A BORDER WARDEN COURT 271 



The charge ended, the otficer said : — 



" All men that have anye complaynts of billes concernynge matters 

 tryable in this Warden-coarte, come and put theme in, and ye shall 

 be harde." 



The prisoners against whom the Grand Jury found a true 

 bill were then brought to the bar and called on to plead 

 Guilty or Not Guilty. 



For such as pleaded Not Guilty, a jury of gentlemen 

 was called, the prisoner having leave to challenge. When 

 there was a full jury, they were sworn as follows : — 



" Ye shall trulie inqnere, and trne deliveraunce maike betweene 

 the Quene's Majestie and the prysoners at the barre, according to 

 the evydence that shall be given in this conrte. As God help yowe 

 and Holydome." 



The prisoners were arraigned one by one. The jury was then 



" To enquire and fynde whether A.B., prysoner at the barre 

 be Giltie or Not Giltie, of the Martche-Treason he standeth indicted 

 and arrayned of ; and whether he fled upon the facte done or not : 

 and yf yowe fynd him giltie, then what lands, goodes and tene- 

 ments he was seazed of at the commyttinge of the said treason, 

 or fleinge in this shire or els where within this realme, and of what 

 value they wiere." 



The prisoner found guilty was called by name by the Lord 

 Warden, who " bid hym hold up his hande, " and sentenced 

 him after the following manner : — 



"Forasmuch as thowe A. B. hertofor haist beyne indicted of 

 Martche-Treason and thernpon arrayned and pleaded Not Giltie, and 

 put thyself upon God and the Country, and they have found the Giltie, 

 wherfor this Courte doth awarde thowe shalt be had hens unto 

 the place from whence thowe com, and from thens to the place 

 of execution, and ther to have thy head smitten from thy bodie, 

 according to the Lawe of the Martches. 



The Lord Warden, or " some Godlie man " (evidently the 

 Chaplain), then addressed the condemned prisoner in the 

 following beautiful and moving words : — 



"Ye that ar adjudged by ordre of lawe of this realme to dye, 

 remembre that ye have but a short tyme to leve in this world ; 

 therfor earnestly call to God with penytent harts, for mercye 



