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afterwards commanded, and has never since forfeited. The
system was only in process of inauguration; it was therefore
imperfectly understood, if not also imperfectly carried into
execution.
The Court of
Burgesses.
In the 27th year of Elizabeth two acts were
passed affecting Westminster. The first, which
was not, so far as can be ascertained, ever carried into
operation, was entitled, "An Act for the Good Government of
the City of Westminster and Liberties, the seat of Royalty,
the Receipt of the Nobles and Estate of the Honorable
Council, the Sanctuary of all Justices, the place of
Parliament, the Show of all Nobles and of all Ambassadors
coming from Foreign parts." The second enactment (27
Eliz., cap. 17, Private) was continued by four subsequent
Acts in the same reign, and by others in the reigns of
James I. and Charles I., in the 17th year of whose reign it
was further continued "until some Act of Parliament shall
be made touching the Continuance or Discontinuance
thereof." An amending Act increased the number of
Burgesses and Assistants; but the operation of the
original measure was not affected. In his abstract of the
provisions of these Acts, Maitland* says the civil government
of Westminster was thereby lodged in the hand of
the laity; though the Dean by the said Act was empowered
to nominate and appoint the chief officers thereunto belonging,
viz.—the High Steward, who if guilty of no malversation
held his office during life. But this Officer seldom
officiating left the management of affair's to his Deputy,
who, being a person well versed in the laws of the kingdom,
was appointed by him and confirmed by the Dean, and
generally held his office during life or the government of
his patron.
The City or Borough, with its liberties, being by the said
authority divided into twelve wards, the Dean or the High
Steward, or his Deputy, were empowered for the better
* Edition of 1772. P. 1348.
c 2