CAP. II.
None shall take Prises, but the King's Purveyors and their Deputies.
SEcondarily, Forasmuch as there is a great Grievance in this Realm, and Damage without Measure, for that the King and the Ministers of his House, as well of Aliens as Denizens, do make great Prises where they pass through the Realm, and take the Goods as well of Clerks as of Lay people, without paying therefore any thing, or else much less than the Value:
No Purveyors shall take any Prises but the King's, and they only for his House.II. It is ordained, That from henceforth none do take any such Prises within the Realm, but only the King's Takers, and the Purveyors for his House; (2) and that the King's Takers and Purveyors of his House shall take nothing, but only for his House. (3) And touching such Things as they shall take in the Country, of Meat and Drink, and such other mean Things necessary for the House, they shall pay or make Agreement with them of whom the Things shall be taken.
Confirmed by 4 Ed. 3. c. 4. Altered by 5 Ed. 3. c. 2. 10 Ed. 3. stat. 2. c. 1. 25 Ed. 3. c. 1.
III. And that all the King's Takers, Purveyors, or Catours, from henceforth shall have their Warrant with them, under the King's great or petty Seal, declaring their Authority, and the Things whereof they have Power to make Prise or Purveyance; Purveyors shall have their Warrant, and shew it.(2) the which Warrant they shall shew unto them whose Goods they take, before they take any Thing.[1]
- ↑ 36 Ed. 3. c. 2.
Purveyors shall take no more than is needful.IV. And that those Takers, Purveyors, or Catours for the King, shall take no more than is needful or meet to be used for the King, his Houshold, and his Children.[1]
- ↑ 12 Car. 2. c. 24.
All Purveyance taken away.V. And that they shall not take any Thing for them that be in Wages, nor for any other.
But see 13 Car. 2. stat. 1. c. 8. and 13 & 14 Car. 2. c. 20. which suspend the said 12 Car. 2. in favour of the royal Progresses and of the Navy and Ordnance. And likewise see the yearly Mutiny Acts.
VI. And that they shall make full Answer in the King's House, or in the Wardrobe, for all Things taken by them, without making their Largesses any other where, or Liveries, of such Things as they have taken for the King.
VII. And if any Taker for the King's House, by reason of his Warrant, make any Prise or Livery, otherwise than before is mentioned, upon Complaint made to the Steward, and to the Treasurer of the King's House, the Truth shall be enquired. (2) And if he be attainted thereof, he shall forthwith make Agreement with the Party, and shall be put out of the King's Service for ever, and shall remain in Prison at the King's Pleasure.
Taking without Warrant Felony.VIII. And if any make Prise without Warrant, Taking without and carry it away against the Will of the Owner, he shall immediately be arrested by the Town where the Prise was made, and shall be committed to the next Gaol; (2) and if he be attainted thereupon, it shall be done unto him as unto a Felon, if the Quantity of the Goods do so require.
Purveyances made for the King's Wardrobe.IX. And concerning Prises made in Fairs, and good Towns, and in Ports, for the King's great Wardrobe, the Takers shall have their common Warrant under the Great Seal.
X. And for the Things that they shall take, it shall be testified under the Seal of the Keeper of the Wardrobe; (2) and of those Things that they have taken, the Number of the Things, the Quantity, and the Value, shall be specified in a Divident made between the Takers and the Keepers of Fairs, Mayors, or chief Bailiffs of Towns and Ports, by theView
