THE OFFICE OF ALIENATION S. 383 



to travel to divers places, and through sundry hands, for 

 the pursuing of common recoveries, either not holden of her 

 majesty at all, or but partly holden in chief; and not doubt 

 ing to improve her majesty s revenue therein, and that 

 without loss to any, either private person or public officer, 

 if the same might be managed by them jointly with the 

 rest whereof they had the charge ; they found, by search in 

 the hanaper, that the fruits of those writs of entry had not, 

 one year with another, in the ten years next before, exceeded 

 400/. by the year. Whereupon they took hold of the occa 

 sion then present, for the renewing of the lease of the for 

 mer profits ; and moved the lord treasurer, and Sir John 

 Fortescue, under treasurer and chancellor of the Exchequer, 

 to join the same in one and the same demise, and to yield 

 unto her majesty 500/. by year therefore; which is 100/. 

 yearly of increase. The which desire being by them recom 

 mended to her majesty, it liked her forthwith to include 

 the same, and all the former demised profits, within one 

 intire lease, for seven years, to begin at the said feast of the 

 Annunciation, 1597, under the yearly rent of 2,9337. 2s. Id. 

 qu. Since which time hitherto, I mean to the end of Michael 

 mas term, 1598, not only the proportion of the said in 

 creased 100/. but almost of one other 100/. also, hath been 

 answered to her majesty s coffers, for those recoveries so 

 drawn into the demise now continuing. 



Thus I have opened both the first plotting, the especial 

 practice, and the consequent profit arising by these officers; 

 and now if I should be demanded, whether this increase of 

 profit were likely to stand without fall, or to be yet amended 

 or made more ? I would answer, that if some few things 

 were provided, and some others prevented, it is probable 

 enough in mine own opinion, that the profit should rather 

 receive accession than decay. 



The things that I wish to be provided are these : first, 

 that by the diligence of these officers, assisted with such 

 other as can bring good help thereunto, a general and care 

 ful collection be made of all the tenures in chief; and that 

 the same be digested by way of alphabet into apt volumes, 

 for every part, or shire, of the realm. Then that every office, 

 or inquisition, that findeth any tenure in chief, shall express 

 the true quantities of the lands so holden, even as in ancient 

 time it was wont to be done by way of admeasurement, after 

 the manner of a perfect extent or survey; whereby all the 

 parts of the tenancy in chief may be wholly brought to 

 light, howsoever in process of time it hath been, or shall be 



