Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/163

A.D. 1400-1] A.D. 1400-1]

It is ordained and established that from henceforth no Welshman wholly born in, and having father and mother born in , shall purchase lands and tenements within the Towns of Chester, Salop, Bridgenorth, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Gloucester, Worcester, nor other Merchant towns joining to the Marches of , nor in the suburbs of the same upon pain of forfeiture of the same lands and tenements to the Lords of whom such lands or tenements be holden in chief. And also that no such Welshman be from henceforth chosen or received to be citizen or burgess in any City Borough or Merchant Town; and that such Welshmen which now be in any such said City Borough or Franchise Town, being citizens or burgesses, shall find sufficient surety and put a good caution of their good bearing as well towards our Sovereign Lord the King and his Heirs of his Realm of England as for to hold their loyalty to the governance of such Cities Boroughs or towns for the time being in salvation of the same cities Boroughs or towns if the same Welshmen will dwell therein: So that none of them from henceforth be received or accepted to no Office of Mayor, Bailiff, Chamberlain, Constable, or Warden of the ports or of the Gaol, nor to the Common Council of such cities boroughs or towns, nor that he be in no wise made other Occupier or Officer in the same; nor that none of the said Welshmen from henceforth bear any manner armour within such City Borough or Merchant Town, upon pain of forfeiture of the same armour and imprisonment until they have made fine in his behalf.

A.D. 1400-1]

Item, Whereas upon the grievous complaint made to our Sovereign Lord the King by the Commons in the Parliament, how the people of, sometime by day and some time by night Cometh within the counties joining upon the Marches of and