Madeley with its two sister wards has Petty Sessions once in six weeks,
which are held in the large room built for that purpose over the Police
Office at Ironbridge. In the lower story are cells for prisoners, very
different indeed as regards cleanliness and conveniences of all kinds to
the old Lock-up, which many may remember near the potato market. The
justices for the borough generally sit here, the Mayor being chief
magistrate presiding. The first batch of magistrates, in the place of
the borough justices, took place in the 6th year of the reign of William
IV., those for Madeley being William Anstice, Esq., of Madeley Wood, and
John Rose, Esq., of the Hay. Others have been appointed from time to
time as circumstances seemed to require.
The borough from the first period of incorporation had its General
Sessions, and its Recorder, who, being a lawyer or other fit person, was
chosen by the burgesses to sit with the Bailiff to be justices of the
peace, to hear and determine felonies, trespasses, &c., and to punish
delinquents therein; and King Charles’s Charter fixed this court to be
held once in two weeks. There was also a General Sessions. The same
charter states
“That there shall be a General Sessions of Peace to be holden by the
said Bailiff and Justices in any place convenient within the Borough
aforesaid, from time to time for ever; so that they do not proceed to
any matter touching the loss of life or member in the said Borough,
without the presence, assistance, and assent of the Recorder of the
said Borough. That they shall have all fines, &c., imposed as well
in the said Sessions aforesaid as in all other Courts to be held
within the said Borough.”
In our “History of Broseley,” p.p. 38 and 39, we have given the names of
the bailiff, recorder, justices of the peace, those of the constables,
and grand jury, who sat in cases heard at Wenlock July 21st, 1653. The
right to hold such Sessions was originally granted by Edward IV. in 1468.
When the reconstruction of the borough courts took place in consequence
of the changes effected by the passing of the Municipal Act in 1836, this
institution of General Sessions appears to have been overlooked: but the
privilege was afterwards granted upon petition by the council, in the 6th
year of the reign of her present majesty.