The Gayle for Stannery causes is kept at Lostwithiel, and that office
is annexed to the Comptrolership.
The Tynners of the whole shire are diuided into foure quarters, two
called Moores, of the places where the Tynne is wrought, viz. Foy
moore, and Blacke moore: the other, Tiwarnaill and Penwith. To each
of these is assigned by the L. Warden, a Steward, who keepeth his
Court once in euery three weekes. They are termed Stannery Courts of
the Latine word Stannum, in English Tynne, and hold plea of whatsoeuer
action of debt or trespasse, whereto any one dealing with blacke or
white Tynne, either as plaintife or defendant, is a party. Their
maner of triall consisteth in the verdict giuen by a Iurie of sixe
Tynners, according to which the Steward pronounceth iudgement. He
that will spare credit to the common report, shall conceiue an ill
opinion touching the slippings of both witnesses and iurours
sometimes in these Courts: For it is sayd, that the witnesses haue
not sticked now and then to fatten their euidence, rather for seruing
a turne, then for manifesting a truth, and that the Iurours verdict
hath fauoured more of affection then of reason, especially, in
controuersies growne betweene strangers and some of the same parts.
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