CHAP.  V.

Of the Kings great Officers, and the Governours of the Provinces.

[Two greatest Officers in the Land.] There are two, who are the greatest and highest Officers in the Land.  They are called Adigars, I may term them Chief Judges; under whom is the Government of the Cities, and the Countries also in the Vacancy of other Governours.  All People have liberty in default of Justice to appeal to these Adigars, or if their causes and differences be not decided by their Governours according to their minds.

To these there are many Officers and Sergeants belonging.  All which, to be known, carry staves in their hands like to Bandyes, the crooked end uppermost, which none but they dare carry.  The sight of which staves upon what message soever they be sent, signifies as much as the Adigars Hand and Seal.  If the Adigar be ignorant in what belongs to his place and office, these men do instruct him what and how to do.  The like is in all other places which the King bestows:  if they know not what belongs to their places, there are Inferiour Officers under them, that do teach and direct them how to Act.

[The next great Officers.] Next under the Adigars, are the Dissauva’s, who are Governours over Provinces and Counties of the Land.  Each Province and County has its Governour; but all Governours are not Dissauva’s, nor other great Officers known by other names or Titles, as Roterauts and Vidanies.  But all these Generals or Chief Commanders, who have a certain number of Soldiers under them.  These great men are to provide, that good orders be kept in the Countries over which they are placed, and that the Kings accustomed dutie be brought in due season to the Court.  They have Power also to decide controversies between the People of their Jurisdiction, and to punish contentious and disorderly persons, which they do chiefly by amercing a Fine from them, which is for their Profit for it is there own:  and also by committing them Prison.  Into which when they are once fallen, no means without mony can get them out again.  But be the fact never so hainous (Murther it self) they can put none to death. [None can put to death but the King.] The sentence of death being pronounced only by the King.  They also are sent upon expeditions in War with their Soldiers, and give Attendance, and watch at Court in their appointed Stations.

These Dissauva’s are also to see that the Soldiers in their Countries do come in due season and order for that purpose.

[These Dissauva’s are durante bene placite.] They are appointed by the King himself, not for life, but during his good pleasure.  And when they are dead or removed, oftentimes their places lay void, somtimes for months, somtimes perhaps for years; during which time the Adigar rules and governs those Countries; and for his labour receiveth all such Incoms and Profits as are accustomed and of right do belong to the Governour.