In Tudor times, Berwick held a Bailiff’s court presided over by the Mayor, his deputy and some of the town’s Freemen. It was very similar to a Manor Court. Areas of the town were “presented and punished ” for public health issues – dunghills and maintenance of wells – whilst individuals were “told off” for their behaviour. For example, one order says “We find and present a great fault, that children are suffered to run abroad & make cryings & misrule in the streets in the evenings. It is a thing not comely nor lawfull in this place. It were good that the parents were generally warned hereof that they may restrain the same.”

In this late 16 century entry, various people were “presented” for having associations with Scots people. For example, Thomas Grayme was presented for having a Scots wife, whilst John Reveley , one of the foot garrison was supposed to have a Scots servant. One entry paints a lovely picture of James Ramsey – “a scotes cobbler worketh in a litle shopp in Marigate on the day and goeth to Twedmouthe nightlye to his lodginge “. These entries illustrate how suspicious the town was of Scots people at the time.