Wilts/iire Quarter Sessions. 



335 



Even to carry a sporting-piece was, for the unprivileged, an in- 

 dictable misdemeanour. At the Michaelmas Sessions, 26th Elizabeth, 

 Simon White was arraigned for the pursuit of game and for keeping 

 a crossbow (pro custodia arcubalistce) . At Michaelmas, 44th Elizabeth, 

 John Archard, of Malmesbury (acquitted), and Thomas Woodgate, 

 of Tockenliam (who traversed), were each indicted for shooting in a 

 hand gun (such was the technical phrase) charged with powder and 

 hail-shot (pro sagittatione in tormerito onerato pulvere et glandinibus 

 plumbeis). 



What sort of thing a licence to shoot may have been may be ex- 

 emplified by the following specimen. 



Easter, 44th Elizabeth :— 



" To all Xren people to whorrie theise pnts doe appteyne greetinge. Whereas 

 I Sir Robert Dormer Knight as well by especiall comaundem 1 from her ma tie as 

 by reason force and vertue of the tenure of certen landes tents and hereditaments 

 to me descended and come by from and after the decease of S r . William Dormer 

 Knighte, my late father deceased am now intituled to have use exercise & enjoye 

 in by and throughe all pts & places within this realm of England as well by my 

 sufficient deputie or deputies by me in that behalfe to be appointed The office of 

 Marshall Master Overseer & Keeper ot her ma tits hawks w th all suche libties 

 priviledges & jurisdicons as to the same apperteyneth as by divers Ires patents 

 made to the said S r William Dormer Knight my late father & unto me the saide 

 S r William Dormer Knight and others by & from her ma tie & her most noble 

 progenitors more at large appeareth Nowe knowe yee that I the saide S r Robert 

 Dormer by vertue & authoritie thereof to me given and for the necessary pvision 

 keepinge & feedinge of suche Hawkes as Jasper More of Haitesbury in the 

 Countie of Wiltes Esq or his servauntes have in his or there custodye of her ma ties 

 have licensed and authorised and by these pnts do licence and authorise for so 

 much as in me is, the said Jasper More or his servant or servants the bearer 

 hereof to shoote in Crosbowe Handgune or other piece w th anye kinde of shott at 

 Crowes Rookes Choughs Stockdoves Ringdoves or any other kinde of birde or 

 fowle birds or foules meet and fitt for foode for such Hawks as he or any of his 

 servants shall have in his or there [custody] of her ma ties . Provided allwaies 

 that the said Jasper More or any other by vertue hereof shall not shoote nere 

 any River or Plashes used for hawking at any fowle or at any foule or other 

 marke upon any Churche or Dovecote nor w th in three milet, of the Courte where- 

 soever the same shall happen to be Provided also this my pnte graunt & licence 

 shall noe longer have continuance or be of force then oncly duringe my will & 

 pleasure In witness whereof I the saide S r Robert Dormer Knight have hereunto 

 set my hande and seale the xx th daie of November in the foure and fortieth yere 

 of the raigne of our Sov'aigne ladye Elizabeth by the Grace of God of England 

 France & Ireland Queue Defender of the faithc &c 1C01." 



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