204 CONTENTS. 



Page 



Lord of the hundred to appoint two high constables 211 



Of what matters they inquire of in leets and law-days .... 211 

 Conservators of the peace, and what their office was .... 212 



Conservators of the peace by virtue of their office 212 



Justices of peace ordained in lieu of conservators ; of placing 

 and displacing of justices of peace by use delegated 



from the king to the chancellor 212 



The power of the justice of peace to fine the offenders to the 



crown, and not to recompense the party grieved 212 



Authority of the justices of peace, through whom ran all the 



county services to the crown 213 



Beating, killing, burning of houses 213 



Attachments for surety of the peace 213 



Recognizance of the peace delivered by the justices at their 



sessions 213 



Quarter-sessions held by the justices of peace 213 



The authority of justices of the peace out of their sessions. . 214 

 Judges of assize came in place of the ancient judges in eyre, 



about the time of R. II 214 



England divided into six circuits, and two learned men in 

 the laws assigned by the king s commission to ride 

 twice a year through those shires allotted to that circuit, 

 for the trial of private titles to lands and goods, and all 

 treasons and felonies, which the county courts meddle 



not in 214 



The authority of the judges in eyre translated by Parliament 



to justices of assize 215 



The authority of the justices of assizes much lessened by the 



Court of Common Pleas, erected in Henry III. time. . 215 

 The justices of assize have at this day five commissions by 

 which they sit, viz. 1. Oyer and Terminer. 2. Goal 

 Delivery. 3. To take assizes. 4. To take Nisi Prius. 



5. Of the peace .- 215 



Book allowed to clergy for the scarcity of them to be dis 

 posed in religious houses 217 



The course the judges hold in their circuits in the execution 



of their commission concerning the taking of Nisi Prius 219 

 The justices of the peace and the sheriff are to attend the 



judges in their county 219 



Of property of lands to be gained by entry 219 



