[ 1 * 8 ] 
Mercians \ but cn com pa fled with a Wall, and forti- 
fled, by Robert de Belefme c , Earl of Shrewsbury > 
and afterwards favoured by King John , and other 
Kings, with many and great Privileges granted in 
their refpeftive Charters. It is governed by Two 
Bailiffs with the Bunrcflcs in Common Hall aflem- 
bied : The Bailiffs are annually chofen out of Twenty- 
four Aldermen upon St. Matthew' § Day, after the 
following remarkable Manner : The Court being 
met, the Names of Twelve Aldermen (Seniors of 
thofe that are there prefent, and who have not heen 
Callers for three Years before) being (Separately written 
upon frnall Scrolls of Paper, all of the fame Size, and 
rolled up.clofe by the Town-Clerk, are thrown into 
a large Purfe, which being (hut, well fhaken and 
tolled by the two Chamberlains,- Handing upon the 
Chequer is afterwards held open betwixt them, 
before the Bailiffs ; whence each Bailiff, according to 
Seniority, putting in his Hand, takes a Scroll, by 
which the Callers are fixed, who immediately mount- 
ing the Chequer, alternately call the Jury out of fuch 
Mercia : Afterwards fhe carried her Arms, in Conjun&ion with her 
Brother King Edward, againft the Welfj , and obliged them to become 
tributary. About this time (913) fhe is faid to have built and re- 
paired feveral Places, as Stafford , Bridgnorth , &c. See Rapin from 
Sax. Ann. Hunting. Hovend. Vol.I. pag. 38. 
c Robert de Belefme-, a Man outrageoufly cruel to his own Sons and 
Hoftages, whom he caftrated with his own Hands, and plucked our 
their Eyes ; but being deferted by the Weljh , was icixed, and, being 
convi&ed of High-Treafon, was afterwards imprifoned, others lay, 
ban ifhed for Life ; and thus fuffered condign Punifhment for his noto- 
rious Wickednefs. See Cainden , Baker s Chronicle , <Sec. 
d A large fquare Table in the Middle of the Court, encompaffed 
with Seats. 
Pcrfons 
