[From Manx Soc vols 25+28 - Blundell's History]

CHAPTER XXI.

OF Y^E LEGALL GOVERNMT OF Y^E ISLE OF MAN MORE PTICULARLY.

MR. CAMBDEN’ saith suites in this Island of Man are ended wthout protraction or attending for a tearme. I confess all suites and controversyes are here more speedily heard and determined than in England, or in any other part of Europe at this day. Notwthstanding, in many cases of battery and bloodshed, slanders and muisdemeanor , and such like, they attend untill one of the tearmes begin ; for though they have not soe many tearmes, nor kept in ye same mañer as o^rs are in England, at one place in Westminster, yet have they two tearms w^ch they fayle not to keep twice in y^e year, y^e one in y^e spring, y^e other in y^e fall of ye leafe—y^t is, in May and Michaelmas ; but these tearmes are neither long, nor locall, nor constant in any one place (as with us only in London); neither doe they commonly name them tearmes, but call y^m their Sheeding Courts, w^ch, for y^e ease of y^e Manksmen, doe constantly begin upon y^e first or second week after May day, and in like manner after Michaellmas day (as it shall please y^e Governor and his assistants to appoint) ; at Peel-towne (for y^e west and north parts of y^e island), it begins on y^e Munday, whence they stir not all y^t weeke ; but from thence, on Munday following, they remoove to Douglass (for y^e east side of y^e island), where they stay but two dayes ; for from thence they remoove to Castletowne (for y^e south and middle parts of y^e island) ; and y^t week being ended there, yt tearme is ended ; soe as in one fortnight they commonly end all y^e controversyes of all y^e seaventeen parishes, y^t is, of ye whole island. If so be any controversyes could not be then ended (as peradventure some of y^e juryes were not then ready to give in their verdict, etc.), they may bring them in at their Exchequor Court, w^ch is a court w^ch y^e governor may keep upon such occasion at any time, in any part of y^e island, where they are deliberately heard and determinated :—To y^e end y^t justice might be speedily executed, y^e customary lawes of y^e island doe soe empower ye island, I say y^e governor or either of y^e two deemsters, as y^t in effect they are, as I touched before, Courts of Record in themselves, for if either of those be but riding or walking in y^e highway, if any have cause of complaint against another for debt, or any extraordinary business, he may procure a token either from ye governor or y^e deemster to bring y^e adverse party before either of them.

And if y^e adverse party do either confess y° debt or matter, or y^t it appear by y^e testimony of two witnesses upon their oaths yt such a debt or thing is due, either of y^e said officers may give their token for execution to y^e coroner or lockman ; and this is as good and lawfull as if y^e matter had. in court received tryall by verdict of a jury, or by a decree in the chancery.

Ffor y^e preservation of y^e peace, and for y^e prseflt sup-pressing of riots, battery, and misdemeno^rs , their customary lawes doe impower any of their officers (from y^e highest to y^e lowest- yt is, from y^e governor to y^e lockman) to take recognizance for y^e peace in ye lord’s name, and to certifye y^e same unto the comptrowler or clearke of y^e rolls office; but if soe be ~ he be denied, or yt sufficient bayle or suretyes for y^e peace be not prsently tendred unto them, y^e governor or deemsters may committ y^e delinquent to ye coroner of y^e sheeding where y^e fact is committed, and he is to bring them to y^e next gaol, castle, or fort ; but y^e inferior officers, though they may take recognizance, etc., yet they cannot committ them, but yet they may raise y^e country to assist them, and force him to come before y^e governor or some officer y^t may cothitt them.

That speedy justice may be done to all, especially for strangers who desire speedy triall in their businesses, there is erected (as ~\/[r. Chaloner saith not long since) a Court of Chancery, wherein y^e governor sitteth sole judge, as chancelour, representing ye lord’s pson, which court he niay keep every weeke as occasion shall require. Besides, M^r Chaloner shews you a most remarkable token of y^e lord of y^e island’s goodness and nobleness to y^e Manksmen, yt y^e . clearke of y^e court hath not a farthing for y^e recording of any recognizance of y^e peace, or at y^e releasing thereof~ nor for ye recording of y^e indictm^ts of any delinquent, or for the drawing up of ye orders of arraignm^t, nor y^e entering of any action at y^e common law (though there be an infinite n" at every court), nor for ye recording of any prsentm^t brought in by y^e great enquests of ye sheedings, or juryes of slanders, or any other business wtsoever handled at y^e sheeding courte or courts of gaol delivery.

1 In his Treatise of y^e British Isles.