OLIƲER LORD PROTECTOR of the Common-wealth of England, Scot­land and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging; To all to whom these presents shal come Greeting. We have looked into the Inrolment of a certain Decree made and pro­nounced before Us, in Our Court of Chancery, & there Inrolled in the Rolls of Our said Court, and there remaining on Record, in these words following: Whereas before this time

• Sir Thomas Ingram Knight,
• Sir Thomas Nott Knight,
• Sir Iohn Syddenham Baro­net,
• Dame Martha Williamson widow,
• Edmond Williamson Esq;
• Iohn Morris Esquire,
• Richard Downton Esquire,
• Thomas Lawley Esquire,
• Iohn Browne Esquire,
• Edward Berkhead Esquire,
• [Page 42]Henry Mildmay Esq; and Iane his VVife,
• Margaret Awnsham Spinster
• Michael Holman Esquire,
• Peter Dodsworth Esquire,
• William Chilcot Esquire,
• Iohn Needler Esquire,
• Henry Poulton Esquire,
• Ellis Crisp Esquire,
• Charles Pitcarne Esquire,
• Leonard Hammon Esquire,
• David Bonnel Esquire,
• Gilbert Barrell Esquire,
• Edward Prescot Esquire,
• Thomas Overman Gent.
• Thomas Dowdeswell Gent.
• Frances Cooke VVidow,
• Iohn Cardell Clerk,
• Iohn Tourney Gentleman,
• Richard Holman Gent.
• Richard Shelbury Gent.
• Nicholas Awnsham Gent.
• Richard Ell Gentleman,
• Roger Reve Gentleman,
• Iohn Richards Gentleman,
• VVilliam Dawe Gent.
• Richard ƲƲebb Gent.
• Thomas Poulton Gent.
• Rowland Aldrich Gent.
• Iohn Symcocks Gentleman
• John Charles Gentleman,
• Savage Barrell Gentleman
• Thomas Gee Gentleman,
• Thomas Gould Gentleman
• Iohn Kinsman Gentleman,
• Iohn Peirson Gentleman,
• Simon Neale Gentleman,
• Iohn Edlyn Gentleman, and Ann his VVife,
• Isaac ƲƲoodgreene Gent.
• Thomas Barwell Gent.
• Ephraim Dawson Gent.
• Christopher Bannister Gent.
• Hugh Peirce Gentleman,
• ƲƲilliam Parris Gent.
• Richard Betts Gentleman
• Thomas Crofton Gent.
• Iohn Neale Gentleman,
• Edward Lightmaker Gent.
• Ralph ƲƲarwick Gent.
• Richard Awnsham Gent.
• Francis ƲƲyat Gent.
• George Pyke Gentleman,
• [...] ƲƲeild Gent.
• [Page 43]Iohn Andrewes,
• Richard Andrewes,
• Edward Adams,
• Simon Adams,
• [...] Abraham VVidow,
• William Cole of Lampton,
• Henry Cole,
• Iohn Peters,
• Gideon ƲƲhitehead,
• Robert Bartlett the Elder,
• Robert Bartlett the youn­ger,
• George Bartlett,
• Richard Balls,
• ƲƲilliam Balls,
• William Baker the Elder,
• William Baker the Youn­ger,
• Frances Abbot Widow,
• George Baker,
• John Braint,
• George Butler,
• Thomas Blas [...]field,
• Josiah Burbanke,
• Richard Bradbridge,
• Benjamin Barker,
• William Bethell,
• Thomas Becket,
• William Becket,
• Ann Beale Widow,
• Ralph Blower,
• Robert Blanke,
• Robert Beale,
• Henry Beck,
• John Bell,
• Joan Brooker Widow,
• Elizabeth Box,
• Hugh Bishop,
• John Bannister,
• Thomas Cole,
• John Cole of Twicken­ham,
• William Cole of Twicken­ham,
• John Cole of Bow,
• Edward Constable,
• Ruffine Clark,
• William Collins,
• William Carpenter,
• Richard Clark the Youn­ger,
• Henry Coomes,
• Jane Child Widow,
• William Constable,
• [Page 44]Martha Cooper Widow,
• Thomas Cooke,
• Katharine Clark VVidow,
• Thomas Dowse,
• Ezekias Davis,
• William Bryan,
• Hugh Godby,
• Arthur Pitcher,
• Henry Eborn of Twicken­ham,
• William Eborn,
• Henry Eborn of Houns­low,
• Peter English, and Sarah his VVife,
• Edward Fisher,
• Robert Fish, and his VVife,
• Jane Fell,
• Ann Franklyn,
• John Farrington,
• John Fuller,
• John Finch,
• Isabel Fennell,
• Henry Fuller,
• Abraham Gardiner,
• Joan Geale Widow,
• Collins Groome,
• George Gillen,
• [...] Garry,
• John Gennens,
• Thomas Grey,
• Edward Gisby the Youn­ger,
• John Gildon,
• Robert Heddyn,
• Timothy Heddyn,
• Ellen Hall Widow,
• Edmond Brooker,
• Thomas Hall,
• Martha Hammon Widow,
• William Hollihock,
• William Hacker,
• Nathaniel Hammond,
• Francis Harper,
• Richard Harper,
• Elizabeth Cox,
• Henry Hammerton,
• Thomas Huddle,
• John Hewson,
• Thomas Hannington, and Katharine his VVife,
• John Holman,
• William Smith Gentleman,
• [Page 45]Matthew Huddle,
• Peter Hayward, and Jane his VVife,
• William Hart,
• Susan Hart,
• Thomas Hayley,
• John Herritage,
• George Hunt,
• Robert Hickman,
• Dorothy Houlding,
• Thomas Jones his Heirs,
• Daniel Johnson Gentlem.
• Elizabeth Jenks,
• Robert Knight,
• Ann Kirrill Widow,
• Margaret Isaacson Widow,
• Nicholas Lancaster,
• Richard Lewis, and Ellen his Wife,
• Richard Larchin,
• Anthony Locksmith,
• Agnes Lyons,
• Henry Lyons,
• Edward Lock,
• Thomas Morrison,
• Samuel Mathewes, and Elizabeth his Wife,
• Margaret Man Widow,
• Elizabeth Larchin,
• Thomas Larchin,
• Henry Malcombe Gent.
• Richard Moore,
• John Martin,
• Francis Merrick,
• William Myland,
• Edward Morecock,
• John Nixon,
• Nicholas North,
• William Nicholls,
• Richard Clark the Elder,
• Randal Nunns Gentleman,
• John Owen,
• Ann Oliver,
• Robert Osborne,
• Thomas Osborne,
• William Ossever,
• Elizabeth Reve alias Barker
• Robert Parslowe,
• Thomas Prymmer,
• John Powel,
• John Pope,
• Nicholas Pope,
• Alice Peiroe,
• Robert Parsons,
• [Page 46]James Prigg,
• Thomas Pasmoore,
• Simon Parkins,
• William Piggot,
• Ann Parr VVidow,
• Henry Pavet,
• Philipp Packer VVidow,
• Thomas Penn,
• Katharine Price VVidow,
• Honor Prescot,
• Robert Pasmoore and Rose his VVife,
• VVilliam Russell,
• Thomas Read,
• Robert Randoll,
• Iohn Randoll,
• Richard Reynor,
• Iohn Reely,
• Ann Hargall VVidow,
• Ann Holman VVidow,
• Edward Reve,
• Ioan Robinson VVidow,
• Nicholas Rawles,
• Iohn Rodyn,
• Iames Lynnet,
• William Lawrence,
• Hester Standon VVidow,
• Iames Shorter,
• Thomas Shorter,
• Mark Sharpe,
• Iohn Salter,
• Iohn Ieffs,
• Iohn Suddy,
• Iane Suddy,
• Ann Suddy,
• [...] Springall VVidow,
• William Stocker,
• Iohn Stevens,
• Rebecca Stevens,
• Tho. Savage of Hampton,
• Thomas Savage of Twic­kenham,
• Thomas Symnell Gent.
• Henry Saunders,
• Phillip Snow,
• Richard Steere,
• Bennet Sheward VVidow,
• Iohn Samuel,
• VVilliam Steward,
• VVilliam Smith, the youn­ger,
• Edward Salter,
• Iohn Taylor,
• Robert Taylor,
• [Page 47]Timothy Taylor,
• Ieremy Taylor,
• Sybill Taylor,
• Nicholas Beale,
• Iohn Willis,
• Thomas VVillis,
• George VVoods,
• Iohn VVheeler,
• Thomas VValcot,
• Iohn VVest,
• Robert VVhite,
• George VVhite,
• Iohn VVhite,
• Francis VVhite,
• Hugh VVhite,
• Rebecca VVeare,
• Arthur Butler,
• Edmund VVitherhead,
• VVilliam VVhite,
• Marlyon VVhite,
• Margaret VVilliams,
• Ieoffery VValler,
• Thomas Webb,
• Henry Walton's heirs,
• Thomas ƲƲoodyn,
• Francis Farwell,
• Ralph Yates,
• Richard Gill,
• Richard Maldyn, and
• Margery Yates;

all Copyholders, or Customary Tenants of the Mannor of Istleworth-Syon, in the County of Mid­dlesex, Complainants; exhibited their Bill of Complaint in this Honorable Court of Chancery, against the right Honorable Algernoone Earle of Northumberland, Peter Dodsworth, Hugh Potter and Robert Scawen, Esqs; Defendants; declaring therby, that the said Defendants, the Earle of Northumber­land, and the said other Defendants, h [...] servants, the Twentieth day of May, One thousand six hundred fifty six, or some or one of them, was, or [Page 48] were, seised in their Demeasne of Fee, of and in the Mannor of Istleworth-Syon, in the County of Middlesex; Together with all Fines, rents, Customes, Services; and all other rights, Members, Priviledges, Iurisdictions and Ap­purtenances thereunto belonging. And the said Complainants then were entituled to the Customary and Copyhold-Tenements of the said Mannor. And by a certain Writing In­dented, bearing date the same day and year, made between the said Defendants of the One part, and the said Complainants of the Other part, for the final end and Determination of all Suits and Controversies which then were, or thereafter might happen or be between the said Defendants, or any or either of them, their Heirs or Assignes, Lords of the said Mannor, and the said Complainants, concerning Fines and Heriots, and divers other Customes within the said Mannor; And to prevent all Suits and Con­troversies which might thereafter happen be­tween the said Defendants, their Heirs and Assignes, Lords of the said Mannor, and the said Complainants, and their Heirs and Assignes, Copyhold-Tenants of the said Mannor: And for the declaring and establishing the Customes of the said Mannor, touching several Particu­lars [Page 49] in the said Writing Indented expressed. It was mutually covenanted, concluded, declared and agreed between the said Parties, in manner and form following; That is to say,

And first, It was declared and agreed by and between the said Parties, That all Fines upon Admittances to all and every the Copyhold-Messuages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Te­nements and Hereditaments held of the said Mannor by the said Complainants, Parties to the said Writing Indented, or any of them, their Heirs and Assignes by Copy of Court-roll, are and ought to be henceforth CERTAIN, and not ARBITRARY, at the will of the Lord: And that the said Defendants, their Heirs and As­signes, and all and every other Lord and Lords of the said Mannor, ought to have and take Fines and Heriots upon the Death of every Te­nant dying seised of any Messuages, Halfe-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, and upon Admittances there­unto, as hereafter followeth, and not other or greater; That is to say,

Upon the Death of every Tenant dying sei­sed of One Customary-messuage in his owne occupation, the said Defendants their Heirs and Assignes, Lord or Lords of the said Mannor, [Page 50] shall and may take for a Heriot the second best Cloven-footed Beast, from the Oxe to the Sheep, which the said Tenant shall be posses­sed of in his owne right, as of his own proper Goods, at the time of his Decease within the said Mannor; or if he have no such Beast, then the summe of Two shillings in money, for and in lieu of an Heriot: And for every other Messuage whereof such Tenant shall die seised in his occupation, or otherwise, the like summe of Two shillings in money only, and no more; one Heriot in kind only and no more, being to be paid upon the death of one Tenant; and that, in case such Tenant have a Messuage in his owne occupation at the time of his death, and not otherwise.

And upon the death of every Tenant dying seised of one or more Half-messuage, the s [...]mme of Twelve pence a piece for every half-messuage.

And upon the death of every Tenant, dying seised of one or more Customary-Cottag [...]s, Six pence a piece for every Cottage, for and in lieu of an Heriot.

And upon the Admittance of every Tenant to one or more of the said Copyhold-messuages, for a Fine for every Messuage Two shillings a piece; And for a Heriot, the sum of Two shillings a piece.

And upon the Admittance of every Tenant to one or more Halfe-messuages, Twelve pence a piece for a Fine, and the like summe of Twelve pence a piece for a Heriot for every Half-mes­suage.

And upon the Admittance of every Tenant to one or more Copyhold-Cottages, the summe of Six pence a piece for a Fine, and Six pence a piece for an Heriot for every of the said Cottages.

And for a Fine upon an Admittance to every Acre of Land, of what nature or quality soe­ver it be, Foure pence and no more, and so after that rate for every lesser or greater quantity of Land: And that all Acres of Land, of what nature or kind soever, in case any difference arise concerning the content or quantity of the same, should from thenceforth be accounted ac­cording to the usual estimation thereof: And Orchards and Gardens, Woods and Plan­tations, to pay after the rate of Land, accor­ding to the quantity thereof, and not any other or greater Fine.

Item, It was declared and agreed, That every Husband whose Wife is, or at any time du­ring the Coverture between them, shall be in the Actual possession of any Customary-mes­suages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, [Page 52] Tenements and Hereditaments, and shall have any Estate of Inheritance therein, and shall die seised thereof, they having, or having had, Issue born alive between them; In case he survive his said Wife, he ought to hold the said Mes­suages, half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements and hereditaments whereof Shee shall so die seised during his life, as Tenant by the Courtesie, according to the Course of the Common-law of England.

And it was likewise declared and agreed, by and between the said Parties, That the VVife of every Copyholder, who was, or shall be at any time, during the Coverture between them, seised of any Messuages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments of such Estate therein, whereof the Issue between him and his VVife might by possibility inhe­rit; In case She survived her Husband, She ought to be endowed for term of her life, of the said Messuages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, whereof her Hus­band was so seised, in manner following; That is to say, Of Eighteen pence a year, payable Half-yearly, at Michaelmas and Lady-day, for every Acre of Land, of what nature, quality, or kind soever, in lieu of her Thirds: For [Page 53] Non-payment whereof, She in and by the Custome of the said Mannor, may Distrain as for a Rent-charge at Common-law: And of such part of Messuages, Half-messuages, and Cottages as shall be appointed to her by the Homage.

And it was further Declared and Agreed, by and between the said Parties, to the said Writing Indented, That the Youngest Son of every Copyholder, dying seised of any Customary-Messuages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tene­ments and Hereditaments, ought to Inherit the same: And so the Youngest Son of the Youngest Son, and the Youngest Brother, and other Youn­gest of the Male-line, after the nature of the Descent of Borough-English Land. But if there be but One Son, then that Son shall In­herit; And if there be Daughters, and no Son, then the Daughters shall Inherit as Co-heirs; And if but One Daughter, she shall Inherit.

And it was likewise Declared, That when a Copyholder dyed seised of a Copyhold of Inhe­ritance, his Heir being within the Age of Four­teen years, the Guardianship of such Heir should be committed by the Lord or his Steward, to the next of Kin to the Heir that cannot Inherit, as in case of Tenure in Soccage of Lands at Com­mon-Law: And that such Heir was to be, and [Page 54] should be admitted Tenant by his Guardian: For which Admission One Fine was to be paid, but no Fine payable for Admitting the Guardian: And that Heir at his Age of One and twenty years was to do Fealty, which in the mean time was to be respited: And that such Guar­dian was to give Security, to be taken by the Steward in the name of the Lord, That he should Accompt to the Steward, when he should be required, and Answer the Profits of the Heirs Estate to the Heirs Vse: And that such Heir ought to be, and should be at liberty, at his Age of Fourteen years and upwards, to choose another Guardian, who should likewise give Security, as aforesaid; And if a Guardian dyed or become Insolvent before the Heir should attain the age of Fourteen years, the Steward should com­mit the Guardianship of such Heir to the then next of kin, as aforesaid, or to some Tenant, in case of Insufficiency in the Kindred; And should take Security in manner as before is set down.

And morever, it was agreed and so declared by and between the said Parties, to the said Writing Indented; That by the Custome of the said Mannor, the Tenants of Inheritance might suffer their respective Messuages, Halfe-messuages, and Cottages, or any of them, or any part of [Page 55] them, or any of them, to fall down, or might take them down or remove them, or cause them to be taken down, or otherwise dispose of them, or any part of them as they should think fit; And should and might also dispose of their Woods, Orchards, Gardens and Timber-trees, growing and being, or to be upon their Customary-Lands, to what use they pleased, without peril or penalty; and without forfeiture of their or any of their Copyhold Estate or Estates, or any part thereof.

And it was declared and agreed, that in case any Copyholder or Copyholders, which was, were, or at any time thereafter should be seised of any Customary-messuages, Half-messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements or heredita­ments, held of the Lord of the said Mannor, for and during the term of his, her, or their life or lives onely, or for any Estate determinable upon the Death of any person or persons what­soever, should commit or permit any waste to be done or suffered, in or upon the Customary-Messuages, Cottages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, or any part or parcel of them, so held or to be held by such Copyholder or Copyholders for life, as aforesaid, by not suffi­ciently repairing the same, or otherwise: The [Page 56] Homage at the Lords Courts from time to time to be holden for the said Mannor, ought to pre­sent every such Copyholder so committing or per­mitting VVast to be done by neglect of Repair, or otherwise, as is aforesaid; And Impose an Amercement upon every such Copyholder, to en­force him, her, or them, thereby to amend and repair such VVasts by him, her, or them, permit­ted or committed, in and upon the Messuages, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments by him, her, or them held or to be held, as is aforesaid.

And Lastly; It was mutually covenanted, conclu­ded and Agreed by and between the said Par­ties to the said Writing Indented; And the said Defendants, by the said Articles declared, That they were well pleased, That if the said Complai­nants, or their Councel learned should think fit, and advise, that an ACT OF PARLIAMENT, or a DECREE in this Court, or both of them, should be necessary to be had, for the Confirma­tion of the said ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, contained in the said Writing Indented; They the said Defendants, their Heirs and Assignes, Lords of the said Mannor, should and would at all times then after, Consent unto such ACT OF PARLIAMENT or DECREE IN CHANCERY, or both of them, to be prosecuted [Page 57] at the Charges of the said Complainants, their Heirs, Executors or Assignes, for the Confir­mation of the said Articles of Agreement, as by the same did appear. All which said Articles and Agreem [...]nts ought to be observed, ratified, & confirmed by the said Defendants, according to the intent and true meaning of the said Wri­ting Indented. But the Defendants, in tending to break and infringe the Customes of the said Mannor, and to commence new Suits and Trou­bles against the said Complainants, refused to consent, that the Decree of this Court for the greater Confirmation of the said Agreement and Customs therein specified, should be had and passed, notwithstanding the several Requests of the said Complainants, to them made in that behalf, contrary to the tenor and effect of the Agreement before rehearsed.

To the end therefore, that the said Complai­nants might be relieved in the premisses, and might quietly and without molestation; enjoy their Iust and Rightful Customes and Privi­ledges, according to the Custome of the said Mannor, and the Contents of the Agreement be­fore rehearsed: And that the said Agreement, in all the particulars thereof, might be ratified and confirmed, by the Decree of this Court.

The said Complainants prayed the aid and assistance of this Honorable Court, and that a Letter might be directed to the said Earle, and Process of Sub-poena might be awarded and di­rected to the said other Defendants, to appear and Answer the Premisses: VVhich being granted, and the said Defendants therewithall served; They appeared accordingly, and an­swered: And confessed, that they, or some, or one of them, were, or was, and that at the time mentioned in the said Bill of Complaint, were or was seised of the said Mannor of Istleworth-Syon, in their, some or one of their Demeasnes, as of Fee: And that the said Sir Thomas Ingram, Sir Thomas Nott, Sir John Syddenham, and others, the said Complainants were, or were entituled to be Copyhold Tenants of the said Mannor, as in and by the said Bill of Complaint was al­ledged; and did confess the Sealing and delivery of the said Indented Writing, according to the tenor of the Complainants said Bill, and the Rehearsal therein contained; And denyed, that they devised to break or any way infringe the good and ancient Custome of the said Mannor, or to commence any Suits against the said Complainants, or any of them; or any wayes directly or indirectly, to trouble or molest the said [Page 59] Complai­nants, in the enjoyment of their Iust and Rightful Estates, Customs or Priviledges, contrary to the true intent and meaning of the Agreement set forth and mentioned in the said Writing Indented; but had alwayes been, and were ready and willing, and did by their said Answer Declare their consent and Agree­ment, That all and every the said Customes and Priviledges in the said Indenture specified and agreed, should be Ratified and Confirmed by the DECREE of this Honorable Court, if it might stand with the pleasure of this Court, and concluded with the general Traverse, As by the said Bill and Answer remaining on record in this Honorable Court, more fully and at large the same doth and may appear.

It is thereupon this present day, that is to say, on Saturday the Eight and Twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord, One thou­sand six hundreed fifty six. By the right Hono­rable the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, and by the Authority of the said High Court of CHANCERY, and by and with the Consent of the said Parties, Plaintiffs and Defendants, and their Councel and Attorneys on both sides, in this Court, Ordered, Adjudged, and Decreed, That all and every the Agreements [Page 60] in the said Indenture contained and in the said Bill set forth to be made between the said Com­plainants and Defendants, touching the Fines, Heriots, and other Customes of the said Mannor of Istleworth-Syon, be ratified and confirmed by this present Decree, to be forever hereafter in­violably observed, performed, and kept aswel on the part and behalf of the Defendants their Heirs and Assigns Lords of the said Mannor, as on the part and behalf of the Complainants their Heirs and Assigns, of their respective Copy­hold Messuages, Lands and Tenements, held of the said Mannor.

Now at the request of the said Complainants, we have caused the Tenor of the said Decree by these presents to be Exemplified.

In witness whereof, we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents.