Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/187

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A.D. 1534]
THE STATUTES OF WALES
55

Lord, and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this Parliament assembled, and by Authority of the same, that all and singular Person and Persons dwelling or resiant within Wales, or in the Lordships Marchers of the same, from Time to Time, and at all Times hereafter, upon such Monition or Warning given for the Court to be kept in Wales, or in any of the Lordships Marchers aforesaid, as before this time hath been used, shall personally repair, resort and appear before the Justice, Steward, Lieutenant or other Officer, at all and every Sessions, Court and Courts, to be holden before the same Justice, Steward or other Officer, in any whatsoever Castle, Fortress or other Place within Wales, or within the Precincts, Limits and Jurisdictions of every the Lordships Marchers or Seigniories aforesaid, or the Marchers of the same, as by the said Justice, Steward or other Officer shall be appointed; and then and there shall give his or their personal Attendance, to do, execute and accomplish all and every Thing and Things which to him or them shall affere and appertain, upon Pain of such Fines, Forfeitures and Amerciaments as shall be affered, assessed and taxed by the Justice, Steward or other Officer, to the King's Use, if it be within any of the King's Lordships Marchers; and if it be within any other Lordships Marchers, then to the Use of the Lord of the said Lordship Marcher for the Time being; the said Forfeitures and Amerciaments to be levied, perceived and taken by way of Distress of the Goods and Chattels of every Person not appearing at the said Court or Courts, or not doing, executing or accomplishing his Duty as is abovesaid.

"2. And forasmuch as the Officers in the Lordships Marchers in Wales have often and sundry Times heretofore unlawfully exacted of the King's Subjects within such Lordships where they have had Rule or Authority, by many and sundry Ways and Means, and also committed them to strait Duress and Imprisonment for small and light feigned Causes, and extortiously compelled them thereby to pay unto them Fines for their Redemptions, contrary to the Law": Therefore be it further enacted, That if any Steward, Lieutenant or any Officer of any Lordship Marcher, do feign, procure or imagine any untrue Surmise against any Person or Persons that shall so give their personal Attendance before them at such Court or Courts, and upon the same untrue Surmise commit them to any Duress or Imprisonment, contrary to the Law, or contrary to the true and laudable Custom of that Lordship, that then upon Suit