Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/164

32 doth take divers distresses of horses, oxen, kine, sheep, swine, and other their goods to a great number, and the same doth lead, drive and carry away to the Seigniories where they be resiant, and there withholdeth them till gree be made at their will, and that as well of them that have not offended as of them that have offended. And also the said people of doth daily arrest the people of the said Counties coming with their merchandises or other their goods and chattels, and affirmeth Plaints against them of debts covenants trespasses and other actions, whereof they be not parties nor pledges, to the intent to grieve them by divers and outrageous amerciaments and costs, to the great impoverishing and utter undoing of the people of the said Counties: Our Sovereign Lord the King, considering the mischiefs aforesaid, and willing thereupon to provide remedy, by the assent and advice of the said Lords, and at the request of the Commons, hath ordained and established, That if any people of the said Counties be arrested and grieved as afore is said forthwith Letters Testimonials shall be made reciting their grievance, directed to the Governors or Stewards where such offenders be resiant, with their goods or chattels received in  under the seals of the Sheriffs of the said Counties or of the Mayors and Bailiffs of the Cities and Boroughs or Stewards of Franchises where such people so grieved be dwelling; to the intent that the said Governors or Steward shall do to be delivered to them their distresses goods and chattels so taken or arrested; and if they make not delivery of such distresses goods or chattels so taken or arrested within seven days after request so to them made, then it shall be lawful to the English people so grieved to arrest all men that Cometh with the goods and chattels of them of the Seigniories of  where such offenders be inhabiting or resiant, and the same to retain till that full satisfaction be made to the said parties grieved, with their myses, costs and expenses, together with their distresses goods and chattels aforesaid.

A.D. 1400-1]

It is ordained and stablished that if any Welshman from henceforth do enter in the counties joining to the same in the Realm of