Replicatio 〈◊〉. ipse Tenet Tenementa sua in Marisco praedicto, ex dono & concessione Domini Henrici quondam Regis Angliae, avi Domini Regis Henrici nunc, quae idem Dominus Henricus ded't cuidam Willielmo filio Balderi Antecessori ipsius Godefridi, cujus haeres, etc. per quam concessionem antecessores sui, & ipse postea sempertenuit Tenementa sua in praedicto marisco, adeo liberè & quietè sicut praedictus Balderus ea prius tenuit. Et bene dicunt quod nec ab Antecessoribus suis, nec ab ipso nunquam fuit quaesita hujusmodi consuetudo, ad dictas Wallias & Watergagias reparandas, nisi jam quintis Annis elapsis, postquam praedictus Hamo factus fuit Ballivus, ad praedictas Wallias & Watergagias custodiendas, nec unquam aliquo tempore ea fecerunt. Et profert cartam ipsius Henrici Regis in hec verba. Henricus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensis, etc. Et dicit quod praedictum Feoffamentum tenuere Antecessores sui, praedicta Tenementa adeo libere, quod nunquam fecerunt nec reparaverunt Wallias nec Watergagias nec ipse, postquam Terras illas tenuit, nec antecessores sui districti fuerunt, quousque jam quinque Annis elapsis vel sex, quod praedictus Hamo & alii ceperunt averia sua. Et desicut ipsi cognoscunt quod fecerunt super ipsum, praedictam districtionem pro defectu reparationis praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiarum, quas nec ipse nec Antecessores sui, fecerunt nec unquam facere consueverunt, petit judicium de eorum recognitione. Et praedictus Hamo & alii dicunt, Rejungen' Defendentum. quod aliquo tempore fuit contentio inter Tenentes in praedicto marisco super reparatione praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiarum, ita quod placitum motum fuit inde in Comitatu coram Vicecomite, propter quod viginti quatuor Jurati sentientes se gravatos venerunt ad Curiam Domini Regis & conquesti fuerunt de Vicecomite asserentes, quod hujusmodi placitùm non pertinuit ad Vicecomitem tenendum, ita quod per Consilium Domini Regis provisum fuit, quod ibidem mitterentur Justiciarii Domini Regis, ad ordinandum & disponendum quod justum esset de hujus contentionibus. Ordinatio Henrici de Bathonia placitata. Ita quod Henricus de Bathonia ibidem missus fuit, & omnes Tenentes dicti Marisci habuerunt Summonitionem quadraginta dierum sicut fuisset in itinere Justiciarioriis. Et ipse Praedictus Henricus, visis praedictis Walliis & Watergagiis, per assensum & voluntatem totius communitatis praedicti Marisci ordinant, quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, Comites, Barones, & omnes Tenentes in eodem Marisco contribuerunt, secundum quantitatem Tenementi sui, ad praedictas Wallias & Watergagias reficiendas, unde sicut praedictus Godfridus vult defendi per praedictas Wallias & Watergagias, petit quod contribuat ad easdem reparandas sicut coram praedicto Justiciario fuit ordinatum. Et quod talis sit ordinatio, sicut praedictum, ponit se super Recordum Rorulorum praedicti Henrici de Bathonia. Dicit etiam quod necesse est quod ipse contribuat ad praedictas Wallias, etc. quia dicit quod nisi Terra sua per praedictas Wallias esset defensa, tota Terra sua esset superundata & falsata. Et praedictus Godfridus dicit quod licet praedicta Ordinatio facta fuisset per praedictum Surrejungen' quer'. Quod ille nunquam eidem Ordinationi Consentit nec Summonitus fuit. Def ' respond' quod ipse quer habuit Communem Summonitionem sicut reliqui Marisci habuerunt. Henricum ipse Godefridus nunquam eidem Ordinationi consensit, nec summonitus fuit, nec vocatus venire coram ipso ad ipsam Ordinationem faciendam; dicit etiam quod nec ante ipsam Ordinationem nec post, ipse nec Antecessores ejus, nuper fecerunt hujusmodi contributionem, sed semper tenuerunt Terram suam quietam ab omnimoda exactione, secundum Tenorem praedictae Cartae Henrici Regis avi Regis nunc, quousque jam duobus Annis elapsis, praedicti Hamo & alii ceperunt averia sua, unde petit judicium si praedictus debeat ei nocere in hac parte. Et praedicti Hamo & alii dicunt quod ipse habuit Communem Summonitionem quadraginta dierum, sicut tota Communitas praedicti Marisci, quam ipse ignorare non debuit, unde dicit quod licet ibidem nollet venire, sicut debet cum vicinis suis, non debet esse quietus propter hoc à praedicta Contributione, ad praedictas Wallias reparandas, desicut communis utilitas est omnium Tenentium in dicto Marisco, quod tam Terra ipsius quam Terra aliorum Tenentium defendatur per praedictas Wallas & Watergagias, unde petit Judicium, dicit etiam quod post praedictam Ordinationem dederunt praedictus Godfridus & homines sui unam Marcam ad Wallias & Watergagias praedictas reparandas, antequam idem Hamo esset Ballivus, & quod ita sit paratus est verificare, etc. Et Godefridus dicit quod tenet se ad praedictam Cartam Domini Regis & ad libertatem suam quam ipse & antecessores sui usi sunt, contra quas nulla ordinatio per praedictum Henricum facta, potest nec debet ei nocere, & bene defendit, quod nec ipse nec aliquis per ipsum, aliquid unquam ante praedictam Ordinationem, nec post ad dictam reparationem Exit. dedit. Et hoc paratus est verificare, etc. Postea in crastino sancti Martini, anno quadragesimo secundo, venerunt praedicti G. H. & alii, etc. Et praeceptum Ven. fac. agard '. est Vicecomiti quod venire faciat, a die Pasche in Tres Septimanas ubicunque, duodecim tam milites quam, etc. per quos, etc. Et qui nec, etc. nec habent terras in praedicto Marisco ad receptum, etc. si praedictus Godefridus & antecessores sui, postquam habuerunt terram suam de Hurst, de dono & concessione Domini Henrici Regis Angliae, simul cum aliis hominibus habentibus Terram in dicto Marisco consueverunt reparare Wallias & Watergagias & contribuere cum praedictis hominibus ad eas reparandum, cum necesse fuerit, unde ipse Godefridus per quandam ordinationem, in quam ipse concessit coram Henrico de Bathonia, quem dominus Rex ad hoc misit faciendum, dedit unam marcam ad dictas Wallias & Watergagias reparandas, antequam praedictus Hamo fuisset Ballivus praedicti Marisci, sicut praedictus H. & I. dicunt, vel si praedictus Godefridus vel antecessores sui quieti fuerunt, de hujusmodi reparationibus, Williarum & Watergagiarum, & praestationibus ad eandem per Cartam praedicti Henrici Regis avi, etc. ita quod praedictus Godefridus non consensit praedictae ordinationi, nec aliquid unquam dedit ad praedictas Wallias & Watergagias reparandas sicut praedictus Godefridus dicit. Quia tam, etc. postea a die Paschae in tres septimanas Anno quadragesimo secundo, Vicecomes non misit breve suum, Ideo ipse in misericordia, etc. scilicet Fulco Peyforer, Ideo sicut prius, praeceptum est Vicecomiti quod venire faciat, hic a die sanctae Trinitatis, in quindecim dies ubicunque, etc. duodecim, etc. per quos, etc. Et qui nec, etc. Postea ad diem illum venerunt praedictus Godfridus H. & alii & petierunt sibi judicium fieri secundum recordum & processum loquelae praedictae, & recitata fuit loquela coram Domino Rege & consilio suo. Et quia compertum est secundum recordum illud, quod Dominus Rex alias misit Henricum de Bathonia Justiciarium suum ad hoc assignatum, ad praedictum Mariscum de Romenal qui disposuit quod omnes illi qui Terras & tenementa in praedicto Marisco haberent contributionem facerent, secundum quantitatem tenementorum, ad Wallias & Watergagias praedicti Marisci reparandum sicut praedicti Hamo & alii dicunt, ad quam contributionem praedictus Godefridus non obligatur, sicut praedictus Godefridus dicit, nec adhuc constat Curiae Regis hic de praedictis ordinatione & dispositione, sine quibus rite ad Judicium procedi non potest. Data est eis dies a die Sancti Michaelis in quindecim dies, ubicunque, etc. Et interim scrutantur rotuli de tempore praedicti Henrici de Bathonia. Et sciendum est quod inhibitum est dicto Hamoni ne pendente eodem placito distringat praedictum Godefridum. Postea a die Sancti Michaelis in quindecim dies, anno, etc. Quadragesimo tertio, venit praedictus Godefridus & subtraxit se Quer' subtraxit se de Brevi suo, Et ideo ipse in Misericordia. de Brevi suo versus praefatos Hamonem & alios, etc. & ideo ipse in misericordia, etc. Et insuper concessit pro se & haeredibus suis, quod de caetero reparari facient vel faciet Wallias & Watergagias pro portione quantitatis Terrae suae, una cum vicinis suis, prout consuetudo patriae est, sine contradictione seu cavillatione imperpetuum. Et praedictus Hamo Calli. Lect 150. concessit & obligavit pro se & aliis, quod computabit coram viginti quatuor Juratoribus electis de patria super districtionibus & averiis captis, praedicti Godefridi, pro praedictis Walliis & Watergagiis reparandis, ab initio istius placiti, usque nunc, etc. Et districtiones illae, secundum quantitatem portionis sibi contingentis, interim pro praedictis Walliis & Watergagiis reparandis sicut praedictum est, per praedictas districtiones quod idem Hamo & alii satisfacient in omnibus quod conjunctum fuerit per praedictum computum inter eos de superplusagio recepto de averiis venditis praedicti Godefridi occasione praedicta. Et idem Godefridus concessit, quod si praedictus Hamo non computando possit verificare, quod averia nomine districtionis per ipsum capta occasione praemissa, valorem eorundem non suffcere pro portione quantitatis Terrae suae, ad praedictas Willias & Watergagias reparandas, quod idem Godefridus fatisfaciet el in omnibus arreragiis, ab initio ejusdem placiti, usque nunc per visum & estimationem praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum de patria, etc. Ordinatio Dominorum Johannis de Lovetot, Ordinatio Johannis de Lovetot & Hen. Apulderfield Justic. de omnibus Mariscis in Rornney & Oxney 16 E. 1. Commissio Regis E. 1. Jo. Lovetot & Hen. Apuldrefeild ad super videndum Wallias per Costeram Maris. & Henrici de Apulderfeld Justiciarium Domini Regis de omnibus Mariscis de Romney & Oxney usque ad Com. Sussex. Coram I. de Lovetot, & H. de Apuldrefeild apud Romene quinto die Decembris. Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis H. 16. Dominus Rex mandavit dilectis & fidelibus suis, Johannis de Lovetot, & Henrico de Apuldrefeld, breve suum, in haec verba, Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, dilectis & fidelibus suis, Johanni de Lovetot, & Henrico de Apuldrefeld salutem. Sciatis quod cum nos ratione dignitatis regiae, & per Juramentum abstricti sumus, ad providendum salvationi regni nostri, circumquaque assignavimus, vos ad supervidendum Wallias & fossata per costeram maris & partium adjacentium in comitatu Kanciae, per maris intemperiem diversimode diruta, ad inquirendum per quorum defecta hujus damnum contigit ibidem, & de omnibus illis qui Terras & Tenementa tenent in partibus illis, & defensionem & salvationem habent qualitercunque, vel habere possunt per hujus Wallias & fossatas, & ad eos pro quantitate terrae & tenementorum suorum, sive per numerum Acrarum terrae, sive per carucatas pro rata portione tenurae suae distringendi una cum Ballivis libertatum & aliorum de partibus illis ad ea in locis necessariis reparandum, quotiens & ubi necesse fuerit, ita quod aliqui tenentes Terras seu Tenementa hujus vel alterius fuerit conditionis, status seu dignitatis, qui qualitercunque defensionem habeant per hujus Wallias & fossatas, sive fuerit infra libertatem, sive extra nullatenus parcatur in hac parte. Et ideo vobis Mandamus quod in executionem istius negotii, ita fideliter & discrete vos habeatis, quod tam homines manentes in locis praedictis, quam Terrae eorundem salventur contra similia pericula, & casualiter pejora nulla consimiliter favorabiliter introducte resistente. Et vos super hiis quae in hac parte feceritis & ordinaveritis, sub vestris sigillis & sigillis Juratorum tam militum, quam aliorum proborum & legalium hominum, distincte & aperte reddetis certiores. Mandavimus enim Vicecomiti nostro comitatus praedicti, quod ad certos dies & loca quos eis scire faceret, coram vobis venire faceret tot & tales probos & legales homines de Balliva sua, per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit & inquiri in praemissis, etc. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste Edmundo Comite Cornubiae Constabulario nostro, apud Westmonasterium quinto decimo die Novembris, anno regni nostro sextodecimo. Per quod quidem mandatum, praeceptum fuit Vicecomiti quod venire faceret coram praefatis Justiciariis hic ad hunc diem, Mandatum vicecomiti. viginti quatuor Juratores de Marisco de Romenal, & omnes Dominos Walliarum ejusdem Marisci, & tot & tales probos & legales homines de singulis terris Maritimis in Balliva sua, per quos rei veritas in praemissis, melius sciri poterit & inquiri, ad faciendum ulterius id quod in praemissis fuerit ordinandum, qui modo venerunt. Et praedicti viginti quatuor Juratores de Marisco praedicto una cum communitate ejusdem Marisci dixerunt, quod Juratores placitant Cartam H. 8. eisdem concess●m. Dominus Henricus Rex pater Regis nunc per Cartam suam concessit eis quasdam libertates in terris suis de Marisco praedicto & petierunt quod libertates suae praedictae sibi salventur, & quod nihil attemptetur vel ordinetur in praejudicium libertatum suarum praedictarum. Et profert Cartam Domini Henrici praedicti in haec verba. Henricus Dei Gratia, etc. Dixerunt etiam quod Dominus Rex pater Domini Regis nunc Anno regni sui quinquagesimo secundo ratione cujusdam dissentionis subortae inter diversos homines Marisci supradicti occasione Williarum & Watergagiorum Placitant etiam Ordinationem Henrici de Bathonia praed. ibidem reparandorum misit Henricum de Bathonia Justiciarium suum ad partes illas, ad audiendum & terminandum contentiones ortas de reparatione praedicta inter viginti quatuor Juratores & homines praedicti Marisci & ad providendum securitati & defensioni ejusdem Marisci, contra Maris & aliarum aquarum inundationem & periculum per reparationem praedictarum Walliarum & Watergagiarum faciendam per eos qui per reparationem illam secundum quanitatem Terrarum & Tenementorum suorum quae habent in eodem Marisco tenentur. Unde dicunt quod praefatus Henricus de Bathonia Auctoritate mandati Domini HENRICI Regis praedicti ordinavit & statuit eis ibidem certam Legem & Ordinationem per quas Mariscus ille hucusque custoditur & salvatur, unde petierunt quod per ordinationem & Legem illam possint imposterum deduci & defendi sicut hactenus consueverunt. Et super hoc protulerunt praedictam ordinationem ipsius Henrici de Bathonia sub Sigillo Domini Regis in haec verba Coram Henrico de Bathonia, etc. ut supra, etc. Et quia ordinatio praedicti Henrici statim Confirmatio Ordinationis Henrici de Bathonia. videtur concordans equitati & hucusque fuit approbata, praeceptum est & statutum quod ordinatio illa in omnibus observetur absque diminutione: additio tamen quod quia in ordinatione praedicta nihil fuit expressum de electione communis Ballivi Domini Regis in Marisco praedicto, Ad quam modus Eligendi Communis Ballivi additur. quomodo est per quos electio illa fieri debeat, concordatum est, quod de caetero cedente vel decedente communi Ballivo praedicti Marisci locus ipsius alius eligatur, qui resideat et terras habeat in praedicto Marisco. Et fiat electio illa de caetero per communem assensum duarum villarum ejusdem Marisci, vel per Attornatos suos, & ubi major pars numero concenserit, stabitur eorum electioni, quia sic hactenus ibi fieri consuevit. De duplo est sumptuum appositorum de reparatione defectuum praedicti Marisci levand. in poenam negligentium defectus ipsos contingentes reparare concordatum est, quod duplum illud levetur sicut Quomodo duplum levetur & approprietur. priori ordinatione fuerat statutum, & quod duplum illud in communem utilitatem reparationis dicti Marisci revertatur & ad usus Ballivi ejusdem Marisci de caetero non observetur. Et quia in praedicto Marisco diversae Walliae & Watergiae quarum reparationem & sustentationem communitas ejusdem Marisci non contribuit, nisi tantum illi qui dictis Walliis & Watergagiis Terras habent continguas & proximas, & quidam per oppressiones Dominorum dicti Marisci quandoque tantum solverint, ad reparationem & sustentationem earundem pro quadraginta Acris quantum, alii pro quinquaginta Acris quod magis fuerat, contra Legem Marisci & Ordinationem praedicti Henrici de Bathonia; concordatum est, & ordinatum, quod nulla consuetudine a quocunque prius introducta resistente omnes & singuli Terrae & Tenementa Quod singuli terras & tenementa habenres quae periculo maris subjacent aut salvationem habent pro eadem de caetero Distringantur. ibidem habentes quae periculo Maris subjacent ibidem & salvationem habent pro eadem de caetero distringantur ad Wallias & Watergagias illas reparandas & sustinendas. Ita quod singuli contribuanr equaliter juxta numerum Acrarum quas habent ibidem, ita quod nulli parcatur, cujuscunque fuerit status & conditionis, qui per easdem salvationem habent & defensionem. Et quia in eodem Marisco de Romenal ultra cursum aquae portus illius tendentem de Suergate versus Romenhale ex Occidentali parte illius portus usque comitatum Sussex, nulla fuit prius certa Lex Marisci statuta nec usitata, nisi ad voluntatem Terras habentium in eodem, per quod diversa pericula & damna intolerabilia per Maris inundationem contingerant ut de caetero talibus periculis obvietur, & communi utilitate prospiciatur concordatum est & conjunctim ordinatum, quod in Marisco Ordinatum est quod in Marisco ultra portum usque Sussex Juratores statuantur Electi pro securitate partium illarum pro ut continetur in Ordinatione praedicti Henrici de Bathonia. Calli. Lect. 39 ultra portum praedictum versus Sussex statuantur Juratores per communitatem electi qui pro securitate partium illarum ad hoc jurati, habito respectu ad numerum acrarum quae dicto periculo subjacent, & ad quantitatem Walliarum & Watergagiorum ibidem reparandorum & sustinendorum per eorum Sacramentum considerabunt & ordinabunt quantum necesse sit ad reparationem & sustentationem illarum, Ita quod unusquisque pro portione acrarum dicto periculo subjacentium eque contribuat, ad sustentationem earundem. Ita quod juxta portionem acrarum suarum & valorem earundem singulis assignetur in Walliis & Watergagiis praedictis portio sua perticarum sustinenda prout continetur plenius in ordinatione praedicti Henrici de Bathonia. Et insuper quia hactenus in partibus illis ultra portum praedictum versus Sussex nullus fuerat communis Ballivus constitutus, qui de periculis ibidem contingentibus provideret & caveret pro communi utilitate partium illarum, & ne de caetero consimilia pericula ibidem inveniantur, Ordinatum est, quod de Quod de caetero eligatur Ballivus in Mariscis ultra cursum 〈◊〉 quae versus Suffex. caetero eligatur unus Ballivus in Mariscis praedictis ultra praedictum cursum aquae versus Sussex, ad supervidendum & custodiendum, Officium Ballivi. ac reparatum faciendum Wallias & Watergagias per loca & terminos totius Marisci praedicti, ubi plus viderit toti communitati expedire. Et Juratores Marisci praedicti cum necesse fuerit ad loca necessaria convenire faciat, ad ordinationes & considerationes suas pro salvatione terrarum partium illarum faciendas, & districtiones ob hoc faciendas fieri & duplum a negligentibus, cum necesse fuerit, levare faciat secundum formam in praedicta ordinatione Henrici de Bathonia contenta ad electionem vero praedicti Ballivi cum contigerit facienda semper praemuniantur & vocentur Domini villarum ejusdem Marisci ultra praedictum cursum aquae versus Sussex si interesse voluerint, & Juratores & tota communitas praedicti Ballivus Regis in Marisco de de Romane sit supervisor Ballivorum & Jurat in Marisco ultra cursum aquae versus Sussex. Marisci. Ordinatum est etiam quod de caetero praedictus communis Ballivus Regis in Marisco de Romane sit supervisor praedictorum Ballivi & Juratorum in Marisco ultra cursum aquae versus Sussex, & omnes Juratores ex utraque parte praedicti cursus aquae electos, cum necesse fuerit, ad loca necessaria convenire faciat ad ordinationes & considerationes suas faciendas pro salvatione terrarum praedictorum Mariscorum. Ita quod semper Omnes ad ordinationem & considerationem Jurat' stare. ex utraque parte praedicti cursus aquae stetur ordinationi & considerationi praedictorum Juratorum, ad minus terram perdendum & plus salvandum nulla consuetudine resistente, salvo semper tenore cartae Domini Regis communitati dicti Marisci concesse & ordinatione predicti Henrici de Bathonia i● suo robore perpetuo duratura Coram Willhelmo de Walleyns & Sociis fuis ad supervidendum Wallias & Watergagias 〈…〉 appunct●●● supervisor●● Walliarum, etc. in Com. 〈◊〉. An. 2 E. 2. in Comitatu Kanciae assignatis die Lunae proxime post festum sanctae Mildredae Virginis apud Newcherch, Anno Regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi secundo. Ordinatum est, de communi assensu Dominorum Mariscorum de Lyde & Oxeney, & ex parte Domini Regis praeceptum, quod de caetero communis Balliv●s Domini Regis in Marisco de Romane supervideat praedictos Ordinatum est quod Communis Ballivus Domini Regis in Marisco de Romane supervidea● & summ●ne●● Ballivos & Jurat. Marisci de Lyde & Oxeney. Ballivos & Juratores in praedictis Mariscis de Lyde & Oxene, & eos ac etiam viginti quatuor Juratores in Marisco de Romane, cum necesse fuerit ad loca necessaria convenire faciat, ad ordinationes consulendum & awardas suas faciendum pro salvatione terrarum praedictorum Mariscorum. Ita quod semper stent ordinationi & consuetudini dictorum Juratorum ad minus terrae perdendum, & ad plus salvandum, nulla consuetudine resistente. Salvo semper tenore cartae Domini Regis communitati dicti Marisci concesse, ac etiam ordinationibus Dominorum Henrici de Bathonia & praedicti Johannis de Lovetet, & Sociorum suorum in suo robore duratura. Ordinatio Domini Thomae de Lodelowe, Justiciarii Domini Regis & Sociorum suorum apud Crowthorne die lunae proxime post festam _____ anno Regni Regis Edwardi tertii post conquestum tricesimo tertio virtute Commissionis Domini Regis e●s directi cujus tenor sequitur in haec verba. Rex dilectis & fidelibus suis Thomae Lodelowe, Commissio Regis Edw. 3. Tho. Domino 〈…〉 w & aliis Anno 33. Regni 〈◊〉. Roberto Belknap, & Thomae Culpeper, salutem. Ex gravi querela venerabilis patris Simonis Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis & aliorum Terras infra praecinctum Marisci de Romane tenentium accepimus quod cum omnes Terrae illae juxta costeram maritimam jaceant, & absque continua custodia Walliarum Gutterarum & Fossatorum & aliarum defensionum tam pro exclusione aquae maritimae quam pro evacuatione aquarum dulcium, ibidem factarum nequeant ullo modo defendi & salvari, per quod tempore Domini Henrici quondam Regis Angliae proavi nostri per Henricum de Bathonia & socios suos Justiciarios ejusdem proavi nostri ad dictas Wallias Fossata & Gutteras, ac defensionem inde supervidendas, & fieri & reparari faciendas inter alia ordinatum fuisset, quod quicunque tenentium & residentium infra praecinctum praedictum, quem major pars Dominorum dominium infra eandem praecinctam habentium eligerunt foret Ballivus ad scotta pro reparatione & sustantatione Williarum Gutterarum Fossatorum & defensionum praedictorum assessa levandum prout in ordinationibus praedictis plenius poterit apparere: & licet juxta ordinationes illas Joannes at Lese tenens & residens infra praecinctum praedictum ad dictum officium dicti Ballivi ad dicta scotta levandum per Dominos Marisci praedicti, in forma praedicta infra praecinctum illum electus fuerit & deputatus Matheus tamen at More, & alii complices sui per falsas covinas adinvicem confederati & alligati, ad unum alium Ballivum ibidem assensu suo qui Amicis suis parceret, & alios indebite contra ordinationes praedictas oneraret faciendum, praedictum Johannem, adeo terruerunt & horribiliter comminabantur ac alias impediverunt, quod secundum praedictam ordinationem officium assumere noluit nec audebat: & sic in defectu dicti Ballivi totus Mariscus praedictus per superinundationem aquarum indies imminentium in periculo perditionis existit nisi super hoc celerius remedium apponatur. Nos advertentes damna & pericula, quae tam nobis quam toto regno nostro & praecipue in partibus illis ex superinundatione hujus nisi congrua defensio ad excludendas & evacuandas aquas praedictas fiat, poterint evenire; ac volentes damnis & periculis hujus praecavere: assignavimus Commissioner. ●ssignat ad super vidend' & reparand' Walllis. vos tres vel duos vestrum ad supervidendum & reparari faciendum Wallias, Gutteras, Fossata & caeteras defensiones in Marisco praedicto factas, quam ad supervidendum Commissionar' super-videre & corrigere Ordinationes & ubi necesse est novas ordinationes facere. ordinationes praedictas, & in casu quo ordinationes illae pro salvatione & defensione Marisci praedicti, contra superinundationem praedictam minus sufficientes inveniantur, ad easdem ordinationes corrigendas & emendandas: & si necesse fuerit ordinandas de novo qualiter Mariscus praedictus, contra aquas praedictas, quibuscunque casibus de caetero imminentibus melius salvari & defendi poterit, & ad punitiones rigidas contra eos, qui contra formam ordinationum per vos tres vel duos vestrum sic faciendum in aliquo non venerint vel delinquerint statuenda, & ad easdem ordinationes ut perpetuo observentur circumquaque in partibus illis proclamari, & ad omnia alia quae pro salvatione & defensione Marisci praedicti, ac exclusione & evacuatione aquarum praedictarum necessaria & opportuna fuerint fieri faciendum. Et etiam ad inquirendum per Sacramentum Et etiam ad inquirendum per Jurat. de transgr. & contempt. factis & easdem ad audiend' & terminand. proborum & legalium hominum de Comitatu Kanciae de confederationibus covinis & allegationibus praedictis, necnon de transgressionibus & contemptibus nobis per praefatum Matheum & complices suos nobis in hac parte factis, & de nominibus eorundem complicum, & ad easdem confederationes covinas allegationes transgressiones & contemptus praedictos audiatis & terminetis audiendas & terminendas secundum legem & consuetudinem Regni nostri. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ad certos dies & loca quos vos tres vel duo vestrum ad hoc provideritis omnia & singula praedicta ac inquisitiones super his factas, & confederationes, covinas, allegationes, transgressiones & contemptus praedictos, audiatis & terminetis in forma praedicta, facturi inde quod ad justiciam pertinet secundum Legem & consuetudinem Regni nostri. Salvis nobis americamentis aliis inde spectantibus. Mandavimus enim Vicecomiti nostro Comitatus praedicti, quod ad certos dies & loca, quos vos tres vel duo vestrum ei scire faciatis venire faciat coram vobis tribus vel duobus vestrum tot & tales probos & legales homines de Balliva sua per quos rei veritas in praemissis melius sciri poterit & inquiri. In cujus rei Testimonium, etc. Teste, etc. apud Westmonaster. decimo septimo die Februarii Anno supradicto. Per quod mandatum iidem Thomas, Robertus & Thomas, Anno die & loco supradictis per consensum Dominorum, Ballivi, viginti quatuor Juratorum & communitatis ejusdem Marisci, videlicet per Johannem Frances Attornatum Domini Simonis Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, Abbatem Sancti Augustini Cantuariensis, Priorem Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, Simonem Magistrum domus Dei donorum, Edmundum Staplegate, Dominum de Bilsington inferiori, & caeteros Dominos ad hoc specialiter electos, cum quibusdam etiam communitatis scilicet per Wilhelmum de Ecchingham, & Stephin de Valcyns Christus, Willihelmum de Horne, & Jacobum de Capele ad hoc pro praedicta Communitate electos, ordinaverunt & statuerunt quod communis Ballivus Marisci de Romene, qui Ordinatum est qued Communis Ballivus eligarur per communem assensum Dominorum villarum infra quindenam St. Michaelis annuatim. terras habet simul & risideat eligatur per communem assensum Dominorum villarum ejusdem Marisci vel per Attornatos suos speciales & ubi major pars eorum numero consenserit stabitur electioni in lastis tenendis apud Demecherche vel Newcherch, aut aliis locis congruis, infra praecinctum dicti Marisci infra quindenam sancti Michaelis annuatim per summonitionem Ballivi praedicti nisi infra annum illum ex necessitate & causa rationabili oporteret Ballivum illum amoveri, & alium loco suo poni. Et si electus ille praesens fuerit & officium illud admittere noluerit amercietur statim in quadraginta solidis quos subsequens Ballivus de bonis & catallis suis levari faciat ad communem utilitatem Marisci praedicti. Et sic fiat nova electio Si electus ille presens & officium illud admittere noluit amercietur ad 40 s. levari per Ballivum subsequena '. ●●od ' Ballivi. incontinenti alterius Ballivi qui Juramentum & officium illud admittat, & habeat pro labore suo dupla levanda quae tempore suo de Scottis assessis & levatis contingant ac etiam dupla omnium denariorum suorum in negligentia aliorum, quorumcunque appositorum. Et si electus ille imposterum per quoscunque impediatur, quo minus electus ille officium illud admittere non audeat, statim hujus impedientes per electores praedictos puniantur singulatim Impedientes puniantur. prout dictus Ballivus puniretur, si juramentum facere & officium illud admittere noluerit. Et si contingat, quod ille tempore electionis absens fuerit statim Si Ball▪ vus elect' sit absens tempore Electionis, ille distringetur per Bona & Catalla quae imparriantur quousque sacramentum prastaverit. per Ballivum Marisci tunc praedecessorem existentem distringetur per omnia bona & Catalla sua & impertiantur locis congruis & consuetis, & ibidem detineantur quousque Archiepiscopo Cantuariensis, Abbati sancti Augustini Priori Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis qui pro tempore fuerint, vel uni eorum accesserit & officium illud admiserit, & Sacramentum suum praestaverit, & super hoc literas suas sigillis signatas detulerit Ballivo praedecessori suo, & hoc faciet infra sex dies proxime post dictam electionem factam, alioquin puniatur, ut praedictum est, & statim fiat nova electio, ad quod lastum principale praedicti communes Collectores omnium praecedentium generalium scottorum & etiam expenditores coram Dominis praedictis, vel eorum attornatis si interesse Communes Collectores omnium Scottorum Ballivo Jurat' & Communitati Computabunt. Computum inscriptum per 〈…〉. velint Ballivo viginti quatuor Juratoribus & communitate Marisci praedicti computabunt & fiat computum inscriptum per Indenturas factas inter ipsos & Ballivum ac viginti quatuor Juratores & Communitatem praedicti Marisci eodem modo fiat computum Ballivi de his, quae sibi contingat computare. Et si aliquis praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum faciat defaltam in praedicto lasto 〈◊〉 jura● ' 〈◊〉 ' faciens 〈◊〉 principali 〈…〉. 12 d. principali, nisi rationabilem habeat excusationem, amercietur in duodecim denariis ad opus communitatis per Ballivum levandis Et si contingat quod aliquis viginti quatuor Juratorum discedat infra annum, vel amoveri oporteat loco suo alius eligatur & ponatur in lasto principali Si aliquis jurat' amovetur alius eligetur. praedicto per Dominos feodorum Ballivum viginti quatuor Juratores & communitatem de fidelioribus sapientia & ditioribus ejusdem Marisci usque ad numerum praedictorum viginti quatuor completorum. Eodem modo fiat de Collectoribus Eodem modo fiat de Collectoribus. Jurat' Collectores etc. recusan es prest are Sacramentum amercietur 20 ●. & expenditoribus, ita quod non eligantur de praedictis viginti quatuor Juratoribus si Domini praedicti interesse velint. Et si quis praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum Collectorum vel expenditorum electus fuerit, & sacramentum praestare noluerit, amercietur in viginti solidis levandis, ut praedictum est, & statim alius loco suo eligatur & oneretur. Et si praedicti viginti quatuor Juratores summoniti fuerint, ubicunque infra praecinctum dicti Marisci ad communem vel seperale lastum, 〈…〉 sum●●●●●● & n●n Comparentes 〈…〉. ubi ad minus praeter octo vel decem eorum non venerunt, ita quod judicium & award pro salvatione Marisci praedicti non fiant pro defectu majoris numeri absentium amercietur unusquisque absens in sex denariis per Ballivum, ut praedictum est levandis, de quibus & aliis similibus dictus Ballivus in principali lasto supradicto computabit. Idem quilibet praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum, jurabit quod cum sociis suis juratis were ●●●●mentum 4. juratorum. judicia & awarda faciat non parcendo alicui diviti aut pauperi tam districtionibus faciendis quam de Walliis Landiis Watergagiis Seweris Foveis & Gutteris Pontibus & aliis impedimentis quibuscunque infra praecinctum Marisci praedicti contingendis amovendis & transgressiones puniendis, & quod sint intendentes Ballivo Marisci praedicti ad districtiones captas & impercatas per tres dies & plus appreciandum & vendendum locis consuetis, & quod ipse omnia judicia & awarda per ipsos facta irrotulare & indenturam inde faciat inter ipsos & Ballivum praedicti Marisci qui pro tempore fuerit. Item Collectores & expenditores electi ut supradictum Sacramentum Collectorum & expenatiorum. est, jurabunt quod fideliter levabunt colligent & expendent, & computabunt de omnibus scots, assessis per Dominos Ballivum & viginti quatuor Juratorum vel majorem partem eorundem. Et eodem modo fiat & observetur in omnibus Aquagagiisi infra praecinctum dicti Marisci, & coram Dominis villarum cujuscunque si interesse velint. Item Ballivus Sacramentum Ballivorum. jurabit quod ipse fideles executiones faciet de judiciis & considerationibus praedictorum viginti quatuor Juratorum & de his quae ad ipsos pertinent judicare & awardare. Et quod ipse in propria persona sua omnes Collectores & expenditores tam generales scottas quam separales Aquagagias assessas ut praedictum est onerabit per Sacramentum fideliter levare colligere expendere & computare. Et quod in propria persona sua supervideat omnes Wallias, Landeas, Watergagias, Seweres, Gutteras & Pontes, quando necesse fuerit, ad minus bis in anno semel in mense Januarii, & secundo mense Junii. Et quod liberabit successori suo omnes evidentias quas penes se habet, tam Cartas regum Angliae libertates & consuetudines ejusdem Marisci continentes, quam Rotulos judiciorum considerationum & awardarum per praedictos viginti quatuor Juratores cum omni processu computorum collectorum & expenditorum quorumcunque tempore suo habito. Et habeat Clericus 〈…〉 6 s. 8 d pro labore 〈◊〉. Non li●●t alicui 〈◊〉 Dammas. hujus Ballivi pro labore suo de communitate Marisci praedicti sex solidos octo denarios. Non liceat alicui de caetero facere dammas vel fordas aut alia impedimenta in aliquibus Landeis, Watergageis Fossatis, sive Aquagiis communibus in Marisco praedicto, per quod rectus cursus aquarum in aliqua impediatur: Et si fecerit Et 〈◊〉 ●●cerit Amercietur per Ballivum & Jur. & hoc testificatum fuerit per Ballivum & sex de juratis vel communitate aquagii ubi damnum factum fuerit statim amercietur secundum quantitatem delicti per praedictos Ballivum & viginti quatuor Juratores, & statim levetur ad communem utilitatem ut praedictum est. Et nihilominus siquis alius quam communitas laesus fuerit ca de causa, & hoc per testimonium Baliivi & sex Juratorum probatum 〈…〉. foret sit satisfactum laeso. Item ordinaverunt & statuerunt quod quilibet scottas Scottas assessus & dies solutionis inde proclametur. assessus in dicto Marisco proclametur certis locis publicis & dies solutionis inde assignetur & proclametur ut ignoratia ulla se excusare non possit quando & quo loco solvi debeat. Item ordinaverunt & statuerunt quod quaelibet acra pro Walliis Insetenis & Watergageis ematur pro Quod un acra pro Wallijs ematur pro 40 s. Non liceat alicui operarios in Communi opere existentes abducere sub poena 10 s. quadraginta solidis. Et quod non liceat alicui aliquos operarios in communi opere existentes, ad opus suum singulare, nec aliquo alio loco abducere antequam dictum opus perficiatur, & si aliquis super hoc convincatur per testimonium Ballivi & Juratorum in communi lasto amercietur in decem solidis qui per Ballivum praedictum incontinenti levari debent ad communem utilitatem, ut supra. Item ordinaverunt & statuerunt quod omnes aquagii infra dictum Mariscum per quascunque terras & tenementa in quolibet aquagio sic custodiantur, videlicet quod aqua non discurrat extra rectum cursum suum, Ordinatio quommodo Aquagii custodiantur. ad damnum alicujus sub poena quantitatis delicti per Ballivum praedictum ad opus communitatis levandi cum quis super hoc in communi lasto per testamentum Ballivi & sex Juratorum convincatur. Et quia ab antiquo conceditur per Dominum Regem quod omnes terrae maritimae custodiantur per leges ordinationes statuta & consuetudines praedicti Marisci de Romene ab Insula Theneti usque Penense, tam in comitatu Kanciae quam in comitatu Sussex licitum sit praedictis Ballivo & viginti quatuor juratoribus sumptos suos rationabiles Ballivus & Jurat' sumptos suos habere de his qui eos ad loca ducere velint ordinationes suos facere. petere est habere de his qui eos ad loca ducere velint, sive sint Domini sive de Communitate ubi ordinationem suam secundum legem maritimam tam in Walliis quam in Watergagiis Gutteris Seweris Piscariis, & aliis quibuscunque dictam legem tangentibus facere debeant. Item ordinaverunt & statuerunt quod si quis rescussum Ballivo Marisci vel Ministris suis fecerit de districtionibus Si quis rescussum Ballivo secerint de districtionibus Amercietur 20 s. quibuscunque captis super quoscunque occaone Articulorum praemissorum aut alicujus ordinationis pro utilitate dicti Marisci factae seu faciendae & super hoc per Testimonium Ballivi praedicti & sex vel octo Juratorum de praedictis viginti quatuor vel aquagii ubi districtio capi contigerit convincatur per amerciamentum viginti solidorum, ad opus Communitatis levandorum per Ballivum, ut supra. Eodem modo ●at in locis ubi Lex maritima Quibus locis lex maritima currt. currit inter Insulam Theneti & Penensi sive in Comitatu Kanciae, sive in Comitatu Sussex. FINIS. THE CHARTER OF HENRY KING of ENGLAND, Concerning the Ordinance of Romney-Marsh. HENRY by the Grace of God, The Charter of King Henry the Third. King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, and Earl of Andeg. To all his Bailiffs and faithful Subjects, to whom these present Letters shall come, Greeting. Because by four and twenty lawful men of Romney-Marsh (time out of mind) hereunto chosen and sworn, Distresses ought to be made upon all those which have Lands and Tenements in the said Marsh, To repair the Walls and Watergages of the same Marsh, against the dangers of the Sea. And also upon all those which are bound and charged for the reparation of the said Walls and A power granted to the 24 Iurates to make Distresses. Watergages: We have granted to the same four and twenty, that for the safety of the said Marsh, they cause those distresses to be done, so that they be made equal, according to the portions greater and lesser, which men have in the same Marsh, and according to that which some are bound and charged. And therefore we will and grant, that none of our Sheriffs of The Sheriff or his Officers not to intermeddle with those Distresses. Kent, or any his Bailiffs, do in any wise intermeddle touching those Distresses made by consideration of the same four and twenty jurors to avoid the same danger. For whosoever shall bring Complaint unto us, of the consideration of those Distresses, we will cause justice to be done unto him in our Court, and that justice we reserve specially to ourselves, or our special Commandment. In witness whereof, these Letters we have caused to be made Patents. Witness myself at S. edmond's, the second day of September, in the six and thirtieth year of our Reign. ¶ The Ordinance of Henry of Bathonia, justice of our Lord King Henry, Son of King John, made by Precept of the same Lord the King, upon contention arisen between the four and twenty jurors, and the men of Romney Marsh, touching reparation of the Walls and Watergages there being, at Romney, on Saturday next after the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary, in the two and fortieth year of the said King Henry, adjoining to him Nicholas of Handlo, and Aulred of Dene, etc. Our Lord the King hath given in The Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia. charge to Henry of Bathonia, that whereas judgement ought to be done by four and twenty lawful men of Romney-Marsh, to distrain upon all those which have Lands and Tenements in the said Marsh, to repair the Walls and Watergages of the same Marsh, against the force of the Sea, and inundation of other Waters, and also upon all those which are bound and charged with the reparation of the same Walls and Watergages. And to the same four and twenty jurors our Lord the King by his Letters Patents Recital of the Charter of H. 3. hath lately granted, That for safety of the said Marsh, they should cause Distresses to be made, so that they may be duly done, according to the portions, greater or less, which men have in the same Marsh, and according as some are bound and holden hereunto. So that no Sheriff of Kent of our Lord the King, or any his Bailiffs, do in any wise intermeddle with those Distresses made by consideration of the foresaid four and twenty jurors for avoiding the danger aforesaid. But if any should think himself grieved unjustly touching the consideration of those Distresses, and would complain thereof, he should bring his Complaint unto him our Lord the King, and he would cause justice to be done to him in his Court, and that justice had specially reserved to him our Lord the King, or to his special Mandate. The said four and twenty jurors (for the consideration and resistance of certain men of the same Marsh, which are bound to repair The Jurors being resisted by the Men of the Parish, cannot make their Distresses. the same Walls and Watergages, according to the Quantity of the Lands and Tenements which they have in the same Marsh) cannot make the same Distresses, whereby the Walls and Watergages lie ruinated, By reason whereof the Inundations of the Sea and other Waters do overflow a great part thereof, to the great detriment The King appoints Henry the bath his Justicer to hear and determine the Controversy between the Jurors and Men of the Marsh. of our said Lord the King, and men of the same Marsh. He our Lord the King, hath appointed the said Henry, his justicer, to hear and determine the contentions arisen touching the same reparation, between the same four and twenty jurors, and men of the said Marsh. And to provide for security and defence of the said Marsh against inundation and peril of the Sea and other Waters, by reparation of the said Walls and Watergages to be made by them which are bound to repair it, according to the quantity of the Lands and Tenements which they have in the same Marsh, and according to that which some are otherwise bound and holden hereunto. Our said Lord the King commanding the said Henry, that at the day and place which he should limit, he should provide to dispatch the same, as is aforesaid: And what he shall do therein, that to him the said Lord the King he make known distinctly and plainly in writing, that the same Lord the King might cause it to be enrolled, etc. By which Mandate, the said Henry, in the day aforesaid being at Romney, joining to him the same Nicholas de Handlo, and Aulred of Dene, and the Sheriff of Kent assisting him, which by Precept The Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia. of our Lord the King at the same day, caused to come before him so many and such honest and lawful men of his Bailiwick, by which the same Strifes may be ended, and the same provision may the better be effected, none of the same Marsh then withstanding it: The said HENRY in the presence of the Commonalty of the said Marsh then being there with their Counsel pleading, Ordained as followeth: That is to say, that by the That twelve men shall be chosen, viz. six of the Fee of the Archbishop, and six of the Barony, to measure the Walls and the Lands subject to danger. whole Commonalty of the same Marsh, twelve lawful men may be chosen, to wit, six of the Fee of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and six of the Barony, which being sworn, shall measure the Walls new and old, and those which ought to be new erected. And the same measuring should be done by one and the same Perch, to wit, of twenty feet. And afterwards the same jurors upon their Oaths also by the same Perch shall measure by all the Acres Lands and Tenements which are subject to danger within the same Marsh: Which measurings being done, the twenty four by the Commonalty first elected and sworn, having respect to the quantity of the Walls, Lands and Tenements which are subject to peril, by their Oath, shall ordain how much appertaineth to every one to uphold and repair the same Walls. So that for the portion of Acres of Lands lying subject to danger, there be assigned to every one his portion of Perches by certain Bounds: so as it may be known where and by what places every The Jurors to assign to every man his portion of Perches by certain Bounds, according to the portion of Acres subject to danger. one ought to make defensible, and when need shall be, by whose occasion the peril and force of Sea ought to be withstood by repairing the same Walls, And there ought to come the four and twenty jurors to see through which of the same places such need chanceth, and to whom the same places were assigned be defended, and aught the same time to be repaired. Which common Bailiff shall give notice to them, to whom the same Common Bailiff to give notice to repair within the time the Jurors appoint. If the Parties neglect, the Bailiff to repair and recover double Costs by distress on the Defaulters Lands. places were appointed to be kept, that they repair and amend the same places within the time by the same four and twenty jurors appointed. Within which time if they neglect to do it, the said common Bailiff of his own charge shall repair such defaults by the view of the four and twenty jurors, and the same party neglecting, shall be compelled to pay double Costs to the same Bailiff for his Charges laid out upon the same reparations, which double must be reserved for the benefit of the same Reparations. And moreover, the negligent herein may be distrained by his Lands within the same Marsh. And if any Perches of Lands be holden in common ot Partners, so that to every Partner, a certain place for the portion of his part cannot be appointed, to wit, all or half a Perch by reason of the smallness of the same Perch, Then by the Oath of the four and Of Lands held in Common. twenty jurors it shall be ordained and seen, how much the same Land which is so holden in common aught to defend, and The Jurors to ordain how much every one is to defend. there shall be a certain portion of defence assigned to the same Partners in common for the portion of their common Land. And if any of the Partners shall If one Partner neglects his part to be assigned to the other who makes his defence. be remiss in defending his part when the same Partners shall be warned by the said Bailiff, the part of the Partner so remiss, may be assigned to the other Partners which shall make Defence. And they which hold in their own hand the part of the Partner neglecting, shall keep And he to hold the others Lands till he be paid double Costs. it until he neglecting shall pay double the Costs bestowed about the same Defence containing his part by the view of the four and twenty jurors for the benefit of the same Reparations as is aforesaid. And if all the same Partners shall be negligent about the If all the Partners shall be negligent, than the Bailiff to repair and distrain the Partners for double Costs. same, than the said Common Bailiff shall make the same Defence of his own Costs, and may distrein the same Partners afterwards for double the Costs about the same Defence by View of four and twenty jurors as is aforesaid, The right of the chief Lords of the Fee in the foresaid Marsh which they have towards the Tenants of this Defence, according to their Feoffments reserved. And that all the Lands in the Marsh may be kept against force of the Sea, and inundations A saving to the Lords of the Fee their right of fresh Waters by the Walls and Watergages by the Oath and consideration of twenty four jurors for the least hurt and best safety, as of old time was used. Saving A saving to the Commonalty their right. also the Tenor of the Charter of our Lord the King to the communality of the said Marsh granted, that no Sheriff, nor any his Bailiff or Minister make any Distress within the same Marsh, by occasion of any the said Articles, as in the said Charter is contained; which Charter, this Ordinance notwithstanding shall continue in his perpetual force, etc. The King to the Sheriff of Kent The Kings Writ to the Sheriff of Kent, commanding him not to meddle with the distresses made by the Jurates. greeting. Whereas we lately appointed our beloved and faithful Henry de Bathonia to hear and determine variances depending between four and twenty lawful men of Romney-Marsh, by whose consideration the Walls and Watergages of the same Marsh against the force of the Sea and peril of other Waters there overflowing, Calais Lect. 155. aught to be repaired, and such as have other Lands and Tenements in the same Marsh, which ought and were wont to repair those Walls and Watergages. And the said Henry going in person to those parts, ordained, that according to the consideration of the said four and twenty jurors Distresses should be made for reparation of the said Walls and Watergages. So that no Sheriff or other our Bailiff do intermeddle with the same Distresses, as in the Rolls of our Chancery expressing that Ordinance is contained. Nevertheless, you have released those Distresses for this Deed by four and twenty jurors, to the prejudice of their consideration. And because, if any think himself grieved of the same consideration, for which he will complain, he ought to come to us to seek remedy. We command you, that in no wise you meddle with the same Distresses, but cause them to be returned by the four and twenty jurors and their Bailiff appointed hereunto, that no further complaint thereof come to us for which we may be displeased with you. Witness myself at Westminster the twentieth day of April, in the three and fortieth year of our Reign, by Henry de Bathonia, etc. Then followeth the number of all the Acres within the same Marsh, as is found by measure taken in the two and fortieth year of King Henry, and also the agistation as well in the great Wall of Apuldre, as in the little Wall, to the quantity of the Lands holden within, etc. Hamo Pit, John Cobbe, Henry An Action of Trespass brought by Godfrey Fauconer against Hamo Pit, & alios for entering into his Manor of Hurst and taking away his Goods and Chattels. le Long, and John Ermynard, were attached to answer unto Godfrey le Fauconer, for that they with others, lately came to the Manor of the said Godfrey in Hurst, and his Goods and Chattels there found to the value of twenty pounds, took and carried away, and other Damages and Brievances to him there did, to his great loss, and against the Peace, etc. And whereof the said Godfrey complaineth, that on Thursday in Easter-week in the year, etc. the same Hamo with others, took ten ●ine in the Town of Hurst, etc. whereby he saith, he is damnified, and hath lost to the value, etc. and thereupon bringeth suit, etc. And the said Hamo and others came and defended, The Defendants Plea. etc. and so far forth as is against the Peace, etc. when, etc. and they well acknowledge that they took ten Kine aforesaid, etc. of the said Godfrey justly, Pleads by the Custom and Charter, and Justifies as Bailiff for a Distress taken for Repairing the Walls, etc. and in the Peace of our Lord the King, because, he saith that the said Godfrey hath Lands, ● etc. in Romney Marsh, where all the Tenants having Lands and Tenements in the same Marsh, aught according to the quantity of their Land, to make Walls and Watergages against the Sea for the inundations of the Waters, and four and twenty lawful men of the same Marsh being chosen by the Communality of the same Marsh, and the jurates aught to make Distresses upon the Tenants in the same Marsh, according to the quantity of their Tenements, when it shall be needful, to repair the same Walls and Watergages. Which jurats in the same Marsh, as the manner is, for that they all could not be at leisure, have chosen the said Hamo to distrain, and have made him their Bailiff to do it, and this liberty they have by Ancient Custom of the same Marsh, and by Charter of our Lord the King, which they produce, in these words, Henry by the Grace of God, etc. Whereby he saith, that by means of the default of the said Godfrey, he lawfully took the same Distress for repairing the same Walls and Watergages, of which in the Wall of Apuldre there were assigned to him for his part, by the same Iurates, three Perches and half at the least at his Charges to be repaired, And more, according to the Inundations of Waters, if it shall be needful through divers places, and that they take a greater Distress, unless they will do it, they put themselves upon their Country, etc. Notwithstanding, they say they took of one A. B. six Bullocks, who was the Farmer of the said Godfrey, and ten Lambs of I. N. Tenants of the same Godfrey, by reason of the defects of the same Walls and Watergages, for which they afterwards paid, and had their Beasts again. Being required for what they made the first Distress, and for how much the second, they say, that the first Default of the said Godfrey was esteemed at four Marks, and the second Default at The Plaintiffs Replication that he claims his Land by Charter from the King and therefore aught to be discharged from Repairs. 48 shillings. And the same Godfrey saith, that he holdeth his Tenements in the same Marsh of the Gift and Grant of the Lord Henry, late King of England, Grandfather to our now Lord King Henry, the which the same Lord Henry hath given to one William the Son of Balder, the Predecessor of the said Godfrey, whose Heir, etc. By which Grant, his Predecessors and he afterwards held his Tenements in the same Marsh, always as freely and quietly as the said Balder held them before. And they say, that neither of his Predecessors nor of him any such Custom was ever sought to repair the same Walls and Watergages, unless five years past, after that the said Hamo was made Bailiff, to keep Prescribes genegenerally in non reparando. Vid. Calais Lect. fol. 177. the same Walls and Watergages, neither did they ever at any time do it. And he bringeth the Charter of the said King Henry, in these words: Henry by the Grace of God, King of England, etc. To the Archbishop of Canterbury, etc. And saith, that by the same Feoffment, his Ancestors have held the same Tenements so freely, that they never made nor repaired the Walls nor Watergages, neither was he, after that he held those Lands nor his Predecessors Distreined, until now five or six years past, that the said Hamo and others have took the Beasts and as they know which made upon him the same Distress for Default of Reparation of the same Walls and Watergages, which neither he nor his Predecessors have done, nor ever used to do, desireth judgement of The Defendants Rejoinder. their Acknowledgement. And the said Hamo and others say, that sometimes there was Contravers betwixt the Tenants in the said Marsh upon the Reparation of the same Walls and Watergages, so that Plea was moved thereby in the County before the Sheriff, for which the four and twenty jurats finding themselves grieved, came to the Court of our Lord the King, and complained of the said Sheriff, alleging that the same Plea appertained not not to the Sheriff to be holden, so that by Counsel of our Lord the King it was provided that there might be sent the justices of our Lord the King, to ordain and dispose that which should be meet to appease those Strifes. So that Henry Henry de Bathonia, his Ordinance pleaded. de Bathonia was sent thither, and all the Tenants of the said Marsh had Summons of forty days, as he was in the journey with the justices. And the said Henry, having seen the Walls and Waterbanks aforesaid up assent and will of the whole communality of the said Marsh, hath ordained that the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, and all Tenants in the same Marsh, shall contribute, according to the quantity of their Tenure, to make again the same Walls and Watergages, whereby as the said Godfrey will be defended by the Walls and Watergages, he requireth that he contribute to repair them, as before the said justice it was ordained. And that the ordinance is such as aforesaid, he referreth himself to the Record of the Rolls of the said Henry de Bathonia. Also he saith, that it is needful that he Contribute to repair the same Walls, etc. for that he saith, that except his Land should be defended by the said Walls, all his Land would be overflown and washed. And the said Godfrey saith, that although the same Ordinance had been made by the said The Plaintiffs Surrejoynder. Henry, the said Godfrey never consented thereto, neither was Summoned nor called to come before him to make the same Ordinance: He also saith, that That he never consented to the Ordinance of Hen. de Bathonia, and that neither before nor since the said Ordinance he nor his Ancestors never made such Contribution. neither before the Ordinance nor after, he nor his Predecessors did lately make such Contribution, but always held their Land quietly from all manner of exaction according to the Tenor of the said Charter of King Henry, Grandfather to the now King, until two years past, the said Hamo and others took his Beasts, whereof he prayeth judgement whether the same do hurt him in this behalf. And the said Hamo and others say that he had a Common Summons of forty days, Defendant replies that he had a Common Summons as the other had. as all the Communality of the same Marsh had, which he ought not to be ignorant of; whereby he saith, That although he would not come thither as he ought with his Neighbours, he ought not to be therefore freed from the same Contribution to repair the Walls, insomuch that it is the common benefit of all the Tenants in the said Marsh; that as well his Land as the Land of the other Tenants may be defended by the same Walls and Watergages, whereof he desireth judgement. He also saith, That, after the same Ordinance, the said Godfrey and those men have given a Mark to repair the Walls and Watergages aforesaid before the said Hamo was Bailiff, and that he is ready to verify the same, etc. And Godfrey saith that he holdeth himself to the same Charter of our Lord the King, and to his Liberty which he and his Predecessors used, against which none Ordinance being made by the said Henry, can nor aught to hurt him, and he well defendeth, that neither he nor any by him, hath given any thing at any time, before the said Ordinance nor after to the same Reparation. And this he is Issue joined. ready to verify, etc. Afterwards in the morrow after Saint Martin in the two and fortieth year, there came the said G. H. and others, etc. And it was commanded to the Sherist, that he cause to come, in three Ven. fac. awarded. weeks after Easter wheresoever, twelve aswel Knights, as, etc. by which, etc. And which nether, etc. nor have Lands in the said Marsh, etc. if the said Godfrey and his Predecessors after that they had his Land of Hurst, of the Gift and Grant of our Lord Henry, King of England, etc. together with other men, having Land in the said Marsh, were wont to repair the Walls and Watergages, and to contribute with the same men to repair them when it hath been needful, whereof the said Godfrey by a certain Ordinance in which he granted before Henry de Bathonia, whom the Lord the King had sent in that behalf, gave a Mark to repair the said Walls and Watergages before the said Hamo was Bailiff of the said Marsh, as the said H. and I. do affirm, or if the said Godfrey or his Predecessors were freed from those Reparations of the Walls and Watergages and things incident thereto, by Charter of the said King Henry, Grandfather, etc. So that the said Godfrey hath not agreed to the same Ordinance, nor ever gave any thing to repair the same Walls and Watergages, as the said Godfrey allegeth, because aswell, etc. Afterwards from three weeks after Easter, in the two and fortieth year the Sheriff hath not sent his Writ, therefore he in pity, etc. that is to to say, Fulk Payforor, therefore as before it is given in charge to the Sheriff, that he cause to come here fifteen days after the day of S. Trinity wheresoever, etc. twelve, etc. by which &c. and which neither, etc. Afterwards at that day there came the said Godfrey, H. and others, and desired judgement to be done according to the Record and Process of the same Plea, and the Plea was recited before the Lord the King and his Counsel, and because it is found according to that Record, that the Lord the King had otherwise sent Henry de Bathonia his justice thereunto assigned to the same Romney-Marsh, who disposed that all those which had Lands and Tenements in the same Marsh▪ should according to the quantity of their Tenements, Contribute to repair the Walls and Watergages of the said Marsh, as the said Hamo and others allege, to which Contribution the said Godfrey is not bound, as the said Godfrey saith, neither as yet is it manifest in the Court of the King here, of the same Ordinance and Disposition, without the which they cannot rightly proceed unto judgement. Day is given them in 15. days after the day of S. Michael wheresoever, etc. And in the mean space the Rolls of the time of the said Henry de Bathonia are sought, and it must be known that it is forbidden that the said Hamo distrain the said Godfrey whilst the Plea dependeth. Afterwards in 15. days, after the day of S. Michael in the 43 year, etc. the said Godfrey came, The Plaintiff withdrew his Writ. and is in Misericordia. and withdrew himself of his Writ against the said Hamo and others, etc. And therefore he in pity, etc. And further he granted for himself and his Heirs, that from henceforth they should cause to be repaired the Walls and Watergages for his part of the quantity of his Lands together with his Neighbours, as the custom of his Country is without contradiction or cavillation for ever. And the said Hamo hath granted and bound for himself and others, that he will account before the 24. jurats of the Country, chosen upon the Distresses, and Beasts taken of the said Godfrey for repairing the said Walls and Watergages from the beginning of this Plea till now, etc. And those Distresses according to the quantity of the part happening to him, shall in the mean space satisfy, for reparation of the Walls and Watergages aforesaid as is afore declared by the Distresses that the said Hamo and others shall pay in all things which shall be enjoined by the said account between them of the Surplusage received of the Beasts sold by the said Godfrey by the same occasion. And the said Godfrey hath granted, that if the said Hamo verify by account that the Beasts taken by him in the name of Distress by occasion aforesaid, in value cannot satisfy for the part of the quantity of his Land for the repairing of the said Walls and Watergages, that he the said Godfrey will satisfy him in all Arrearages from the beginning of the same Plea till now by the View and Estimation of the same four and twenty jurors of the Country, etc. The Ordinance of the Lord John de Lovetot, 16 E. 1. The Ordinance concerning the Marshes of Romney and Oxney. and Henry de Appledorefeild, justices of the Lord the King of all the Marshes of Romney and Oxney to the County of Sussex. Before J. de Lovetot, and H. of Appledorefeild at Romney the fifth day of December in the sixteenth year of King Edward, Son of King Henry. Our Lord the King hath sent to his well-beloved The Commission of E. 1. to Jo. Lovetot and Hen. Appledorefeild to view the Walls of the Sea Coast. and faithful John de Lovetot, and Henry de Appledorefeild his Writ in these words, Edward by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitane, to our well-beloved John de Lovetot, and Henry de Appledorefeild greeting. Know ye that whereas we are bound by reason of our Princely Dignity, and by Oath to provide for the safety of our Kingdom. We have assigned on every side you to oversee the Walls and Ditches by the Sea Coast, and the parts thereto adjoining in the County of Kent, diversely ruynated by the stage of the ●●ea to inquire by whose default such hurt hath happened there, and of all those which hold Lands and Tenements in those parts, and by any means have Defence and Safety, or may have Defence or Safety by those Walls and Ditches, and them for the quantity of their Lands and Tenements, or by the number of Acres of Land, or by Carucates for the rated portion of their tenure to distrain together with the Bailiff of the Liberties and others of these parts to repair them in necessary places as often and where as need shall be, so that none having Lands or Tenements of this or other, of what Condition, state, or dignity that they be, which have any Defence by these Walls and Ditches, whether it be within the liberty or without, shall be spared in this behalf. And therefore we command you, that for the execution of this business, ye behave yourselves so faithfully and discreetly, that as well men resident in the same places as their Lands, may be saved against like Perils, and casually no worse in like manner happen, and you upon that which you shall do and ordain in this behalf under your Seals, and the Seals of the jurors, as well Knights, as other honest and lawful men, you distinctly and publicly certify us. For we have commanded our Sheriff of the same County, that at certain days and places which he shall limit them, he shall cause to come so many and such honest and lawful men of his Bayliwick, by whom the truth of the matter may be known and enquired in the premises, in witness whereof, etc. Witdess Edmund Earl of Cornwall our Constable at Westminster the fifteenth day of November, in the sixteenth year of our Reign By which Mandate it was commanded A Mandate to the Sheriff to return a Panel. to the Sheriff, that he should come before the said justices here at this day, four and twenty jurors of Romney-Marsh, and all the Lords of the Towns of the same Marsh, and such and so many honest and lawful men of the several Lands near to the Sea Coast in his Bayliwick, by which the truth of the matter in the premises may the better be known and inquired of, and further to do that which in the premises shall be ordained, who now came. And the said four and twenty jurors of the same Marsh, together The Jurors and Communality plead the Charter of H. 8. and the privileges thereby to them granted. with the communality of the said Marsh alleged, that the Lord, King Henry, Father of the now King, by his Charter hath granted unto them certain liberties in his Lands of the same Marsh, and required that their liberties aforesaid may be reserved unto them, and that nothing be attempted or ordained to the prejudice of the same liberties, and produce a Charter of the Lord Henry our King aforesaid in these words, Henry by the Grace of God, etc. They also alleged, that the Lord the King, The Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia pleaded. Father of our now Lord the King, in the two and fiftieth year of his Reign, by reason of certain discord arisen amongst divers men of the same Marsh, by means of repairing the same Walls and Watergages, did send Henry de Bathonia his justicer to those parts, to hear and determine the strifes grown of the same Reparation, between four and twenty jurors, and the men of the said Marsh, and to provide for the safety and defence of the said Marsh, against the overflowing and danger of the Sea and other Waters, by Repairing the said Walls and Watergages by them, which for Reparation thereof, are bound according to the quantity of their Lands and Tenements which they have in the same Marsh. Whereby they affirm that the said Henry de Bathonia, by Authority of the same Mandate of our Lord King Henry aforesaid, hath Ordained and Established for them there a certain Law and Ordinance, by which that Marsh is hitherto kept and conserved, and therefore require that by that Ordinance and Law that may hereafter be tried and defended, as heretofore they have been accustomed. And to that end they brought the same Ordinance of the said Henry de Bathonia, under the Seal of our Lord the King, in these words: Before Henry de Bathonia, etc. as afore, etc. And because the Ordinance of the said Henry plainly seemeth agreeable to equity, and hitherto hath been allowed. It is commanded and appointed that the same Ordinance be in all points observed without A Confirmation of the Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia. impeachment, adding nevertheless, that because in the same Ordinance nothing was expressed of the choice of a common Bailiff of our Lord the King in the same Marsh, by what means and by whom that choice ought to be made, It is agreed, that from henceforth the said common Bailiff To which is added the manner of Electing a Common Bailiff. of the said Marsh departing or deceasing, another which is resident, and hath Lands in the same Marsh, may have his place. And that the same choice from henceforth be made, by common assent of two Towns of the same Marsh, or by their Attorneys, and where the greater number agree, it shall stand at their choice, because it hath been so accustomed to be done. And for levying of the double, and of the Costs bestowed for Reparation of the Defaults of the same Marsh, for the punishment of such as How the double shall be levied on the Defaulters. neglect to repair those Defaults, it is agreed, that the same double be levied, as in the former Ordinance was appointed, and that the double be reverted, for the common benefit of repairing the said Marsh, and not The double Costs to be for the benefit of repairing the Marsh. be observed for the use of the same Bailiff hereafter. And because in the same Marsh divers Walls and Watergages, to whose repairing and maintaining, the communality of the same Marsh doth not contribute, but only they which have Lands adjacent and nearest to the said Walls and Watergages, and some by oppression of the Lords of the said Marsh, do pay but sometimes 〈◊〉 the repairing and upholding of the same for 40. Acres, how much others for 50. Acres, that which shall be more against the Law of the Marsh, and Ordinance of the said Henry de Bathonia, it is agreed and ordained that notwithstanding any custom used All that have Lands or Tenements subject to the Danger of the Sea, and have thereby safety, shall be distrained to repair. before of any, all and singular having Lands and Tenements, which are subject to the danger of the Sea, and have there also safety for the same, may henceforth be distrained to repair and support the Walls and Watergages. So that all do contribute equally according to the number of Acres which they have there, so as none be spared, of what state and condition soever they be, which thereby have safety and defence. And because in that Marsh of Romeney beyond the Waterstream of that Dock, stretching from Suergate towards Romenhall on the west part of that Creek unto the County of Sussex, there was no certain Law of the Marsh appointed nor used, but of such as have Lands at will therein, whereby divers perils and intolerable losses had happened by inundation of the Sea, that from henceforth such dangers may be prevented, and for common benefit seen into, It is agreed and jointly It is ordained that in the Marshes beyond the Creek toward Sussex, there be appointed to be chosen by the Commonalty, Jurors, for the security of those parts, as it is in the Ordinance of Henry de Bathonia. ordained, that in the Marsh beyond the same Creek towards Sussex, there be appointed to be chosen by the communality, jurors, which for security of those parts in this behalf shall be sworn, and having respect to the number of acres, which are subject to the same peril, and to the quantity of Walls and Watergages there to be repaired and maintained, by their Oath shall consider and ordain as much as shall be needful to repair and uphold them. So that every one for the portion of Acres subject to the same danger, do equally contribute to sustain them. So that according to the portion of their Acres and their value; there be assigned to every one in the same Walls and Watergages, his Portion of Perches to be upholden, as is contained more plainly in the ordinance of the said Henry de Bathonia. And moreover, for that hitherto in those parts beyond the same Dock towards Sussex, there was no common Bailiff appointed, which should provide and take had of the dangers there happening, for the common good of those parts, and that A Bailiff to be also chosen for the Marshes beyond the Watercourse towards Sussex. hereafter no like perils there happen, It is ordained, that henceforth there be chosen a Bailiff in the same Marshes, beyond the said Watercourse towards Sussex, to oversee and keep and to repair the Walls and Watergages by the places and terms of all the said Marsh where The Office and duty of the Bailiff. he shall see it most convenient for the whole communality. And cause the jurors of the said Marsh to meet together at places requisite, when it shall be needful to make ordinances and considerations for safety of the Lands of those parts, and to distrain therefore, and double to be taken of the negligent, when need shall be, and to levy according to the form in the same ordinance of Henry de Bathonia contained, at the choice of the said Bailiff, when it shall happen to be done, and that the Lords of the Towns of the same Marsh be always aiding and called beyond the same Watercourse towards Sussex, if they will be there, and the jurors and the whole communality of the said Marsh. It is also ordained, that from henceforth the said common Bailiff of the King in Romney-Marsh be overseer of the same Bailiff and The King's Bailiff of Romney-Marsh to be overseer of the Bailiff and jurors be-beyond the Watercourse towards Sussex. jurors in the Marsh, beyond the Waterourse, towards Sussex, and all the jurors on either side of the said Watercourse, chosen, when it shall be needful, do cause to assemble to execute their ordinances and considerations for safety of the Lands of the same Marshes, so that always on either side of the same Watercourse they stand to the ordinance and consideration of the said jurors, for the The Jurors to determine all Controversies less damage and better safety of the Land, any custom notwithstanding, saving always the Tenor of the Charter of our Lord the King granted to the communality of the said Marsh, and the Ordinance of the said Henry de Bathonia, to endure for ever in his own force. Before William de Walleyns' and his fellows William de Walleyns' and his fellows assigned to oversee the Walls, etc. in Kent. An. secundo Edwardi 3. assigned to oversee the Walls and Watergages in the County of Kent, on Monday next ensuing the Feast of S. Mildred the Virgin, at Newchurch, in the second year of the Reign of King Edward, son of King Edward. It was ordained, of common assent of Ordained that henceforth the King's Common Bailiffs of Romney-Marsh do oversee the Bailiffs and Jurors of the same Marshes of Lyde and Oxeney, and to Summon them as occasion. the Lords of the Marsh of Lyde and Oxeney, and on the part of our Lord the King commanded, that henceforth the common Bailiff of our Lord the King in Romney Marsh, do oversee the same Bailiffs and jurors in the same Marshes of Lyde and Oxeney, and them and also 24. jurors in Romney Marsh, when need shall be, he cause to meet at fit places, to consult of Ordinances and make their awards, for safety of the Lands of the same Marshes. So that they always stand to the Ordinance and Custom of the said jurors, for the least hurt and best safety of the Land, any Custom notwithstanding. Saving always the Tenor of the Charter of our Lord the King, granted to the Communality of the said Marsh, and also the Ordinances of the Lords Henry de Bathonia, and the said John de Lovetot and his fellows, which shall continue in their strength. The Ordinance of the Lord Thomas de Lodelowe, justice of our Lord the King and his fellows at Crowthorne, on monday next after the Feast _____ in the 3●, year of the Reign of King Edward the third after the Conquest, by virtue of a Commission of the Lord the King to them directed, whose Tenor followeth in these words. The Commission of King Edw. 3. unto the Lord Lodelowe, in the 38 year of his Reign. The King to his well-beloved and faithful Thomas Lodelow, Robert Belknap, and Thomas Culpeper, greeting. By the grievous complaint of the reverend Father Simon Archbishop of Canterbury and others, having Lands within the precinct of Romney Marsh, we are advertised, That whereas all their Lands lie nigh to the Sea Coast, and without continual keeping the walls, gutters and ditches and other defences, as well for avoiding the sea-water, as excluding the fresh Waters there made, by no means can be defended and saved, For which in the time of the Lord Henry late King of England our Great Grandfather, by Henry de Bathonia and his fellows, justices of the same our Grandfather, to oversee the Walls, Ditches and Sluices. and the defence thereof, and to cause to be made and repaired, among others it was Ordained, that whosoever of the Tenants, and men resident within the said Precinct, whom the greater part of the Lords having Rule within the said Precinct would choose, should be Bailiff to levy the Assessments for reparations and upholding the Walls, Sluices, Ditches and Defences aforesaid: as in the same Ordinances is more apparent, and albeit, according to the same Ordinances, John at Less Tenant and resident within the same Precinct, to the said Office of Bailiff to levy the Assessments aforesaid, by the Lords of the same Marsh in form aforesaid within that precinct was chosen and deputed: notwithstanding Matthew at More and other his confederates by their false Deceits being confederate and knit together, to make another Bailiff there by their own assent, which might be partial to his Friends, and unduly burden others against the said Ordinances, did so terrify the said John, and cruelly threaten him, and otherwise hinder him, that he cannot nor dare take upon him the Office accordingly, and so in default of the same Bailiff, all the said Marsh by overflowing of Waters daily coming, remaineth in peril to be spoiled, unless speedy redress in this behalf be had. We respecting the hurt and peril, which as well to us, as to all our Kingdom, and specially in those parts, by overflowing hereof, unless meet defence to Commissioners to oversee the Walls and the Ordinances made touching the same. exclude and avoid the same Waters, be done, may happen, and willing to prevent these hurts and dangers, have assigned you, three or two of you, to oversee and repair the Walls, Sluices, Ditches, and their Defences made in the same Marsh, and to oversee the same Ordinances, and in case that the Ordinances for the safety and defence of the said Marsh be found insufficient for the same overflowing, The Commissioners impowered to correct the Ordinances where defective, and to make new if occasion require. to correct and amend those Ordinances, and if need shall be, to ordain a new, such as the said Marsh may be defended against the same Waters from henceforth what chances soever should happen, and for grievous punishments against those which against the form of the Ordinances by you, three or two of you to be done, in any wise will not come, or will forsake your Decrees: And that you cause the same Ordinances to be proclaimed, that they may be for ever Circumspectly observed in those parts, and that ye cause all things else to be performed, which for the safety and defence of the said Marsh, and excluding and avoiding the same Waters, shall be needful and fit. And also to inquire by the Oath of honest and lawful men of the County of Kent of the To summona Jury to inquire of Contempts and to punish Offenders. Confederacies, Covens, and Allegations aforesaid, and also of the trespasses and contempts to us by the said Matthew and his Complices in that behalf made, and of the names of those adherents, and that ye hear and determine the same Confederacies, Covins, Allegations, Trespasses, and Contempts aforesaid to be heard and determined according to the Law and Custom of our Realm. And therefore we command you, that at certain days and places which you, three or two of you shall limit in that behalf, ye hear and determine all and singular the same business, and the confederacies, covins, allegations, trespasses and contempts aforesaid in form aforesaid, and that ye do further that which to justice shall appertain, according to the Law and Custom of our Realm. Reserving to us the other Amerceaments thereby accrueing. For we have commanded our Sheriff of the same County, that at certain days and places which you three or two of you shall appoint him, he cause to come before you, three or two of you, so many and such honest and lawful men of his Bailywick, by whom the truth of the matter in the premises may be known and inquired. In witness whereof, etc. witness, etc. at Westminster, the seventh day of February, in the year abovesaid. By which mandate, the said Thomas, Robert and Thomas, in the year day and place aforesaid, by consent of the Lords, Bailiffs, 24. jurors and Communality of the same Marsh, that is to say, by John Francis the Attorney of Lord Simon of Canterbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Abbot of S. Augustine of Cant. the Prior of Christ's Church of Cant. Simon, Master of the House of God's Gifts, Edmond Staplegate, Lord of Bilsington the less, and other Lords hereunto specially chosen, with certain also of the Communality, to wit, by William of Ecchingham and Stephen de Valcyns Christus, William de Horn, and James de Capele, hereunto for the said Communality elected, have ordained and established that the common Bailiff of Romney-Marsh which hath Ordained that the Common Bailiff of Romney-Marsh be chosen by the Common assent of the Lords of the Towns of the same Marsh in quindena of St. Michael yearly. Lands and is also resident there, be chosen by the common assent of the Lords of the Towns of the same Marsh, or by their special Attorneys, and where the greater part of them in number shall agree, their choice shall stand in keeping Assemblies at Demecherch or Newcherch, or other meet places within the precinct of the said Marsh, in quindena of S. Michael yearly by the Summons of the said Bailiff, except within that year for some necessary and reasonable cause, that Bailiff ought to be put out, and another set in his place. And if he which is chosen being present, will not take upon him that Office, he shall be forthwith If the Bailiff chosen refuse, shall be amerced 40 s. and a new one elected. amerced in forty shillings, which the sucseeding Bailiff may cause to be levied of his Goods and Chattels for the common benefit of the said Marsh. And so set there be a new choice made forthwith of another Bailiff, which will allow of the Oath and Office, and let him have for his labour the Fines to be levied which Bailiffs Fees. happen of the Assessments, and also the double of all his Tenths laid out for the negligence of others whatsoever. And if he which is chosen be afterwards hindered by any, whereby after he is chosen, he dare the less take upon him that office, lorthwith those hinderers shallbe severally Hinderers to be punished. punished by the same choosers, as the same Bailist should be punished, if he would refuse the same oath and office: And if it happen that he in the time of his Election shall be absent, he shall be forthwith distrained by the preceding Bailiff of the said Marsh, by all his Goods and Chartels, and they shall be bestowed in places meet and If the Bailiff Elected be absent, he shall be distrained by his Goods to be kept till he Perform his Oath. accustomed, and there detained, until he shall come to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Abbot of S. Augustine, the Prior of Christ-Church in Canterbury, which for the time shall be, or to one of them, which for the time shall be, and will perform the Oath, and thereupon shall bring their Letters marked with their Seals to the preceding Bailiff, and shall do the same within six days next after the same choice made, otherwise let him be pained as is aforesaid, and straightway let a new choice be made. At which Common Collectors of Assessment to account unto the Bailiff, Jurors, and Communality. principal Assembly, the said common Collectors of all the preceding General Assessments, and also the defrayers thereof, shall account before the said Lords or their Attorneys, if they will be present, unto the Bailiff, four and twenty jurors, and communality of the same Marsh, and let the account be done by Indentures made between them, and the Bailiff and 24. jurors The Account to be by Indentures. Bailiff to do the like. and communality of the same Marsh, let the account of the Bailiff for those things which happen to him he done in the same manner. And if any of the same 24. jurors do make default in the said principal If any of the Jurors mak● default in the Assembly they to be 〈…〉. assembly, unless he hath a reasonable excuse, shall be amerced in xii pence, to the use of the Communality to be levied by the Bailiff. And if it happen that any of the 24 jurors depart within the year, or aught to be put out of his place, others must be chosen, and set in the principal assembly, by If any be put out of their place others to be ch●●en the Lords of the Fees, the Bailiff, the 24. jurats, and Communality of best discretion and ability of the same Marsh, to make up the same number of four and twenty. In like manner also let be done touching the Collectors and Defrayers, so that they may not be chosen of the said jurors, if the same The like for the Collectors. Lords will be present. And if any of the said 24. jurors, Collectors, or Dishursers shall Jurors, Collectors, etc. resusing to be Sworn, to be Amerced 20 s. be chosen, and will not be sworn, let him be Amerced in twenty shillings, to be levied as is aforesaid, and forthwith others chosen and charged in their stead. And if the said four and twenty jurats shall be summoned wheresoever within the precinct of the said Marsh, at a common or special meeting, where all but eight or ten of them at the least were absent, so as judgement and award The Jurors n●● appearing on Summons, to be Amerced 6 d. for safety of the said Marsh may not be made, for safety of the same Marsh in default of the greater number, being away, every of them being absent shall be amerced by the Bailiff in six pence, as is aforesaid, to be levied. Of which and other like things the said Bailiff shall account in the principal Assembly abovesaid. Also every of the said 24. jurors shall swear, That he will The Oath of the 24. Jurors. make true judgements and awards with his fellow jurats, without sparing any, Rich or Poor, as well touching taking Distresses, as of the Walls, Lands, Watergages, Sewers, Ditches and Gutters, Bridges, and other impediments whatsoever, happening within the Precinct of the same Marsh, to be removed, and to punish offences: And that they be attendant on the Bailiff of the said Marsh, the distresses taken and detained by the space of three days and more to praise and sell in places accustomed, and that he cause all the judgements and awards by them made, to be enrolled and Indentures thereof to be made between them and the Bailiff of the same Marsh, which Collectors and Defrayers their Oath. for the time shall be. And the Collectors and Defrayers chosen as is abovesaid, shall Swear, That they shall truly Levy, Collect and dispose, and also account of all Assessments imposed by the Lords, Bailff, and 24 jurors, or the greater part of them. And in like manner let it be made and observed in all Watergages, within the Precinct of the said Marsh, and before the Lords of the Towns, if they will be present. Also the Bailiff shall Bailiffs Oath. Swear that he shall make true Execution of the judgements and Arbitraments of the same four and twenty jurors, and of those things which appertain to them to judge and award, And that he in proper person all the Collectors and Defrayers, as well the general, as several Assessments as is aforesaid, shall charge by Oath faithfully to Levy, Collect, bestow and account. And that in proper person he oversee all the Walls, Lands, Watergages, Sewers, Gutters and Bridges, when it shall be needful, at least twice in the year, once in the Month of January, and the second time in the Month of June. And that he shall deliver to his Successor all the Evidences which be in his Custody, as well Charters of the Kings of England containing Liberties and Customs of the same Marsh, as Rolls of judgements, considerations and Awards, by the aforesaid 24 jurors, with all the proceedings of the Accounts Collections and Expenses whatsoever in his time had. And that the Clerk of this Bailiff Bailiffs Clerk his Fee. may have for his labour of the communality of the same Marsh, six shillings eight pence. And that it be not lawful henceforth to make dams or fourds or other Impediments in any Lands, Watergages Ditches, None to make Dams. or common Conduits in the aforesaid Marsh whereby the right course of Waters may in any wise be hindered. And if any do it and it be testified by the Bailiff and six of the jurors, or by the Commonalty of the Conduit where Damage Offenders in that kind to be Amerced by the Bailiff and 24 Jurors. shall be done, let him be presently amerced according to the quantity of the Offence, by the said Bailiff, and 24. jurats, and forthwith levied for common benefit as is aforesaid. And nevertheless, if any other than the Communality shall be Damages to be recompensed to the party hurt. hurt thereby, and the same be proved by Testimony of the Bailiff, and six of the jury, let him recompense the damnified. Also they ordained and established, that every assessment Amerciaments with the days set for payment to be proclaimed. in the same Marsh should be proclaimed in certain public places, and that day of payment thereof be assigned and proclaimed, that none ignorance may excuse when and in what place it ought to be paid. Also they have ordained and established, that every Acre for the Walls and Watergages, Every Acre for the Walls to be bouhht for 40 s. None to take Labourers from the Common Work under pain of 10 s. be bought for forty shillings. And that it be not lawful for any one, to take away laborers being in common work, for his own private business, nor to keep them in any other place, until the same work be finished. And if any one be convinced thereof, by testimony of the Bailiff and jurors in common assembly, he shall be amerced of ten shillings, which must be levied forthwith by the said Bailiff, to the common profit as above, etc. Also they ordained and established, that all the Conduits within the said Marsh, through all the Lands and Tenements in every Watergage How the Conduits ought to be kept. be so kept, that is to say, that the Water run not down out of the right course, to the damage of any body, under pain of the quantity of the offence to be levied by the Bailiff to the use of the communality, when any one is thereupon convicted by testimony of the Bailiff and vi. of the jurors in a common assembly. And because of old it is granted by our Lord the King, that all the Lands near to the Sea Coasts be kept by Laws, Ordinances, Statutes and Customs of the said marsh of Romney, from the Isle of Thanet unto Penensis, as well in the County of Kent, as in the County of Sus. it may be lawful for the said Bailiff and four and twenty jurors, to ask and have their reasonable Costs The Bailiff and Jurors to have their Costs where ever they shall make their Ordinance according to the Law of the Sea Coast. of those which will bring them to places, whether they be Lords or of the Communality, where they ought to make their Ordinance according to the Law of the Sea Coast, as well in Walls as in Watergages, Gutters, Sewers, Fishings, and other things whatsoever touching the same Law. Also they have Ordained and Established, that if any make reskues upon the Bailiff of the Marsh, or his Ministers for any Distresses whatsoever taken upon whomsoever, by occasion of the same Articles, or of any Ordinance made or to be made for Such as make reskues upon the Bailiff to be Amerced 20 s. the benefit of the said Marsh, and thereupon by Testimony of the said Bailiff, and six or eight of the jurors of the said four and twenty, or of the Conduit where the Distress shall happen to be taken, he be convicted, let him be pained by Amerciament of twenty shillings, to be levied to the use of the Communality by the Bailiff as aforesaid. In like manner let be done in places where the Law of the Sea Borders How far this Law of the Sea Coast shall extend. runneth 'twixt the Isle of Thanet and Penensis, or in the County of Kent, or in the County of Sussex. FINIS.