[18] Gneist. "History of the English Constitution."
[19] Coke. 2 Instit. 73.
[20] Bede H. E., II. xvi.
[21] It is probable that the scir-gerefa was originally elected by the freeholders in the folkmoot: the Norman Sheriff, on the other hand, was invariably appointed by the Crown direct.
[22] This fine was called the "Murdrum."
[23] Bacon's "Office of Constables."
[24] (Magna Carta, Section 20). King John also promised as follows: "We will not make men justiciaries, constables, sheriffs or bailiffs, unless they understand the law of the land, and are well disposed to observe it."
[25] Second Great Charter of Henry III.
[26] "Chronicle of Dunstable," vol. i. p. 155.
[27] Dictum de Kenilworth, sect. 14, Stubb's "Select Charters."