By this institution, every man was obliged from his own interest to keep a watchful eye over the conduct of his neighbours; and was in a manner surety for the behaviour of those who were placed under the division to which he belonged: whence these Decennaries received the name of frank-pledges.
"The History of England, Volume I"
David Hume
The bishop presided in this court, together with the alderman; and the proper object of the court was the receiving of appeals from the hundreds and Decennaries, and the deciding of such controversies as arose between men of different hundreds.
"The History of England, Volume I"
David Hume