Persona

Ale Founders

Person or persons responsible with checking the quality and measure of ale & beer. They also checked that the bread sold in the town was sold by weight and price according to legislation.

Affeerers

Appointed to judge the level of fines/amercements. More often than not they reduced the fines by the Court down to what could be considered a reasonable level. Typically there would be four affeerers and most likely they would be members of the council overseen by an alderman. The adjusted fine can sometimes be seen scribbled in the left-hand margin of the presentments.

Beadle

Town crier and probably had some policing duties.

Bellman or Parish Sexton

Person who went around the Town making public announcements. Often this role was merged with that of the Beadle.

Houselookers

Viewed the houses in an area both for danger of construction as well as checking if they contained any "foreigners".

Pinders

Responsible for looking after the Pinfold/Pound as well as gathering in loose animals and impounding them.

Scavengers

Named person responsible for cleaning the streets. More often than not they would employ paupers to do the work. In areas where manure could be collected this could be sold on.

Saddle tree maker

made the stand that saddles were formed on.

Stallengers

Non Burgesses who paid a fee to sell at the market - i.e. erect a stall

Surveyors of the Highway

Responsible for the upkeep of the "public" highway. ie areas not the responsibility of the Bailiffs or the householder. Appointed by the Select Vestry.

Towler

Toll collector

Viewers of Fish and Flesh

Responsible for checking the quality of fish & flesh. They would also be on the lookout for any under-sized fish according to statute.