384 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF 



torn and dismembered. For prevention, I wish likewise ^ 

 first, that some good means were devised for the restraint 

 of making these inordinate and covenous leases of lands, 

 holden in chief, for hundreds or thousands of years, now 

 grown so bold, that they dare show themselves in fines, 

 levied^pon the open stage of the Common Pleas; by which 

 one man taketh the full profit, and another beareth the 

 empty name of tenancy, to the infinite deceit of .her majesty 

 in this part of her prerogative. Then, that no alienation of 

 lands holden in chief should be available, touching the 

 freehold or inheritance thereof, but only where it were made 

 by matter of record, to be found in some of her majesty s 

 treasuries ; and, lastly, that a continual and watchful eye 

 be had, as well upon these new founden traverses of tenure, 

 which are not now tried per patriam, as the old manner 

 was ; as also upon all such pleas whereunto the confession 

 of her majesty s said attorney general is expected: so as 

 the tenure of the prerogative be not prejudiced, either by 

 the fraud of counsellors at the law, many of which do bend 

 their wits to the overthrow thereof; or by the greediness of 

 clerks and attorneys, that, to serve their own gain, do both 

 impair the tenure, and therewithal grow more heavy to the 

 client, in so costly pleading for discharge, than the very 

 confession of the matter itself would prove unto him. I may 

 yet hereunto add another thing, very meet not only to be 

 prevented with all speed, but also to be punished with great 

 seventy : I mean that collusion set on foot lately, between 

 some of her majesty s tenants in chief, and certain others 

 that have had to do in her highness s grants of concealed 

 lands : where, under a feigned concealment of the land it 

 self, nothing else is sought but only to make a change of 

 the tenure, which is reserved upon the grant of those con 

 cealments, into that tenure in chief: in which practice there 

 is no less abuse of her majesty s great bounty, than loss and 

 hinderance of her royal right. These things thus settled, 

 the tenure in chief should be kept alive and nourished ; the 

 which, as it is the very root that doth maintain this silver 

 stem, that by many rich and fruitful branches spreadeth it 

 self into the Chancery, Exchequer, and court of wards ; so, 

 if it be suffered to starve, by want of ablaqueation, and 

 other good husbandry, not only this yearly fruit will much 

 decrease from time to time, but also the whole body and 

 boughs of that precious tree itself will fall into danger of 

 decay and dying. 



And now, to conclude therewith, I cannot see how it may 



