August 1491

At least once a year between Martinmas [11 November] and Christmas, the bailiffs are to impanel 20 of the "best dysposed" of the 48, [who] are to be summoned to appear before them in the Tolhouse on a certain day set by the bailiffs. There, these ordinances are first to be read out to them, [then] they (or at least 12 of them) are to be sworn and charged to make enquiry about all who have broken or disobeyed any aspect of any of these ordinances, and are to render a true verdict on the matter. If any of those summoned to be impanelled on the enquiry defaults [in appearance], he shall be amerced 12d. for the first default, 2s. for the second, this doubling with each further default. If any of those impanelled and sworn, to win favour [possibly, for a bribe] or out of preferentiality or fear, avoids presenting any person (whatever his status) who has broken or caused [others] to break any of these ordinances, or conceals such offenses, and that offense is afterwards discovered and presented by another inquest, then every member of the first jury shall pay a fine of 40d. for concealing the offense, to be levied to the profit of the community.

[The descriptor "best dysposed" could be interpreted in different ways, although my personal guess is that it means those members of the Common Council thought most likely to comply with the summons.]