new fees, he went to bed, and
within four days made an end of his woeful life, even with care and
pensiveness. After his death also he so handled his son that there was
never sheep shorn in May so near clipped of his fleece present as he was
of many to come: so that he was compelled to let away his land, because
his cattle and stock were consumed and he no longer able to occupy the
ground. But hereof let this suffice, and, instead of these enormities, a
table shall follow of the terms containing their beginnings and endings,
as I have borrowed them from my friend John Stow, whose study is the only
storehouse of antiquities in my time, and he worthy therefore to be had in
reputation and honour.

A man would imagine that the time of the execution of our laws, being
little above one quarter or not fully a third part of the year, and the
appointment of the same to be holden in one place only, to wit, near
London in Westminster, and finally the great expenses employed upon the
same, should be no small cause of the stay and hindrance of the
administration of justice in this land: but, as it falleth out, they prove
great occasions and the stay of much contention. The reasons of these are
soon to be conceived; for as the broken sleeve doth hold the elbow back,
and pain of travel cause many to sit at home in quiet, so the shortness of
time and fear of delay doth drive those oftentimes to like of peace who
otherwise would live at strife and quickly be at odds. Some men desirous
of gains would have the terms yet made shorter, that more delay might
engender longer suit; other would have the houses made larger and more
offices erected wherein to minister the laws. But as the times of the
terms are rather too short than too long by one return apiece, so, if
there were smaller rooms and fouler ways unto them, they would enforce
many to make pause before they did rashly enter into plea. But, sith my
purpose is not to make an ample discourse of these things, it shall
suffice to deliver the times of the holding of our terms, which ensueth
after this manner:--

_A Perfect Rule to know the Beginning and Ending of every Term, with their
Returns._

Hilary term beginneth the three-and-twentieth day of January (if it be not
Sunday); otherwise the next day after, and is finished the twelfth of
February; it hath four returns,

Octabis Hilarij. Craftino Purific.
Quind. Hilarij. Octabis Purific.

Easter term begin