COMMISSION FOR THE VERGE. 99 



felony. The servant that hath the keeping of his 

 majesty s goods, and going away with them, though 

 he came to the possession of them lawfully, it is 

 felony. Of these you shall likewise inquire, princi 

 pals and accessories. The voluntary escape of a felon 

 is also felony. 



FOR the last part, which is of offences concern 

 ing the people not capital, they are many : but I will 

 select only such as I think fittest to be remembered 

 unto you, still dividing, to give you the better light. 

 They are of four natures. 



1. The first, is matter of force and outrage. 



2. The second, matter of fraud and deceit. 



3. Public nuisances and grievances. 



4. The fourth, breach and inobservance of certain 

 wholesome and politic laws for government. 



For the first, you shall inquire of riots and un 

 lawful assemblies of forcible entries, and detainers 

 with force ; and properly of all assaults of striking, 

 drawing weapon or other violence within the king s 

 house, and the precincts thereof: for the king s 

 house, from whence example of peace should flow 

 unto the farthest parts of the kingdom, as the oint 

 ment of Aaron s head to the skirts of his garment, 

 ought to be sacred and inviolate from force and 

 brawls, as well in respect of reverence to the place, 

 as in respect of danger of greater tumult, and of ill 

 example to the whole kingdom ; and therefore in 

 that place all should be full of peace, order, regard, 

 forbearance, and silence. 



