Hearth Money Act 1664

II. The Duty arising payable to the King's Officers.

Default of Payment.; Distress.

And be it further enacted That the said Duty shall from time to time be paid after the Feast dayes of Saint Michaell the Arch-Angell and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary yearely unto such Officer as shall be appointed by vertue of this present Act to receive the same upon demand thereof made by such Officer or his Deputy at the House Chamber or Place where the same Duty shall arise or grow due, And that in case of refusall or default of such payment thereof by the space of one houre after such demand the said Officer or his Deputy may at any time with the assistance of a Constable Tythingman or other Officer as aforesaid in the day time leavy the said Duty and all the Arrearages thereof by Distresse and Sale of the Goods of the party or partyes soe refuseing or makeing defaulte, restoreing to the party or partyes the overplus of the value of such Goods over and above the Duty and Arrearages thereof then behinde, and over and above the necessary charges of takeing such Distresse, which charges shall in noe case exceede the one moyety of the Duty and Arrearages thereof soe levyed.