April 1643: An Ordinance giving power to the Bailiffs and Aldermen of the Towne of Yarmouth to set a rate upon the Inhabitants for maintenance of their Forts and Bulwarks.

April 1643

[12 April 1643.]

Power to Bailiffs and Aldermen of Yarmouth to rate Inhabitants.; Persons summoned to defence of city and not appearing to forfeit 5s.; On non payment to be imprisoned.

Whereas the Bayliffs and Corporation of Yarmouth, have bin at great charges in making Forts and Bulwarks, in and about the said Towne, which tend much to the safety of that Towne, and part of that County adiacent, and sundry Persons do refuse to contribute to the same, and others that are Inhabitants there, do refuse and neglect to watch, to Guard the Gates, and other the Forts and Passages in the said Towne, when they are thereunto required; It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons now in Parliament assembled, That it shall be lawfull for the Bayliffs, Aldermen, and communalty of the said Towne, to make a rate or rates upon all Inhabitants of the said Towne, and upon other persons that have any Houses, Lands, Tenements, Goods, or Chattles in the said Towne, in an equall and indifferent proportion according to the usuall manner of other Rates in the said Towne; And in case the summe assessed, or any part thereof be unpaid by any person so assessed that it shall and may be lawfull to the said Bayliffs, or others by them nominated and appointed to levy all such summes so unpaid by way of distresse, and sale of the Goods of Persons so refusing or neglecting to pay such summe or summes of mony so assessed upon them; And if it shall happen, that any person or persons having had due summons or notice by beat of Drum, or otherwise, to appeare at Musters, to be exercised in the use of their Armes; or to Watch by day or by night, at the Gates, Forts, Bridges, or other Places in the said Towne, for the safety and preservation of the said Towne, in this time of imminent danger, do refuse or neglect to appeare in person, or some other in his or their behalfe, to be allowed of by the Bayliffs, Justices of Peace, and Captaines in the said Towne, or any one of them, that for every such default the person so refusing or neglecting, shall forfeite the summe of five shillings, to be imployed in fortifying of the said Towne: And if the said parties so refusing shall neglect or refuse to pay the said sum of five shillings, that it shall and may be lawfull for the said Bayliffs, Justices of Peace, and Captains of the said Towne or any three of them, to commit every such person and persons to the Goale; There toremaine by the space of two daies without Bayle or Mainprize.