This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ... Pleas of the Forest. HE Placita de Foresta, or Forest Pleas, record, the proceedings before the forest courts; which were four in number, (i) The Court of Attachment, or Woodmote, held every forty days, at which the foresters brought in 'the attachments of vert and venison, and the presentments thereof, which the verderers received and enrolled; but that court had power only to enquire, not convict. (2) The Court of Swanimote, which, like all courts of great antiquity, sat in the open air, was held three times a year, viz. fifteen days before Michaelmas, about the feast of St. Martin, and fifteen days before the feast of St. John the Baptist, and was presided over by the verderers. (3) The Court of Regard, holden every third year, for the lawing of dogs, agistment of cattle, etc. (4) The Court of Justice Seat, held occasionally, before one or more of the justices' itinerants, who gave final judgments. This court was summoned forty days at least before the sitting thereof; one writ of summons being directed to the sheriff of the county, and another to the keeper of the forest or his deputy. These writs summoned, firstly, all the officers of the forest, who were directed to bring with them all records, etc.; secondly, all persons who claimed any liberties or franchises within the forest, to shew by what warrant they exercised the same. The presiding justice and his associates heard the presentments of the inferior courts of the forest, gave judgment upon conviction of the Swanimote, and issued warrants to the officers of the forest to attach the offenders. The justices in eyre, appointed by the king to hear and determine Forest Pleas in the county of Somerset, held their courts at various places; Ilchester, Somerton, Langport, Wells, and...