92 RURAL ECONOMY IN YORKSHIRE IN 1641. 



division to present themselves alltogeather, accordingly as they 

 are called in, and soe to lette once readinge over of the com- 

 mission serve for instructions for all that beacon ; att which 

 time, onely the constables of everie towne are called on and 

 demanded of, wheather theire assessors bee all present to heare 

 and receive insti-uctions from the commissioner : then the 

 cheife constable ha\nnge called by theire names all the pettie- 

 constables and assessors within his division, one of the com- 

 missioners taketh the booke or bill and informeth them what is 

 enjojTied, and likewase what coui-se they shall take ; as that 

 everie Duke is to pay lOOl. Everie Marquis 80?. Everie Earle 

 601. Everie Baron 501., and Viscountes the like. Everie Lord 

 4:01. Everie Baronett is to pay 30?. Everie Knight 201. 

 Everie Esquire, that is reputed an Esquire in the country, what- 

 soever his estate bee, hee is to pay and bee assessed 10/. Everie 

 gentleman or other whose yearly revenues are 100?. per annum, 

 wheather it bee in landes, leases, moneyes, or stocke, or other- 

 wise, hee is to pay 5?. Everie man whose yearely revenues is 

 50?. per annum, hee is to pay 40s. ; 20?. per annum, 5s. : lOl. 

 per annimi, 2s. ; and hee whose yearely revenues are not worth 

 above 5?. per annum, hee is to pay but one shillinge. Recusants 

 are to pay double ; as if theire revenues bee above 100?. per 

 annum, they are to pay 10?., if they bee such as are rated per 

 polle they are to pay 12c?. a peece. Ministers are not to bee 

 rated att all for theire church Uvinges, unlesse theire liN-inges 

 and benefices bee knowne to bee worth 100/. per annima, and 

 then they are to bee assessed 5?. ; but such ministers as have 

 landes of theire owne are to bee rated for them accordingly as 

 other men are ; but noe minister is to bee rated per polle. 

 Nowe for such as are rated jier polle ; you are to give in the 

 names and sm-names of all within the constableries that are 

 above sixeteene yeares of age, as well women as men, and ser- 

 vants as others, exceptinge onely such as are releived of the 

 poore-mans boxe ; for when the constables and assessors goe 

 before the commissioners to have instructions, the commis- 

 sioners give them charge to meete them againe att such a place 

 on such a day, and to bringe in the names, surnames, estates, 

 and qualityes of all persons whatsoever, that are above sixeteene 

 yeares of age and not releived of the ])Oore man's boxe. The 

 commissioners are usually three or fower, whoe serve for all the 

 divisions or beacons within one whole weajxnitacke. Our wea- 

 pontacke is willed Hart-hill, and hatli in it fower divisions or 

 beacons, viz. ; Hunsley beacon. Wilton beacon, Holme beacon, 

 and Baintou beacdii. 



