A petition from Theydon Mount in 1612 shows that even in rural areas they could, if sufficiently united appeal successfully against the will of the lord of the manor. In this case Sir William Smith of Hill Hall, had appointed George Mott parish constable seven years previously without the consent of the parishioners, and had not provided an opportunity for another constable to be elected, though George Mott was
‘one of the poorest men in all the parish, and a man of evil disposition and very bad qualities, who had wronged the parishioners very much, and made great strife amongst them.’
Sir William Smith, the petitioners stated would not allow another constable to be appointed because George Mott ‘serveth his term.’ They asked the justices to appoint instead,
‘an honest man, Thomas Field, a subsidy man and very sufficient for that office.’
Thomas Field was duly sworn after an investigation which revealed that no court leet had been held in Theydon Mount for more than twenty years.
