44 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 



the above special cases should have been proved against the city at 

 suit of the Abbey. In the case of Holy Trinity, though an agreement 

 is mentioned, no rent or payment is named, while the supply to 

 St. Saviour's is expressly stated to have been bestowed as perpetual 

 alms. St. Thomas' Abbey could hardly have objected to these grants, 

 unless it had some claim to a share in the profits, save on the ground 

 of the amount of water required to supply so many large establish- 

 ments, which might seriously aflect its own interests. 



The next finding deals with infringement of the Abbey's rights by^ 

 the city in taking pledges of their men for alewyth, in offering an 

 explanation of which I am much indebted to the researches of the 

 Deputy-Keeper of the Eecords, who is at present engaged in editing, 

 under the Master of the EoUs, the Justiciary and Plea Eolls of 

 Ireland, of the reign of King Edward I. Very little is known as to 

 the jurisdiction of the courts here at this early period, more especially 

 with regard to the practice of the inferior and petty courts, on the- 

 origin and growth of which the publication in question must neces- 

 sarily throw much light. 



The clause in our inquisition evidently refers to suits, prosecutions, 

 and fines in the baronial com't of the lord abbot of Thomas Couxt, for 

 the liberty of Donore, which would be held at stated times by his 

 seneschal, and to similar proceedings in the rival court of the 

 mayor and citizens of Dublin. In those petty courts, as in the superior 

 ones, when any one had cause of complaint, he came in during a sitting, 

 stated his case and gave pledges for prosecution : in minor matters^ 

 some article of more or less value would be deposited, and in a case of 

 greater magnitude, a friend or neighbour appeared as surety. These 

 were in no sense courts of record and the proceedings were carried on 

 vnthout being committed to writing. On pledges being given, the 

 com't was bound to summon the defendant to appear and answer at a 

 certain day, a summoner receiving instructions verbally from the court. 

 In the present instance, it seems plain that the city court had been 

 taking the pledges of the inhabitants within the jurisdiction of the 

 abbot of St. Thomas, the cause of action lying in the island of Donore. 

 I have no where else met with mention of any part of this district 

 being called an island, but it must have been some lowlying portion of 

 the large district and liberty of the name, insulated by the windings 

 of the Poddle. 



Grilbert's Historic and Municipal Documents of Irelayid contains 

 notices of appeals to the Justiciary of Ireland and to the King and 

 council in England from St. Thomas' Abbey against the city for draw- 



