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By R. W. Mekeiman, Esq. fToww C/er^.^ 



T is with great diffidence and merely as an introduction to 

 other papers of higher interest and importance that I 

 venture to bring under your notice this evening some of the frag- 

 mentary, and I am afraid rather trivial, memoranda which — as Town 

 Clerk of Marlborough — I have, from time to time, had the op- 

 portunity of making, from the records of the four courts, formerly 

 exercising jurisdiction in this borough. 



Of these four courts (The Court of Piepowder, The View of 

 Frankpledge, The Mayor's Court, and The Court of Morning Speech) 

 it will be unnecessary for me to attempt any history. Their origin, 

 nature, and existing equivalents, have been already described by 

 Mr. Waylen, in his history of this town. 



In the years from which the present notes are drawn one still 

 finds the dates of the court- days reckoned for the most part by 

 reference to the holy days of the Church. 



Of the Churches and religious houses and orders incidental mention 

 occurs. 



At a Court of Morning Speech, held on the 4th November, 16 

 Hen. VIII., come William Wynter, son and heir of John "Wynter, 

 and John Pridill, husband of Petronilla Wynter, daughter of the 

 said John Wynter, and surrender to the Mayor and his successors, 

 Mayors of Marlborough, all the right, claim, and title which they 

 have or can hereafter have of a certain tenement situate in the Bailey 

 (Ward) to the intent that the aforesaid Mayor and his successors 

 shall see the anniversary of the said John Wynter yearly kept in 

 the Church of Saint Peter, according to the form of the will of the 

 said John. 



