of the Seventeenth Century. 71 
profane the said Lords day, that then the next Justice of the 
Peace upon complaynte to him made shall bind over the said 
person or persons soe offendinge to the next Assizes to answere 
his contempt. “ 
And all constables and other officers are hereby required to 
take especial care to see this order p'formed as they will answere 
the contrary and from whome this Court will expect a good 
account of the performatice thereof. 
Watchinge and It is ordered by this Court that watches and wards be dayly 
Wardinge. observed and kept in parishes and tythings win this County 
accordinge to the Statute in that case made and provided. And 
This order to if any p'son or p"sons refuse to watch and ward as aforesaid the 
be observed next Justice of the peace upon complaynte thereof to him made 
through the _ shall bind such p'son or p'sons soe refusinge to the next Assizes 
whole Circuite. to answere his or their contempt. And all constables and other 
officers are hereby required to see this order p'formed as they 
will answere the contrary. 
Persons p'sented It is ordered by this Court that mo pson or psons whatsoever 
not to be dis- which stand presented at this present Assizes or shal be p'sented 
charged wout at any Assizes hereafter by the Grand Inquest or constable of 
certificate. any hundred or libitie for any misdemean’ or offence whatsoever 
punishable in this Court shal be discharged of the said p'sentment 
unless they shall make oath in open Court or bringe a certificate 
This order to under the hand of some Justice of the Peace of the County the 
be observed Minister of the p'sh where the offence was committed or under 
through the the hands: of the constables that p'sented them that the said 
whole circuite. offences and misdemeanors are reformed, and that there will be 
noe prosecution thereupon or otherwise shall acquitt themselves 
by traversinge the same. And this order is to extend into the 
several Counties of this Westerne Circuite And to be taken 
Ex‘. notice of and observed by the officers of this Court.” 
It will be noticed that these important orders, though made on 
the complaint of the men of Dorset for dwellers in that county only, 
were to be observed throughout the eircuit. Noisy alehouses to be 
reformed or abolished. Fasts and “ Sabboths” to be kept together 
with watch and ward; “and it will be the worse for thee, O 
constable, if thou bringest not prisoners to the next assizes. There 
must be malignants near you in these times—Godless Cavaliers— 
whom it will be best to bind over, if not lock up.” 
But this “ general order” is no stranger to modern ears than the 
particular orders applying in individual counties. We find orders 
(A.D. 1655) for moving the Lords Commissioners of the Great 
Seal to “ amove ” two coroners of Wilts, and elect others,—“ a desire ” 
