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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 16 Nov 1940
Page 2 Column 7
SOME FACTS ABOUT TAUNTON
THE ANCIENT COURT LEET
[BY H. J. CHANNON.]
It is important to remember how old some of our institutions are. The Court Leet of the Borough of Taunton was established as far back as the year 883. It was a people's court, and in early times was usually held in the open air, as the attendance of all residents was required.
Leets were petty criminal courts for the punishment of small offences, including affrays and bloodshed, but not treasons and felonies. They seem to have been designed, in the main, to promote the comfort of the inhabitants within their jurisdiction, by seeing that tradesmen sold goods at reasonable prices; that good ale was brewed; that diseased meat was not sold; that “no manner of cook, pie-baker, nor huckster sell any manner of victual, but it be good and wholesome for man's body”; that publicans allowed no tippling; that hogs did not ramble about to the annoyance of the public; and that water courses were not stopped. Such cases were investigated and punished by fine, or the stocks, or the pillory.
NOT EXTINCT.
Leets began to decline in the 14th century, being superseded by the more modern courts of the justices; but in many cases the Leets were kept up until nearly the middle of the 19th century. Indeed, it cannot be said that they are now actually extinct, as many, including Taunton, Watchet, and Wellington, still meet annually to appoint officers, whose positions are now sinecures.
The Court was by Magna Charta ordered to be held twice each year. The number of jurymen usually summoned was 24, of whom 23 were sworn.
The Steward of the Manor summoned the residents to appear. Prior to the year 1268, every person resident within the precinct of the Leet, men and women, masters and servants, between the ages of 12 and 60, had to be present at the Court, to be sworn to be faithful and loyal to the King. It was also called the view Frankpledge, which means the view of the sureties, of which every man anciently was obliged to have nine who were bound to be responsible for his appearance, in case he were called upon to answer any complain brought against him.
OFFICERS' MANY DUTIES.
The officers were selected annually. The two Constables had many duties to preform. They had to arrest all who disturbed the peace; to see that the watch was properly kept; that all residents joined in the “Hue and Cry”; that all sturdy vagabonds were placed in the stocks or pilllory; that gaming houses were searched monthly; and hedge-breakers whipped.
Two Portreeves were appointed to collect all rents, tolls, customs and revenues, and account them to the Lord of the Manor. In the Portreeves' Account for the Borough, rendered in 1427-28, appears an interesting item - “3s 4d of the perquisites of the Court of Piepowder (Court of the Dusty Feet) this year.” This Court was instituted for the speedy dispatch of differences arising at a Fair between pedlars and townspeople. Taunton had two Fairs, the Manorial Fair of St. Thomas à Becket (the patron saint of merchants) held on July 7th, and St. Botolph's on June 17th, when horses and all sorts of cattle were sold in the streets.
THE TITHINGMEN.
Tithingmen, or Aldermen, were chosen, one each for Fore Street, High Street, East Street, North Street, Paul Street, and Shutterne. They had to deliver a list of all residents in the respective streets over whom they had control; also to present any offences, nuisances, encroachments, &c., which had taken place in such streets to the annoyance of the inhabitants since the last Court.
There were two Sealers of Leather, and two Searchers of Greenskins, who had to search for hides or skins insufficiently tanned.
The two Cornhill Keepers superintended the Cornhill (probably situated near the western end of the present Market House), and saw that the Corn Market was properly conducted there. The Cornhill Keepers had to provide, and keep in repair tubs for the use of all persons selling corn in the market. They were entitled to a payment of 1d from anyone using the tubs or exposing corn for sale in bags or sacks.
The Shamble Keepers kept a vigilant eye on butchers who charged excessive prices for meat. They also superintended the market for vegetables.
ALETASTERS' “ARDUOUS DUTIES.”
The two Aletasters had to see that brewers brewed good and wholesome ale; that none was sold without being previously tasted; and also that bakers sold bread of proper weight, in accordance with the market price of corn. It is recorded that when every inn brewed its own beer, the aletasting lasted a considerable time, and the Tasters' arduous duties usually incapacitated them from further business for some days afterwards! When in the 15th century 133½ gallons of beer were sold for 4s 10d, many of the ordinary consumers must have also been incapacitated, not infrequently!
Not the least important officials were eight Rhine Ridders, two for High Street, two for Fore Street, and two for each side of North Street, who were responsible for seeing that the rhines, or streams, there, which served as the common sewers of the town, were kept in proper order and not blocked up. Ducks were not allowed in the streets under pain of one shilling to be levied on the owner.
(To be continued.)