Wiltshire Quarter Sessions. 



17 



One of the burdens which the ratepayers did their best to be 

 rid of, was that of maintaining foundlings and children of putative 

 paternity. 



At the Easter Sessions, 1606, the inhabitants of Castle Combe 

 introduce their apprehensions on this point with a little flourish of 

 fine feeling. Speaking of a townswoman they express their appre- 

 hensions lest : — 



" By this licentious life of hers not only Gods wrath may be powered downe 

 uppon us inhabitants of the Towne but also hir evill example may so greatly 

 corrupt others that great and extraordinary charge .... may be im- 

 posed uppon us." 



The incontinent fell under corporal as well as spiritual chastisement. 

 In two instances at the Michaelmas Sessions, 1607, the justices 

 ordered a whipping for the peccant parents, " the same to be executed 

 . . . . by such men and women as shalbe thereunto appoynted 

 by the discretion of the said churchwardens and overseers." On the 

 roll of the Easter Sessions, 1608, is to be read :— 



" The order judgmet and finall doome [sentence] of Jhon Hungerforde and 

 Edmond Longe Esquiers twoe of the Kinges Ma ties Justices of the peace and 

 poru next inhabitinge to ye p'ishe churche of Lineham in the cowntye aforesaid 

 made for the punishment of .... of Lineham aforesaid mercer and . . 

 • • daughter of .... ye e \^ eY 0 f ye same yeoman .... 



" The said^Justices doe order yt upon muday next in ye mornige halfe an hower 

 before moringe praier shall begin, y^ said .... and ... . shall stand both 

 )f them in severall white sheetes at y e gate entringe into y e Churchyarde of 

 Lineham on y e east side, for ye resorters to divine service yt day, at yt Churche, 

 ;o beholde and looke upo and take warninge by, and when praire is begune they 

 shall both be brought into y e churche and remaine there duringe y e whole time 

 )f divine service. 



" In like maner shall they stand in their sheetes at y e gate aforesaid halfe an 

 bower before eaveinge praier and be_brought likewise into y e churche in their 

 sheetes when eaveninge praier is begune, there to remaine duringe y e whole time 

 )f eaveninge praier : w ch beeinge ended, they bothe shall in their sheetes be sett 

 n the stockes there to continewe by y e space of one hower and no more. This 

 rar order we require y e constables and churchwardens of y e towne and p'ishe of 

 Ciineham to see duely and strictly p'formed, as they will awnsweare y e cotrarye 

 ,nd the subscription hereof under our handes and seales shalbe their sufficient 

 iischardge in y 1 behalfe. Dated at Clacke this 26 daye of Marche in the yeare 

 »f Our Lord God 1607. 



"Jhon Hungekfobde. Edmonde Longe." 



70L. XXII. — NO. LXIV. C 



