386 Offenders against the Statute of Labourers 
ery for more wages in which the lower ranks of the clergy joined, 
their poor salaries being lessened owing to the now diminished 
sum of offerings from a sparser population. On the other hand | 
the stipend in question may have been customarily awarded him — 
for secular labour that he performed to eke out his livelihood, in ad- 
dition to his priestly functions. The penalty incurred by offenders — 
against the statute was imprisonment, there to remain until 
they should find surety to serve, and take and do their work, 
and to sell things vendable “according to the statute.” Whosoever 
was guilty of going against his oath was to be imprisoned 40 days 
and if convicted again, for a quarter of a year, every time of con- 
viction being awarded “ double pain”; the sums taken in excess for 
their labour or in the sale of goods were forfeited to the King, and 
with their fines and ransoms went towards the payment of thesubsidy 
last granted. Inquiry was to be made for transgressors continually 
by the stewards, bailiffs, and constables of the various towns, who x 
were to inform the justices on their arrival for the county sessions 
, 
of any misdemeanants found within their jurisdictions. The Assize — 
roll in question consists of the returns of those officers and of 
inquests for various hundreds in Wilts made before the deputy — 
judges in the 26th year of Edward III. 
AssizE Rout No. 1018 m. 1. 
[Presentments] ‘‘ before the deputy Justices of the lord king in the 
Hundred of Highworth and Cricklade by diverse inquests. 
‘‘The Jury who speak on their oath present that John le Hershurde of — 
Buryblontesdon has withdrawn from his service without licence or reasonable 
cause. Therefore [the bailiff] is ordered to take him. 
‘‘That William Spendlove of Eton procured the said John to withdraw 
from his service in promising more salary against the statute. Therefore, &e. 
“That Agnes Wallop who was sworn to serve Walter Berton before the 
deputies [of the justices] has refused to serve the said Walter without 
reasonable cause. Therefore, &c. 
“That William Horsehurde ox-herd ' of Brodeblontesdon took excessively 
xviij.d. therefore [the bailiff] is ordered to take him. That Margery Frensche — 
[out of] vi.d. took excessively iiid. That John Teynton brewer, took ex- 
cessively iiid. That Katherine Frensche? brewster took water took exeesstvelyaa™ ij 


Ska dealin ake. -.caeion ae awe 

1 Custos bov.” 
2**Quod Margeria Frensche vj.d. cepit excessive iii.d.” is the strange wording 
4 
i 
of the original. 
