Bedford Level Act 1663

L. Persons having Right of Common in Bedford Level, or others, breaking down Enclosures;

Penalty £20.; How to be levied and disposed of.

Provided also, and bee it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any Person or Persons, having a Right of Co[m]mon in any of the Mannors, Wasts, Co[m]mons, or Lands, within the said Great Levell of the Fenns, called Bedfored Levell, or any other Person or Persons whatsoever, at any time after such Division, or Inclosure made, or sett out as aforesaid, shall breake, throwe downe, disturbe, obstruct, or by any Meanes hinder, or lay open the said Improvements, and Inclosures, at, in, or after the making thereof, or the Hedges, Ditches, or Fences of the same, or any Part thereof shall destroy, and shall bee thereof convicted by two credible Witnesses upon Oath, before two Justices of the Peace of the County, where such Disturbance or Destruction shall bee made, Every such Person or Persons, soe convicted as aforesaid, shall forfeit for every such Offence the So[m]me of twenty Pounds, to bee leavyed by Distresse upon the Goods and Chattells of every such Offendors or Offendors, by Warrant under the Hands and Seales of the said Justices of the Peace, before whom such Conviction shall bee made, the one Moiety to the Informer, and the other Moyety to such Person or Persons, against whom the said Offence, is or shall bee co[m]mitted, or for Want of such sufficient Distresse, the Offendor, shall bee co[m]mmitted to the House of Correction or Co[m]mon Goale for three Monthes, without Bayle or Mainprize, at the said Justices Discretion.