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The chief Acts of Parliament relating to alehouses administered by Justices were the following:
5 & 6 Edw. 6, c. 25, entitled "An Acte for Kepers of Alehouses to be bound by Recognisances." It enacted that the Justices of Peace within every shire, etc., shall take suertie from such as shall be allowed to kepe any common alehouse or Tipplinge house, against the usinge of unlawfull Games, as also for the usinge and mayntenance of good ordre and rule to be used within the same.
1 James 1, cap. 9. Whereas the ancient true and principall use of Innes, Alehouses and Victuallinge Houses was for the Receipte, Reliefe and Lodginge of wayfaring people travellinge from place to place . . . . . and not meant for entertainment and harbouring of lewde and idle people to spende and consume theire money and their tyme in lewde and drunken manner; Be it therefore enacted. . . . . that if . . . . . any Inne Keeper, Victualler, or Alehouse Keeper within this Realme of England &c. doe suffer any person dwelling in the place where such Alehouse &c. shall be to remaine drinkinge or tiplinge in the said alehouse &c. other than labouringe and handicraftesmen in Market Townes for one houre at dynner tyme to take their Diet in an alehouse he shall for everie suche offence forfeit 10s. to the use of the poore.
There are many entries of the entering into of Recognisances by persons who desired to keep an alehouse; but a copy of the form of Recognisance used has not been preserved. To each Recognizance entered into there would be a Condition of the Recognisance that if the alehouse keeper should not at any time keep or maintain any unlawful games in his house or receive or harbour any idle vagrant or suspected persons, nor use or keep any disordered or evil rule in his house, but should do all things according to the laws in that behalf made and provided then the Recognisance would be void and of none effect or else it would stand and remain in full power, force, effect and virtue. This was a common form of the Condition to such Recognisances used in those days.
When the Recognisance was entered into the house was said to be licensed.
There were also Recognisances entered into by persons brewing or keeping alehouses without license, "not to brew nor keep an alehouse in the future."
A Sessions Roll of a Nottingham Sessions in 1675 has been preserved containing a list of Recognisances to Victuallers (recognitiones pro tiplacone). The number of licenced persons on this Roll are:
| In Mansfield | 46 | In Stableford | 2 |
| Barton | 2 | Streeley | 1 |
| Bunney | 3 | Selston | 4 |
| Bradmore | 1 | Sutton in Ashfield | 3 |
| Clifton cum Clapton | 3 | Skeagbie | 1 |
| Codlingstock | 1 | Toton | 1 |
| East Leake | 1 | Trowell | 4 |
| Gotham | 1 | Tevershall | 1 |
| Keyworth | 2 | Woollaton | 6 |
| Normington | 1 | Mansfield Woodhouse | 8 |
| Plumtree | 3 | Arnold | 4 |
| Ratcliffe | 1 | Beeston | 2 |
| Rempson | 1 | Bramcote | 1 |
| Rudington | 2 | Basford | 4 |
| Sutton Bonington | 3 | Bilburrow | 1 |
| West Leake | 1 | Bullwell | 4 |
| Willoughbie | 2 | Chillwell | 1 |
| Widmerpoole | 2 | Cossall | 1 |
| Wysall | 2 | Eastwood | 3 |
| Willford | 2 | Greasley | 6 |
| West Bridgeford | 2 | Hucknull | 4 |
| Kingston | 1 | Lenton | 9 |
| Nutall | 1 | Linbie | 2 |
| Papplewick | 5 | Kirkbie in Ashfeild | 5 |
| Radford | 3 |
On 6th October, 1626, there was a Recognisance that Wm. Grosse of Gringley on the Hill, ceases and desists to keep any common victualling house or alehouse or commonly or publicly to sell ale or beer (cervisia sivi potum lupulatum) to anyone of the people of the lord the King.
On 7th April, 1684, it was Ordered that Mr. Newton "do pull down his signe and not presume to sell ale any longer or keepe a publique house in Mansfield or elsewhere in the County."
It was the duty of the Constables to make presentments as to the Alehouses in their Parishes.
On 15th January, 1685-1686, it was Ordered that "ye Constables shall vewe all ye alehouses and make Returne of all ye Licences next Sessions, wch was granted this year."
On 7th January, 1655-1656, a Warrant was issued against Robert Good of Mansfield, for that he haveing a note given him of divers Alehouses unlicenced in ye said Towne, by the Clerke of the Peace, to present, is privately gone away with the said note and hath presented none of the said unlicensed Alehouses.
There were a large number of presentments for "brewing without license." On 16th April, 1604, thirty-four persons were presented, and on nth July, 1608, sixty-three persons were presented. There were also many Orders made discharging Brewers from their recognisance of brewing in the future.
On 9th July, 1606, Robt. Martyn of Lowdham, was fined 5/- for Brewing without licence and entered into a recognisance the condition being that the said Robert never at any future time shall keep a victualling house.
On 16th January, 1606-1607, the Constable of Boale was committed to gaol and fined 20/- for not presenting a brewer without licence of whom he had notice.
On 9th July, 1627, among the persons charged with Brewing without license are a collyer of Lindby, and Zephanias Saunders of Lindby, clerk.
On 10th January, 1682-1683, it was Ordered that Anne Bond of Balderton"be put down from brewing."
On 1st October, 1683, Robt. Moore of Mansfield was ordered "to be put downe from brewing."
There were many persons charged with keeping alehouses and selling ale, etc., without license.
On 11th July, 1609, a laborer of Spawdeforth was presented for being a "tippulator" without license.
On 13th July, 1604, John Browne of Skegbye was presented that he sold cider without a license.
The Justices had full power at any time to cancel Licences, and they did so on the complaint or at the instance of inhabitants of Parishes:
In 1615, the Justices outside Sessions had made an Order disallowing certain tipulators before allowed and licensed, from keeping alehouses, but a Certificate under the hands of the Inhabitants of Wilford was presented that one of the above Richard Cooke "was so well behaved and modest and governed his house without disorders or bad behaviour." He was allowed by the Court to continue his house.
On 14th July, 1617, a Certificate was read that both the Inhabitants of Lenton and the County near adjacent to it sustain great damage and detriment by the Keepers of Alehouses and tiplers in Lenton, who frequently under colour of harbouring honest travellers receive and harbour thieves, prostitutes, cut-purses and other persons of the worst kind, "And because Nottingham is a market town near adjacent and a place convenient for harboring travellers, there is no need for a superfluity of tipplers nor of any of them to lodge for the night and harbor any wayfarers." The Constables were ordered to prohibit all those who brew or keep alehouses or tippling houses in Lenton whether with or without licence, and from then those with licences were to relinquish same.
On 6th October, 1680, a Complaint was made of a disorderly alehouse to ye great disturbance of neighbours and the Constable of Caunton was ordered to suppress the Keeper thereof from brewing or selling of any more beare or ale.
There were a large number of Indictments and presentments against Brewers and alehouse keepers for offences "contrary to the tenor of license," such as the following:
For harbouring persons or permitting them to tipple in the Alehouse during prohibited hours, such as at night time or on the Sabbath "during time of prayer."
For allowing drinking and playing at cards and other unlawful games in the Alehouse, and bad behaviour.
For disorders and bad behaviour in the Alehouse, and for harboring lewde and uncivil company and gipsies in the house.
For drunkenness.
For receiving stolen goods, &c, &c.
For these offences the licence of the alehouse keeper was forfeited and cancelled. This cancellation of licence is referred to in various ways: The alehouse keeper was "discharged" (exoneratum), "disabled," "prohibited" or "suppressed" from brewing or keeping an alehouse, or he was ordered "to desist from keeping an alehouse or to sell ale"; or "from henceforth to forbear to brewe, to sell, or keepe a comon alehouse," &c, &c.
Generally the cancellation of the licence was understood to be a prohibition for all time; but occasionally the prohibition was for three years only.
In 1614, the Keeper of a licensed victualling or tippling house in Kneeton was disabled from brewing, &c. in future "because he being intemperate with drinking at the Wakes, allowed persons to drink together in his house all night, until he and the rest quarrelled among themselves, and disturbed the Constable of the same town by ordering him to apprehend certain of them for the felonious taking of the purse of another."
In January, 1682-1683, the Clerk of the Peace (Mr. Conde) was ordered to write to the Lincolnshire Justices "that they grant noe Licence to Alice Cox of Eagle, nor her son nor daughter, but to suppress them from keeping a publique house, it being made to appear that two men lost their lives by drinking att her house."
In 1686, Helen, ye wife of John Browne of Radford, was ordered to be "suppressed from selling of ale at Bilborow, where shee now Inhabitts from her said husband," and the "Officers thereof" (presumably of Bilborow) were ordered to forthwith remove her to her said husband at Radford.
For some offences fines were imposed upon alehouse keepers.
Alehouse keepers were required to inform the Constable when any strange or suspicious person came to lodge with them.
On 12th January, 1619-1620, an alehouse keeper was fined "for harbouring an unknown person, and did not give notice of it to the Constable or other Officer."
In the following instances whipping was ordered for offences by alehouse keepers:
On 9th April, 1632, a laborer of Willford was convicted on his own confession of keeping an alehouse without licence of the Justices, "and, being very poor, was ordered to be whipped."
On 18th April, 1642, Edward Hooton was presented for brewing without licence and keeping disorder in his house on the Saboth day in prayer time. The Constable was to see him "openlie whipt on Sunday next" because he is not able to pay his fine.
A number of persons were fined for brewing and keeping alehouses after their licences had been taken from them.
Licences evidently at times were restored to persons who had lost them for a while.
On 25th April, 1677, it was Ordered that Needham of Aslockton doe brew ale again.
On 19th April, 1680, Jane Roos was restored to her keeping a "publicke house att Lenton for one whole yeare next ensuing," and entered into Recognisance "upon condicon yt Jane doe keep ye several articles of her Lycence therein contayned for victualling."
Licensed persons were obliged to sell their ale. There were a large number of Indictments or presentments:
"For refusing to sell ale"; "For refusing to sell ale outside the house" (presumably "off the premises"); "because he refused to sell ale to his neighbours"; "For refusing to sell his ale, being a brewer, when he had abundance" and "when he had plenty in 'his house"; "refusing to sell ale to the sick," &c, &c.
On 3rd May, 1633, the following Order was made:
Ordered that if upon complaint of any person any tippler shall refuse to sell his lesser (minorem) ale* to any poor or others according to his licence he shall be discharged from keeping a common alehouse thenceforth, besides being bound to answer the offence at the next Sessions.
The following entry on 27th April, 1655, has reference to the rebuilding and licencing of the "George" at Worksop:
"Be it remembered that whereas amongst others the house and buildings situate and being in Worksopp in the County of Nott. adjoining to the Markett place neere the Crosse late in the tenure and occupation of Matthew Heykins and Peter Boaler both of the said Towne (haveing been tyme out of minde a victualling house) was by a sad and lamentable fyer that happened about two yeare agoe wholly burnt downe to the ground and the same is now redifyed and built upp in a much ampler and better manner purposely for an Inne with stables and other accomodacons meete and convenient for entertayning and lodging of Travellers and Strangers and is now in ye occupacon of John Boardman gent. Wee therefore being Rightly informed thereof and requested thereunto Doe hereby signify our allowance and approbacon thereof and doe consent forasmuch as in us lyes yt ye said house or edifice in ye occupacon of ye said John Boardman and now known by ye signe of (or called) ye George shall henceforth be accounted deemed and ymployed as and for a comon Inne ye said John Boardman and all others who shall hould and occupye the same as an Inne keeping all such Laws, etc."
Photograph of the "George," Worksop, Taken in 1909.
It would be interesting to know if this is the same house as the "George Inn," Bridge Street, Worksop, that was closed by the Justices "for redundancy" in 1909. The plate on this page is from a photograph of the house taken in 1909.
Alehouse keepers were bound to lodge, harbour and entertain with victual and drink all wayfaring people that should require the same.
There were many indictments or presentments for the offences of not entertaining or refusing to entertain travellers.
In one instance the indictment is: "For refusing to entertain honest travellers and for entertaining fiddlers and tinkers."
During the Commonwealth there are two instances recorded of the issue of wine licences:
On 11th January, 1653-1654, a wyne license was granted to Henry Chappell of Southwell, yeoman, to Retayle wine there.
On 10th January, 1654-1655, William Dickenson of Carlton on Trent, was licensed and allowed to keepe a publique Taverne and to draw and sell wyne.
There were several Indictments for "malting without licence," and on 27th April, 1636, "for selling barley to make into malt, without license."
On the 4th October, 1630, the Court at Nottingham made the following Order:
Ordered that all the Maulsters in these three Wapentakes [Bingham, Rushcliffe and Broxtowe] should be discharged [prohibited] from buying barley to convert the same into malt except such as should henceforth be licensed by the Court.
On 15th January, 1605-1606, there was a presentment for "baking without licence," and on 3rd October, 1614, one "for selling bread." This last entry is marked "quere."
There were many Indictments or presentments for the following offences:
" For breaking the assise of bread."
" For breaking the assise of ale."
" For selling ale above the rate of 1d. for the quart."
" For refusing to sell ale at the rate of one penny a quart."
" For refusing to sell ale according to Assize," and so forth.
The Statute 12 Richard II., c. 6, prohibited servants and labourers in husbandry from playing certain games (including football), the object of the Statute being to encourage archery. The Statute was repealed by 21 James I., c. 28, but certain games, including football appear to have continued to be unlawful games if played by persons in a certain condition of life, such as laborers, etc.
In the reign of James I. there were several presentments and indictments for the following offences: "For playing bowls"; "For playing the illegal game of bowls," etc., etc.
Also "for riotously playing at an unlawful game, viz., football"; and "for riotously playing at football."
On the 9th July, 1621, the Constable of Screveton was fined 4/- for not presenting a Riott and illegal assembly of Football players in his constablewick.
On the 2nd October, 1637, four men at Bingham were indicted for unlawfully assembling themselves to play football "being or lately affected with the plague."
There were no prosecutions for playing football or bowls after this date.
There were presentments for playing unlawful games in houses, taverns and alehouses. Generally the nature of these games is not mentioned in the records, but frequently it is. The most common games were cards, dice, and backgammon.
There were a number of presentments for playing of cards, viz.:
"For permitting unlawful playing of cards"; "For permitting servants to play at cards in his house"; "For keeping cards in a house"; "For playing with painted cards," &c, &c.
On the 10th October, 1606, a warrant was issued to the Constable of Egmonton to take Richard ffurmery of the same before Sir John Hollys to be examined whether Richard Pryor and Thomas Pryre played dice in his house on the day on which the aforesaid Thomas Pryre was killed.
There were also presentments:
"For keeping painted cards and backgammon"; "For playing with painted cards and backgammon in a house on the Sabbath at Strelley," &c., &c. and on 2nd Oct. 1637, Margaret Buxtowes of Eastwood, widow, was presented for allowing a wake (vigile) and others to play backgammon (tabul) in her house.
There were also presentments:
In 1618, "For playing unlawful and disgraceful games called Milking Cromock and others similar."
In 1635, "For playing at 9 holes"; and "For playing at 10 bones."
There were many Indictments or presentments:
For "piping" or "playing a pipe" (fistuland); "For playing a pipe at night"; "For playing pipes on the Lord's day," &c, &c.
Some of the persons presented are described as "pypers," e.g. In 1629, John Burden of Hoveringham, pyper, and George Sowter of Radford, pyper.
Restrictive laws with reference to Sunday were passed in 1625 and 1627 in the early part of the reign of Charles I. These prohibited on Sundays meetings of people out of their own parishes for any sports, and meetings of people in their own parishes for common plays or unlawful sports. The avocations of butchers and carriers were also prohibited.
There were many Indictments and presentments for "Sabbath breaking."
In the reigns of James I. and Charles I. the Indictments, etc., were for the following offences: "For permitting unlawful assemblies in Alehouses on the Lord's day"; "For remaining in the Alehouse on the Lord's day and for playing at unlawful games"; "For selling goods on the Lord's day"; "For disorders in his house on the Lord's day"; "For, being a brewer, permitting certain persons to play at cards in a house on the Sabbath day, and to tipple in his house during the time of [divine] service"; "For piping [playing a pipe] (fistuland) on the Lord's day during the time of prayer"; "For harping on the Sabbath"; "For disorder on the Sabbath"; "For fiddling at night on the Sabbath"; "For travelling on the Lord's day"; "For selling meat on the Lord's day at Trowell," etc., etc.
On 15th July, 1612, Thomas Truswell of Sutton on Trent, yeoman, openly here in Court confessed that he had been in the house of a certain William Abbot of Sutton being a victualling house anglice an alehouse on the Sabbath day viz. 7th June last past and that he (being at this Session one of the Jurors of the lord the King for the body of the County) did not present himself nor the aforesaid William Abbot for the fault aforesaid. He also confessed his absence from church at the morning service on the same day, and that then and there he behaved himself badly in words towards Fulcon Cartwright Esqre one of the Justices of the lord the King in these words viz. "That Mr. Cartwright had a bond of his, and he would worm it out of his nest, and that he would get him to be thrust off the bench." He was bound over for good behaviour.
On 10th July, 1637, an alehouse keeper named John Bunting of Mansfield Woodhouse was presented for absence from church and for sleeping (dormiend) in his house at the time of prayer on Sunday.
During the Commonwealth period the Lord's day offences were:
"For ringing on ye Sabbath daie" at Ratcliffe on Trent; "For working on the Sabboath"; "For travelling on horsebacke on ye Lord's day;" a miller "for grynding on ye Lord's day"; a butcher "for selling meat on ye Lord's day."
After the Restoration the cases recorded are:
In 1682, "For grinding grain on the Lord's day during divine service"; and
In 1694,"'For prophaning the Sabboth."
There were a large number of Indictments or presentments for "Riot and Affray"; "Assault and Affray," etc.
There is nothing to show the nature of the so-called "Riots," but often a number of persons were involved. At Laneham on the 19th August, 1606, a Special Sessions was held to try twenty-six persons indicted for riotous assault and affray there.
Often fines were inflicted.
Clergymen were not infrequently concerned in riotous affrays, and among those so presented were:
Jacob Prowster of Gringley on the Hill, clerk.
David Oddingzell of Tuxford, clerk.
Thomas Wright of Egmanton, clerk.
Gabriell Wyersdale of Cortlingstock, clerk,
ffrancis Stephenson of North Cuckney, clerk.
Nathaniel Woolley of Kirklington, clerk.
Thomas Hancock of Headon, clerk.
Edward Barwell of Kegworth, clerk.
In 1622 three men of Haughton in the parish of Bothamsall, were charged with "beating and severely wounding George Ormerod, clerk."
In 1614, a manservant was sent to gaol because "he assaulted and made an affray on his master."
In 1618, a joyner of Watnall was sent to the House of Correction "for assaulting and striking Sir John Byron Junr. one of the Justices, and the Court were informed that he threatened to have the blood of the same John Byron."
In 1638, Jacob Babington of Carlton in Lindrick, gent., was sent for trial at Assizes "for drawing his sword against Gervase Clifton Esqre one of the Justices of the Peace departing from the Sessions, immediately he went from the Court."
In 1639, there was an indictment "for making an assault upon the Constable of Radford with a sword, while he was executing his office."
In 1685, a Tuxford man was indicted "for abusing the wife of the Constable."
The following are instances of wounding:
On 11th January, 1613-1614, three men upon trial were found guilty and fined 10/- each that they having taken to themselves many other unknown evil doers and disturbers of the peace of the lord the King on the 4th May, 1613 by force and arms viz. swords, daggers, sticks, forks and other arms both offensive and defensive at Earley Hall alias Earlesley Hall in the County in a certain lane there called Early alias Earlesley Lane riotously &c. then and there assembled &c. assaulted and severely hurt and wounded Robert Shipman and Thomas Buckler so that their lives were despaired of.
On the 10th July, 1615, a laborer of Thorraton was indicted for that he "thrust out the eye of Christopher Duval."
On 13th January, 1636-1637, a laborer of West Markham was indicted for wounding John Foules with a coulter, "now languishing."
On 9th January, 1655-1656, a warrant was issued against William Daniell a gentleman of Gresthorpe and a laborer and his wife of South Muskham for a Riott and battery by them committed on John White of Newarke and grievously wounding him with a falchion soe yt he is in greate danger of his life.
On 16th January, 1656-1657, a warant was issued against Nicholas Hamond of Mansfield for abusing and wounding Robt. Staniford of Lound, "whereof he still languisheth."
On 9th July, 1688, Thomas Kinder was indicted "for ye beating and bruising of Andrew Capps."
On 16th July 1658, there is an Indictment for Ryott and breaking down ye sluice placed upon a banke being and situate upon a certaine peece of ground called White Water Comon [Blyth] soe that ye waters did overflow ye grounds of Samuel Taylor gent.
There were Indictments "for fighting," and "for being common fighters." On 15th July, 1642, John Tompkin of Darleton, was indicted for "fighting with the watermen." Disturbances between the landsmen and the watermen on the Trent were not uncommon.
Many Indictments were for riots in connection with acts of trespass:
"For Riot &c. and for destroying hedges and ditches"; "For riotously carrying off twelve coombs of peas"; "For riotous removal of pales"; "For riot in the free warren of Sir John Byron"; "For riotously mowing grass"; "For a Ryott in the close of Thomas Stowe gentleman at Harworth pulling down the fences thereof"; "For riotously destroying grass"; "For riotously carrying away hay of Edward Meek of Arnold clerk," &c, &c.
In 1657 there were evidently churchyard troubles in Langar:
On 7th October, 1657, Henry Walker and others were indicted for Riott and trespassing in the Churchyard of Langar.
On 11th January, 1657-1658, Joseph G. How and others came and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment of Ryott and trespass in the Churchyard at Langar "and prayed that the same may be traversed forthwith in regard Mr. ffeatly [clergyman] the prosecutor having had notice thereof and that ye sayd Mr. How being nominated High Sheriff of this County, which the Court thought fitt and reasonable." The Jury therefore returned forthwith and a verdict of not guilty was found.
There were many Indictments "For trespass" only, no particulars of the nature of the trespass being given.
On 30th September, 1633, George Atkinson of Newark, gentleman, was charged with "catching birds in standing corn" (ancupand in seget).
There were many Indictments "For forcible entry on land"; "for forcibly entering a house"; "for entry by the strong hand," etc., etc., and Writs of Restitution of seisin and possession were awarded to persons who had been unlawfully expelled and ejected from their property.
The offence of "forcible entry" was under an Act of 5 Richard II. which enacted that "none make entry into any lands and tenements but in case where entry is given by law; and in such case not with strong hand nor with multitude of people, but only in peaceable and easy manner."
In most of the entries particulars of the property taken and restored are not given; but in some cases particulars are given, and the following is a list of some of the premises upon which forcible entry had been made:
In 1604. On "land" of Philip Wharton of Wilford, clerk. In 1607. "Park and Timber," said to belong to Roger Earl of Rutland." In 1612. "Four oxgangs of land" the freehold of Anne Greaves, widow, situate in Coddington.
In 1617. "Strelley Park." Restitution of Seisin granted to Richard Strelley Esqre. and of possession to John Byron Knight.
In 1618. "A selion of land." Restitution awarded to Jacob Nicholson.
In 1618. "A messuage called the Mannor House" and "a parlour of a messuage at Lanford." Restitution of Seisin and possession awarded to Jane Countess of Shrewsbury.
In 1633. "House and Shoppe at Lenton."
In 1636. "A messuage called West Leake Mannor situate in West Leake" and of "A messuage called Joyce Hall situate in East Leake." Restitution awarded to William Bispham Esq.
In 1638. "A messuage and close called The Dale Close and 0 acres of land situate in a place called Hillsay Field and one other close called the Ley Close situate at Sibthorpe." Restitution of possession awarded to Wm. Roberts.
In 1640. "One Close called Meadow Close and two other Closes adjacent in a certain Close there called Goodyhayes situate at Woodcotes." Restitution of possession awarded to Rutland Molineux.
In 1642. "Seven oxgangs of land meadow and pasture at Darnethorpe." Restitution of possession awarded to Wm. Sedgwicke, clerk.
In 1653. "Hickering Cliff" in the possession of John Wood Esquire and of George Morgan gent.
Occasionally disputes as to ownership arose and restitution of possession was stayed. This was done in 1607 in regard to the "Park and timber" of Roger Earl of Rutland (above mentioned). The defendants Charles Markham and Thomas Markham both of Ollerton, gentlemen and Richard Woodward of Clipstone Park, yeoman, alleged in stay of restitution of seisin and possession that at the date of the Indictment and "for three entire years together and more next before the day of the Indictment they were possessed and still are possessed of the same park and timber for a term of divers years still not finished nor determined but continuing."
In regard to the above mentioned forcible entry of the four oxgangs of land at Coddington in 1612, four defendants were fined 1/- each; but the Writ of Restitution of possession to Anne Greaves was stayed. By consent of both the parties it was ordered by the Court that John Lassells of Elston, and William Bradwell of Farndon, Esquires, "shall care for reaping and storing the grain growing in the aforesaid four oxgangs of land now in dispute, and shall pay their costs out of the aforesaid harvest, and shall have it placed in safe custody until it be known to whom it belongs by law or be awarded by arbitration."
Writs to restore possession of property other than land and houses were issued by the Court. On 13th January, 1631-1632 such a writ was issued in respect of "six pake of shoes and one cloke" stolen from George Jacob, of Worksop.
* Note.—Quoere "Small beer."