=Source.=--_Statutes of the Realm_, 8 Henry VI., c. vii.
Item, Whereas the Elections of Knights of the shires to come to the
Parliaments of our Lord the King, in many counties of England have now
of late been made by very great, outrageous and excessive number of
people dwelling within the same Counties, of the which the most part
was of people of small substance and of no value, whereof every of
them pretended a voice equivalent, as to such elections to be made,
with the most worthy Knights and Esquires dwelling within the same
Counties; whereby manslaughters, riots, batteries and diversions among
the gentlemen and other people of the same counties shall very likely
rise and be, unless convenient remedy be provided in this behalf: Our
Lord the King, considering the premises, hath provided ordained and
established, by the authority of this present Parliament, that the
Knights of the Shires to be chosen within the same realm of England
to come to the Parliaments, shall be chosen in every County by people
dwelling and resident in the same, whereof every one of them shall have
free land or tenement to the value of forty shillings by the year, at
the least, above all charges; and that they which shall be so chosen
shall be dwelling and resident within the same Counties.... And every
sheriff of England shall have power to examine upon the Evangelists
every such chosen, how much he may expend by the year.