BISLEY Contribution to the Surrey Musters

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In Tudor times the Lord Lieutenant was nominally head of the county militia though usually he delegated his responsibilities to the Deputy Lieutenant, who made sure that the parish constables raised the required local levy. Able-bodied men between 16 and 60 were liable for service. The community was divided into ten classes ranging from those who were required to keep a coat of armour, a helmet and a longbow, to those who had to provide as many as 16 horses, 80 suits of light armour, 40 pikes, and 30 longbows.
Trained Bands were established. This term does not necessarily mean that the force was trained but only that it was liable for training. Many units acquired a bad reputation for disci­pline and application.
General musters - formal inspections of county forces - were held at least every three years and more frequently in disturbed times.
Musters, which were also largely social occasions, were held over two days with an interval between each day so that defects found on the first day could be remedied by the second.

JANUARY 27th 1583, AT CHOBHAM
BYSLEY
Pikemen selected   Bill men of the second sorte
   Robert Cobbett jnr      Robert Cobbett
Thomas UnderwoodJohn Farnam
Bill men selectedJohn Hone
Rychard FelloweJohn Cobbett
Thomas CowperWilliam Gyles
William HoneJohn Shorter
Bill men of the Beste sorte+.Thomas Edwards
Henry Byrchatt+.Laurence Heather
John SymondesWilliam Russell
Ambrose Hamsheire+.John Goringe
Robert Gyles+.Edward Attfeild
Archers selectedThomas Feild
Rychard Roumsnye


1596
BISLEY
John Thoon the elder   b      John Thonn jnr   q
Thomas FeeldbHeugh Lockwoodq
Mathewe SnellingbRobartt Symonc
John MabunckbJohn Theettcherp
John CastillcJohn Peennm b
Thomas BurchettcJohn Cobottb
Thomas SpongemJohn Rumsseyec:t
Wyllyam BanisterbEdward Wynchec
Hennri CobbottqGeorg Shorterp
Rychard CobbottqThomas Comep