It shall have the authority to call before it by writ or by privy seal anyone accused of "unlawful Maintenances, giving of liveries, signs and tokens, and retainers by indentures, promises, oaths, writings, or otherwise embraceries of his subjects" and witnesses, and impose punishment as if convicted under due process of law.
"Our Legal Heritage, 4th Ed."
S. A. Reilly
The active spirits in the commons were resolved to hunt down the game to the death: for they now struck at, as the king calls it, "one of the chief Maintenances of my crown," in tonnage and poundage, the levying of which, they now declared, was a violation of the liberties of the people.
"Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 (of 3)"
Isaac Disraeli