28 DORSET ASSIZES IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 



names of persons not frequenting their respective churches 

 to justices, who would inflict a fine of 12d. for every Sunday 

 neglected. 



There was considerable difficulty, about the middle of the 

 century, in finding men both willing and qualified for the 

 office of coroner. It is repeatedly asserted that three coroners 

 were required for the whole county, but often not more than 

 one was available. Henry Clapcott, on being selected for the 

 office, claimed exemption on the ground that he was an 

 attorney of Common Pleas, an excuse that had to be admitted. 

 John Randoll, of Piddletrenthide, objected that he was not 

 well versed in the laws and had no freehold in the county. 

 George Savadge, of Dearie, was quite willing to serve, and 

 filled the office for a short time, but was discharged for neglect 

 of duty. Thomas Younge, another willing occupier of the 

 post, was removed owing to the discovery that he was deeply 

 in debt, and that, since he was frequently being chased by 

 bailiffs, his duties (as might be imagined) suffered. Thomas 

 Gollop, of Caundle Marsh, stopped the gap for seven years, 

 generally working single-handed, but at the end of that period 

 found that he was not properly qualified, not being a free- 

 holder. 



In conclusion a short account will be given of a vigorous 

 campaign against drunkenness, apparent in the Order Books, 

 during the second quarter of the century, when great efforts 

 (unavailing, it is to be feared) were put forth with the object 

 of making Dorset men more sober. It began, so far as the 

 records now under reference can show, in 1628, with an attempt 

 to abolish Church and other Ales. " All publique Revells, 

 Church Ales, Clerkes Ales, and other Ales " were to be utterly 

 suppressed. Three years later the order had not been obeyed, 

 and the gentlemen of the Grand Jury and constables of 

 Hundreds and Liberties were then to present at the Grand 

 Inquest all cases of Ales, with a report of " the Keepers of 

 the said Ales and Revells, tiplers, and mynstrels resorting 

 unto and Keepinge tiplinge and mynstrelsy there." This 

 seems to have marked the end of Ales, for no more is heard of 



