Writ close to the sheriff to cause the assise to come.
[002] ‘The king to the sheriff, greeting. Know that we have appointed our trusty and [003] well-beloved A. B. C. [and] D. our justices for taking assises of novel disseisin etc. [004] (as above, to the clause, ‘And therefore;’ then:) And therefore we order you to [005] cause to come before our justices on such a day and at such a place all the assises of [006] novel disseisin, mortdancestor, darrein presentment, grand assises and all juries [007] and all pleas of dower (as above) which are summoned to be before our justices at [008] the first session when they come into those parts, or before our justices at Westminster [009] and adjourned, and all attachments relating to gaol delivery or the delivery [010] of others placed in custody. And summon by good summoners all those who have [011] been sheriffs since etc. (as above). Witness etc.’ If they are appointed justices for [012] one assise of novel disseisin or mortdancestor only, one, two or several, then let a [013] writ patent issue to them all together in this form.
[Writ] if four knights are appointed justices for the taking of a single assise. [015] ‘The king to his beloved and faithful A. B. C. [and] D., greeting. Know that we [016] have appointed you our justices for taking the assise of novel disseisin which A. has [017] arraigned against B. before you by our order with respect to his free tenement in [018] such a vill.’ Or thus, ‘which A. has arraigned against B. before our justices at the [019] first session when they come into those parts etc.’ If they are appointed only for [020] one assise of mortdancestor, then as follows: ‘Know that we have appointed you [021] our justices to take the assise of mortdancestor which A. has arraigned against B. [022] concerning so much land with the appurtenances in such a vill. Therefore we order [023] you to meet on such a day at such a place (or ‘at a date and place at which you can [024] attend to this’ or ‘which you have thought fit to ordain’) to take that assise, [025] there to do what pertains to justice according to the law and custom of our realm [026] of England, saving to us the amercements thence arising. We have ordered our [027] sheriff, such a one, to cause that assise to come before you at the date and place [028] stated (or ‘at a date and place which you shall make known to him’). In witness [029] whereof we send you these our letters patent. Witness etc.’ On this let a writ close [030] be directed to the sheriff corresponding in form to that above in every way, as [031] follows.
Writ close on the same matter to the sheriff that he cause the assise to come.
[033] ‘The king to the sheriff, such a one, greeting. Know that we have appointed A. B. [034] C. [and] D. our justices
Volume 2, Page 313
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