¹ For the organization of assizes see Cockburn, Assizes; and for further information, with particular reference to the Western Circuit, the introductions to Assize Orders, i and ii.

² Cal. Close 1323–27, p. 341Google Scholar; 9 Edw. III, Stat. 1, c. 5. Under 11 Hen. IV, c. 3 records were to be submitted every second year.

³ Gollancz, M., ‘Gaol Delivery in the Fifteenth Century’ (London Univ. M.A. Thesis, 1936), pp. 37, 45–46.Google Scholar

⁴ As early as 1380 the Western Circuit clerk had kept assize rolls in his chambers in the Old Temple: P.R.O., K.B. 27/493, Rex m. 14d.

⁵ Rep. of Cttee. on Legal Records [Cmd. 3084], H.C. (1966).Google Scholar

⁶ First Rep. Sel. Cttee. of House of Commons on Public Records, 1800, pp. 238–39Google Scholar; Second Rep. of Royal Com. on Public Records, 1910, App. II, p. 266Google Scholar. A fragmentary series of Midland Circuit indictments and other documents 1652–88 (P.R.O., Assi 80/1–19) was recovered from private custody in 1968.

⁷ P.R.O., Assi 35. The contents of all the surviving Home Circuit files for the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I are being published in calendar form by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

⁸ The volume was rebound in 1975.

⁹ ‘To be stitched in a very neat Forrell with stifning edges turned in; to be done by Friday evening without fail. Barnard’.

¹⁰ The drafting procedure is indicated in no. 1034 below. Some of the draft orders remained loose in the order books: e.g. nos. 318, 319, 489.

¹¹ Infrequently the heading gives the name of both assize judges: e.g. nos. 447, 579, 1098.

¹² See Assize Orders, ii, p. xxiv.Google Scholar

¹³ For a fuller account see Assize Orders, i, pp. x–xi.Google Scholar

¹⁴ The Dorset order is referred to in Som. R.O., Phelips MSS (Musters 1615–1667), f. 137. A copy of the Somerset order survives among the State Papers and is printed as no. 279A below.

¹⁵ Prynne, William, Canterburies Doome (London 1646), pp. 128–49, 154.Google Scholar

¹⁶ E.g. nos.220, 222, 407, 419, 463.

¹⁷ An example is cited in Assize Orders, i, p. xi, n. 3.Google Scholar

¹⁸ For examples of orders apparently entered some time after the relevant assizes see nos. 296, 297, 1064. Such a delay may explain the inclusion of an identical order under two different counties: nos. 1173, 1188.

¹⁹ This probably resulted in the omission from the order book of the orders made at the Wiltshire winter assizes 1636: see no. 419.

²⁰ Nos. 17, 178, 195, 223, 279A, 470, 473, 496, 500, 602A, 613, 635, 651, 771, 821, 1025–28, 1041, 1075, 1156, 1190.

²¹ P.R.O., S.P. 16/212 (1632); C 193/13/2 (1634/5); S.P. 16/405 (1636); C 193/13/3 (1650).