Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 26: February 1579

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 26: February 1579', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79, (London, 1871) pp. 556-557. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1566-79/pp556-557 [accessed 25 March 2024]

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February 1579

Feb. 12.
Westminster.
3. Writ to the sheriff of — to inquire after a debt of 2,000l., due from Sir Jas. Mervin to Ant. Borne, who is reported by an inquisition of 21 June 1578 to have fled the realm 18 March 1577, whereby all his goods are forfeit to the Queen. Attested by Sir Roger Manwood. Addressed to Mr. Salway or others at Mr. Fashen's office. [1 page, Latin.]
Feb. 26.
Guernsey.
4. Bailiff and jurats of Guernsey to Council. You ask the custom of the island about goods stolen in the isle and seized by the Queen's officers before they return to the proprietors; these are confiscated to the Queen, and we have no precedent to the contrary, provided the malefactors be sentenced to death or loss of limb. As to pirates' goods, by our privileges ratified by the Queen, we cannot give sentence for crimes committed out of our jurisdiction, but if pirates come to this isle, and the officer take them by order of justice, it is our part to take knowledge thereof, and certify you what we find on examination, We will obey as soon as we can your wish for two of us to appear before you, to certify you of other customs of the isle beside those of Normandy. [2/3 page.]
[Feb. 26.] 5. Report [addressed to Council] by Nicholas Martin, P. Carey, and H. Beauvoir. The question you propound is whether goods taken by pirates brought to the island of Guernsey, and seized by Her Majesty's officers are forfeited to the Queen by the customs of the isle. We find no law or custom, past or present, by which any such goods are confiscated to Her Majesty, unless seized by her officer appointed by the bailiff and jurats order, and the matter certified by them to Council, that they may take order therein, by commission or otherwise. [2 pages, copy.]
Feb. ? 6. Petition of the Merchant Retailers of Chester [to Council]; on a new complaint against them of the Mere Merchants of Chester. All the merchants, time out of mind, have used retailing and other trades with their merchandise. The mere merchants petition that either the merchant retailers forsake their merchandise and hold only to retailing, or that they themselves may be free to retail, keeping to their merchandise. The mere merchants have never been denied the retailing, and therefore petitioners beg that they be not further troubled about merchandise. [1 page. See Dom. Eliz., Vol. CXXIX., No. 53.]