The history of imbanking and drayning of divers fenns and marshes, both in forein parts and in this kingdom, and of the improvements thereby extracted from records, manuscripts, and other authentick testimonies / by William Dugdale.

In what sort he that is absent, and cho∣sen Bayliff, ought to be compelled to receive his Office.

Also it was decreed and ordained, that [ 12] if it should happen that either the persons chosen, or to be chosen Bayliffs, in form afore∣said, to be absent at the time of such their e∣lection, that the parties so chosen should be forthwith distrained, by the said Iurats for the time being, or some of them, by all their Goods and Catalls, which ought to be im∣pounded in certain places for that purpose to be assigned; and there detained, untill they did repair to the Archbishop of Can∣terbury, the Prior of Christs-Church in Canterbury, or the Abbot of Roberts∣brigge, for the time being, or some one of them, and accept of the said Office, and take their Oaths thereupon; and upon this did bring the Letters of the said Archbishop, Prior, and Abbot, or one of them, sealed, un∣to the preceding Bayliffs; or the said Bay∣liffs being dead, then unto two of the said xxiiij Iurats; and this within six dayes next after the said distresse so taken: other∣wise to be punished, as is before expressed of the said Bayliffs so refusing; and then to be a new election at some other Last there to he held.