Fines and Punishments

In the early days of the Court, the majority of the fines were in multiples of 3s. 4d. Anyone involved in a typical "tussle" would be fined 3s. 4d. but if blood was spilt (a bloodwipe) the fine would be doubled.

A number of presentments were worded as a gentle warning. Typical ones would be along the lines of requesting that someone should "scour their ditch" by a certain date. Failing to do this and the fine would, in principle, be collected.

In October 1660, Ann Ingham was fined for the past misdemeanour and the fine would be doubled in the future.

Ann Ingham widdowe doth Contrary to the third prsentmt of the last Jury of the Leete continue to lay worthing and dung by the Churchgate barrs at the way syde leading through Cocker hole and therefore to pay 3s 4d for the fyne past and if shee doe offendin the like for the tyme to come to pay 6s 8d for evy offence.

Fines are sometimes mentioned but with the proviso that the final ruling could be "at Mr Mayor's discretion". The affeerers would also have the opportunity to alter the level of the fine - this was often written in the margin. More often than not the fine was reduced.

The officers of the Court were also subject to the rule of the Court. Any failure in their duties attracted fines.

Glimpses of personalities sometimes appear. In April 1661 we have

Mr James Abbott Baliffe of this Towne for takinge the key of the Hall doore, and premprorily refuseinge to delivr the same key to the Sergents

It is rare to find anything but "minor" misdemeanours in the records. One that does stand out occurs in the May 1660 Court in which several townsfolk rescued several prisoners; breaking open the prison doors with "clubs, crowes of iron". The surprising outcome was only a fine of 6s. 8d.

11. Henry ffisher, Thomas ffrance, Henry Bretherton, Thomas Richardson al(ia)s Stringer whereas Mr Maior of this Towne had comitted to bee imprissoned, Henry Balshawe and Henry ffisher for their miscarriages they in a rude and violent manner did fall upon the Sgt who were conveying them accordinge to the comand, they had rec(eiv)ed. And by force rescued the said Henry ffisher from the hands of the said afferers to the great abuse contempt and indignition of Officers and good Govmt. of this Towne, and the bad Example to such whose loose and corrupt princiles may lead them to take the same course to free themselves from the due Administracon of Justice upon them for their afferers contrary to the Elleaventh Order of Mr Prestons guild and therefore to pay 6s 8d a peece for this first offence, and to receive such other punishmt as shall seeme meete to Mr Maior and the Councell of this Towne.

12. Whereas Mr Maior of this Towne had comitted sevall psons to prisson as Actors abedtors and incouragers of a violent and forcable rescueing of some prisoner or prisoners that day from the officers, that in obedience to Mr Maiors comand were conveyinge them to prisson, and that Thomas ffrance, Robert Kighley, Thomas ffisher, Henry Balshawe, Thomas Hodson did designe together with Henry ffisher and Richard Hodgkinson, and others whose names doe not appeare unto us, to release the said prisoners there inprissoned by force of Armes, and upon monday the seacond of January last in a Royetous & tumultnous manner in prosecucon of the said design with Clubs Crowes of Iron & other Instruments of force, the said Richard Hodgkinson & Henry ffisher with many others did come to the Townes hall & brake open the prisson doores and set at Liberty those that were there inprissoned with exceedinge great vilifinge contempt and dispite of the Majestary and authority of this Towne, and contrary to the 11th order of Mr Prestons guild, wee therefore doe amerce Henry ffisher & Thomas ffrance beinge their second offence in 13s 4d a peece & Robert Kighley, Thomas ffisher, Henry Balshaw, Richard Hodgkinson sonn of Luke Hodgkinson and Thomas Hodson beinge their first offfence in 6s 8d. a peece for their abuse of the Majestary of this Towne, and for what other punishments they lye open to as offenders agt any Lawe or Statute of this Kingdome or Gild ordr. of this Burrogh wee leave to bee considered by Mr Maior and his Councell that they may see the Lawe Executed and Justice administered as the Nature of the offence shall require.