As exemplified in the Manor of Castle Combe. 163 
prices of goods, and even of labour, and to prevent migration. It 
is hardly, indeed, in the present day that we can boast of the 
complete abolition of such unwise shackles, or of the entire extinction 
of the prejudices in which they took their rise. 
On the whole we may gain something from a study of the peculiar 
modes adopted by our ancestors for the conduct of their public 
interests, both in the way of warning and example. And I shall 
be much gratified if the sketch I have given, from the materials 
that have fallen into my hands, shall contribute in any the slightest 
degree to either of these ends. 
I may add a hope likewise that the owners of other Manors, or 
the custodiers of their title-deeds, may be led, by my example, to 
examine them with a view to ascertain how far, and during what 
period, their inhabitants possessed or exercised any of these muni- 
cipal rights. It seems a mistake to suppose, as is generally done, 
I believe, that such rights were confined to the larger and incor- 
porated towns. And it will probably appear, on examination, that 
they were commonly exercised to a considerable extent at least, in 
all Manors holding Courts Baron and Leet. If this be the fact, it 
opens up, I think, a new and interesting view of our Political 
History, as yet almost unsuspected by the bulk of writers upon it, 
but quite as important as that of the transactions of Statesmen, or 
Ambassadors, Sovereigns, or Parliament itself. 
