Longleat Tapers, A.D. 1553 — 1588. 



the meetest persons dwelling- near thereabouts, both to charge and discharge the 

 watoh of the Becon aforesaid by turn, one after another, requiring them to see 

 good order therein, or to certify the defaultes : and that the same Becon be not 

 set on fire without making the Justices of Peace and constables privy thereunto. 



Item, if any refuse to watch the Becon, then to complain to some Justice of 

 Peace, that he may send for the party offending, by warrant, and thereupon 

 commit him to prison, there to remain untill he become reasonable." 



The Constables were also to warn all Captains and Corporals to 

 go round and inspect the armour themselves, order what was de- 

 fective to be amended, also 



" To charge all the said Captaynes and Corporalls and all other appointed as 

 souldiers within the Hundred to be in a rediness within an Hour's warning as 

 at their uttermost perill they will answer to the contrary. 



That you yourselves view all the overplus of armour within the said Hundred 

 not committed unto any man's charge, to be in a readyness upon any like sudden 

 occasion . . . and to certify unto us the said overplus in writing. 



That you keep watch within the Hundred and make diligent search in every 

 suspect place both Saturday and Sunday night next ; and all such Rogues and 

 vagabonds as you shall find, to apprehend not being lawfully licensed, and to 

 bring them unto the next Justice of Peace .... according unto suche 

 directions as wee have received from Sir John Danvers Knight, one of the 

 Deputy Lieutenants of this county. 



To charge all householders and cottagers within the Hundred to have in their 

 houses a black bill at the least ; if not some better armour for the defence of 

 their said houses or otherwise uppon any sudden occasion to be used besides those 

 arms as they stand charged withall upon the Muster Book. 



James Mervyit. 

 Franc: Zouch." 



[Precept annexed to the Articles aforesaid.] 



" These are to will and require you in Her Majesty's name to see the Articles 

 which herewith we send you, and every of them duly put in execution with as 

 great diligence, and expedition as you can, And of your proceedings in the 

 execution hereof we require you to certify unto us or some one of us by the xxv th 

 day of this month of July . Keeping your search for the apprehending of Rogues 

 as secretly as possibly you may, whereby that service may take the better effect. 

 And so eftsones requiring the accomplishment of the premises as you tender her 

 Majestie's service and will at your perill answer to the contrary. From Fountell 

 \Fonthilt] this xv th daye of Julye 1588. 



Your Frends 



James Meevin - . 

 Franc : Zotjche. 

 Heney Willotjghby." 



9. Sir John Danvers of Dauntesey, to the Justices of his Division. 

 " Having received credible advertisement of the Spanish Fleet being nere 

 unto our coast, I am, in her Highness name to will and command you that with 



