6S History of the Company. 



The Wood Street Counter, however, from Its 

 proximity to the Hall, occurs the more frequently 

 in the Company's records. To this prison were 

 committed offending and recalcitrant members of 

 the Company, and all contumacious makers of 

 bad saddles. The rapacity and extortion practised 

 by the gaolers In these Counters were notorious, 

 and whenever a mild remonstrance from the 

 Company failed to Induce conformity with its 

 laws, a short lodging therein was usually sufficient 

 to produce the desired effect, and the quondam 

 offender would quit the Counter a sadder, per- 

 haps a wiser, but certainly a poorer man. 



1622. Apri/ 30///. 



" To be given to Will™ Boyton a poore brother in the 

 Counter in the Poultrie for to free him out of prison at 

 the discreacon of o"" M*" soe as it exceed not thirtie or 

 fortie shillings." 



1 6 10. March \2th. 



*' Item given to Edmond Reynolds for his releasement 

 out of the prison of the Counter three pounds." 



1 6 1 9. Novembei' 1 1 th. 



" This dale Roger Lloyd was committed to the 

 Counter for that he refused to laye down his fynes for 

 not appearing three several tymes (to attend the Lord 

 Maior) vpon suiTions given him by the Beadle, and 

 afterwards vpon his submission his ymprisonemcnt was 

 remitted and hce payed ij' vj*' w*^^'' was given to the 

 officer." 



