Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)

40
THE SCOTTISH KING’S HOUSEHOLD
the whole company keeping guard about the King’s chamber every night
at the command of the Constable, and in such a way that they might be
drafted off1 for the guard of prisoners. And when the King would
ride through his realm, the twenty-four go before him on foot before the
Constable in the place of the macers.2 And be it understood that if
any burgess of the King or other man of franchise be attached by the
Constable for trespass done within the verge, he shall have his cross and
his borough-market and shall be judged by his peers. And if he (the
accused) be of the King’s household he shall be adjudged by those of
the Court. And if the Constable shall hold his court in the King’s hall
or at the gate, there shall be with him in afforcement of the Court the
Steward, Marshal, Pantler, Butler, Porter, and other officers if he can
conveniently have them, with the other freemen who shall be found in
the Court. And that such law and judgment be adjudged before him,
that no appeal be made anew to the parliament by default of his Court.
VIII
Marshal.—Further in the king’s household there should be a Marshal
of fee, or a sufficient knight for him by whom he will answer for doing
the office of the Marshalsea as it should be in hall and in chamber, to
whom the officers shall be heedful concerning what pertains to his office ;
and it pertains to him to array the hall in honour of the King, and at
table he shall arrange the eaters after the King’s table is set, by the
discretion of the Steward and Constable; he shall have a valet-marshal
under him, and another valet-marshal deputed on behalf of the king to
serve at the second meal, and to do what shall be enjoined him privately
on behalf of the Steward and the Clerk of the Liverance. And the
Marshal shall have his court in time of war of all manner of trespasses
done under the banner and promptly to be adjudged.
IX
Almoner.—Further in the King’s household there should be an
Almoner of fee [or]3 a knight [for him], or a brother of the Temple,
and a clerk assigned under him on the King’s behalf to guard the
almonry. And the Almoner shall have the guard of all the King’s hos¬
pitals, and shall make masters such as are good housekeepers, for whom
he will answer, and such as know how to advantage the houses and
maintain the brethren and sisters ; and the servants of the King’s house¬
hold who grow old, and his poor bondsmen who cannot help themselves,
shall be received and governed in the said hospitals according to the
means of the said houses. And the King’s hospitals shall be visited once
1 Literally ‘cease.’ See N.E.D. s.v. disport.
2 See massier in Cotgrave, and servientes armorum in Ducange.
3 Words in brackets supplied to complete the sense.