besides the L. Warden, and those
others beforeremembred, whose functions appertayne to the iurisdiction
of the Stannary.
To the preseruation of which royalties, our Parliaments haue euer
carried a reuerend regard. For by that Act, 17. Edw. 4. which
enioyneth forrayne Marchants to bestow such money as they receiue
for their wares, in English commodities, or to pay the same vnto
Englishmen, the Kings part of all forfeytures within Cornwall,
is reserued to the Duke. So doth that, 11. H. 7, concerning the
reformation of waights & measures, prouide, that it shall not be
hurtful or preiudiciall to the Prince, within the Duchy of Cornwall,
nor to any waights of the cunnage: and so doth that 1. H. 8. touching
Excheators, exempt that officer in Cornwall. It should seeme,
that the first Earles bare a heauy hand in commaund ouer their
subiects: for both diuers ancient records (as I haue learned) make
mention of tributes, imposed (almost) vpon euery thing of profit;
and it may farther be gathered, in that, as well townes, as
particular persons, were faine to procure Charters and graunts
from them, for corporations, faires, markets, taking or freeing from
tolls, mines, fishing, fowling, hawking, hunting, and what not?
so as (vpon the matter) the plight of a Cornish Inhabitant and a
French pezant did differ very little.
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