Wiliskire Quarter Sessions. 17 



One of the burdens which the ratepayers did their best to be 

 rid of, was that of maintaining foundlings and children of putative 

 paternity. 



At the Easter Sessions, 1606, the inhabitants of Castle Combe 

 introduce their apprehensions on this point with a little flourish of 

 fine feeling. Speaking of a townswoman they express their appre- 

 hensions lest : — 



" By this licentious life of hers not only Gods wrath may be powered downe 

 uppon us inhabitants of the Towne but also hir evill example may so greatly 

 corrupt others that great and extraordinary charge .... may he im- 

 posed uppon us." 



The incontinent fell under corporal as well as spiritual chastisement. 

 In two instances at the Michaelmas Sessions, 1607, the justices 

 ordered a whipping for the peccant parents, " the same to be executed 

 . . . . by such men and women as shalbe thereunto appoynted 

 by the discretion of the said churchwardens and overseers." On the 

 roll of the Easter Sessions, 1608, is to be read : — 



" The order judgmet and final! dooms [sentence] of Jhon Hungerforde and 

 Edmond Longe Esquiers twoe of the Kinges Ma"" Justices of the peace and 

 quoru next inhabitinge to ye p'ishe churche of Lineham in the cowntye aforesaid 

 made for the punishment of .... of Lineham aforesaid mercer and . 

 . . daughter of .... y^ elder of y^ same yeoman .... 



" The said Justices doe order yt upon muday next in y« mornige halfe an bower 

 before moringe praier shall begin, y« said .... and .... shall stand both 

 of them in severall white sheetes at y' gate entringe into y* Churchyarde of 

 Lineham on y' east side, for y^ resorters to divine service y* day, at y' Churche, 

 to beholde and looke upo aud take warninge by, and when praire is begune they 

 shall both be brought into y' churche and remaine there duringe y° whole time 

 of divine service. 



" In like maner shall they stand in their sheetes at y' gate aforesaid halfe an 

 hower before eaveinge praier and be brought likewise into y' churche in their 

 sheetes when eaveninge praier is begune, there to remaine duringe y* whole uime 

 of eaveninge praier : w"^"" beeinge ended, they bothe shall in their sheetes be sett 

 in the stockes there to continewe by y^ space of one hower and no more. This 

 our order we require y' constables and churchwardens of y' towne and p^she of 

 Lineham to see duely and strictly p'formed, as they will awnsweare y^ cotrarye 

 and the subscription hereof under our handes and seales shalbe their sufficient 

 dischardge in y' behalfe. Dated at Clacke this 26 daye of Marche in the yeare 

 of Our Lord God 1607. 



"Jhon Hungebfobde. Edmonde Longe." 



VOL. XXII. — NO. LXIV. C 



