But though the Parish Constables were not an organised force of permanent officials, there was something like a system, and on special occasions of a heavy calendar at the Assizes or Quarter Sessions, we find the Parish Constables drafted to be on duty at Hertford or Cambridge, even though they had no business from their own parish. Thus as late as 1823, when the celebrated trial of Thurtle and Hunt took place at the Hertford Assizes, the Therfield Parish Constable's accounts for the year contain this entry:—
Thomas Lacey, constable to the parish of Therfield, for attending the Assizes at the trial of Probet hunt and turtle—
L s. d.
expense heating and Drinkin Lodgin . . . . . . . . 1 5 0
allowance for 6 days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 10 6
There also appears to have been a sort of gathering of the clans and a dinner once a year, and in every parish account I have seen Dogberry credits himself with having—
L s. d.
Paid at the constables' fiest . . . . . . . . . . 0 2 6
But, however useful and dignified an official the old constable was in emergencies affecting the public peace, it was on the civil side of his work that his duties often became the most interesting, when, as was the case in most villages where no beadle was kept, he combined the duties of that office with those of the policeman; and in no respect does he figure in so interesting a light as in the pleasing function of arranging paupers' marriages and seeing that they were carried out. The motive for all Dogberry's finesse in match-making diplomacy was connected with the old parochial settlement. If one of the fair sex was likely to become troublesome to a parish our friend Dogberry made it his business to get hold of the responsible swain, and by persuasion, bribes, and threats, managed to bring the parties together, get them through the marriage ceremony, and himself (the constable) earned the lasting gratitude of the parish for having got rid of a pauper, settlement and all! The pecuniary consideration involved was so important that when the bride was of one parish and the bridegroom of another, a good dealing of manoeuvring between the rival constables—the one to force on and the other to prevent the match—took place, and when the successful constable did manage to bring the parties together, the parish benefitting by the process could afford to be liberal, and Dogberry, and his "aid," and the wedding pair, had a merry time of it while the credit of the parish lasted. So much of a bargain-making was this marrying a pauper that it is not unusual to find such entries as these in the parish books of last century—
L s. d.
Gave W---- a wife, cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 19 6
By expenses attending, Marrying, Mary D----,
and sending her away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 17 6
When a pauper had brought about trouble under the Bastardy Laws Dogberry first used the arm of the law by apprehending him, and then the subtle methods of diplomacy by marrying him.
Interesting are the detailed accounts of the old weddings carried out under the superintendence of the Parish Constable. Here is one from the parish of Therfield—
Therfield Parish dr. to H. Hodge.
Etin and drinkin at John Hollensworth's weddin.
Aug. 8 3 folks suppor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 2 0
" 9 3 folks brakfarst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 1 6
" " 3 deners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 3 0
" " 3 suppors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 2 0
" 10 3 brakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 1 6
To Beer for the Hol Time . . . . . . . . . . 0 13 4
2 Cunstablers' time, 2 days . . . . . . . . . 0 8 9
2 nits (nights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 6 0
Pad at Sam Green's Cheppine . . . . . . . . . 0 2 8
-------
2 0 9
In another hand is added . . . . . . . . . 0 19 3
-------
L3 0 0