Don't Blame the Weather!

Judge Jeffries at the Hants Lent Assizes 1683.  The Lord Chief Justice having taken his seat, the crier of the court made the customary proclamation, and then the clerk of the arraigns read from the Commission of the Peace the names of all the then magistrates of the county, seventy-eight in number, of whom only sixteen answered to their names.  The judge frowned, and although he did not then speak, made an entry in his note-book.  The clerk of the arraigns then summoned in succession the mayors of Winchester, Portsmouth, Lymington, Christchurch, Whitchurch, Petersfield, Basingstoke, Romsey, Newport, Newtown and Yarmouth; the bailiffs of Andover, Stockbridge, Alresford and Overton; and then the three county, and four district coroners, of whom only five appeared.  “How is this?” shouted the judge, as he laid his right hand violently on the desk.  “This most miserable attendance is contumacy to his sacred Majesty in the person of his own Chief Justice;” and then turning to the High Sheriff, who was seated on his left hand, said in an angry tone, “Sir, I would have you know that I think your County has disgraced itself.  From upwards of five score persons whose bounden duty it was to attend and hear our charge and, if required, to serve on the Grand Jury, we have not one-fifth of that number,”  “My lord,” said the sheriff, pointing to the windows, “the weather is a fair excuse for many, and the roads, as I hear, have become impassable.” “That is no excuse,” replied the judge in a surly tone.  The parties ought to have been in Winchester, even as I was, overnight.  They must be made an example of, and shall be; and here we order and direct that every one whose name has been called, and has not answered to the same, is fined in the sum of ten pounds, which together will make an acceptable present to the Treasury.  And mind ye, Sir Sheriff, that the whole of the fines be obtained and paid into His Majesty’s Exchequer before the next Assizes, or otherwise we shall not only hold you responsible for the money, but inflict a fine on you for the non-performance of your duty.”