Lawless Court.
This is the season of holding a remarkable court, which we are pleasantly introduced to by the relation of a good old writer.[361]
“Ryding from Ralegh towards Rochford, I happened to haue the good companie of a gentleman of this countrey, who, by the way, shewed me a little hill, which he called the Kings Hill; and told me of a strange customarie court, and of long continuance, there yearely kept, the next Wednesday after Michaelmas day in the night, upon the first cock crowing without any kinde of light, saue such as the heavens will affoard: The steward of the court writes onely with coales, and calleth all such as are bound to appeare, with as low a voice as possiblie he may, giuing no notice when he goeth to execute his office. Howsoever, he that gives not answer is deeply amerced; which servile attendance (saith he) was imposed at the first vpon certaine tenants of divers mannors hereabouts, for conspiring in this place, at such an vnseasonable time, to raise a commotion. The title of the entrie of the court hee had in memory, and writ it downe for me when we came to Rochford.” Fuller speaks of its running “in obscure barbarous rimes,” which he inserts nearly in the words of the legal authorities who give the following account:—
“Lawless Court. On Kingshill at Rochford in Essex, on Wednesday morning next, after Michaelmas day, at Cocks-crowing, Is held a Court, vulgarly called ‘The Lawless Court.’ They whisper and have no Candle, nor any Pen and Ink but a Coal; and he that ows Suit or Service, and appears not, forfeits double his rent every hour he is missing. This Court belongs to the Honor of Ralegh, and to the Earl of Warwick; and is called ‘Lawless,’ because held at an unlawful or lawless hour, or Quia dicta sine lege. The Title of it in the Court Rolls, runs thus,—
Kingshi in
Rochford.
} ss. C
Vria de Domino Rege,
Dicta sine Lege.
Kingshi in Rochford. } ss. CVria de Domino Rege, Dicta sine Lege.
Tenta est ibidem