128 MEDIEVAL JUSTICE AND COURTS. 



Sometimes these courts had the right of proving wills $ 

 The lords of the manor of Holy well, in Oxford, had this right, 

 with the power of inflicting capital sentences. Holywell manoi 

 was originally royal property, and was given to Merton College 

 by the king of the Romans. 



In all cases they exercised police powers over breaches of the 

 peace, violations of the custom of frankpledge, negligence ir 

 registration, evasions of the assize of bread and beer. It is pro- 

 bable, too, that though no action would lie in the manor coun 

 against the free tenant, that breaches of feudal obedience wen 

 visited by deprivation of land, when committed by a villain. 



It will not be, I think, out of place, to quote some example: 

 of manorial jurisdiction. Thus on the manor of Holywell 

 Oxford, 



The chattels of a fugitive, valued at y. 5^., and a blacl 

 horse, are said by a court, held in 1349, to be in the hands o 

 the bailiff, and that he is answerable for them to the lords. 



1 6 Ed. III. 1342. The Marston men had made a new patl 

 over the lord's meadow, and John de Hankelon had spread ; 

 scandalous rumour about his own mother/ 



Philip the Irishman had broken the assize. 



ii Ed. III. 1337. Walter Slene, shepherd to the abbess o 

 Godstow, came and claimed twelve sheep which had straye( 

 from Walton field, and been driven by dogs into the liberty 

 of Holywell, and demands to be admitted to prove his owner 

 ship. The bailiff is questioned how the said sheep came t< 

 be attacked. The bailiff swore on oath, that the sheep ha< 

 been stolen from Walton field by some unknown thief, wh< 

 had feloniously broken the fold of the abbess on the Thursday 



d Thus, in the manor of Holywell, proof is given on the Thursday after the feast of Si 

 John Baptist, 17 Ed. III., i.e. June 26, 1343, of the will of John de Tye. The testamer 

 is dated the Sunday after the Purification, 1342, i. e. Feb. 3, and the testator demises hi 

 messuage in Holywell-street to his grandson (filiolo meo) William, son of John de Tye, t 

 him, and the lawful heirs of his body, subject to the due and customary rent to the lords 

 If he dies without heirs, the aforesaid to revert to and remain with the testator's heirs 

 Proclamation is made, summoning any to object, and probate is given by the oaths c 

 certain parties in full court. 



