Transcriber's Note.
Apparent typographical errors have been corrected. The use of hyphens hasbeen rationalised.
There are several words in the Introduction in Anglo-Saxon script.These are underlined. The individual characters have been replaced bytheir modern equivalents: "wynn" by "w" and so on.
By JOSEPH RITSON, Esq.
BARRISTER AT LAW,
LATE HIGH BAILIFF OF THE SAVOY.
Ballivus cujuscunque manerii esse debet in verbo verax, et in operediligens ac fidelis, ac pro discreto appruatore cognitus, plegiatus, & electus,qui de communioribus legibus pro tanto officio sufficienter se cognoscat,et quòd sit ita justus, quòd ob vindictam vel cupiditatem non quæratversus tenentes domini, vel aliquos sibi subditos, occasiones injustas, perquas destrui debent, seu graviter amerciari. Fleta. l. 2. c. 73.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY A. STRAHAN,
LAW-PRINTER TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY;
FOR J. BUTTERWORTH, LAW-BOOKSELLER,
FLEET-STREET.
1811.
Thelittle work now offered to the publicwas originally compiled by Mr. Ritson aboutthe same period as similar treatises, on The Officeof Constable, and The Jurisdiction of the Court-Leet,published in his lifetime. The author'sattachment to the subject, it is believed, inducedhim to defer the publication of the present digest,in the hope of increasing its value by amplerinformation or more diligent research; and thisobject appears to have been sufficiently pursued,during the latter years of the author's life, toanswer his wishes, as the work was left by himin every respect ready for the press.
The editor feels it due to the memory of hismuch honored and lamented uncle to add, thatthe recent publications to which Mr. Ritson'sname, from interested motives, has been, veryunwarrantably, affixed, are not intitled to anycredit.
Thesubject of the following digest is not, as maybe hastily imagined, a matter of mere curiosityor antiquarian research. The officer of whom it treatsexercises his function in many parts of the kingdom,in its fullest extent, at this day; though the attentionrequisite in certain branches of his duty may in someplaces, no doubt, have induced him to neglect them.
The want of such a compilation as the presentmust have been more or less felt by every one whohas acted in the execution of this office; and indeedit ought to seem much more extraordinary (consideringthe multitude of similar publications on other subjects)that it should not have been attempted longago, than that it appears at present.
Little can, and less need be said in favour of awork which has no obligations either to genius orto judgement: some labour, however, has undoubtedlybeen exerted in the compilation, which, should it havethe good fortune to prove so far serviceable to thosewhom it most concerns, as to render the discharge ofan ancient and honorable office an object of lessdifficulty or hazard, the 'compiler' will not have reasonto regret.