148 On the Self-Government of Small Manorial Communities 
not at present clearly distinguishable, nor would it repay us to 
investigate very closely points upon which the highest authorities 
differ. It is sufficient to know that they comprised among other 
rights the valuable one of Exemption of the free inhabitants from 
the arbitrary exactions of the usual collectors of tolls or taxes for 
the military service of the Sovereign; contributions under the 
name of Tallage being specially rated upon these towns only on 
extraordinary occasions, by the King’s writ as Royal Vills, and 
distributed upon the inhabitants by officers of their own choice. 
They were relieved from contributing to the expenses of Knights 
of the shire. They were not to be put on Juries in the Sheriff’s 
Courts. They elected their own officers for the protection of the 
public interests. They were entitled to local Courts of Justice, 
both Criminal and Civil, which held pleas of debt or damage 
arising between the inhabitants, and adjudicated on offences against 
the common weal. These Courts enacted bye-laws for the regulation 
of sundry matters of local interest, and enforced them by penalties. 
In them the Citizens themselves determined all the Causes heard, 
as Jurymen, under the presidency of the Seneschal or Steward of 
the Manor, who was the only officer appointed by the Lord, and 
seems to have had little power over the decisions of the Court. 
The Courts held within the Manor of Castle Combe were of 
three kinds, viz :— 
1. The Court Baron, or Manor Court, usually in the Rolls 
styled Curia Intrinseca, at which the Customary Tenants of the 
Manor surrendered or were admitted to their holdings, paid their 
quit-rents, and transacted all business relating to their tenures 
through a Homage, or selected body of themselves, usually six in 
number, chosen upon the meeting of the Court. This Court was 
usually held twice in the year, but oftener if required; and in this 
last case was styled “ Hok-day Court,” (Curia tenta ad hoc). The 
Steward presided, and looked to the Lord’s interest in these matters. 
The Bailiff (Ballivus Domini) collected the fees due to the Lord, and 
the fines and amerciaments imposed by the Homage. The Homage 
appointed the Hayward of the Manor (Prepositus Camporum), and 
a Sheep-teller (Numerator ovium). They determined all cases of 
