of the Seventeenth Century. 



71 



profane the said Lords day, that then the next Justice of the 

 Peace upon complaynte to him made shall bind over the said 

 person or persons soe offendinge to the next Assizes to answere 

 his contempt. 



And all constables and other officers are hereby required to 

 take especial care to see this order p r formed as they will answere 

 the contrary and from whome this Court will expect a good 

 account of the performance thereof. 

 Watchinge and It is ordered by this Court that watches and wards be dayly 

 Warding© observed and kept in parishes and tythings w th in this County 

 accordinge to the Statute in that case made and provided. And 

 This order to if any p r son or p r sons refuse to watch and ward as aforesaid the 

 be observed next Justice of the peace upon complaynte thereof to him made 

 through the shall bind such p r son or p r sons soe refusinge to the nest Assizes 

 whole Circuite. to answere his or their contempt. And all constables and other 

 officers are hereby required to see- this order p'formed as they 

 will answere the contrary. 

 Persons p r sented It is ordered by this Court that no pson or psons whatsoever 

 not to be dis- which stand presented at this present Assizes or shal be p'sented 

 charged w th out at any Assizes hereafter by the Grand Inquest or constable of 

 certificate. any hundred or libitie for any misdemean r or offenGe whatsoever 

 punishable in this Court shal be discharged of the said p r sentment 

 unless they shall make oath in open Court or bringe a certificate 

 This order to under the hand of some Justice of the Peace of the County the 

 be observed Minister of the p r sh where the offence was committed or under 

 through the the hands of the constables that prsented them that the said- 

 whole circuite. offences and misdemeanors are reformed, and that there will be 

 noe prosecution thereupon or otherwise shall acquitt themselves 

 by traversinge ihe same. And this order is to extend into the 

 several Counties of this Westerne Circuite And to be taken 

 Ex d . notice of and observed by the officers of this Court." 



It will be noticed that these important orders, though made on 

 the complaint of the men of Dorset for dwellers in that county only, 

 were to be observed throughout the circuit. Noisy alehouses to be 

 reformed or abolished. Fasts and " Sabboths " to be kept together 

 with watch and ward ; " and it will be the worse for thee, O 

 constable, if thou bringest not prisoners to the next assizes. There 

 must be malignants near you in these times — Godless Cavaliers — 

 whom it will be best to bind over, if not lock up." 



But this " general order " is no stranger to modern ears than the 

 particular orders applying in individual counties. We find orders 

 (A.D. 1655) for moving the Lords Commissioners of the Great 

 Seal to " amove " two coroners of Wilts, and elect others, — ( ' a desire " 



