or another their ill deeds became too notorious, the sheriffs would call
out a posse of men and they would be hunted down like wild beasts. It was
not, however, easy to catch them, for great tracts of forests still covered
a large portion of the country and afforded them shelter.

In the country round London these pests were very numerous, for here, more
than anywhere else, was there a chance of plunder. The swamps on the south
side of the river had an especially evil reputation. From Southwark to
Putney stretches a marshy country over which, at high tides, the river
frequently flowed. Here and there were wretched huts, difficult of access
and affording good hiding- places for those pursued by justice, since
searchers could be seen approaching a long way off, and escape could be
made by paths across the swamp known only to the dwellers there, and where
heavily-armed men dared not follow. Further south, in the wild country
round Westerham, where miles of heath and forest stretched away in all
directions, was another noted place where the robber vagrants mustered
thickly, and the Sheriff of Kent had much trouble with them.

The laws in those days were extremely severe, and death was the penalty of
those caught plundering. The extreme severity of the laws, however,
operated in favour of its breakers, since the sympathy of the people who
had little to lose was with them, and unless caught red-handed in the act
they could generally escape, since none save those who had themselves been
robbed would say aught that would place the pursuers on their traces, or
give testimony which would cost the life of a fellow-creature. The citizens
of London were loud in their complaints against the discharged soldiers,
for it was upon them that the loss mainly fell, and it was on their
petitions to the king that the sheriffs of Middlesex and Hertford, Essex,
Surrey, and Kent, were generally stirred up to put down the ill-doers.