Petitions to the House of Lords, 1597-1696.
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Many thousands of the freeholders of Norfolk. HL/PO/JO/10/13/5 (1614)
The humble Peticion of many thowsands of the
freehoulders of the Countie of Norffolk
their grevaunces thus humblie sheweth
Wheras in all precedinge ages accordinge to the lawes of the lande, the freehoulders of this foresaid Countie have had
their free elections of suche their knights a should negotiate for them in this Heighe and Honorable Courte
of parliament and accordinge to custome tyme oute of mynde used, the chooseinge of such knights hath alwayes
bine at one usuall and accustomed place namly at the Castell at the Cyttie of Norwich at the Sheriffes Countie
Corte houlden next after the receypt of his Majesties writt for the appoyntinge of the same knightes, Which
Countie Corte likwise in noe rememberaunce hath ever ben kept by any sheriffe from the foresaid Castle
May it therfore please yow to understand that
Notwithstandinge the posative lawe which gyveth the freehoulder his freedome of eleccion, and the veterate
custome which hath hertofore tyed sheriffes to the certayntie of the place of houldinge their Countie
corte: aswell the said freehoulders as alsoe the place are wronged by the seynyster practice of the
sheriffe and suche as have combyned with him to have the said election transferred uppon them
by this indirect meanes followinge:
The Sheriffes Countie Corte was houlden at the Castle at Norwich upon Mundaye beinge
the seaventh of Februarye and being ther ended it was adjorned to Munday Moneth next
then followeinge beinge the seaventh of Marche to the same Castle, uppon which seaventh of
Marche beinge the next Countie Daye after the sheriffe had receyved his Majesties writt, the
number of three thowsand (or theraboutes) freehoulders repayred thether to have had their election
and beinge ther mett, the Sheriffes Countie was begune aboute seaven of the clocke in the same
morninge and after the dispatch of some countie busynes the said Countie was adjorned within
one half hower by the Sheriffes Deputie to a place called Swaffon being about twentye
myles of badd waye remote from the same Castle at Norwich, at which place of Swaffon the Heighe
Sheriffe was present and went to election of the knightes for the shire, and with some few freehoulders
beinge brought thether for the same purpose twoe yonge knightes wer chosen before eight of the
clocke the same forenoone. wee therfore humblie intreat that wee may have redresse for
this present wronge that noe suche collusions may proove presedentes agaynst the auncient
freedome of us and our Countrye nor agaynest our succeedinge posteritie.