One of the judges exclaims, “Soient forfez;” another, "Voyr dire.”  On the chequered-covered table, before the judges, are the Red Book, a bag with rolls, the counters used for computation, and a document commencing with the words, “Ceo vous,” &c.  The sheriff sits at the bottom, wearing the leathern cap used by such officers when their accounts were under examination in the Exchequer.  Three suitors stand at the right side of the picture.  One, with uplifted hand, says, “Oz de brie;” another, extending his arm, cries, “Chalange;” the third, with sword at his side, laced boots, and ample sleeves, holds the thumb of his left hand between the fore and middle finger of his right, and exclaims, “Soite oughte.”  Thus affording us an interesting and truthful picture of a law court in the fourteenth century.

The crown revenues and customs were frequently pawned out to associations of Italian money-lenders; and the “Ricardi” of Lucca, and “Frescobaldi” of Florence, had agents in the principal towns in Ireland.  The royal treasure was deposited in the Castle, in a coffer with three locks.  The keys were confided to different persons, and no payment could be made unless the three were present; still, as might be expected from men, the sole object of whose lives appears to have been to enrich themselves at the expense of others, the accounts were not always satisfactory.  Even the Viceroys were accused of conniving at and sharing in frauds, notwithstanding the salary of L500 per annum and their other emoluments, with the permission to levy provisions of all kinds for “the king’s price,” which was far below the current value.

The Castle garrison consisted of archers and halberdiers; the Constable, Warders, and Guardian of Works and Supplies, being the principal officers.  The Constable was generally a nobleman of high rank, and received an annual salary[343] of L18 5s.

It will be remembered that Sir John Wogan had been appointed Viceroy at the close of the thirteenth century.  He brought about a two years’ truce between the Geraldines and Burkes (De Burgos), and then summoned a Parliament at Kilkenny, A.D. 1295.  The roll of this Parliament contains only twenty-seven names.  Richard, Earl of Ulster, is the first on the list.  The principal Acts passed were:  one for revising King John’s division of the country into counties; another for providing a more strict guard over the marches, so as to “keep out the Irish.”  The Irish were not permitted to have any voice in the settlement of the affairs, of their country, and it was a rebellious symptom if they demurred.  Nevertheless, in 1303, King Edward was graciously pleased to accept the services of Irish soldiers, in his expedition against Scotland.  It is said that, in 1299, his army was composed principally of Welsh and Irish, and that on this occasion they were royally feasted at Roxburgh Castle.