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 th