Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/174

42 Lord the King that now is, the second year of his Reign, for the great oppressions and extortions, which they of, and of the Marches of daily made to people dwelling in the said Counties of Hereford, Gloucester and Shropshire, in taking, bringing, and bearing away of their horses, beasts and other goods and chattels, out of the same Counties into the said Marches, and such good horses and chattels there withholding till Gree be made at their Will; It was ordained and established That if any horses beasts goods or chattels, be taken within the same Counties, and driven or brought out of the said Counties into  or into the Marches of , that then the Sheriffs of the same Counties, Mayors or Bailiffs of Cities and Boroughs or Bailiffs of Franchises where such takings be made, shall send their letters under their seals to the Governors, or to the Stewards of the Seigniories where such offenders be abiding, that they shall deliver such distresses so taken, within eight days of the receipt of the said letters; and if they do not, that the parties so grieved shall take any person goods or chattels coming out of the said Seigniories where such offenders be abiding, and them shall withhold, till that they be restored to their goods so taken, with their damages, costs, and expenses: Which Statute is not sufficient remedy, forasmuch as the said offenders be dwelling sometime in one Seigniory and sometime in another, and have no place certain to tarry; and also they take to the most number of people of the said Counties coming into  and into the Marches of , and out of the said Counties, and them withhold, till Gree be to them made at their Will; and also oftentimes the parties grieved durst not make execution of the said Statute for doubt of death and many other mischiefs and inconveniences which thereof should ensue, so that the said offenders be the more bold to take, drive, bring and carry away the people of the said Counties, their horses beasts goods and chattels of the said Counties into  and into the Marches of  whither they fled before the said Statute, to the perpetual destruction and impoverishment of the said Commons, except that speedy remedy thereof be made: Our said Sovereign Lord the King, willing against such mischiefs and inconveniences to provide a remedy in this behalf, hath ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That if any people of the said Counties in , or in the Marches of , to drive, bring, carry away, or withhold, such takings and withholdings, their abbetments and receipts in , they having knowledge of such offences, aforesaid,