Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A Statute of the Fortieth Year of King Edward III., enacted in a parliament held in Kilkenny, A.D. 1367, before Lionel Duke of Clarence, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. (Author: [unknown])
article 23
XXIII. Also, in every county there shall be appointed four of the most
substsntial men of the county, to be wardens of the peace, who
shall have full power
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to assess horsemen-at-arms, hoblers and footmen, each according
to the value and quantity of his lands, goods and chattels, so that
they shall be ready
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whensoever there shall be occasion for them, to arrest the malice
of the enemy, according, to what they shall be assessed by the
wardens aforesaid; and that the said wardens, after array made in
manner aforesaid, shall review the said men-at-arms, hoblers, and
footmen, from month to month, in a certain place in the county, where
they shall see best to do the same in ease of the people: and if the
said wardens shall find any rebel who will not obey their commands,
they shall have power to attach them, and commit them to the next gaol,
there to remain until the law shall take its course respecting them. And
if the wardens of the peace shall be remiss or negligent in performing
their duty, and thereof be attainted, that then they shall be taken and
imprisoned, and make fine at the king's will. And if any one so chosen
a warden shall refuse to receive the king's commission, he shall be
taken and imprisoned, and his lands seized into the hands of our lord
the king, and so shall remain until the king shall have otherwise
ordained concerning him; and the said wardens shall make oath legally
to perform their duty in the manner abovesaid.