[415] Disputes concerning the common lands were usually settled by arbitration, and not before the judges of the King's bench, possibly because the "communitas" had no power to sue in law courts as a legal person (Green, Town Life, ii. 239).
[416] Boteler filled the post of steward as well as that of town clerk.
[417] Leet Book, 510-11.
[418] Leet Book, 483.
[419] It is noticeable that immediately after this the leet gave orders that some of the fields granted to the prior, i.e. the field by the New Gate, should be had again "in a perpetual ferm" of the convent.
[420] He said "he had as much power as the mayor, and could arrest him at sessions sitting on the bench" (Leet Book, 520).
[421] Unless he would submit to this condition and to take an oath at Candlemas—as the mayor did—he was to be dismissed. Boteler chose to submit.
[422] Leet Book, 537.
[423] The records are very meagre about this time. The fact that Laurence was a member of the Forty-eight is an indication that the corporation were well disposed towards him. The fact that the very same mayor who occasioned Boteler's disgrace enforced certain acts of leet against the bakers is also a proof that there was a change of policy in his time at least (ib., 518-9).
[424] Leet Book, 554, 557.