35 



disorderly persons. Thus E. Poulett, Abraham Biirrcll, Robert 

 Cuff and William Bull, for North Petherton, Cannington, Anders- 

 field, Huntspill, and Puriton, state that they had made enquiry 

 concerning gifts for charitable uses and intended a reform. That 

 they had provided for the poor and impotent. All others were 

 placed out at service or maintained themselves by their labour 

 and they had bound out a great number of apprentices. The 

 market at Bridgewater was plentifully supplied, the prices being 

 wheat 8s., barley 5s., oats 3s.* For the hundreds of Chew, 

 Chewton and Keynsham, Fras. Baber reported that all the orders 

 were carefully executed, that overseers of the markets were 

 appointed " to see the poor sort of people first served," and that 

 all the corn brought weekly to market was openly sold and not 

 engrossed by " badgers." The markets were well supplied, there 

 was sufficient and to spare before next harvest, and the prices 

 had moderated. Masterless persons were ordered to " covenant 

 service" and the refractory sent to gaol, there to remain until they 

 should willingly obey, and course was taken for repairing " divers 

 great bridges" then in decay, t 



The monthly meetings of Pa. Godwyn, Thos. Lyte, Sir Robert 

 Phillips and Mr. Harbin were kept at Ilchester, Yeovil, Somerton 

 and Langport, and when they found by their officers any neglect 

 of their orders, the parties were fined ; the money, subject to a 

 reward to the informer, being given to the poor. Any persons 

 refusing to take apprentices were bound over to the assizes to 

 answer their contempt. The rates for wages, as ordered and set 

 down at the Sessions, were delivered to the high constables and 

 l>y them published in every tithing, that masters and servants 

 may know them. They had taken extraordinary care by appoint- 

 ing " Inquisitors" and " Viewers" of every man's store of grain, 

 and by " constraining" the cornmasters, to have the markets well 



• State Papers, 1631, Vol. cxcii., Fol. 48, 26th May. 

 t State Papers, 1631, Vol. cxcii., Fol. 49, 26th May. 



