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POLITICAL HISTORY the same matter, October 29, I573- 1 A commission was issued by the Council (June 4, 1567) * to William More and others to inquire into the truth of a charge of 'subtle, crafty and vexatious dealings' brought by an inhabitant of Godalming against one of the sub-bailiffs of the town. 3 In July, 1544, the Lords of the Council committed the 'lewd and naugh- tie' curate of Witley to examination in the Tower by Sir Christopher More. His offence consisted in having 'used words,' but what words we are not told. What is remarkable is that the obscure fault of an obscure man is so gravely dealt with. On October 7, 1562,* the return was made to an inquisition taken at Letherhead, set on foot by order under the great seal, and taken by the oath of twelve lawful men, touching 'apparelle of mens wyffes.' The jury found that these were not too extravagantly dressed a verdict more prudent than courageous from women's husbands. No feature of country life was too minute for the all-seeing Council. The relief of the poor, the checking of 'regrat- ing and forestalling' of corn, the supply of corn in the markets, were closely looked after, farmers being compelled to bring a certain propor- tion of their stock every week, and to sell it at prices to suit the poor. The justices had to undertake the supervision of all markets to compel cheap sale, and were to commit to prison without bail farmers who ' re- pyned.' 5 They were ordered to restrain the 'brewing of beer of greater strength in this tyme of scarcely than was used in other tymes when mault was good cheape ' ; matters of purveyance for the needs of the court ; the reduction of the number of sellers of poultry, butter and eggs, as they caused prices to be raised for their supplies an odd effect of competition the punishment of riotous apprentices in South- wark ; the revoking and regranting of pedlars' licences ; all formed subjects of the letters and orders of the Council. When the central Government grasped at such a minute control in every county, it is obvious that the leading men in each, such as the Mores, the Lord Montague, the Lords Howard of Effingham and such like in Surrey, must have exercised immense local influence upon the fortunes and daily life of their neighbours. The Council was really forced to trust to them and to their representations for what was or should be done. It is easy to understand both how the central Government might be looked to as a refuge from the caprice of local rulers, and how the whole system might be violently resisted if once confidence were lost in the capacity and good intentions of the central power. The hopes of Went- worth at his best, and the action of the Long Parliament before it became itself despotic, are both to be clearly forecast from the history of the local administration in Surrey. The justices themselves were educated in a knowledge of affairs which enabled them at last to criticize and resist the Council in Parliament. 1 Loseley MSS. 8 Ibid, dates cited. 3 It is an interesting example of how matters cognizable in the ordinary courts were brought before the Council, and remitted by them to special commissioners. 4 Loseley MSS. date cited. 6 Ibid. August 3, 1596, vii. i8. 381