The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-25
TOWNS WITH ODD PRIVILEGES.
Where Juries are Not and Venison is
Free.

London Answers.
When the Cinque Ports were by Act Of
cient privileges their tributary town
Brightling Sea, on the Coline-which
shared the same rights. was somewhat
overlooked, and consequently 1t is
place well worth living in. OF these va
ried privileges far the most valuable Is
that none of the householders OF the
borough can be summoned to serve on
turies-a right no other town in Britain
has.
But, shorn as the Cinque Ports are of
much Of their ancient glory. their barons
can still claim to carry canopy over
the King at his coronation. This canopy
is; by old custom. of cloth of purple silk,
with gilt bell at each corner. and sup
ported by four silver-covered slaves.
Four barons hold each staff, while others
do the same Office for the Queen. Their
fee is the slaves and canopies, and the
privilege of dining at a table on the
Kings right hand.
The Cirque Ports are also permitted
to send special addresses to their mon
arch upon his accession or other occa-
sions of national Importance. This Is
done at Court of Brotherhood and
Gueslting. which is summoned by the
mayor. who happens to be Speaker for
the year of the loyal and privileged
year was the mayor of Rye.
Every Easter sees a curious ceremony
in the parish church of the little Som
ersetshire town of Chard. The town
council of Chard exercises a right pos
sessed by no other town in the Kingdom
that of electing the church warden
for the coming year. During morning
service on Easter Day the head of the
borough police marches up the aisle and
the rector receives from his hand doc
ument notifying who has been elected
church warden.
There Is one place in the country where
very important Act of Parliament
that kpnun a. tho Ground Game Acts
not in force. That is in the manor OF
the Earl of Carnarvon. From time i'm
memorial the people there have had the
right of free chase and warren" over
all freehold land in the manor. The in
habitants may go anywhere on the land
to kill game. and only special Act or
Parliament could break this privilege.
Several of these quaint old immortal
rights and customs are still in vogue in
different parts of the Kingdom. AT one
time many towns-such as Leomnster.
in Herefordshire-had the right to hold
Courts Leek or Courts Customary. These
| had to do principally with the settle
ment of disputes regarding roads. bound
| aries and rights of way. At Leomin-
ster the old elm is still to be seen under
| which Court Leek was held Most Of
these Courts are now obsolete; but there
Is one place-the village of Mottisfont,
| near ROmsey-where a similar Court
Court Baron-still exists.
Any inhabitant of the Island of Guern-
sey has the curious privilege Of exercis-
ing the "Chamenr de Hare" A person
who considers his land rights to be in
fringed. has only to swear an affidavit
on the subject. attested by two witnesses,
and present this to the baliff of the
island. Then, sinking on one knee. he
cries in French: "Oh, Rollo, my prince.
succor me, I am wronged.' by this
proceeding the Act of trespass is stayed
until the matter has been iudcially set
tied. This strange, Old World privilege
was exercised only last year.
Hurstbourne Woods were in old and
lawless times the favorite resort of the
people OF Andover, who used to kill and
carry of all the fat bucks they could
lay their hands on. The property be-
longs to the Earls of Plymouth. and the
peer of the time at last bought the
poachers off by agreeing to give them
buck for each of their feasts. This priv
ilege is still exercised.