21 
I 
the Ace House, two on the hill in the field, and two at Nicholas 
Lane end. The watchers to have three little sconces to keep 
them from the weather, and to watch from six to six. The 
aldermen and chamberlains and other members of the Corpora¬ 
tion to ride about daily to see the watch duly kept. 
We may imagine how difficult it must have been to enforce 
the observance of these regulations, many of which interfered 
inconveniently with the ordinary habits and occupations of the 
people. Some examples of contumacy are recorded. 
Alderman Thomas Lawne, who is spoken of by the Lord 
President in his letter to the Lord Mayor, had his residence 
without Walmgate Bar, not far from St. Lawrence churchyard. 
Bichard Atkinson, a neighbour of Alderman Lawne, had kindly 
received into his house one of the alderman’s family after they 
were supposed to be infected. Atkinson’s house was ordered to 
be shut up by locking the front door, nailing up the casements 
with little nails, and locking the back-door with a hang-lock on 
it; and a watchman was appointed to keep watch day and night. 
Atkinson was much aggrieved by this proceeding, and resisted 
the execution of the order, using very unfitting language. He 
said he would not have his door shut up, and he trusted he 
should keep his wife and family as safe and clear as any of them. 
He accused the magistrates of bringing a great scandal on the 
city, and said he could govern as well as any of them, and could 
have done wiselier himself. For his misconduct and disobedience 
a fine of £13 6s. 8d. was imposed upon him. 
Alderman Greenbury was charged with having received two 
of the suspected family of Mr. Lawne, his brother-alderman, and 
his house was therefore ordered to be shut up. Should he refuse 
to close it himself, his doors were to be locked and a watch set 
upon them. 
A constable going forth at Micklegete Bar, in performance of 
his duty, told a person, who was in the street between 10 and 
11 o’clock at night, that it was not fitting for him to be abroad 
so late, he answered that he did not care a-either for him 
or the Lord Mayor and aldermen, and if he meddled with him 
he would thrust his knife into him. For this misconduct the 
offender as ordered to be set in the stocks on the Pavement, 
and set by the neck at the pillory, and whipt there. 
