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YOLUMEONE
GLANVILLE
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GLANVILLE
IntroductioabyJosephHenryBeale,Jr.,A.M.,LL.E.
LITTLETON'STENURES
IntroductionbyEugeneWambaugh,LL.D.
BRITTON
IntroductionbyHon.SimeonE.Baldwin.
MIRROUROFJUSTICE
IntroductionbyHon.WilliamC.Robinson,
also
FLETA,andothers.
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ATRANSLATION
OF
GLANVILLE
BY
JOHNBEAMES,ESQ.
OFLincoln'sinn,barristeratlaw
TOWHICHAREADDEDNOTES
^Multaignoramus,qusenobisnonlaterent,siVeterumlectio
nobisessetfamiliaris.Macrob.
WITHANINTRODUCTION
BY
JOSEPHHENRYBEALE,Jr.,A.M.,LL.B,
PROFESSOROFLAWINHARVARDUNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON,D.C.
JOHNBYRNE&CO.
.LAWPUBLISHERSANDBOOKSELLERS
1900
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Copyrighted,1900
BY
JOHNBYRNE&COMPANY.
TO
SIRSAMUELROMILLY,
THEFOLLOWINGWORK
ISINSCKIBED
ASAMARKOFTHEHIGHRESPECT
WITHWHICH
HISABILITIES,ASASENATOR,
ANDHIS
TALENTS,ASANADVOCATE,
AREVIEWEDBY
THETRANSLATOR.
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ATREATISE
THELAWSANDCUSTOMS
KINGDOMOFENGLAND
COMPOSEDINTHETIMEOFKINGHENRYTHESECOND
TheillustriousRanulphdeGlanville,whoofall
inthatagewasthemostskilledintheLawsof
theRealm,andtheancientCustomsthereof,then
holdingthehelmofJustice.
TliepresentworkcontainsthoseLawsandCustoms
only,accordingtowhichPleasaredetermined
intheKing'sCourt,theExchequer,andbefore
theJustices,wheresoevertheymaybe.
INTRODUCTION.
BYJOSEPHHENRYBEALE,JR.,A.M.,LL.B.,PROFESSOR
OPLAWINHARVARDUNIVERSITY.
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I.EANULPHDEGLANYILLE.
EanulphdeGlanvillewasbornintheSuffolk
Stratford,about1130a.d.Heisbelievedtohavebeen
thesonofSirHerveydeGlanville,ChamberlaintoKing
Stephen,andthegrandsonofthatEanulphdeGlan
villewhocameoverwiththeConqueror.Thefamily
wasanimportantone,owningmuchlandinthecounties
ofSuffolkandNorfolk.Glanville'spubliclifebegan
in1164,whenhewasappointedsheriffofYorkshire;
anofficewhichhecontinuedtoholdforsixyears.In
1171hewasappointedGovernorofRichmondCastle,
andin1174,sheriffofLancashire.TheScotshaving
invadedEnglandinthatyear,heledtheforcesof
LancashireandRichmondagainstthem,and(joining
thesheriffofYorkshireandhisforces)surprisedand
routedtheScotsatAlnwick,andtookKingWilliam
theLionprisoner.ForthisvictoryGlanvillede
served,ashecertainlyreceived,thecredit;andfrom
thattimenomanstoodhigherthanheinthefavorof
KingHenryII.HewassheriffofWestmorelandfrom
1175to1179;sheriffofYorkshireasecondtime,from
iii
IV
1177tohisdeath;judgeoftheKing'sCourtin1176,
andChiefJusticiarin1180.liewasalsoemplo^êdin
manydistinguishedpublicservices.In1177hewas
sentasambassadortoFlanders.In1182heledan
armyagainsttheWelsh.In1184,withArchbishop
Baldwin,hewassentasambassadortoEiceapGrif
fin,PrinceofSouthWales.InhisnextWelshexpe
dition,afewyearslater(againwithBaldwin),he
preachedacrusade.In1186hewasambassadorto
theKingofFrance,andwasactiveinnegotiatingthe
peaceofGisors.In1189,whileHenrywasstruggling
withhisrebellioussonsandwithPhilipofFrancein
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Normandy,hewassenttoCanterburytotreatwith
theChapter;wassoonagaininNormandywith
Henry;andfinallyreturnedtoEnglandtoraisean
armyforhismaster'sservice,aworkinwhichhewas
engagedatthetimeofHenry'sdeath.
Thesegreatofiiceswereduetohispersonalmerit
andtothegreatservicesherenderedtohiscountry;
buttheyappeartohavebeentheresult,also,ofthe
personalfriendshipandaffectionoftheKing.He
wasoneofthewitnessestoHenry'swill,andatrustee
oftheKing'sbequestof5,000marksofsilverto
certainreligiousandcharitableinstitutions,andof
300marksofgold'formarryingpoorfreewomenof
England.HewasnamedbyHenryascustodianof
QueenEleanor,andastreasurerofhisprivatefortune.
AprettypictureoftheKing'sfeelingtowardhim
occursintheaccountofthearrivalofGlanville's
messengerinLondon,afterthebattleofAlnwick.
Themessengerarrivedatmidnightandinsistedon
seeingtheKing.Beingadmittedtotheroyalcham
berheboldlyapproachedtheKing'sbedandroused
himfromsleep.lie,springingup,cried,"Whoisit?"
"TamthemessengerofKanulphofGlanville,your
faithfulsubject,andIcomefromhimtoyourhighness
asabearerofgoodtidings.""IsourEanulph
well?"criedtheKing,movedlessbythepromised
goodtidingsthanbyhisloveforthesenderofthem.
"Mylordiswell,"wastheanswer,''andheholds
yourenemy,theKingoftheScots,aprisonerat
Eichraond."'
UponthedeathofITenry,Glanville'spositiojiwas
adifficultone.Henry,conservative,thoughare
former,hadestablishedthegovernmentofhisking
domonafoundationoflawandjustice,andhad
createdaneffectiveandpureadministrativemachine.
ThenewKingappearedtohavenosympathywith
hisfather'sprinciplesofgovernment.Hewasrash,
radicalandcarelessofregulardetailsofadministration,
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andGlanville,inthewordsofacontemporary,"In
hisoldagesawtheKingdoingmanythingsinanew
fangledway,withoutwisdomorforethought."Hewas
presentatthecoronationofEichard,andwassentby
himtoquellariotagainsttheJewswhichdisgraced
theceremony.Abouthisnextactswehavedifferent
accounts.Hehadtakenthecrossin1186."Whether
heaskedandreceivedhisdismissalfromKichardin
ordertojointhearmy,thenabouttostartforthe
HolyLand,orwhether,asanotheraccounthasit.
VI
he'wasremovedandimprisonedbyEichardand
obligedtopurchasehisfreedombyafineof15,000
poundsofsilver,wecannotcertainlytell.Atany
rate,hesetoutforPalestinetogetherwithBaldwin,
ArchbishopofCanterbury,andhisnephewHubert,
thenbishopofSalisbury;thethreewereplacedin
commandoftheEnglishforcesbyKichard(whowas
obligedtodelayhisowndeparture),andGlanvillein
1190diedbeforeAcre,bydisease,theresultofthe
unhealthyclimate.Heleftonesonandthree
daughters,whomhehadalreadyenrichedfromhis
greatfortune.HefoundedtheprioryofButley,the
AbbeyofLeiston,andahospitalatSomerton.
Glanvilleimpressedhiscontemporariesasaman
strongbothinbodyandinmind.Amanofintegrity
andprudence,"mostfaithfulinfortuneormisfortune,"
"Wise,graveandeloquent,""TheKing'seye;""A
nameaboveeveryname,whospokeamongtheprinces
andwasadoredbythepeople."Hewasamanwise,
justandcharitable,whosefellowshipwassoughtand
opinionsvaluedb}^witsandbyscholars.Onescandal
onlyattackedhim.Heischargedwithfalselycon
demningtodeathforrapeSirGilbertdePlumpton,
inorderthathiswidowmightbemarriedtoGlan
ville'sfriendandsteward,Kainer;SirGilbert'spun
ishmentwascommutedbytheKingtoimprisonment
forlife.Thetaleisquiteinconsistentwithallwe
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knowofGlanville'scharacterandwithhispositionin
theKing'saffection,andmaysafelybedisbelieved.
Hisfamilysharedinhissuccess.Nolessthanseven
Vll
ofhisnearrelativesiieldhighjudicialpositionunder
Henryorhissons.Fewotherfamilieshaverendered
greaterservicetoEnglandthanthatofEanulphde
Glanville,ambassador,administrator,general,judge
andjurist.
[IncidentsofGlanville'slifeandcharacterarereportedinall
thechroniclersofthetime.Especiallyvaluablearetheaccounts
inHoveden,BenedictusAbbas,GiraldusCambrensis,Newburgh,
EichardofDevizes,andDioeto.Thefullestmodernsketchof
hislifeisbyProfessorMaitland,intheDictionaryofNational
Biography.OthermodernbiograpliiesaretlaoseofFoss(Judges
ofEngland,i,376);ThomasWright(BiographiaBritannica,
275);LordCampbell(LivesoftheChiefJustices,i,19);and
ProfessorGross(SourcesandLiteratureofEnglishHistory,
315).
ManyinterestingdocumentsbearingonGlanville'sgenealogy
andhispropertyareprintedinGlanvilleRichards'"Recordsof
tlieAngloNormanHouseofGlanville."]
II.THEAUTHOESHIPOFTHETREATISE.
Thefollowing"TreatiseontheLawsandCustoms
oftheKingdomofEngland,"waSpublishedbetween
11S7and1189;itmentionsafinemadeintheformer
year,anditisfilledwithreferencestoHenry,asthen
King.Ithadahighcontemporaryreputation.Copies
ofthebookweremultiplied,andmanymanuscripts
stillexist.Itformspartofseveralcollectionsoflaws
madebycontemporariesofGlanvillehimself.Itwas
translated,orpartlytranslated,intoFrenchimme
diatelyafterGlanville'sdeath,anditwasrevisedand
anattemptmadetobringitdown,todatetwogenera
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Vlll
tionslater.ItwasfinallysupersededbyBracton's
completerandmoreelaboratetreatise.
TheAvorkitselfisanonymous,themanuscriptsstat
ingonlythatitwascomposedinthetimeofHenryII.,
"Glanvillethenholdingthehelmofjustice."Early
tradition,however,assertsthatitwaswrittenby
Glanvillehimself,andthatfactwasacceptedasun
doubtedfromthethirteenthtothenineteenthcentury.
Modernscholarshaveexpresseddoubtofit.Little
ton'sobjection(inhis"LifeofHenryII.")thatGlan
villecouldnothavewrittenthebookbecausehewas
notinorders,maybedismissedatonce.Thegreater
officersoftheadministration,whetherinordersornot,
musthavehadsufficientLatintodictateaLatin
treatisetoaclerk,andGlanvillewasparticularlycom
mendedforhiseloquencebymorethanonecontem
porary.Hunter'sobjection(intheprefacetohis
"Fines")isthatGlanville,atthetimethetreatisewas
written,Avastoobusyinpublicaffairstohavecom
posedsuchawork,andhesuggeststhattheauthor
mayhavebeenWilliamdeGlanville,ajusticeinthe
nextreign;whowas,infact,Glanville'sson,and(from
1186)hissecretary.Butthisisthemerestguess.
ProfessorMaitlandconjectures(foraratherfanciful
reason,perhaps)thattheauthormayhavebeenHubert
"Walter.Liebermann,ontheotherhand,defends
Glanville'sauthorship.Certainlythereislittleex
ternalproofthatGlanvillewastheauthorofthe
treatise,thoughitmusthavebeenwrittenbysomeone
inhighpositionandreputetohaveobtainedsoimme
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LX
diateasuccess.Theinternalevidencedoesnotlead
usmuchfurther.Thestyleisthatofapersonspeak
ingwithauthority,butnotnecessarilytheauthority
oftheChiefJusticiarhimself.TheclaimofHubert
Waltertotheauthorshipcannotbedismissedwithout
furtherexamination.
HubertwasanephewofGlanville'swife;according
tooneaccount,ofGlanvillehimself,Glanville'syounger
brotherhavingmarriedhiswife'ssister.Whether
HerveyWalter,Hubert'sfather,wasreally,asthisac
counthasit,HerveydeGlanvilleornot,itiscertain
thatHubertwasbroughtupinintimacywithGlanville's
family,becamehissecretary,andwasregardedbyhim
asavaluedcounsellor.PiewasmadeDeanofTork
in1186,beingsucceededassecretarybyGlanville's
sonWilliam.HesoonbecameBishopofSalisbury,
ArchbishopofCanterbury,andlaterChiefJusticiar
andChancelloroftheKingdom.Heisdescribedasa
manofforesightandwisdom;itissaidofhimthat
hisheartwasinhumanaffairsratherthandivine,and
thatheknewallthelawsofthekingdom.Hewas,
however,aman"oflittleeloquence;"indeed,one
chroniclerridiculeshisLatinstyle.
DidGlanvillewritethewholetreatise?ordidHubert
Walterwriteit?Ordidtheycollaborateonit?
Perhapswecanreachaconjecturalconclusionbya
morecarefulexaminationofthetreatiseitself.
Themoststrikingfeatureofthetreatiseis,thatitis
baseduponacollectionofwrits.OmittingtheIntro
ductionandthelastbook,onPleasoftheCrown,just
onethirdofthechaptersintowhichitisdividedcon
sistsofwrits.Theseareofallkinds,directedto
Lords'Courts,toCountyCourts,andtoEcclesiastical
Courts,aswellaswritsreturnableintheKing'sCourts.
Laterwritershavemadefreeuseofwrits,buthere
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theyaretheskeletonofthewholetreatise.Theyfulfil
thefunctionofjudgmentrollsinBracton'sbook,and
ofdecisionsinCokeandlaterwriters.Thecollection
oftheseeightywritsmusthavebeenaworkofseveral
years,sincesomeofthewritswerecertainlyofrare
occurrence.TheChiefJustice,orhisclerk,attested
allthewrits,andeitherofthemhadbothoppor
tunityandreasonformakingsucha'collection;hardly
anothermaninthekingdomwouldhavebeenlikelyto
doit.
Alargepartofthetreatiseiswritteninacrabbed
andinelegant,thoughusuallyaclearstyle.Inafew
passages,however,nearthebeginningofthebook,we
findanelevationofthoughtandeleganceofdiction
oftenadmiredandimitated.TheIntroduction,in
particular,andtheseventhchapterofthesecondbook,
inpraiseoftheassize(which,accordingtotradition,
Glanvillehadahandininventing,or,atleast,in
establishing),areworthyofaman"sapienssimulet
eloquens";insharpcontrastwithotherpartsofthe
work,whichindicateanauthorwho"omniaregni
novitjura,"butwassurely"noneloquiopollens."
Theiirsttenbooksofthetreatisearecarefully
written,thecommentaryisfull,thesubjectwellde
veloped.Thelastfourbooks,ontheotherhand,seem
XI
tohavebeenhurriedlythrowntogether.Thepropor
tionofwrittotextismorethantwicethatinthepre
cedingbooks;indeed,inthebookdevotedtothe
CountyCourts(inwhichGlanvillehadpresidedfor
years,andmusthavebecomeasfamiliarwiththelaw
andprocedureaswiththoseoftheKing'sCourts),,
thereisalmostnocomment.Itseemspossiblethata
proposedfullcommentaryontheCountyCourtprac
tice,forwhichanelaboratecollectionofwritswasat
hand,wasabandoned.
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Theexactdateoftheworkisfixedbytheonlytwo
dateddocumentstwofines,ofJune27andabout
November1,1187.Fineswerethennovel,andthey
weredescribedcarefully.Itseemslikelythatthe
passage,whichoccurstowardtheendofthetreatise,
waswrittensoonafterthedatesofenrollment.Both
fineswereenrolledinGlanville'spresence.
Wemaynowconjecturethattheauthor,orauthors,
ofthetreatisehadforyearsbeencollectingwrits,
eitherforpreservationasusefulprecedents,orpossibly
withtheobjectofcomposingacommentaryupon
them.Thecollectionfinished,itwouldnotbeamatter
ofmuchtimeordifficultyforonewhoknewthelaw^,
writsinhand,todictatehiscommentarytoasecretarj'"
alsolearnedinthelaw.IfthecollectorwasGlanville,
andthesecretaryHubert,wemaysupposethatthe
actualworkofcompositionwasbegunin1185,or
1186;not,apparently,atimeofstrenuouslaborfor
either.Passagesofparticularimportanceorofespe
cialinteresttoGlanvillewouldbecomposedby
xu
IjiixiAvithcare;theactualformoftheremainder
mightsafelybelefttohiscompetentsecretary,sub
jectonlytorevisionbyhimself.In1186theDean
ofYorkdied,andthesuccessionwasgivento
Hubert;andGlanvillesoonsetoutonhisembassyto
theKingofFrance.Inspiteofthis,however,timestill
remainedforthecompletionoftheworkintherather
lesspolishedformofthelaterbooks.InFebruary,
1187,GlanvilleandHubertweresittingtogetherinthe
CourtatWestminster;andfromthatmonthtothe
beginningof1189(withtheexceptionofLent,1188,
AvhenGlanvillewaspreachinghiscrusadeinWales),
bothappeartohaveremainedinEngland,without
.seriousinterruptionfrompublicbusiness.Theyear
1188,infact,seemstohavebeenoneoftheleastbusy
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ofGlanville'sofficiallife;and,untilhistimewas
absorbedbythetroublesoftheclosingyearofthe
reign,therewasnothingtopreventacontinuanceof
thework.Thelasthurriedchaptersmaywell,there
fore,havebeencompletedin1188.
Thereis,then,nothingagainsttheearlyandpersistent
traditionthatGlanvillewrotethetreatise,andmuch
initsfavor;thoughmostoftheactualcomposition
mayhavebeentheworkofHubertWalter.
[Thefullestdiscussionoftheauthorshipof"Glanville"may
befoundinPollockandMaitland's"HistoryoftheEnglish
Law,"i,163.Reeves'discussion("HistoryoftheEnglishLaw,"
Einlayson'sEdition,i,254)andFoss's("JudgesofEngland,"i,
180)arealsoworthconsultinguponthispoint.Liebermann
("Einleitung,"p.73)supportsthetheoryofGlanville'sauthor
.ship;andinthe"ZeitschriftfurromanischePhilologie,"xix.
Xlll
51,hegivesinterestingproofoftlieearlypopularityofthe
treatise.SeealsoProfessorMaitland'sarticle,"GlanvilleRe
vised,"intheHarvardLawReview,vi,1.
ThelifeandcharacterofHubertmaybefoundinthe"Actus
PontificumCantuariensium"ofGervase.Glanville'sandHubert's
itinerariesmaybefoundinEyton's"ItineraryofHenryII."]
III.THECHAKACTEEOFTHETEEATISE.
"ATreatiseontheLawandCustomsoftheKing
domofEngland"istheearliestsystematictreatiseon
lawwritteninmoderntimes.Afewcollectionsoflaw
anddecretals,liketheDecretumofGratianandthe
*'AssisesofJerusalem,"had,tobesure,beenpublished
earlier;buttheywerenot,likethisbook,regularexpo
sitionsofanexistingsystemoflaw.Bracton'swork
wasmodelledonGlanville,and,throughBracton,Glan
villethusfixedthetypeofthemoderncommentary
onlaw.Animitation,inmanypartsanexactcopy,
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ofthisbookwaslaterpublishedinScotlandunderthe
title"RegiamMajestatem,"andtheclaimwasvigor
ouslymadeforatimethatitwastheoriginal,
Glanvilletheimitation.Thisnotion,improbableonits
iace,wasabsolutelydisprovedbyargumentsset
forthinBeames'Introduction.
ThefirsteditionofthetreatisewasprintedbyE..
Tottelinsmall12mo,abouttheyear1554.Coke
saysthatthiswasdonebysuggestionofSirWilliam
Stanford,thelearnedjudgeandauthor.Thesecond
editionwasprintedbyThomas"Wrightin1604.The
textwascorrectedbythecollationof"variousmanu
XIV
scripts."Thiseditionwasexactlyreprinted,omitting
thepreface,in1673.Thetreatisewasagainprinted
inthefirstvolumeofIlouard's"TraitessurlesCou
tumesAngloNormandes'înquarto,Eouen,1776.
ThelastLatineditionwaspublishedbyJohnEayner,
8\'o,1780,collatedwiththeBodleian,theCottonian,,
theIlarleianandDoctorMiUes'smanuscriptsbyJ.E.
Wilmot.TheLatintextisalsoprintedasanappendix
toPhillips's"EnglischeReichsundEechtsgeschichte,"'
ii,335:Berlin,1828.AcollationofGlanvillewith
the"EegiamMajestatem"maybefoundintheActs
oftheParliamentofScotland,i,133.AnEnglish,
translationbyJohnBearaes,withnotes,waspublished
inoctavo,London,1812,andiSreprintedinthepresent
edition.
Thistreatiseismorethanannerelawbook.It
isamonumenttothegeniusofoneofthegreatest
legalreformersofalltime.HenryII.cametothe
throne,afteralongperiodofanarchy,tofindcount
lesssystemsoflawadministeredbyaconfusedand
confusingmassofpopularcourtsandfeudalcourts,
lieatoncesethimselftobringorderandunityoutof
anarchyandchaos.HemadetheKing'sCourtthe
commoncourtoftheland;hedetermineditsjurisdic
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tionasagainstthechurch,thelordsandthesheriffs^
andhemadeittheguardianofaKing'sjseace,which
shouldprotecthighandlowthroughoutthewhole
land.Theestablishmentofpeacewasinfactthe
chiefobjectofhisstormycareer.Glanville'streatise
showsusthemethodhetooktosecurehisobject.
XV
ByafreeuseofwritsrunningfromtheKingorhis
Justiciar,helimitedthe.jurisdictionofallothercourts,
andsubordinatedthemtotheKing'sCourt.Bya
regularsystemofremovalfromlordtocounty,and
fromcountytoKing,hesecuredthegradualunifica
tionofthelaw.Thelord'scourtshadadministered
thecustomsofeachmanor;eachcountycourt,too,
haditscustoms,allbasedupontheGermaniclaw,but
differingmateriallyintheseveralcounties,andespe
ciallyintheseveralancientdivisionsofthekingdom.
TheKing'sCourtnowbegantodevelopacommon
law,partlyAngloSaxoninitsorigin,partlyNorman,
butmoldedlargelybyHenry'sformalorinformal
legislation,andtempered,asGlanvilleseveraltimes
asserts,byequity.
ToincreasetheinfluenceoftheKing'scourtsandto
bringthemtothepeople,Henryreliedonanalready
existinginstitution,theiteroreyre;buthesoim
provedthesystemastomakeitalmostanewinven
tion.TheKingdomwasdividedintocircuits,each
madeupofanumberofneighboringcounties;and
judgeswereappointedtorideeachcircuit,holdinga
King'scourtineachcounty,andthusbringingevery
partoftheKingdomunderthedirectcontrolofthe
King.Glanvillehimselfbecameoneofthefirstjudges
oftheNorthernCircuit.
OneofthemostimportantofHenry'sprovisionsfor
securingtheKing'speacewastheinventionofwrits
fortheprotectionofpeacefulseisin,andthepreven
tionofdisseisin,evenbythetrueowner.Thesewrits
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XVI
putanendtoforcibleselfhelp,andbroughtevery
legaldisputeoverdispossessionintotheKing'sCourt.
Thewritsofnoveldisseisin,ofmortd'ancestor,and
ofdarreinpresentment,establishedbyHenry'slegis
lation,becamethebasisofthelandlaw.
Anotherreform,ofevenmorefarreachingconse
quence,washisinventionofamorerationalmethod
ofestablishingthetruthoffacts.Inplaceoftrialby
ordeal,bycompurgation,orbybattle,heprovidedthe
assise(soonfollowedbythejury)asameansofelicit
ingtruth.TrialbyjuryintheKing'sCourt,byfavor
orbyright,becamesopopularaseventuallytode,
privetheothercourtsoftheirlitigation;andsosatis
factoryastocultivateinthepeopleofEnglanda
respectforlawandawillingnesstoabidebyitsdeci
sionsthathavebeencharacteristicoftheracefor
centuries.
Thedoctrineofresjudicataseemstohavebeen
adoptedatthistimeasanotherruletendingtoth&
preservationofpeace.WhenGlanvillewrote,ithad
notbeenfullysettledthatthejudgmentevenina
writofrightwasnecessarilyfinal;Glanville'sstrong
opinionthatitwassonodoubtsettledthelawaswe
nowhaveit.
IntheworkofreformHenrj'appearstohavefound
inGlanvilleanenthusiasticandanablehelper.This
treatiseisfullofpraiseoftheKingandhislegislation.
Thepeacefulgoverningofitspeopleisagreatobject
ofregalpower,itisasserted.Theking,wholoves
peaceandistheauthorofit,conductshimselfjustly,.
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XVll
discreetly,andmercifullytowardhissubjects.His
willislaw,ifpromulgatedassuchbytheadviceof
hisnobles;thatandreasonablecustoms,longused,
formtheLawsofEngland,whichmayusefully,in
partatleast,bereducedtowriting.
lY.THETREATISEANDTHELAW.
ItispossiblefromGlanville'streatisetogetarather
completepictureofthecommonlawattheendofthe
reignofHenryII.Inthelord'scourtswereregularly
broughtnotonlythesuitsofthevilleintenants,but
allsuitsconcerninglandheldofthelord.Suitsofthe
lattersort,however,mustbebegunbytheKing'swrit;
ifthelordrefusedjustice,resortmightbehadtothe
countycourtinallsuitsinvolvingfreeholdland;and
thelordmightonhisownmotionadjournaquestionof
difficultyintotheKing'scourt.Thecountycourthad
originaljurisdictionofquestionsofvilleinageandof
customaryservice,andofanyquestionsenttoitby
theKing'swrit;andithadjurisdictionoverwritsof
rightremovedfromthelord'scourt.Itapparently,
also,hadjurisdictionofdisputesastotitleorpos
sessionofpersonalproperty.Theecclesiasticalcourts
hadjurisdictionofquestionsofmarriageandlegitimacy,
ofwills,andofdisputesinvolvingecclesiastical
questionsonly;theKing'scourtwouldprohibitthem
bywritfrominterferinginothermatters.
TheprocedureintheKing'scourtdidnotdiffer
greatlyfromthepresentprocedure.Asuitwasbegun
bywrit,servedbythesheriff,andenforcedbythe,
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distraintofthedefendant'sland.Themostimportant
featureoftheprocedurewastheelaboratesystemof
rulesgoverningessoinsorcontinuances.Byaskilful
useofessoinsthedefendantortenantcouldprolong
proceedingsonawritofrightforyears;thefactthat
inthenewpossessoryassisesfewessoinswereallowed,
andtheproceedingswerethereforemuchprompter,
contributedgreatlytothefavorwithwhichtheywere
received.FinaljudgmentintheKing'scourtwasby
thistimeenrolled;andthemethodofconveyingland
bylevyingafinewasinfulloperation.
Thelawofrealpropertyinitsessentialfeatureswas
fullyformed.Thewholelawoftenuresandincidents
hadbeenfinallysettled;buttherulesofinheritance
andoftransferbywillwerestilluncertain.Thedoc
trinesofwarranty(nowobsolete),accordingtowhich
thegrantorofapartycouldbecalledintoasuit,orin
thetechnicalphrasevouchedtowarranty,andthus
substitutedfortheoriginalparty,werestillofthe
highestimportanceinpractice.Themodernmort
gage,i.e.thegrantoncondition,wasasyetunknown:
Glanville'smortgageofland,likethepledgeofperson
altyinhistime,isameregrantofcustodybywayof
.security.
Thelawofpersonalpropertywaslittledeveloped.
Doctrinesastopledgeandbailment,derivedfromthe
oldGermaniclaw,wereappliedinthecountycourts;
there,forinstance,theabsoluteresponsibilityofthe
baileewasstillenforced.Throughthewritofdetinue
.andtheactiononthecase,theKing'scourtsweresoon
XIX
totakecontrolofthesesubjects,andtoestablishthe
modernlawofbailmentsandcarriers.
CertainformalcontractswereenforcedbytheKing's
court.Thewritofdebtwouldlieasaresultofaloan,
asale,oranobligationcreatedbycharter.Eedressfor
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breachofordinaryjcontractscouldbeobtainedonly
intheecclesiasticalcourts,whichmightdealwiththe
sinofdeceit.NotforthreecenturiesdidtheKing's
courtworkoutadoctrinebywhichapartymightbe
heldtoperformhissimplecontract.
Noactionofdamagesfortortwouldlie.There
isasyetnotraceoftheprocessbywhich(working
fromappealsoffelonytowritoftrespassagainstthe
King'speaceandactionsonthecase)theKing'scourt
wouldeventuallyworkoutthemodernlawoftort.
Sofarastherewasanyremedyfortortsitwasinthe
inferiorcourts.
TheKing'scourtcouldatthistimepunishallfelo
niesexcepttheft,jurisdictionoverwhichitobtainedby
MagnaCharta.Itwasalongtimebeforeitobtained
exclusivejurisdictionoverfelony,ortookcontrol,as
"custosmorum,"ofmisdemeanors.
Suchlaw,itmaybeadmitted,wasrudeandunsatis
factory;butitwasalongadvanceoverwhathad
gonebefore,andithadwithinitselfthegermofthe
modernCommonLaw.
JosephH.Beale,Je.
HaevardUNrvEEsriT,
October,1900.
THETRANSLATOR
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TOTHE
READER.
vJfRanulphdeGlanville,there
putedAuthorofthefollowingTreatise,
LordCokespea"ksintermsofthehighest
encomium.Heinformsus,thatGrianville
wasChiefJusticeintheReignofHenry
theSecond,thathewroteprofoundlyon
partoftheLawsofEngland,andthat
hisWorkswereextantatthatday.
"And,"continueshisLordship,"intoken
"ofmythankfulnesstothatworthyJudge,
"whomIcitemanytimesintheseRe
"ports,(asIhavedoneinmyformer)
"forthefruitwhichIconfessmyselfto
vii
Vlll
havereapedoutofthefairfieldofhis
Labors,Iwillforthehonorofhim
andofhisnameandposterity,which
remaintothisday(asIhavegoodcause
toknow)impartandpublish,bothto
allfutureandsucceedingAges,whatI
foundofgreatantiquityandofundoubted
verity,theoriginalwhereofremaineth
withmeatthisday,andfollowethin
thesewords:RanulpliusdeGlanviUa,
JiisticiariusAnglice,Fundatorfuitdomus
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deButteley,inComitatuSuffolcice,quce
fundataeratannoRegisHenrici,filiiIm
peratricis,decimoseptimo,etannoDomini
1171.quoannoThomasBecket,Cantu
ariensisArcMejnscopus,eratoccisus.Et
dictusRamdphusnascehaturinVillade
Stratford,incomitatuSuffolcice,ethahidt
ManeriumdeBenliall,cumtotoDominio,
edonodictiRegisHenrici.Etdiixitin
uxoremquandamBertam,filiamDomini
TheobaldideValeymz,Seniorisdominide
Parham:quiTheobaldusperCliartam
IX
"suamdeditdidoRanulplioetBertceUxori
"sucBtotamterramdeBrochous,cumper
"tinentiis,inquadomusdeButteleysita
"est,cumaliisterrisettenementis,inlihero
"maritagio.PrcedictusveroRamdphus
"procreavittresfiliasdedictaBerta(viz.)
"Matildam,Amabiliam,etHelewisam,qui
"6msdeditterramsuamanteprogressum
"suumversusTerramSanctamyThedo
cumentthenproceedswithaminuteaccu
racytotraceourAuthor'sDescendants,
andfinishesthesketchbyinformingus
"quodprcefatusRanulphusdeGlanvilla
^^fuitvirprceclarissimusgenere,nfpotede
"nohilisanguine,virinsuperstrenuissimus
"corpore,quiprovectioricetate,adTerram
"sanctamproperavit,etibidemcontrainimi
"cosCrurisClirististrenuissimeusquead
"necemdimicavif^^Thepaucityofthese
factsmaybe,insomemeasure,remedied,
byconsultingtheAnnalsofourSecond
1Co.8.Rep.pref.
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Henry,wherethenameofGlanvillenot
unfrequentlyoccurs.Wehearofhim
in1171,asFermouroftheHonorof
EarlConan:în1172,ashavingthe
custodyofthatHonor,andtheFairof
Hoiland;ândin1174,asstillretain
ingthesameHonor,andaccountingfor
theCaptureandRansomsofPrisoners,
&c.takeninWar.Înthelatteryearhe
issaidtohavedistinguishedhimself,as
theGeneralwhotooktheKingofScot
landPrisoner/In1175,hestillretained
theHonorofEarlConan,ândfilledthe
OfficeofSheriffofYorkshire.În1176,
hewasmadeaJusticeoftheKing'sCourt,
andaJusticeItinerant."Inthesame
year,heaccountedforWestmorelandby
thehandsofReiner,hisDapiferorSteward,
aprivilegeconcededtothegreatalone.^
1Madox'sExch.439.'Ibid.203.
3Ibid.253.*Hume'sHist.
6Mad.Excli.297.eiî^.7.
'Hoveden,p.600.Mad.Exch.662.
In1180,hewasmadeChiefJusticiary
ofallEngland,asweareinformedbyhis
cotemporaryRogerHoveden,whosewords
aretooremarkabletobeomitted.Hen
ricusRexAnglicepaterconstituitRanul
phumdeOlanvillasummumJusticiarimn
totiusAnglice^cujussapientiaconditcesunt
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legessubscriptce,quasAnglicannsvocamus.^
TheChiefJusticiary,presidedinthe
CuriaRegisnexttotheKing,asChief
Judgeinallcivilandcriminalquestions;
andgovernedtheRealmlikeaViceRoy,
whentheKingwasbeyondSea,anevent
offrequentrecurrenceinthatage.In
fine,thisofficerwasinvestedwithapower
thatplacedhimfaraboveeveryother
subject.NosoonerhadGlanvillearrived
atthiselevatedpost,thanheexertedhim
selftorestoreandconfirmmanyancient
Lawscalculatedforthegoodofthe
Realm.^Howmuchtothesatisfactionof
1Hoveden,p.600.n.40."Mad.Exch.24.
Xll
HenrytheSecondGlanvillefilled,this
arduoussituation,wemayinfer,from
findingadditionalhonorsheapedupon
himbythatableandpoliticPrince.In
1183,ourAuthorheldtheplaceofDapi
fertotheKing,ând,inthesameyear,
hewasappointedFermourofYorkshire:^
situations,itistobepresumed,notincom
patiblewiththatofChiefJusticiary,which
heappearstohaveretained,untilthedeath
ofHenrytheSecond,ândthatwithun
diminishedhonor,ifweexcepttheim
putationcastuponhimforcondemning
SirGilbertdePlumptuntodeath,but
whichseemstoberefutedbytheconfi
dencecontinuedtobereposedinhimby
thediscerningHenry.*Immediatelyafter
thedeathofthatPrince,heassumedthe
OrderoftheCross,andperishedfighting
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1Mad.Exch.35.îbid.225.
8Leg.AngloSax.p.339.*Hoveden,p.622,628.Note10.
XUl
valiantlyattheSiegeofAeonintheyear
1190.1
But,whetherthesameidenticalperson
successivelyoccupiedthesevarioussitu
ations,and,atdifferentperiodsofhislife,
filledtheratheroppositeandinconsistent
charactersofanableGeneralandapro
foundLawyeraskilfulCourtierandan
enlightenedLegislator,isadoubtwhich
hasbeenentertainedbysomeveryrespec
tableWriters.Norhasitpassedwithout
a*question,whetherthepresentTreatise
wasreallycomposedbythepersonwhose
nameitbears.LordLittleton,indeed,ia
inclinedtoinfer,thatitwasnotwritten
byGlanville,butbysomeClergyman
underhisdirection.^Thesedoubtsmay
servetoevincetheingenuityofthosewho
havesuggestedthem,buttheyprove
nothing:.Whenthevarioussituations
1Spelm.Gloss,advoo.Justitia;andPlowden,368.b.
"Hist.Hen.II.
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XIV
Glanvilleisstatedtohavefilledarerepre
sentedasincompatible,andwestartat
TaeholdingthegraveLawyerdivesthimself
ofhisrobestogirtonthearmourofthe
soldier,weforgetthemannersoftheage
whenGlanvilleflorished.Whenwesup
pose,thatbecausetheworkiscomposedin
Latin,itwasnotwrittenbyaLayman,we
begthequestion:and,havingassumed,
thatnoLayman,whateverhisparts,what
everhisapplication,couldhavebeensuffi
cientlyskilledtowritesuchLatinasour
Authorhasemployed,wepaybutasorry
complimenttotheage,andrathertoo
hastilyconcludethatwehaveproved,
what,indeed,wehavemerelytakenfor
granted.When,infine,weinfer,that
theknowledgeofLawdisplayedinthe
Work,andthelaborconsumedincom
posingit,arenolessinconsistentwiththe
TiighandelevatedstationofGlanville,than
incompatiblewithhisemployments,we
forget,thathisrisewasprogressive,and
XV
that,astherearebutfewthingstowhich
atrulygreatmindisinadequate,thepro
ductionofasmallvolumeuponthatLaw
ivhichitwasdailyinthehabitofdis
pensing,oughtnot,whateverthemeritof
theworkmaybe,toberankedamongst
thenumber.Itmustnot,however,be
concealed,thatMr.Seldenmentionsacir
cumstancewhich,atthefirstglance,ap
pearstogoagreatwayindetermining
thequestion."Iknowtheauthorityof
"thatTreatise,"sayshe,inspeaking
ofthepresentwork,"issuspected,and
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"'someofthebestandancientestcopies
"havingthenameofE.deN.whichI
"haveheardfromdiligentsearchersin
"thiskindofLearningaffirmedtohave
"beensometimesE.deNarbrough,and
^'notR.deGlanvilla,ithathbeenthought
"tobeanother'swork,andoflatertime.
"Butas,ontheotherside,Idarenot
"beconfidentthatitisGlanville's,soI
"makelittlequestion,thatitisasancient
XTl
"ashistime,ifnothiswork.Theteste
"oftheprecedentsofwritsunderhis
"name,thelanguage,especiallythename
"ofJustitiaalwaysforthatwhichwenow
"fromancienttimecalledJusticiariuSy
"(andJustitiawaSsousedinwritersunder
"HenrytheSecond)andtheLawdeli
"veredinittastethnotofanylaterage."^
ThoughthelatterpartofthisExtract
mayhereasonablythoughttofurnisha
sufficientanswertothedoubtexpressed
intheformerpart,theTranslatorcannot
butobserveuponthesingularity,thatnone
"ofthebestandancientestcopies"are
forthcominginsupportofthefacttheyare
saidtoprove.
WithrespecttotheWorkitselfnow
submittedtothePublicinanEnglish
dress,itissaidtobethefirstperformance
thathasanythingliketheappearanceof
1Seidell,operaomnia.1669.
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XVll
aTreatiseonthesubjectofJurisprudence,
sincethedissolutionoftheRomanEmpire.^
Butthisisnotcorrect,iftheAssisesof
Jerusalem,compiled,asweareinformed
inthepreamble,in1099theSystemof
FeudalLaw,composedbythetwoMila
neseLawyersin1150,andtheDecretum
ofGratian,publishedaboutthesametime,
beconsideredasTreatisesonLaw.It
seems,however,tobeunquestionable,that
thepresentTreatiseistheearliestand
mostancientworkOnthesubjectof
EnglishJurisprudence,fromwhichany
clearandcoherentaccountofitistobe
obtained.Dr.Robertson,indeed,informs
us,"thatinnocountryofEuropewasthere
"atthattime,anycollectionofCustoms,
"norhadanyattemptbeenmadetorender
"Lawfixed.Thefirstundertakingofthat
"kindwasbyGlanville,LordChiefJustice
"ofEngland,inhisTractatusdeLegibus
1See1.Reeves'sHist.Eng.Law.323.
XVlll
"etconsuetudinibus,^composedaboutthe
"Year1181."='
Ithasbeenthought,thatGlanvilledrew
upthiscompendiumoftheLawsofEng
landforthepubhcuse,bytheexpress
commandofHenrytheSecond,aconjec
turewhich,Mr.Madoxobserves,isnot
onlyfavoredbyacertainMS.remaining
intheLibraryofCorpusChristiCollege,
Cambridge,writteninahandoftheageof
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EdwardtheSecond,inwhichthereisa
TreatiseentituledLegesHenriciSecundi,
agreeinginmanypassageswiththeprinted
copyofGlanville,butalsobythemanner
ofourAuthor'swriting,especiallyinthe
Prologue.^ThereisalsointheCottonian
collectionaMS.ofGlanville,whichbears,
theTitleofLawsofHenrytheSecond.
ButMr.Eeevesinformsus,thismanner
1Robertson'sCharles5.Vol.1.p.296.
2VideInfrap.'198.Note3.
3Madox'sExch.133.andNote.
DigitizedbyIVIicrosoft
XIX
ofentitulingTreatiseswasnotthenun
common.^
Thepresentworkappearstohavere
mainedinMS.untiltheYear1554,when,
asSirEdwardCokeapprisesus,itwas,by
thepersuasionandprocurementofSir
WiUiamStanford,agraveandlearned
JudgeofthecommonPleas,firstprinted.^
Withmanypeculiarcircumstances,how
ever,tocreateanInterestinitsfavor,the
fateoftheworkhasbeenmostsingular.
Indebtedtoitsintrinsicmeritalonefortho
highcomplimentithaslongenjoyed,in
beinglookeduptoasanauthorityfrom
whichtherewasnoappeal,curiosityhas
givenwaytoanopinion,thatwhilstit
wasvenerableforitsantiquity,itwasalso
useless,foritwasobsolete.Thatmany
partsofitareobsolete,itwouldbe
idletodeny;butthattheworkitselfis
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1Reeves'sHist.Eng.Law.1.213.
24Inst.345.
XX
bynomeanssoentirelyobsoleteas
generallyassumed,willbefullyevident
toeveryimpartialandcandidReader.
Butwereitentirelyobsolete,itwouldnot
necessarilyfollow,thatitwouldbeuseless,
thetermsnotbeing,atleastinthescience
ofJurisprudence,eitherconvertibleorsyno
nymous,howeverfashionable,or,more
properlyspeaking,convenientitmaybeto
esteemthemsuch.Multaignoramusquce
nobisnonlaterent,siVeterumlectionobis
essetfamiliaris.TheLawofModern
Timesisintimatelyconnectedwiththatof
ourForefathers,andthedecisionsofthe
presentdayarenotunfrequentlybuilt
uponprinciplesthatareenvelopedinthe
almostimperviousmistoffardistantages.
ButtotheseprinciplesmusttheStudent
ascend,ifhewouldmeritthenameofa
Lawyer;and,ifthelaborbesevere,he
mustreconcileittohimselfbyreflecting,
thatitwassubmittedtobyaCoke,aHale,
aBlackstone.Ledbythesoundnessof
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XXI
theirjudgments,toinvestigatetheearher
agesofourJurisprudence,thosegreatmen
considerednothinguseless,thoughitpossi
blymighthappentobeobsolete,which
tendedtoenlightentheirminds,andshew
themthefundamentalprinciplesofthose
Laws,whichtheyafterwardsnolessadmi
rablyillustrated,thanablyadministered.
Butthebrightnessoftheexampleinstead
ofexcitingemulationseemstohavede
pressedit:andGlanville,Bracton,and
Fletahavebeensufferedtocrumbleonthe
shelf,whilstEditionhasrapidlyfollowed
EditionofthosemoremodernAuthors,
whohaveadvocatedtheircause,bydraw
ingsodeeplyfromtherichandinexhaus
tiblemines,whichtheirpagespresentto
theEnglishLawyer.
ItremainstospeakoftheTranslation
nowsubmittedtothePublic.Fidelityhas
beentheprincipalobjectoftheTranslator.
Ifmorebedemanded,hewouldshelter
xxu
himselfunderthehighnameofSirWiUiam
Jones."Elegance,onasubjectsodeli
"cateasLaw,mustbesacrificed,without
"mercy,toexactness'."Nexttofidelity,
simplicityhasbeenaimedat,asmostin
unisonwiththeoriginal,and,perhaps,the
bestadaptedfortransfusingitsspiritinto
theEnglishLanguage.Notthatwith
thesetwoobjectsimmediatelybeforehim,
theTranslatorwouldbeunderstoodas
conceding,thathehassacrificedanybeauty,
anyeleganceofexpressiongenerallyabound
ingin,orspreadover,theoriginalwork.
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Hecouldnotsacrificethatwhichnever
existed.ThestyleofGlanville,destitute
ofeverygrace,anddryandharshinthe
extreme,professedlyaimsatthepeculiar
qualitieswhichcharacteriseit.Stilovul
garietverbiscurialibusutensexindustrial
adnotitiamcomparandumeis,quihujusmodi
vulgaritateminussuntexercitati,arethe
verytermsinwhichhedescribeshisown
mannerofwriting.Sosuccessfullyhashe
XXUl
accomplishedhisobject,thatheimposes
uponhisTranslatoraTasknotaltogether
unlikethatofacquiringanewlanguage.
YettothesedifficultiestheTranslator
reluctantlyalludes,forthoughtheymay,
insomemeasure,atoneforthoseerrorsinto
whichheisapprehensivehehasoften
fallen,heisconscious,themeritofhis
attemptisnottobeestimatedbyitsardu
ousness,butitsutility.
WithrespecttotheAnnotations,itwas
theTranslator'soriginalintentiontohave
confinedhimselftoamereexplanationof
theobsoleteTerms.But,anxioustorender
theworkmoreextensivelyuseful,hehas
notunfrequentlydepartedfromhisfirst
design.Amongtheworksoccasionally
referredto,theReaderwillrecognisethe
RegiamMajestatemsotermedfromthe
wordswithwhichitcommences.This
workhasbeensometimesreceived,ascon
tainingthegenuineancientLawofScot
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XXIV
landsometimesrejected,asamerespuri
ousfabrication.Amongthenamesin
collisiononthispointarethoseofSkene,
Erskine,LordKaims,Houard,Dairympie,
Craig,LordStairandDr.Eobertson.Nor
hastherebeenlessdisputewhetherGlan
ville,ortheRegiamMajestatembethe
originalwork.Butthisquestionissaidto
besatisfactorilydisposedofbyMr.David
son,whohaspublishedapamphletexpress
lyonthesubject,andhasproved,ifitwere
necessarytoprove,whatisrenderedindu
bitablebytheinternalEvidenceofthetwo
Works,thatGlanvilleistheoriginal;ob
serving,atthesametime,"thatGlanville
"isregular,methodical,andconsistent
"throughout;whereastheRegiamMajes
"tatemgoesoutofGlanville'smethodfor
"nootherassignablereason,thantodis
"guisethematter,andistherebyrendered
"confused,unsystematical,andinmany
"placescontradictory."TheTranslator
hasnotbeenabletomeetwithMr.David
XXV
son'swork,butisindebtedtothepreface
attachedtothelastEditionofGlanville
forthisSummaryofit."Tothisobserva
"tionuponthemethodoftheEegiam
"Majestatem,"saysMr.Reeves,"itmay
"beadded,that,onacomparisonofthe
"accountgivenofthingsinthatandin
"Glanville,itplainlyappears,thatthe
"ScotchAuthorismoreclear,,explicit,
"anddefined;andthathewritesvery
"oftenwithaviewtoexplaintheother,
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"inthesamemannerinwhichthewriter
"ofourFleta,explainshispredecessor
"Bracton.Thisisremarkableinnumber
"lessinstancesallthroughtheBook,and
"is,perhaps,asdecisiveamarkofacopy
"ascanbe.TheotherScotchLaws,
"whichfollowtheRegiamMajestatemin
"Skene'scollection,contributegreatlyto
"confirmthesuspicion.These,asthey
"areofalaterdatethanseveralEnglish
"Statuteswhichtheyresemble,mustbe
"admittedtobecopiedfromthem;and
XXVI
'socloselyaretheoriginalsfollowed,that
'theverywordsofthemareretained.
'Thisisparticularlyremarkableofthe
'EeignofEoberttheSecond,inwhichis
'theStatuteofquiaEmptores,andothers
'plainlycopiedfromourLaws,without
'anyattempttoconcealtheimitation.
'TheseLaws,atleast,canimposeupon
'noone;andwhenviewedwiththe
'EegiamMajestatemattheirliead,and
'comparedwithGlanvilleandtheEnglish
'StatuteBook,theyseemtodeclarevery
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'intelligiblytotheworld,thatthispiece
'ofScotchJurisprudenceisborrowedfrom
'ours."^Noristheenlightenedandliberal
HistorianDr.Robertsonmorefavorably
disposedtowardsthatclaim,whichsome
ofhiscountrymenhaveputin,forthe
originalityoftheRegiamMajestatem.
"TheRegiamMajestatemascribedto
"Davidthefirstseems,"heobserves,"to
1Reeves'sHist.Eng.Law225.
xxvu
beanimitationandaservileone,of
Glanville.SeveralScottishAntiquaries,
undertheinfluenceofthatpiouscredu
lity,whichdisposesmentoassentwith
outhesitationtowhatevertheydeemfor
thehonoroftheirnativecountry,con
tendzealously,thattheRegiamMajes
tatemisaproductionpriortotheTrea
tiseofGlanville;andhavebrought
themselvestobelieve,thatanation,ina
superiorstateofimprovement,borrowed
itsLawsfromoneconsiderablyless
advancedinitspoliticalprogress.The
internalEvidence(wereitmyprovince
toexamineit)bywhichthistheoryrhight
berefutedisinmyopiniondecisive.
Theexternalcircumstances,whichhave
seducedScottishAuthorsintothismis
take,havebeenexplainedwithsomuch
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precisionandcandorbySirDavidDal
rymple,inhisExaminationofsomeof
theargumentsforthehighantiquityof
theRegiamMajestatem,Eding,1767.
XXVIU
"4to,thatitistobehoped,thecontro
"versywillnotbeagainrevived."^
Indismissingthissubject,itmaybe
remarkedinthewordsofMr.Reeves,that
itseemsunnecessarytocontendforthe
originalityoftheEegiamMajestatem,
whilstadoubtofmuchmoreimportance
remainsunsettledwhetherthatTreatise,
aswellastheothersinthepublicationof
Skene,arenow,oreverwere,anypartof
theLawofScotland,onwhich,aswehave
alreadyobserved,somanyeminentmen
differ.Ontheotherhand,theauthenticity
ofGlanville,asthecodeofLawexisting
inthiscountryduringtheReignofHenry
theSecond,hasbeenadmitted,either
expresslyorimpliedlybyalltheEnglish
Lawyers,whohaveflorishedinthelong
intervalwhichhaselapsedfromthatperiod
tothepresent,andneverhasbeenques
tioned,ifweexceptasolitarydictum,
1Hist.Charles5.Vol.1.p.396.
XXIX
which,asitequallyaffectedthecreditof
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Bracton,andwastotallyunauthorised,is
refutedbyathousandcircumstances,ifit
wereanobjecttomentionthem.^Butto
returnfromthisdigression.
ThoughtheTranslatorhadnotthegood
fortunetomeetwithMr.Davidson'sPam
phlet,hewasmoresuccessfulindiscovering
Skene'stranslationoftheRegiamMajes
tatem,depositedinLincoln'sInnLibrary.
TheTranslatorintendedtohavenoticed
suchpartsoftheRegiamMajestatem,as
coincidedwithGlanville.But,afterhaving,
withsomeattention,perusedtheformer
Book,hefoundthesimilaritybetweenthe
twoworkssoverygeneral,andthecorres
pondencesoexact,thattheRegiamMajes
tatemmightfrequentlybetakenasaverbal
TranslationofGlanville,or,atleast,as
anotherEditionofthesameTreatise,in
1Plowd.357.
XXX
whichthewriterhadmadesomeshght
additionsandalterations,andhadcapri
ciouslyamusedhimselfincontrivingan
arrangementtotallydifferent,thoughfar
lesshappyandsystematical.TheTrans
latorhas,therefore,generallycontented
himselfwithnoticingthosedeviations
betweenthetwoworks,whichweremore
immediatelyrelevanttohissubjects.Nor
hashealwaysstoppedhere,buthasavailed
himselfoftheRegiamMajestatem,when
everitwaslessambiguous,ormoredecided
thanGlanville,whichfromtheverycircum
stanceofitsbeingaposteriorpublication,
itsometimesnaturallywillhappentobe.
InadditiontotheRegiamMajestatem,
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referencehasbeenoccasionallymadeto
theGrandCustumaryofNormandy,Brac
ton,Fleta,Britton,Coke,Hale,&c.&c.
Someofthesereferencesservetocorro
boratesometoillustratetheText:some
tendtoshewthataLawwasnotpeculiar
tothisCountry,andsomethatasimilar
XXXI
E,ulehasbeenadoptedeveninModern
TimesbyaneighboringState.Inconsult
ingtheLawsofthatstate,andnoticing
thoseinstancesofstrongorfaintresem
blancebetweenthemandtheCodeofHenry
"theSecond,theTranslatoractedindefer
encetothesuggestionsofaGentleman,
who,thoughpossessedofthemostprofound
legalknowledge,isyetmoreentitledtoour
admirationforhissingularliberalityofsen
timent,andurbanityofmanners.Ifthe
TQoreenlightenedmindderivenobenefit
fromtheplanwhichhasbeenadoptedin
thenotes,andanticipatetheResult;yet,it
ishoped,theStudentmayreceivesome
advantagefromit.But,iftheTranslator
hasbeentoodiffuseinsomeinstances,he
has,onotheroccasions,contentedhimself
withabarereference.Hehasbeenaverse
toswelltheNotes,whereabarecitation
wouldservetodirecttheStudent,ifdisposed
toextendhisinquiries.Inadditiontothe
Translator'sownNotes,theReaderisfur
xxxu
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nishedwithafewannotationsextracted
fromacopyofGlanville,formerlybelonging
toMr.JusticeAland,andnowdepositedin
thecollectionoftheEoyalInstitution.
Yet,shoulditbeobserved,itisnotper
fectlyclearwhethertheseannotationswere
madebythatlearnedJudge,orbythe
EeverendMr.Elstob,agentlemandeeply
versedinAngloSaxonLiterature.By
wayofdistinction,theseAnnotationsare
particularisedby(Al.MS.)
Inordertorendertheworkascomplete
asthelimitedabilityoftheTranslatorwould
allow,hehassubjoinedthemoreimportant,
andonlythemoreimportantvariousRead
ings,asfurnishedbytheBodleian,theCot
tonian,theHarleianandDr.Milles'sMSS.
TheMS.ofGlanvilledepositedinLincoln's
InnLibraryhasnotbeenconsulted.
TheTranslatorconcludesthesecursory
observationswithabriefsummaryofthe
XXXIU
contentsofGlanville,availinghimselt,in
somemeasure,ofthatcontainedinMr.
Reeves'sHistory.
OurAuthoringeneralconfineshimself
tosuchmattersonlyasweretheobjects
ofjurisdictionintheCuriaRegis,and
divideshisworkintofourteenBooks.
ThetwofirstofwhichtreatoftheWritof
Right,whenoriginallycommencedinthe
CuriaRegis,andofallitsstages,the
SummonsEssoinsAppearancePlead
ingsDuelorGrandAssiseJudgment
andExecution.TheThirdspeaksofvouch
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ingtoWarranty,whichwiththetwo
formerBooks,comprisesalucidaccountof
theproceedingsinaWritofRightforthe
recoveryofLand.ThefourthBookis
employeduponrightsofAdvowson,thefifth
uponVillenage,andthesixthuponDower.
TheseventhtreatsuponAlienation,Des
cents,Succession,Wardship,andTesta
ments.TheeighthisuponfinalConcords,
XXXIV
andRecordsingeneral.Theninthisupon
Homage,Eelief,Fealty,Services,andPur
prestures.ThetenthtreatsofDebtsand
mattersofContract;andtheeleventhupon
Attornies.HavingthusdisposedofActions
commencedoriginallyintheCuriaRegis,
ourauthor,inhistwelfthBook,speaksof
WritsofRight,whenbroughtintheLord's
Court,andthemannerofremovingtheni
fromthencetotheCountyCourtandCuria
Regis,whichleadshimtomentionsomo
other"WritsdeterminablebeforetheSheriff.
InhisthirteenthBook,hetreatsofAssises,
andDisseisins.ThelastBookiswholly
takenupindiscussingthedoctrineofPleas
oftheCrown.
JOHNBEAMES.
Itwasintendedtohaveaddedthenames
ofallthoseGentlemen,whosubscribedfor
thework.Butthelisthavingbeencon
sumedinthefirewhichdestroyedMr.Reed's
Premises,andmanyofthenameshaving
beentherebylost,itisbecomeimpossible.
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g:
PREFACE.
iHEEegalPowershouldnotmerelybe
decoratedwithArmstorestrainRebels
andNationsmakingheadagainstitandits
realm,butoughtlikewisetobeadorned
withLawsforthepeacefulgoverningofits
SubjectsanditsPeople.^Withsuchfeli
citymayourMostIllustriousKingconduct
himself,intheperiodsbothofPeaceand
ofWar,bytheforceofhisrighthand,
crushingtheinsolenceoftheviolentand
intractable,and,withthesceptreofEquity,
moderatinghisJusticetowardsthehumble
andobedient,thatashemaybealways
1TheintroductorypartofthisPrefaceisinimitationof
thatofJustinian'sInstitutes,andseemsstrangelytohave
takenthefancyofthelawwritersoftheage,sinceGlan
villeismoreorlessfollowedbytheRegiamMajestatem,
BractonandFleta.
XXXT
XXXVl
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victoriousinsubduinghisEnemies,somay
heonalloccasionsshewhimselfimpartially
justinthegovernmentofhisSubjects.
Buthowgracefullyhowvigorously
howskilfully,incounteractingthemalice
ofhisFoes,ourMostExcellentKinghas,
intheseasonofhostility,conductedhis
Arms,ismanifesttoall:sincehisfame
hasnowspreadoverthewholeWorld,and
hissplendidactionsreachedeventhe
confinesoftheGlobe.Howjustlyhow
discreetlyandhowmercifullyhe,who
lovesPeaceandistheAuthorofit,has
conductedhimselftowardshissubjectsin
thetimeofPeace,isevident,sincethe
CourtofhisHighnessisregulatedwithso
strictaregardtoEquity,thatnoneofthe
Judgeshavesohardenedafront,orso
rashapresumption,astodaretodeviate,
Tioweverslightly,fromthepathofJustice,
ortoutterasentence,inanymeasure
contrarytothetruth.Forthere,indeed,
thepowerofhisadversaryoppressesnot
xxxvu
thepoorMan,nordoegeitherthefavor
orcreditofanother'sFriends,driveany
personfromtheseatofJudgment.Since
eachdecisionisgovernedbytheLawsof
theEealm,andbythoseCustomswhich,
foundedonreasonintheirintroduction,have
foralongtimeprevailed;and,whatisstill
morelaudable,ourKingdisdainsnottoavail
himselfoftheadviceofsuchmen(although
hissubjects)whom,ingravityofmanners,
inskillintheLawandCustomsofthe
Realm,inthesuperiorityoftheirwisdom
andEloquence,heknowstosurpassothers,
andwhomhehasfoundbyexperiencemost
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prompt,asfarasconsistentwithreason,in
theadministrationofJustice,bydetermin
ingCausesandendingsuits,actingnow
withmoreseverity,andnowwithmore
lenity,astheyseemostexpedient.^Forthe
1"Ontheselastwords,"saysLordLittleton,"Iwould
"observe,that,asinthosedaystherewaswasnodistinct
"CourtofEquity,theJudgesoftheKing'sCourthad
"probablyapowerofmitigatinginsomecasestherigour
XXXVlll
EnglishLaws,althoughnotwritten,mayas
itshouldseem,andthatwithoutanyabsur
dity,betermedLaws,(sincethisitselfisa
Law^thatwhichpleasesthePrincehasthe
forceofLaw^)Imean,thoseLawswhich
itisevidentwerepromulgatedbythead
viceoftheNoblesandtheauthorityofthe
Prince,concerningdoubtstobesettledin
theirAssembly.For,iffromthemere
wantofwritingonly,theyshouldnotbe
consideredasLaws,then,unquestionably,
writingwouldseemtoconfermoreauthority
"oftheLaw."(Hist,ofLifeHen.3.Vol.3.p.315.Oct.Ed.)
AstronginstanceinpointtheReaderwillfindinL.7.c.1.or
thepresentTranslationp.149.
1Thisprinciple,theverybasisofdespotismoccursinth&
Romancode.(Justin.lustit.L.1.t.2.s.6.)Itmay
veryjustlybequestioned,whetheritisnotherecited
ironically.Atallevents,thepassageofourtextcan
scarcelywarranttheconclusionthecelebratedM.Houard
hasdrawnfromit.ButtheReadershallhavehisown
wordsLeTextedenotreAuteurprouveqiCaprislaconquSte,
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lesAngloisregurent,deOuillaumeleBdtard,lesrn4me
Maximesquenousaviansjusquesldsuivies,dVegarddu
Droitexclusif,quenosRoisavoienttoujoursexei'ce,defaire
lesLoix.(TraitesSurlescoutumesAngloNormandespar
M.Houard.1.378.)
XXXIX
uponLawsthemselves,thaneitherthe
Equityofthepersonsconstituting,orthe
reasonofthoseframing,them.But,to
reduceineveryinstancetheLawsand
ConstitutionsoftheRealmintowriting,
wouldbe,inourtimes,absolutelyimpos
sible,aswellonaccountoftheignorance
ofwriters,asoftheconfusedmultiplicityof
theLaws.But,therearesome,which,as
theymoregenerallyoccurinCourt,andare
morefrequentlyused,itappearstomenot
presumptuoustoputintowriting,butrather
veryusefultomostpersons,andhighly
necessarytoassistthememory.Acertain
portionofthoseIthereforeintendto
reduceintowriting,purposelymakinguse
ofavulgarstyle,andofwordsoccurring
inCourt,inordertoinstructthosewhoare
lessaccustomedtothiskindofvulgarity.
Inproofofwhich,Ihavedistinguishedthe
presentworkbyBooksandChapters.
ioflit3.
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OFPLEASWHICHBELONGTOTHEKING'SCOURT,OR
TOTHESHERIFF;ANDOFESSOINS;ANDOTHER
PREPARATORYSTEPSUSUALLYRESORTEDTOIN
SUITS,UNTILBOTHPARTIESAPPEARTOGETHERIN
COURT.
CHAP.I.
PleasareeitherCriminalorCivil.^Theformer
aredividedintosuchasappertaintotheKing'sCrown,
andsuchasbelongtotheSheriffsofCounties.These
PleasbelongtotheKing'sCrown.^
CHAP.II.
Thecrimewhich,inlegalphrase,istermedthatof
1"Now,asoutoftheoldFieldsmustcomethenewcorn,so
"ouroldBooksdoexcellentlyexpoundandexpressthismatter,
"astheLawisholdenatthisday;and,therefore,Glanville
"saith,Placitorumaliudestcriminale,aliudCivile,where
"PlacitumcriminaleisPlacitumcoronce.andPlaaitumcivile.
"Placitumcommune,namedinthisStatute."(MagnaCharta.)
(Vide3Inst.31.)
2LL.^thelbyrti,c.1.2.3.4.5.&c.(Al.M.S.)
I1
LseseMajesty,asthedeathoftheKing,orasedition
movedintheRealm,orArmy^thefraudulentcon
cealmentofTreasuretroveThePleaconcerningthe
breakingoftheKing'speaceHomicideBurning
RobberyRapethecrimeofFalsifying,ândsuch
otherPleasasareofasimilarnature.^Thesecrimes
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areeitherpunishedcapitally,orwithlossofMember.*
Wemust,however,exceptthecrimeofTheft,which
belongstotheSheriffsofCounties,andisdiscussed
anddeterminedintheCountyCourts.Îtalsoapper
1"TheCommittersoftheseCrimes,''saystheRegiamMajes
tatem,"maybepunishednotonlyforanyfactordeed,butalso
fortheintentandpurpose."(Reg.Maj.L.1.c.1.)
2Crimenfalsi,anexpressionborrowedfromtlieCivilLaw.
(VideJustin.Inst.4.18.7.&c.)Ourauthorexplainsitsimport,
L.14.c.7.
8Cap.2.HenghamMagna,c.3.p.7.LL.CanutiE.secul.
c.61.etSomneriGloss,invoceemenda.(Al.MS.)
TheLawofCanutealludedto,isinthesewords:Irrvptioin
dotnumetincendiumetfurtummanifestumetccedespublicaet
dominiproditiojuxtalegeshumanassuntinexpidbilia.(Vide
LL.AngloSaxon.Ed.Wilkins,p.143.)
*AmongtheLawsofCanute,aresomeinflictingthepunish
mentoflossofmembers.(LL.Cnnuti,c.15.33.&o.)
Fromhenceithasbeeninferred,thatCanutefirstintroduced
thisspeciesofpunishmentintoEngland.
Howeverthatmaybe,theConqueror'sLawformstooremark
ableafeatureinhisLegislationtobepassedoverinsilence.
Itforbidsthepunishmentsofdeathandhangingforanycrime,
butorders,thattheeyesoftheoffendersshouldbeplucked
out,ortheirfeetorhands&c.amputated,itaquodtruncusvivus
remaneatinsignumproditionisetnequitioesuae!!(LL.Gul.
Conq.p.318.Ed.Wilkins.)
6"Theftandmanslaughter,"saystheRegiamMajestatem,
"belongtotheSheriffwhenanycertainaccuserappears:not
"sowhenthosecrimesaretakenupbydittay."(c.1.L.1.)
"TheSheriffintheTourn(forthatistobeintended)heldplea
tainstoSheriffs,incaseofneglectonthepartofLords
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ofFranchise,totakecognizanceofScuffles,^blows,and
Avounds,unlesstheAccusersubjointohischarge,that
theoffencewascommittedagainsttheKing'sPeace.^
CHAP.III.
CivilPleasaredividedintosuchasarediscussed
anddeterminedintheKing'sCourtonly,andsuchas
fallwithintheJurisdictionoftheSheriffsofCounties.
IntheformerCourt,arediscussedanddetermined,
allsuchPleasasconcernBaronies,Advowsonsof
Churches,questionsofcondition,Dower,whenthe
"Womanhasbeenentirelydebarredfromreceivingit;
forbreachofFinemadeintheKing'sCourt;concern
ingtheperformingofHomage,andthereceivingof
"ofTheft,"saysLordCoke.ButtMspartofhisjurisdiction
wastakenawayby17.c.Mag.Chart.(Vide2Inst.301.)
1Medletis,or,asinHarl.Cotton,andBodl.MS.melletis.From
Bractonitistobecollected,thatsomeinstancesofthisoffence
fellundertheJurisdictionofLordsofFranchise,andontheir
default,revertedtotheSheriff;whilstotherinstancesfellunder
cognizanceofthecrown,adistinctionconfirmedbytheEeg.
Majestatem(videBracton,154.B.Eeg.Maj.L.1.c.2.)Theterm
issaidtobederivedfromtheFrenchmesler.(Vide3Inst.66.
Spelm.Gloss,andCowell'sInterpreter.)
2TheReg.Maj.makesthisallegationagroundoftheSheriff's
Jurisdiction(L.1.c.3.)"Inthisdistinction,betweentheSher
"iff'sJurisdictionandthatoftheKing,weseethereasonofthe
"allegationinmodernIndictmentsandWrits,"vietarmis"
"oftheking'scrownanddignity,""theIcing'speace,"and"the
''peace,"thislastexpressionbeingsufficient,afterthepeaceofthe
"SheriffhadceasedtobedistinguishedasaseparateJurisdio
"tion."(VideReeves'sHist.Eng.Law.1.113.)
Eeliefs,andconcerningPurprestures,ândDebtsowing
bylaypersons.ThesePleas,indeed,relatetothe
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proprietyofthethingonly:concerningthosewhich
refertothepossession,andwhicharediscussedand
decidedbyKecognitions,^weshallspeakintheir
properplace.
CHAP.TV.
TotheSheriffsofCountiesthesePleasappertain:
thePleaconcerningtheEightofFreehold,whenthe
CourtsoftheLordsareprovedtohavefailedindoing
justice,thenatureofwhichweshallspeakofinanother
place;andthePleaconcerningYilleinsborn:such
Pleasbeing,ineachinstance,^sanctionedbytheKing's
Writ.*
1Ourauthorexplainsthisterm,B.9.c.11.
2Eeeognitioiies.Uponthewordsfaeerereoognitionem.Sir
EdwardCokethuscomments."Cognitioisknowledgeor
"knowledgement,oropinion,andRecognitionisaseriousac
"knowledgement,oropinionuponsuchmattersoffactasthey
"shallhaveincharge,andthereupontheJurorsarecalledRe
"cognitoresAssisce,"(VideCo.Litt.158.b.)Ourauthortreats
largelyonRecognitionsiuthe13thBook,towhichwereferthe
reader.
3WelearnfromBracton,thattheSheriffwasinthehabitof
exercisingJurisdictionovermanyPleaswhichdidnotbelongto
him653officio;but,insuchcases,heactedbytheKing'sprecept,
notasSheriff,butasJustioiariusRegis,(Bracton,154.b.)The
distinctionisimportant,andseemsnotunknowntotheGxand
CustumaryofNormandy.(Videc.2.)
*Breve,aWrit.Whencausesbecamesofrequentthatthe
kingwasunabletoattendtothem,saysCraig,heremittedthem,
totheJudge,bymeansofInstrumentscontainingabriefsum
CHAP.V,
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Whenanyonecomplains^totheKing,orhisJus
tices,concerninghisEee,orhisFreehold,ifthecom
plaintbesuchasbeproperforthedeterminationof
theKing'sCourt,ortheKingispleasedthatitshould
bedecidedthere,thenthepartycomplainingshall
havethefollowingWritofsummons.
.CHAP.YI.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^CommandA.
"that,withoutdelay,herendertoB.oneHydeofLand,
"insuchaVUl,ofwhichthesaidJS.complains,that
"theaforesaidA.hathdeforcedhim;and,unlesshe
"doesso,summonhimbygoodsummoners,thathobe
"there,beforeme,ormyJustices,mcrastinopostocta
"iasclmisiPaschcBatsuchaplace,toshowwherefore
"hehasfailed;andhavetheretheSummonersand
"this"Writ.WitnessEanulphdeGlanville,atClaren
"don."
maryofthechiefpoints.HencethenameBreve.(Craig.Jus.
Feud.L.3.dieg.17,.24.)SoearlyasHenrythefirstwefind,
thatcontemptusBreviumwasanoffence,subjectingtheperson
guiltyofittobeamercedtotheking.(LL.Hen.1.c.14.)
1Clamat.VideSpelm.Gloss,advoc.Craig.Jus.Feud.L.3.
Dieg.17..25.andL.3.dieg.5..2.
2VideFitz.Nat.Brev.p.5.Ed.1687.Asthisisthefirstwrit
wemeetwith,itmaynotbeimpropertoobserve,that,inren
deringthewrits,theTranslatorhasforobviousreasonsendeav
ouredtoadheretothetechnicalphraseologygenerallyus^din
thatspeciesofprocess.
CHAP.VII.
Thepartywhoisthussummonedeitherappearsat
thedayappointed,ormakesdefault,orsendsaMes
senger,orEssoin,ôrneither.Ifheneitherappear,
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norsendanEssoin,hisadversary,theDemandant,
should,onthedayappointed,appearbeforetheJus
tices,andoffertoproceedagainsthiminthesuit;and
heshallthusawaitinCourtduringthreedays.Ifthe
Tenantappearnotonthefourthday,thesummoners
beingpresent,andalledgingthattheyhaddulycited
him,andofferingtoproveit,accordingtothecourse
oftheCourt,anotherWritshallIssuetosummonthe
Tenanttoappearatthedistanceoffifteendaysât
1Essonium,anExcuse.SirEdwardCokederivestheterm
fromtlieFrenchverbessonierorexonier.Hetellsus,itisall
onewithwhatthecivilianscallexcusatio.SirHenrySpelman
mentionsthesamederivation,andadds,ex,privativum,soing,
cura.TheGreekwordi^d/ivva0aihasbeenproposedasanother
derivation,implyinganexcusebymeansofanoath.Theterm
occurssoearlyastheAssizesofJerusalem,(o.58.)Solimited
isthedoctrineofEssoinsinthepresentday,thatitwillhere
suiBcetoobserve,therewerefiveprincipalkindsinthex'eignof
Henrythesecond;Isayprincipal,becausetherewerenecessa
rilymanyothersoflessimportance.These,asenumeratedby
SirEdwardCoke,were;1.deservitioRegis.3.Interramsanc
tam.3.Ultramare.4.Demalolecti.5.Demaloveniendi;
thetwolastbeingthesameasthoseexinfirmitatedereseantisa
andexinfirmitateveniendi,sofrequentlymentionedbyour
author,inthepresentbook.Essoinsaresaidtohavebeende
rivedtousfromtheNormans.(VideAssisesofJerusalem,c.
58.leGrandCustum:deNorm,sparsim.Bracton,336.b.et
seq.FletaL.6.o.7.Mirror,117.etseq.3Inst.135.Spelm.
Cowell.Lestermesdelaley,&c.&c.)
2Inaffirmanceofthisperiodoftime,seeArticidisuperchar
tas,o.15.andLordCoke'scomment.(3Inst.567.)TheNorman
least,inwhich"Writheshallberequiredaswellto
answertotheoriginalSuit,asforhisdefaultindis
obeyingthefirstsummons.Înthismanner,three
Summonsesshallissue;and,iftheTenantneitherap
pearatthethirdsummons,norsend,theTenementshall
betakenintotheKing'shands,andshallsoremain,
duringfifteendays.
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And,if,withinthatperiod,heappearnot,theSei
sin"^shallbeadjudgedtohisadversary,sothatfrom
thenceforththeTenantshallnotbeheard,unlessina
suitconcerningthepropriety,andthatauthorisedby
theKing'sWritofRight.Îf,however,heappear
withinthefifteendays,andbedesirousofreplevying
theTenement,heshallbecommandedtoappearonthe
fourthday,andheshallhavethatwhichheislegally
entitledunto;andthus,ifheappear,hemayrecover
coderequiredthesameperiodtorenderasummonslawful,
GrandCustum.deNorm.c.49.SeealsoBracton,334.a.and
Fleta,L.6.c.6.s.11.13.
1ItseemsfromtheBegiamMajestatem,thatifthesummons
weremadebyonesummoner,inthepresenceoflawfulandsuffi
cientwitnesses,itwasgood.Thesewitnessesweretoverifythe
summons,beforethedefendantcouldbecompelledtoanswer.
(Reg.Maj.L.1.c.6.)
2Seisina"isborrowedoftheFrenchseisine,'possessio,'and
soitsigniflethinourcommonLaw."(Cowelladvoc.)Craig
concludes,thataswehadtheterm,sowehadthedoctrinefrom
theFrench.(Craig,deFeud.L.2.Dieg.7.s.1.)SirEdward
CokeandSirHenrySpelmancoincidedwithCowellandCraig
inthederivation.(Co.Litt.)17.a.Spelm.Gloss,advoc.)The
term,itseems,wasused,bothbythecanonistsandcivilians.
(Cowellubisupra:videalsoIndexadAngloSax,LL.verb.
saisiareandreferencesthere.)
8VideBracton,367.a.
8
theSeisin.Shouldhe,liowever,appearatthethird
Summons,andconfesstheformerSummonses,heshall
instantlylosetheSeisin,unlesshecanexcusehisde
faultbytheKing's"Warrant,andbythe"Writ;which,
heshouldinstantlyproduce.
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CHAP.Till.
"TheKingtotheJustices,Health.IwarrantB.
"whowasatsuchaplace,bymyprecept,onsucha
"day,inmyservice,and,therefore,couldnotbepres
"entbeforeyouonthatdayatyourAssizes;andI
"commandyou,thatyouputhimnotindefaultforhis
"absencethatday,northatheinanyrespectsuffer
"loss.Witness,&c."^
CHAP.IX.
Ifheshoulddenyallthesummonses,heshall,asto
eachofthemindividuallj'^,corroboratehisdenialwith
theoathsoftwelve.^Shouldithappenontheday
1VideF.N.B.36.37.Ed.1687.
2Duodecimdmanu.Theauthorofthecommentariesrenders
thisexpressioneleven,besidestheprincipal,aninterpretation
whichismoreorlessconfirmedbythefollowingauthorities:
Co.Litt.295.a.2Inst.44,andtheDiversityofCourts,p.824.On
theotherhand,LesTermesdelaLey,indescribingthecere
monyasappliedtotheveryobjectofthetext,expresslysays,
thattheprincipalshouldbeaccompaniedbytwelve.(Ibid,ad
voc.ley.)
Bracton,whentreatingofthesubject,employsthesameex
appointedthateitheroftheCompurgators^fail,or
shouldthepersonofeitherofthembejustlyexcepted
to,andthevacancyoccasionedbyeitherofthesecir
cumstancesnotbefilledup,theTenantshall,onac
countofhisdefault,immediatelylosehisSeisin.^^^
But,iftheTenantthuscompletelydisprovethesum
monses,heshallonthesamedayanswertotheAction.^
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CHAP.X.
IftheTenant,beingsummoned,appearnotonthe
firstday,butEssoinhimself,suchEssoinshall,if
reasonable,bereceived;andhemay,inthismanner,
essoinhimselfthreetimessuccessively;and,sincethe
pression,andobserves,thatthelandwasnottobereplevied,be
forethetenanthadwagedhislaw,nor,ifhefailedinwaging
it.;andhelaysitdown,thattheTenantcouldnotwagehisLaw
bymeansofanAttorneyconstitutedforthatpurpose,butmiist
doitpersonally.(Bracton,366.a.410.a.)Astotheoriginof
wagingLaw,thereadermayconsultCowelladvoc.Laivand
lesTermesdelaleyubisupraandBl.coram.3.341.&c.
Beforewequitthischapter,itmaynotbeamisstoobserve,
thatSirEdwardCokereferstoittoshow,thatpreviousto
MagnaCharta,hethatwouldmakehisLawinanyCourtofRec
ord,mustbringwithhimfidelesTestes.(Co.Litt.168.b.)
1Bractontellsus,thatitwasnotnecessarythatthecompur
gatorsshouldbeofthesamerankastheirPrincipal:itwassuf
ficientiftheyweretrustworthy,andofgoodcharacters.
(Bracton,410.a.)
2Mr.Eeevesobserves,thatthewagingofLawisnotmen
tionedbyGlanville,asamodeofproofforthedefendantincivil
suits.Thatjudiciouswritermustbeunderstood,asspeakingof
thatproof,whichconstitutedthedefencetotheAction.
8VideMirror,c.4.s.7.Bracton,366.a.b.368.a.b.
10
causes,onaccountofwhichapersonmayjustlyessoin
himself,arevarious,letusconsiderthedifferentkinds
ofEssoins.
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CHAP.XI.
OfEssoins,someariseonaccountofillhealth,
othersfromothersources.OfthoseEssoinswhich
arisefromillhealthonekindisthatexinfirmitate
veniendianotherexinfirmitatedereseantisa}
CHAP.XII.
IftheTenant,beingsummoned,should,onthefirst
day,casttheEssoindeinfirmitateveniendi,îtisin
theelectionofhisAdversary,beingpresent,eitherto
1Reseantisa,fromtheFrenchreseant,orresiant,orwhen
anglicised,resiance,atermwhichDr.Johnsonexplainsinhis
dictionary,asmeaningaresidence,though,asheremarks,itis
nowonlyusedinLaw.Inthis,itssimplesense,ourauthorhas
usedit,inasubsequentpartofhiswork.(L.12.c.7.)Yetit
assumesadifferentmeaning,asusedbytheoldEnglishand
ScotchLawyerstodenoteanEssoin,whenitindicated,asSkene
expressesit,"alongandoldsickness,oraresident,heavyin
"iirmityandsoresickness."(RegiamMajestatem,L.1.c.8.)
Anobservationinthemarginofourauthorinformsus,that
thisEssoinwassynonymouswiththatdemalolecti;inother
words,thisEssoinwasresortedtoonaccountofsuchasevere
indispositionasnecessarilyconfinedamantohishouseorbed.
"OrdeviaCurice,asitistermedintheNormancode.This
Essoinwascast,whenthepartyonhiswaytoCourthadfallen
suddenlysick,andwastherebypreventedattending.(Legrand
Custum.deNorm.c.39.)
11
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requirefromtheEssoineralawfulproofofthetruth
oftheEssoininquestion,onthatveryday/orthat
heshouldfindpledges,orbindhimselfsolemnly,that
atthedayappointedhewillhavehis"Warrantorof
theEssoin;andhemaythusEssoinhimselfthree
timessuccessivel}'.If,onthethirdday,2heneither
appearnoressoinhimself,thenletitbeordered,that
hebeforthcominginproperpersononanotherday;
orthathesendafitAttorneyinhisplace,togainor
loseforhim.Thus,whoeverontheappointeddaj''
mayappearintheplaceoftheTenant,offeringto
undertakehisdefence,whetherauthorisedbyhisLet
ters,orwithoutthem,isimmaterial,ifitbeknown,
thathebealliedtotheabsentTenant,heshallbe
receivedforhiminCourt,eithertogainorlose.Ît
maybeasked,whatwillbetheconsequenceifthe
Tenantappearatthefourthday,afterhavingcast
threeEssoins,andwarrantalltheEssoins?Inthat
case,heshallprovethetruthofeachEssoin*byhis
ownoathandthatofanother;and,onthesameday,
heshallanswertothesuit.If,onthefourthday,he
^"Oronanother,"accordingtotheCotton.Bodl.andDr.
Milles'sMS.
2"Fourth,"aocordingtoDr.Milles'sMS.andsoitundoubt
edlyoughttobe,asthecontextevinces.
8VideInfra,L.11.c.5.
*Itshouldseem,fromBractonandFleta,thatsuchpersons
onlyaswereinferiorindignitytoBarons,wererequiredto
provethetruthoftheirEssoinsbytheirownoaths.(Bracton,
351.b,Fleta,L.6.c.10.s.15.)Bythe19thc.ofMarlbridge,
eventhesepersonswererelievedfromtheobligation.(2Inst.
136.)
12
neitherappearnorsendanAttorney,lettheTenement
betakenintotheKing'shands,aWritbeingissuedby
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theCourtforthatpurpose,directedtotheSheriffof
theCounty,inwhichsuchTenementissituated,which
Writisinthefollowingwords:
CHAP.XIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,health.Icommandyou
"that,withoutdelay,youtakeintomyhandsthehalf
"ofthelandsinsuchawill,whichM.claims,asher
"Dower,againstR.concerningwhichthereisasuit
"betweentheminmyCourt,andthatyoumake
"knownthedayofthecaptiontomyjustices.And
"summon,bygoodSummoners,theaforesaidR,that
"hebebeforemeôrmyjusticesatWestminster
"acrastinoootdbusclausiPaschceinquindecimdies,
"tohearhisjudgment,andhavetheretheSummoners
"andthisWrit.WitnessEanulphdeGlanvilleat
"Westminster,&c."Inaddition,lettheSheriffof
theCountybecommandedtotaketheEssoiners,as
Defaulters,andtodetainthem,andforthispurpose
thefollowingwritshallIssue:
CHAP.XIY.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Icommandyou
"that,withoutdelay,youdiligentlyseek,through
1VideMadox'sExcheq.c.3.s.3.
13
"yourCounty,A.whohasfalselyEssoinedB.against
"C.inmyCourt,andthatyousafelykeephim,untilyou
*'havemyotherprecept.Witness,&c."TheDe
fendanthimselfshallalso,inthemeantime,besum
monedtoappearbeforetheKing,orhisJustices,to
showwhyhehasnotwarrantedhisEssoiner,andto
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answertotheprincipalsuit.Besides,thePledgesof
theEssoinersshallbesummoned,bythefollowing
Writ.
CHAP.XV.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Summonby
^'goodSummonersT.thathebebeforeme,ormy
"Justices,at"Westminster,infifteendaysfromthe
"Pentecost,toshowwhyhehasnothadI.beforeme
"at"Westminster,onsuchaday,towarrantthe
^'Essointhat/.madeforhiminmyCourtagainstM.
^'ashepledgedhimselftohavehim.Andhavethere
*'theSummoners,andthisWrit.Witness,&c."
CHAP.XYI.
But,iftheTenantappearwithinthefifteendays,
andbewillingtoreplevytheTenement,lethimbe
commandedtoattend,onadayappointed,thathe
maythenhavejusticedonehim;and,ifheappearon
thatday,andfindpledges,heshallrecoverhisseisin,
andmayretainit.IfhedenyalltheSummonses,and
u
alltheEssoins,anddisprovethemindividuallywith
theoathsoftwelve,orifbeacknowledgethefirst
Summons,andwarrantthethreeEssoins,andsave
thefourthdaybytheKing's"Writofwarranty,which
heshouldforthwithproduce,hemayalsoretainhis
Seisin.But,iftheTenantappearnotwithinthefif
teendays,theseisinshall,onthefollowingday,be
adjudgedtohisadversary,sothattheTenantshall
neveragainbeheardconcerningit,unlessbythe
King'sWritconcerningtheKight.^ButtheDe
mandantshallbeputintothepossessionoftheTene
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ment,bythefollowing"Writ,directedtotheSheriff.
CHAP.XYII.
"that,withoutdelay,youdeliverpossessiontoM.of
"somuchlandinsuchaYill,ofwhichtherewasa
"suitinmyCourt,betweenhimandJ?.;becausethe
"SeisinofsuchLandisadjudgedtothesaidM.inmy
"Court,forthedefaultofi?.Witness,&c."
CHAP.XYIII.
IfanyonedesiretocasttheEssoindeinfirmitatt,
1TheseverityofthisLawwasmitigatedby9Ed.3.c.3.
wherebynoneweretolosetheirland,byreasonofnonplevin.
AnotetothiseffectisinsertedinthemarginofourAuthor;
butthereferencetothechapteriserroneous.
15
deJResewntisdfhemaythricedoit.^Yetshouldthe
Essoiner,onthethirddayprecedingthatappointed,
ataproperplace,andbeforeaproperperson,present
hisEssoin.If,onthethirdsummons,theTenant
appearnot,theCourtshoulddirect,thatitmaybe
seenwhetherhisindispositionamounttoalanguor,^
ornot.Forthispurpose,letthefollowingWritissue,,
directedtotheSheriff.
CHAP.XIX.
"that,withoutdelay,yousendfourlawfulmenôf
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"yourCountytoseeoftheinfirmityofwhichJB.hath
"essoinedhimselfinmyCourt,againstli.bealan
"guorornot.And,iftheyperceivethatitisalan
"guor,then,thattheyshouldputtohimadayofone
"yearandoneday,fromthedayoftheview,toap
"pearbeforeme,ormyjustices,orthathesenda
"sufficientAttorneytoanswerforhim.Andifthey
"seethatitbenotalanguor,then,thattheyputhim
1"AndbytwoEssoiners,"accordingtoCotton:andDr..
Milles'sMS.
2Skeneexplainsalanguorby"avehementsicknessofbody,
"orofmind."(Reg.Maj.L.1.c.8.)
^ThetextisHomines.TheTranslatorsubmitsthatitshould
bemilites,areadingwarrantedbythelatterpartofthisvery
writ;andauthorisedbytheconcurringtestimonyofBracton,
Fleta,GrandCustum:ofNorm:&c.Seealsochapter38.of
thepresentBookwhere,asimilarobjectbeinginview,four
Knightsaredirectedtobesent.
16
"acertainday,onwhichheshallappear,orsenda
"sufficientAttorneytoanswerforhim.AndSum
"mon,bygoodSummoners,theaforesaidfourKnights,
"thattheybethentheretotestifytheirview,andthe
"daytheyputhim;andhavetherethesummoners
"andthisWrit.Witness,&c."Itshouldbeob
served,thattwoEssoiners,atleast,arenecessaryto
castthisEssoin.
CHAP.XX.
Itshouldalsoberemarked,thatthetwofirstessoins
maybecastdeinfirmitateveniendi,andthethirdde
reseaiitisd.
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Shouldthatcoursebeadopted,theCourtshould
sendtoascertain,whethertheindispositionamount
toalanguor,ornot.If,however,thetwofirst
essoinsshouldbedereseantisd,andthethirdde
infirmitateveniendi,itshallbeorderedasifthej'^
werealldeinfirmitateveniendi,becausethejudg.
mentmustalwaysfollowthenatureofthelastessoin.
CHAP.XXI.
Shouldituponanyoftheseoccasionshappen,that
thepartyhimselfshouldanswerinCourt,andwhilst
hewaspresent,afuturedayshouldhavebeenap
pointedhim;if,atthatday,he.neithercomenor
17
sendanAttorney,lethis,landbetakenintothe
King'shands,andlethimbedebarredthepowerof
replevyingit.Andheshallbesummonedtoappear
andhearthejudgmentatanappointeddayandthus,
whetherheappearornot,heshalllosetheSeisin,on
accountofhisdefault;becausehecannotafterwards
denythesummons,unlessbytheKing'sWrit,which
heshouldforthwithproduce,andbywhichhemay
savehisdefault.Butalthoughonanyofthedays
appointedforhisappearance,theTenantshould
answerinCourt,ifhelawfullydepart,hemayrecur
tohisthreeEssoins,unlesshehasprecludedhimself
hjanagreementtowaivethem.If,onthefirstday,
thepartyshouldessoinhimself,but,onthesecond,
shouldneitherappearnoressoinhimself,lettheSheriff
becommandedtoattachtheEssoiner,asadefaulter,
andforthispurposelettheforegoingWritbedirected
tohim.
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CHAP.XXII.
Butitshouldbeobserved,thatwhenapartytoa
suithasEssoinedhimself,theEssoinermayalsoavail
himselfofareasonableEssoin.Forifanyonedesir
ousofcastingareasonableEssoin,shouldcommission
apersonforthispurpose,andtheEssoinermeetswith
somereasonableimpedimentintheway,bywhichheis
preventedbeingpresentattheappointedday,heshall
beawaiteduntilthefourthday,ashisPrincipalwould
18
havebeen;andifwithinthatperiodheappear,his
Essoinshallbereceived,onwhateverdaj'heshould
come;andhemaythussavethedaj'swhicharepast
forthesamecausesforwhichhisprincipalcould.
CHAP.xxm.
TheprincipalEssoinerisalsoatliberty,ifsodis
posed,toessoinhimselfbyanotherEssoiner.Inthis
casethesecondEssoinermuststatetotheCourt,that
theTenant,havingajustcauseofEssoin,hadbeende
tained,sothathecouldnotappearatthedayappointed,
neithertolosenorgain,andthat,therefore,he
hadappointedacertainotherpersontoessoinhim;
andthattheEssoinerhimselfhad'metwithsuchan
impediment,whichhadpreventedhisappearanceon
thatday:andthisheispreparedtoproveaccording
tothepracticeoftheCourt.Bythesemeans,such
Essoinershallbereceived,andadayshallbegranted
totheTenant,throughthemediumofsuchEssoiner,
uponhisundertakingtoproducehis"Warrantoron
suchagivenday,whentheTenantoughttoguarantee
hisprincipalEssoiner,andtoprovehisEssoininthe
usualmanner.Inthesamemanner,thefirstEssoiner
istoguaranteethesecond,unlessonthefirstdayhe
himselfhasprovedhisEssoins,upontherequisitionof
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theadversepart3^
1TheTenant,accordingtoDr.Milles'sMS.
19
CHAP.XXIY.
ButiftheTenant,desirousofproceedinginthe
cause,should,afterhisEssoincastinCourtandwithin
thefourthday,appear,then,ifthedaywasinthe
firstinstancefixedthroughtheinterventionofthe
Essoiner,andtheadversepartyhasunderthesecir
cumstanceslefttheCourt,theDemandant^cannot
recover,ashemightonthedaypast.
CHAP.XXY.
ThereisanotherspeciesofEssoin;whichispermit
tedfromthenecessityofthecase;andthishappens
whenanyonecaststheEssoindeultramare."În
thatcase,iftheEssoinbereceived,theperiodoffortv
days,atleast,shallbegiventothepartyessoined.
Butif,'bymeansofthisoranyotherreasonableEs
soin,amanwouldessoinhimselffora,longerperiod,
theusualcourseoftheCourtshallbefollowedin
givingtime.
1AccordingtotheBodleianMS.itwouldstand,he(the
Tenant)cannotrecover,&c.
2"Thereis,"saystheRegiamMajestatem,"anotherkindof
"ExcuseorEssoinwhichisnecessary,thatis,whenanyoneis
"essoinedbecauseheisbeyondthewaterofForthorof
"Spey;and,ifthisEssoinisfoundlawful,fortydaysshallbe
"grantedtohimwhoisexcused."(VideReg.Maj.L.1.c.8.)
"TheinconveniencesresultingfromtheabuseoftheEssoininour
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"textwereremediedbyWest.1.cap.44,VideSirEdward
"Coke'sComment.2Inst.251.
20
CHAP.XXVI.
ThereareotherEssoinswhicheventuallymaybe
resortedto,inordertosavethefourdays,oroneof
them,bymeansofAvhichEssoinstheadverseparty
shouldbeawaitedinCourt:as,forExample,asudden
inundation,oranyotherunexpectedeventwhichcould
notbeforeseen.
CHAP.XXYII.
TheserviceoftheKingisalsoanotherreasonable
causeofEssoin,ândwhenthisEssoinisprovedin
Courtandallowed,theSuitshallstandoversinedie,un
tilitappearthatthepartyhasreturnedfromtheKing's
service.Hencethosewhoarecontinuallyinthe
King'sservice,ashisServants,^shallnotavailthem
1And,asthis'âsfoundeduponapoliticalobligation,itdid
notextendtoexcusetheDefendant,ifintheserviceofany
otherpex'son.(Bracton,336.b.)
2Servientes.Thistermwasreceivedinmanydifferentsenses.
Sometimesitmeant,personsholdingmilitaryrankSometimes,
VassalsorTenantsonlySometimes,Esquires.Itis,inthis
lattersense,thatLordLittletonandDr.Bradyseeminclinedto
thinkitvsâsmoregenerallyused(Litt.Hist.Hen.3.Vol.3.p.87.)
Mr.Selden,however,has,inhisTreatiseonTitlesofHonor,
proved,thatthereweresomeverymaterialdistinctionsbetween
theterms,andthattheywerefarfiombeingsynonymous.Dr.
Sullivan,whenhemeetswiththewordinaLawofthecon
queror,explainsitasmeaning"thelowersoldiers,notknighted,
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"whohadnotyetgotlands,butwerequarteredontheAbbies."
(LecturesonLawsofEngland,p.266.)SirJohnSkeneinter
prets,whatIpresumeisthesameTerm,asmeaningdomestic
servants.(Reg.Maj.L.1.c.8.)Thisis,Iapprehend,thetrue
21
selvesofthisEssoin;but,withrespecttotheirpersons,
theordinarycourseoftheCourt,andtheorderofthe
Law,shallbeobserved.Wemust,however,makea
distinction,withrespecttotheforegoingEssoin.The
partydesirousofavailinghimselfoftheEssoinper
servitiumMegis,willeitherhavebeensummonedby
hisadversarypreviouslytoenteringintosuchservice,
orhewillhaveenteredintosuchserviceinthefirst
instance,andhaveafterwardsbeensummoned.
IfhewereinthefirstinstanceintheKing'sservice,
andinthemeantimebesummonedtoanswerthesuit,
theEulewehaveabovelaiddownmustunquestion
ablyprevail.Ontheotherhand,ifapartybeim
pleadedinthefirstinstance,andheafterwardscast
theEssoinperservitium,Begis,itismaterialtoascer
tain,whetherheactbyamandateoftheKing,ora
generalorspecialprecept,andbefromnecessityin
suchservice,orotherwise.Ifhewerecalledbyapre
ceptoftheKingintohisservice,then,indeed,the
sameLawprevails,asintheformerinstance.Butif,
ontheotherhand,voluntarilyandwithoutanysuch
precept,hehasrecentlyenteredintotheKing'sservice,.
itmustbedistinguished,whetherhehasgonebeyond
seainthatservice,orremainswithintheEealm.If
meaningofthetext,notwithstandingthatServientes,whencon
nectedwiththetermsdominiRegis,sometimesmeantapartic
ulardescriptionofofficers,residingineveryCounty,andpos
sessedofanauthority,perhaps,notaltogetherunlikethatof
SheriffsorCoroners,afterwhom,theyareenumeratedbyBrao
ton.(L.3.Tr.2.c.32.)
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22
hehasgonebeyondSea,arespiteôffortydays,at
least,shallbeallowedhim,but,ifheshouldnotreturn
withinthatperiod,theaccustomedcourseoftheCourt,
andtheorderofLawshallbeobserved.Atwhatever
periodheappearsinCourt,andwhetherpersonally,or
byhisAttorney,hemustimmediatelyproducethe
King'sWrit,towarranthisprecedingEssoins.But
if,ontheotherhand,theDefendantbewithinthe
Kealm,andintheserviceoftheKing,inthatCaseit
mustberegulatedbythewillandpleasureofthe
King'sJustices,whetheralessoragreaterperiod^be
allowedhimtoappearandanswer,accordingasitmay
bestsuittheKing,andmaybeconsistentwiththe
courseofJustice.
CHAP.XXVIII.
Itmayalsohappen,thatapartyisessoinedin
Court,onaccountofsomeindispositionbywhichheis
confinedinthesameTownwheretheCourtissitting,
havingarrivedtheretoprosecutehisplea.Inthis
case,lettheCourtdirect,thatheappearonthemor
1Bespectus,promora,dilationsvelcontinuationetemporis.
Inthissense,thetermfrequentlyoccursinouroldlawbooks.
(VideReg.Maj.L.4.o.20.andSpelm.Gloss,advoc.)Thereis
intheRegisterawritrespectueomputivicecomitishabendo,for
therespitingaSheriff'saccounts..TherewasalsorespectusHo
niagii,delayingofHomage.(SeeCowelladvoc.)
2Terminum."IntheCivilLaw,"saysSpelman,"itsignifleth
"adaysettotheDefendant,andinthatsensedothBracton,
"Glanville,andsomeotherssometimesuseit."(ReliquiaeSpel
manniansep.71.)
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23
row;andthuslethimbeawaitedduringthreesucces
sivedaysandforthiscause,heshallhaveadelayof
threesuccessivedays.If,onthethirdday,hethenso
essoinhimself,thenfourKnightsshouldbedirected
bytheCourttoattendhimforthepurposeofascer
taining,whetherheisinsucliastateastobeableto
makehisappearanceinCourt,ornot;and,shouldthey
beofopinionthatheisable,then,theyshouldcom
mandhim,toattendinCourt,anddothatwhichhe
ought.But,iftheyshouldthinkhimunable,and
shouldtestifythistotheCourt,thenshallareasonable
time,adelayoffifteendaysattheleast,beallowed
him.
CHAP.XXIX.
ThereisalsoanotherEssoin,whichissometimes
presentedinCourtIalludetothat,deessein2êre
grinatione.Buthereadistinctionmustbemade,
whetherthepartywhowouldthusessoinhimselfwas
impleadedbeforeheundertookhisVoyage,ornot.
Because,intheformercase,thecourseoftheCourt
andtheorderofJusticeshallbeobserved.But,ifhe
wasnotsummonedpreviouslytohisbeginninghis
Travels,thenagainitmustbedistinguishedwhether
hewenttoJerusalem,ortoanotherplace.Iftothe
formerplace,thenaj'êarandaday,atleast,isgener
allyallowedhim;butwithrespecttootherTravels,
thetimeallowedmustberegulatedbytheWilland
pleasureoftheKing,orhisJustices,who,keepingin
24
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viewthelengthorshortnessoftheJourney,areto
tempertheEuleastheymaythinkproper.^
CHAP.XXX.
Inthe"WritdirectedtotheSheriff,forthepurpose
ofsummoningtheparty,thereisthefollowingclause
inserted,"andhavetherethesummonersandthis
"Writ."
"When,therefore,theDemandantoffershimselfin
Courtontheappointedday,thefirstinquiryis,
whethertheSheriffhastheSummoners,andtheWrit
therepresentornot;ifhehave,andtheSummonsbe
proved,theSuitmustbeproceededin,inthemannerwe
havementioned.But,iftheSheriffshouldneitherbe
presentonthatda.j,norappearwithinthefourthday,
towhichtimetheTenantmustbeawaited,thenlet
theSheriffbeagaincommandedbytheKing'sWrit,
tosummontheTenant,concerningtheprincipalcause,
byaWritofsecondSummons,andthathehimself
appeartoshewwhyheneglectedtomaketheSum
mons,asenjoinedhimbythefirstWrit.TheWritof
secondSummonscontainsthatwhichfirstissued,with
theadditionofthefollowingclause:"anclheyouyour
"selfthentherepresenttoshewwhereforeyoudidnot
1TheRegiamMajestatemlaysdownthedoctrineofEssoins,
nearlywordforwordwithGlanville:butaddsonespeciesof
Essoinnottakennoticeofbyourauthorthebeingabsentata
publicfair.(L.1.c.8.)
25
"summonhim,asitwascommandedyoulymyother
"Writ,andhavetherethisWrit,andthatotherWrit."
Atthedayappointed,theSheriffappearing,either
saysthatheexecutedtheKing'sprecept,orconfesses
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thathehasnotdoneit.
Shouldheacknowledgethelatter,thenheshallbe
amercedtotheKing.But,inthiscase,theDemand
antshalllosehisfirstday,andtheTenantmustbe
againsummoned.ButshouldtheSheriffallegethat
hehadinjoinedlawfulSummonerstoexecutethefirst
Summonsandthey,beingpresent,acknowledgethe
fact,thennotonlytheSheriff,buttheSummoners
shallbeamerced,îftheyhavenotexecutedsuchSum
monsasitwastheirdutytodo;andthusagainthe
firstdaywillbecomeuselesstotheDemandant.
ButifthosewhomtheSheriffnominatedasSum
moners,beingpresent,shouldassertthattheSheriff
didnotinjointhemtosummontheTenant,wemust
thendistinguish,whethertheSheriffdeliveredbisor
dertothemintheCountyCourt,ashealwaysought
todo,(inorderthat,ifthecomplaintbepresented
sometimebeforeaCountyCourt,thepartymaybe
attacheduntiltheCountyCourt,andthentheremay
beafullSummons,)orinanyothermanner.Ifthe
SheriffgavehisorderstothemintheCountyCourt,
andthisbeproperlyproved,theSummonersshallbe
amerced,becausetheycannotcontradictafact,which
1ItshouldratherseemthatinBracton'stimetheSummoners
onlywouldbeamerced.(Braoton,336.a.)
26
hasbeentransactedinaCountyCourt.^Butifthe
Sheriff,beingoutoftheCountyCourt,andlesspub
liclythanheought,injointhemtosummontheTen
ant,andtheydenythathedidsoinjointhem,the
Sheriffshallbeamercedfornothavingexecutedthe
King'sWritinthemannerthatheought.Forpublic
Actsofthisnature,suchas,theinjoiningSummoners
thetakingofPledgesfortheprosecutingofActions
andforAppearances,ôughttobepubliclytrans
acted,lestconcerningthesesteps,whicharemerely
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preparatorytoafinaldetermination,adifficultyshould
arise,initselftheoccasionofprocrastinatingthede
cision.Butif,onthefirstday,theSummonersshould
notappearandassertthattheyhadinalegalway
executedthefirstSummons,butshouldsendtheir
Essoinersonthefirstday,whoessointhem,andadd,
thattheyhadproperlyexecutedthefirstSummons,
thentheDemandantshallnotlosehisfirstday,and
theyshallbeamerced,becausetheyhavenotap
pearedatthefirstdaytoprovethattheyhadexecute(
theSummonsaswasinjoinedthem,unlesstheycan
excusetheirdefaultonthatday,bytheKing's"War
rant.Wemust,however,notforget,thateitherthe
oneortheotheroftheSummonersispermittedlegally
toexcusehimselfonthefirstday,andinthatcasethe
Demandantshallnotlosethedayinquestion.
1Because,saysBracton,theCountyCourthasforthispurpose
aRecord(Bracton,336.a.)TheforceofBracton'sremarkwill
Jbeseeninthesequel.
2Tarnincivilinegotio,quamcriminali.(Bracton,336.a.)
27
CHAP.XXXI.
"WehavespokenconcerningtheabsenceoftheTen
ant,whenheismerelysummoned,andnoPledgesare
given.But,ifthesuitbeofanaturetomakeit
requisite,thattheTenantshouldfindPledgesforhis
appearance,andtheJusticesortheCountyCourthave
recordedthem,(whichhappensinthecivilmatterof
abreachofaFinalConcordmadeintheKing'sCourt
beforetheKingorhisJustices,andinNovelDesseis
ins)then,iftheTenantneitherappearatthefirstdaj^,
noressoinhimself,thePledgesareadjudgedtobe
amercedtotheKing;andthePledgesshallbein
creasedastotheprincipalCause;andthus,shouldthe
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Tenantabsenthimself~!iallthethreedays,theSuit
mustbeproceededin;anîfatthethirdSummonshe
shouldnotappear,^lethisTenementbetakenintothe
King'sHands,andretainedinthemannerbeforeex
pressed^thePl^lgesbeingamerced,whoaretobe
summonedtobepresentinCourtonacertainday,to
heartheirJudgment.Should,however,thePleabe
ofacriminalnature,as,forexample,concerninga
breachoftheKing'sPeace,then,theproceedings
mustbeaccordingtothecourseoftheLaw,asinthe
abovecase,withthisonlydifference,thatastheparty
isaccused,îfhefailtoappearatthethirdSummons
1Thereisintheoriginalamarginalreferencetothe44th,for
the45th,chap,ofWest,the1st.
'^"Bectatus,"adrectumvocatus.(Spelm.Glossar.advoc.)
Jtectumnotunfrequentlymeantanaccusation.
28
hisbodyshallbetaken,andhisPledgesshallbe
amerced.^
CHAP.XXXII.
Havingdiscussedthosepointswhichmorefrequently
arise,inconsequenceoftheabsenceoftheTenant,it
remainstospeak,concerningtheDemandant'snotap
pearing.IftheDemandantindeedappearnotonthe
firstday,hemayavailhimselfofthesamereasonable
EssoinsastheTenant,andthatbythesamemeans.
If,however,heneitherappearnoressoinhimself
then,theCourtshouldaward,thattheTenant,if
present,eitherpersonally,orbyanother,asheought
tobe,shouldbeunconditionallydismissed.Yetthis
isnottoprecludetheDemandantfromrecovering,
undercertainrestrictions,thesameproperty,ifhe
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feelinclinedtoinstituteanothersuitconcerningit.
And,iftheDemandantbeagaininclinedtoimplead
thesameTenant,itmaybequestioned,whattheLaw
isinthatcase,andhowhisdefaultshouldbepunished?
Astothis,opinionsdiffer.Forsomesay,heshalllose
1Miscricordia,afinearbitrarilyimposeduponoffenders,and
socalled,saysSpelmau,qiiodlenissimaimponiturmisericordiaf
heavyfinesbeingcontradistinguishedbythesignificantterm,
redemptiones.(Gloss,advoc.seealsoCo.Litt.126.b.andMa
dox'sExcheq.c.14.)InourprogressthroughGlanville,\ve
meetwiththemiserioordiamisericordiadominimiserioordia
vicecomitis,andmisericordiadominiregisVideInfra.L.9.c.
11.etnot.
29
nothingbuthisCostândhisExpenses,andhisfirst
Writ,butnothiscauseofAction;butmerelybe
obligedagaintobeginhissuit.Otherssay,thatbe
shallforfeithisActionagainsttheTenanttotally,and
irrevocably,and,onaccountofthecontempthehas
beenguiltyoftowardstheCourt,thatheshalllikewise
beamercedtotheKing.Othersagainareofopinion,
thathemustbeamercedtotheKing,andthatitafter
wardsdependsupontheKing'spleasure,whetherhe
willbeadmittedagaintoinstitutethatAction,orre
instatedeitherunconditionally,orsubjecttocertain
restrictions.Thusfaritwillsufficetohavetreated,
wheretheActionisprosecutedwithoutanyPledges
beinggiven.But,iftheDemandantfindPledgesfor
prosecutinghisSuitandfailtoappear,eitherperson
allyorbyanother,onthedayappointed,thenthe
Tenantshallbeunconditionallydismissed.Andthe
Demandantshalllosehis"Writ,accordingtotheopin
ionofsome,andthewholeofhisCost;andhisPledges
shallbeamerced,asbeforestated.
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Butothersthink,thatheshallforfeithisAction,
1Custum.SirEdwardCoke,inhisCommentaryontheSta
tuteofGloucester,observes,that"beforethatStatuteattlie
"commonLaw,nomanrecoveredanycostsofsuit,eitherin
"Pleareal,personal,ormixt:"andagain,"thisStatutewas
"thefirstthatgavecosts,"(3Inst.S88.)Insupportofthispo
sition,hecitesthepresentchapterofourauthor.Itisextreme
lydifiiculttodiscover,howthischaptercorroboratesLordCoke's
position.Ourauthormerelyrecitestheoppositeandfloating
opinionsofothers,anddropsthesubject,withoutgivingany
thinglikeanopinionofhisown.LordCoke'sdoctrinemaybe
correct;but,assuredly,Glanvillecannotbecitedasoneofthe
authorities,onwhichthatdoctrineisbuilt.
30
andhisPledges,&c.Butthisistheconsequence
whenthesuitbelongstotheDemandantonly,asit
generallydoesincivilcases.When,however,the
Suitdoesnotbelongtohimonly,buttheKinghasan
interestinit,asinacriminalPlea,concerningabreach
oftheKing'speace,then,astheDemandantcannot
losethesuit,unlessastohimself,butisboundtopros
ecuteit,hisBodyshallafterwardsbeimprisonedand
keptsafely,untilhechusestoprosecutehisAppeal,^
and,inaddition,hisPledgesshallbeamerced.
CHAP.XXXIII.
"WhenithappensthattheDemandantandTenant
arebothabsent,thentheKingorhisJusticesmayat
theirpleasure,ifsodisposed,punishbothparties,the
oneforhiscontemptofCourt,andtheotherforhis
falseclaim.
ÛponthewordAppeal,asdesignatingacriminalproceeding,
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itwillsufficetoreferthosereadersnotconnectedwiththepro
fessionto4Black.Comm,p.313.etseq.
mj|.
OFTHEPROCEEDINGSUSUALLYEESORTEDTOABOUT,
ORIMMEDIATELYAFTERTHECOMMENCEMENTOF
THESUIT;ANDOFTHEDERAIGNINGOFTHETENE
MENTBYTHEDUEL,ORGRANDASSISE;ANDOF
THECHAMPIONS;ANDOFTHOSETHINGSWHICH
APPERTAINTOTHEDUELORGRANDASSISE.
CHAP.I.
When,atlast,boththelitigatingPartiesarepres
entinCourt,andtheDemandanthasproceededto
claimtheTenementinquestion,theTenantmaypray
aViewoftheLand.
But,withrespecttothetimewhichshouldbe
allowedhimforthispurpose,adistinctionistobe
made,whethertheTenanthasmorelandintheVill,
wheretheLandinquestionissituated,ornot.Inthe
lattercase,nodelayshallbeconcededhim:but,ifhe
hasmoreLandintheYill,furthertimeshallbeallowed
him,andanotherdaygivenhimtoappearinCourt.^
1"AftertheverificationofhisEssoins,"saystheRegiamMa
jestatem,"heshallhavefifteendaysforvisingandseeingof
"theGroundorLand,")(Reg.Maj.L.1.c.9.)
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IfhethendepartfromCourt,hemayagainavail
himselfofthreereasonableEssoins,andtheSheriffof
theCounty,wheretheLandsinquestionaresituated,
shallbedirectedtosendfreemenofhisCountyto
viewtheLand,bythefollowingWrit:
CHAP.IL
"TheKing,totheSheriff,Health.Icommand
"youthat,withoutdelay,yousendfreeandlawful
"menoftheneighbourhoodôfsuchaVill,toview
"oneHydeofLandinsuchaYill,whichII.claims
"againstR.andofwhichthereisasuitbetweenthem
"inmyCourt;andhavefourofthembeforeme,or
"myJustices,suchaday,totestifyoftheirview,and
*'whatdaytheyputtohim.Witness,&c."
CHAP.III.
AfterthethreereasonableEssoinswhichaccom
panytheviewoftheLand,^bothpartiesbeingagain
1Visineto"Itshouldbevicineto.Vicinetumisderivedof
"thiswordvicinus,andsignifiethneighbourhood,oraplace
"nearathand,oraneighbourplace.Andthereason,where
"fore,theJurymustbeoftheneighbourhoodisforthatvici
"7111Sfactavicinipresumiturscire,"(Co.Litt.158.b.)
2"AfterthreelawfulEssoins,"saystheReg.Majestatem,
"whenthepartiesarepassedfromtheCourttothesightofthe
"Land,thePursuershallbewarethathegivedistinctlythe
"sightofthesame,conformablytothemetescontainedinthe
"King'swrit.Forifhegivesthesightthereofotherwisethan
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presentinCourt,theDemandantshouldsetforthhis
demandândclaiminthismanner:"Idemandagainst
"thisII.halfaKnight'sFeeortwoploughlands,in
"suchaYill,asmyEightandInheritance,ofwhich
"myFather,ormyGrandFather,wasseisedinhis
"DemesneasofFeeinthetimeofKingHenrythe
"First,orafterthefirstCoronationofourLordthe
"King,andfromwhencehetooktheprofitstothe
"Valueoffiveshillingsatleast,asinCorn,^H3,y,and
"otherproduce;andthisIamreadytoprovebymy
^'FreemanI.and,ifanyaccidenthappentohim,by
"suchaone,orbyathird"(andtheDemandantmay
thusname,asmanyashechuses,butoneofthemonly
"iscontainedintheKing'swritofEight,thewritmaybecan
"celledasnull,andofnoavailintheLaw."(Eeg.Maj.L.1.
.9.)
1Itwillnotsuffice,saysBracton,simplytosay,"Idemand
"suchLand,asmyright,"unlesstheDemandantmakeouthis
light,andshewhow,andbywhatmeans,ithasdescendedto
him.Neitherwillitsufficetoallege,thattheAncestorwas
seisedinhisDemesneasofhisfreeTenementonly,orinhisDe
mesneasofFeeonly,including,asitdoes,thefreeholdand
wholepossessoryright,unlessitbeadded,thathewassoseised
Tjyright,whichcomprisestherightofPropriety.Nor,again,
willthesetworightsofpossessionandofpropriety,orthedreit
dreit,suffice,unlesstheAncestorheldtheLandinquestionin
hisDemesne;forifhehelditinservice,itwillnotanswerthe
purpose.Neitherwillitsuffice,thattheAncestorwasseisedas
ofFee,andinright,andinhisDemesne,unlessitbesubjoined
thathetooktheEsplees;becauseamomentaryseisinisnotsuf
ficient,withoutatakingoftheEsplees,tofoundaSuittouching
therightofPropriety.Thoughalltheserequisitesconcur,it
wasstillnecessarytoaddthetimeoftheking.(Bracton,372.b.
373.a.)
2Bladissignifleth,saysLordCoke,cornorgrainwhilstit
groweth.(2Inst.81.)
3
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shallwagetheDuel,^)"whosawthisorheard
it:"ôrtheDemandantmayuseotherwordsthus
"andthisIamreadytoprovebymyFreeman/.to
"whomhisFather,whenonhisdeathbed,injoined
"bytheFaithwhichaSonowestohisFather,thatif
"heeverheardaclaimconcerningthatLand,he
"shouldprovethisasthatwhichhisFathersawand
heard."^
1Thejudicialcombatappearstohavebeenthemostancient
modeofterminatingcontroversiesknowntothenorthernna
tionsintheiroriginalsettlements.ForVelleiusPaterculus,(L.
2.c.118)apprisesus,thatallthosequestions,whichwerede
cidedamongtheRomansbylegaltrial,wereterminatedamong
theGermansbyarms.Itwasintroducedintomost,ifnotall,
ofthoseEuropeannations,whomtheGothictribessubdued.In
unisonwiththeirpassionforarms,itwasconsecratedbytheir
superstition.CountenancedbytheirPrinces,andsanctioned
notunfrequentlybytheClergy,itlongkeptitsground.(Mon
tesq.SpiritofLaws.)Oneoftheearliestrestrictionsofthe
practice,whichissaidtooccurinhistory,wasthatimposedby
ourHenrytheFirst,butthismerelyprohibitedtheTrial
bycombat,inquestionsconcerningpropertyofsmallvalue.
(BrusselusagedesFiefs,vol.ii.p.963.)LouistheSeventh,of
France,followedthisexample,andpromulgatedasimilarlaw.
ThiswasimitatedbySt.Louis;buthisregulationsextended
onlytohisowndemesnes,(Hist,duFranceparlePereDaniel
tom.5.259.)Itwasreservedforthesteadyandmasterlyhand
ofourHenrytheSecond,togivethedeathblowtotheTrialby
combat,bytheintroductionoftheGrandAssisearemedy
which,ifmymemorydoesnotgrosslydeceiveme,issaidbyRoger
Hoveden,tohavebeeninventedbyGlanville.
^Thechampionwasrelievedfromthenecessityoftakingan
oath,thathehadseenorheardthefact,andthathisancestorde
siredhimtoderaignit,bythe41.c.West.1.Untilthisaltera
tionoftheLawtookplace"itseldomhappened,"saystheact,
"butthatthechampionoftheDefendant(itshouldbeDe
"mandant,atranslationtheoriginalFrenchrequires)isfor
"sworn."(3Inst.246.)
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*Itisthus,accordingtoSkene'stranslationoftheRegiara
35
ThedemandandclaimoftheDemandantbeingthus
made,itshallbeattheelectionoftheTenant,either
todefendhimselfagainsttheDemandantbytheDuel,^
ortoputhimselfupontheKing'sGrandAssise,and
Majestatem"IsickanemansayesandproponisagainstN.
thatmyFather,myguidshir,ormyBrother,orSister,orsome
'otherofmyParentageorkindred,wasinthepossessionofsic
'aneLandbythespaceofcertainzieresanddayes;quhilklyes
'insicaneTowne,becertainmethsandmarches,betwixtthe
'Landsperteiningtosicaneman:quhilkLandIolametoper
'teinetomeheritablie,haldenofourSoveraineLordtheKing,
'orofsicaneotherLord.Payandtohimzierlietherefore
'sameikillandtootherssameikill.Quhilklands,withtheperti
'nents,perteinstomeheritablie,bediscent,orsuccession,be
'thedeathofsicaneotherofmybludeandconsanguinitie,as
'ni}'awinproperright.ThequhilksLands,withtheperti
'nents,thesaidN.beforceandunjusliehaldsframe.against
'theLawoftheLand;tomygreatshameandskeatlioften
'poundsmoney,mairorlesse.ThequhilkgifthesaidN.
'denyes.IaskeanassiseoftheindwellersofsicaneTowneor
'place;andreferresmyclaimtoGod,andanegudeassiseof
'neighbours.Provydingthat,nasuspectpersonspasseuponthe
'saidassise.And,mairover,thatitsailbelesometometo
'say,mairgifneedbeis."(L.1.c.10.)
1"TheTrialbyChampioninaWritofRighthathbeenan
'cientlyallowedbythecommonLaw,andtheTenantina
'WritofEighthathelection,eithertoputhimselfuponthe
'GrandAssise,orupontheTrialbycombat,byhisChampion
'withtheChampionoftheDemandant;whichwasinstituted
'uponthisreason,thatinrespecttheTenanthadlosthis
'Evidences,orthatthesamewereburntorimbezeled,orthat
'hiswitnessesweredead,theLawpermittedhimtotryitby
'combatbetweenhisChampionandtheChampionoftheDe
'mandant,hopingthatGodwouldgivevictorytohimthat
'righthad;and,ofwhosepartythevictoryfellout,forhim
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'wasjudgmentfinallygiven,forseldomdeathensuedhereupon
'(fortheirweaponswerebutbatounes)victoryonlysufficed."
SirEdwardCokethengivestheformofthechampionsoath;
andadds."thechampionsarenotboundtofightbutuntilthe
'starsappear;andiftheTenantcandefendhimselfuntilthe
"starsappear,theTenantshallprevail."(3Inst.246.)
36
requireaRecognitiontoascertain,whichofthetwo
havethegreaterEighttotheLandindispute.
Ifheelecttheformermodeofproceeding,hemust
denytherightoftheDemandant,wordforwordas
theDemandanthassetitforth,andthis,eitherinper
son,orbysomeotherfitman.Buthereweshould
observe,thataftertheTenanthasoncewagedthe
Duelhemustabidebyhischoice,andcannotafter
wardsputhimselfupontheAssise.Înthisstageof
thesuit,theTenantmayagainavailhimselfofthree
reasonableEssoinsinsuccession,withrespecttohis
ownpersonandofthesamenumberwithregardtothe
personofhisChampion.ÂlltheEssoinswhichcan
withproprietyberesortedtohavingexpired,itis
requisite,beforetheDuelcantakeplace,thattheDe
mandantshouldappearinCourt,accompaniedbyhis
Championarmedforthecontest.Norwillitsuffice,
ifhethenproduceanyotherChampionthanoneof
1Assisaisderived,byCowell,fromtheFrenchasseoir,tosit.
Thetermhasavarietyofsignifications.Weshallbrieflymen
tionsomeofthechief.1.ItsignifiethaWrit,thusassisaof
noveldisseisinofJurisUtrum,&o.3.ItsignifiedaJury.3.
Itmeantastatuteorlaw,thusassisapanisetcervisiceassisa
deClarendon,&o.4.Itisusedforthecourt,place,ortime,
wherewritsofassiseweretaken.5.Itmeantacertainnum.
ber.6.Itimportedatax,ortribute.7.Itwasusedforafine.
(VideSpelm.Gloss.Anglo.Sax.LL.Ed.Wilkins,p.328.)
2Campionis."Campiodicituracampo,becausethecombat
"wasstruckenonthefield,and,thereforeiscalledcampfight,
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"andhemustbeliberhomo."(3Inst.346.)Inthisderivation
Spelmanconcurs.Thereadermayconsultthelatterifdesirous
ofseeingwhatheterms/ormttZacampiseuduelli.(Gloss.)
Alsothemirror,c.3.s.34.35.Bracton,theAssisesofJeru
salem,GrandCustumaryofNormandy,&c.
37
those,uponwhomheputtheproofofhisclaim:
neither,indeed,cananyothercontendforhim,after
theDuelhasbeenoncewaged.
ButifhewhohaswagedtheDuelshould,inthein
tervalpendingtheSuit,happentodie,adistinctionis
tobemade.Ifhediedanaturaldeath,andthisis
declaredbytheVicinage,(asitoughtalwaystobe,if
thereexistanydoubtconcerningthefact,)theDemand
antmayinthefirstplacerecurtooneofthoseupon
whomheplacedhisproof,ortoanotherproperperson,
evenifhehavenotnamedanyother,providedthat
suchotherbeanunobjectionableWitnessandthus
thePleamaybeginagain.If,however,hisdeathwas
occasionedbyhisownfault,hisPrincipalshalllose
thecause.Itmaybeasked,whethertheChampion
oftheDemandantcansubstituteanotherinCourt,to
makethatproofwhichhetookuponhimself?Ac
cording,indeed,totheLaw,andancientcustomofthe
Kealm,^hecannotappointanyother,unlessitbehis
legitimateSon;ândhereitmaybeobserved,thatthe
ChampionoftheDemandantshouldbesuchaperson
asisaproperWitnessofthefact.!N"orisitlawfulfor
theDemandanttoprosecutehisappealinhisownper
son,becauseitisnotpermittedunlessbytheinterven
tionofaproperWitness,whohasbothheardandseen
thefact.
1VideGul.1.InstitutaSaxonioeintextuRoffensi,item
SomneriGloss,adLL.Hen.invoceBellum.(Al.MS
2VideMirror,c.4.s.11.
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ButtheTenantmaydefendhimself,eitherinhiso^vn
properperson,ifhechusesotodo,orbyanyother
unobjectionable"Witness,ifhepreferthatcourse.But,
ifhehasproducedaChampion,andsuchChampion
shoulddieintheinterval,itmaybeasked,whatthe
Lawis,whethertheTenantmaydefendhimselfby
anotherChampion,orwhetherheoughttolosehis
suit,orhisseisinonly?Wemustherehaverecourse
toour.formerdistinction.Itshouldalsoberemarked,
thattheChampionoftheTenantcannotsubstitute
anotherinCourtforthepurposeofundertakingthe
defence,unlessitbehisownlawful^Son.
But,itfrequentlyhappens,thatahiredChampion
isproducedincourt,who,onaccountofareward,has
undertakentheproof.Iftheadversepartyshould
excepttothepersonofsuchaChampion,alleginghim
tobeanimproperwitness,becausehehadaccepteda
rewardtoundertaketheproof,andshouldadd,that
hewaspreparedtoprovethisaccusationagainstthe
Champion,(ifthelatterchosetodenyit)eitherby
himselforbyanother,whowaspresentwhenthe
Championhadtakenthereward,thepartyshallbe
hearduponthischarge,andtheprincipalDuelshall
1TheCottonian,Bodleian,andDr.Milles'sMS.concurin
omittinglawful,yet,tliatthetruereadingisasitstandsinthe
HarleianMS.andintheText,ismorethanprobable,sincethe
sonoftheDemandant'schampionwastobelegitimate,andthere
canbenoreason.suggested,whytliesameruleshouldnotprevail,
withrespecttotheTenant'schampion.TheRuleitselfmost
probablyresultedfromthewarlikespiritoftheage,andthede
siretokeepupthedignityofaspeciesoftrial,inwhichnoblemen
frequentlypersonallyengaged.
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bedeferred.If,uponthischarge,theChampionof
theDemandantshouldbeconvictedandconqueredin
theDuel,then,hisPrincipalshalllosethesuit,and
theChampionhimself,asconquered,shalllosehislaw,
namely,heshallfromthenceforthneverbeadmitted
inCourt,asa"Witness,forthepurposeofmaking
proofbyDuel,foranyotherperson;^but,withresj>ect
tohimself,hemaybeadmitted,eitherindefendinghis
ownbody,orinprosecutinganyatrociouspersonal
injury,asbeingaviolationoftheKing'sPeace.He
mayalsodefendbyDuelhisrighttohisownFeeand
Inheritance.
TheDuelbeingfinished,afineofsixtyshillings'^
shallbeimposeduponthepartyconquered,inthe
nameofEecreantise,'ândbesideswhichheshalllose
1FromtheNormanCodewelearn,thattheconqueredCliam
pionwasincompetentasawitness,asachampion,asajuror,
&o.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm,sparsim)whichindeedcoin
cideswiththetextofGlanville,inpointofsubstance.
2Quibellumvadiaveritetperjudiciumdefecerit,QOSol.emendet
(LL.Hen.1,c.59Ed.Wilkins.)TheMirrorsays40s.andthe
CottonianMS.ofGlanville9s.whilstthesumfixedbytheNor
mancodewas40s.andonepenny.(VideMirror,c.3.s.23.Grand
CustumaryofNormandyc.137.)
8Recreantisce."Nowtheancientlawwas,thattlievictory
"shouldbeproclaimed,thathethatwasvanquishedshouldac
"knowledgehisfaultintheaudienceofthepeople,orpronounce
'thehorriblewordofcrawenf,inthenameofrecreantise&c.and
"presentlyjudgmentwastobegiven,andtherecreantshould
"amitterelegem&o."(3Inst.247)"Andthevanquishedisto
"acknowledgehisoffence,inthehearingofthepeople,orspeak
"thehorriblewordofcravent,inthenameofcowardice,orhis
"leftfoottobedisarmedanduncovered,insignofCowardice."
(Mirror,163Ed.1768."Ifhebecomerecreo7ii,thatisacry
"ingcoward,orcraven,heshallforhisperjuryloseliberam.
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hisLaw;and,iftheChampionoftheTenantshould
beconquered,hisPrincipalshalllosetheLandinques
tion,withallthefruitsandproducefounduponitat
thetimeofSeisinoftheFee,andneveragainshallbe
heardinCourtconcerningthesameLand.^Forthose
matters,whichhavebeenoncedeterminedintheKing's
CourtbyDuel,remainforeverafterunalterable.
Uponthedeterminationofthesuit,lettheSheriffbe
commandedbythefollowingWrit,togivepossession
oftheLandtothesuccessfulparty.
CHAP.lY.
"that,withoutdelay,yougivepossessiontoM.ofone
"HydeofLand,insuchaVill,concerningwhichthere
"wasasuitbetweenhimandH.inmyCourt;because
"suchHydeofLandisadjudgedtohiminmyCourt,
"bytheDuel.Witness,&c."
"legem.CravenisderivedfromtheGreekwordKpavi/v,avodfe
"rations:othersnearerhomeofcryingandcravingforgiveness.
"AndrecreantisaisdevisedoftheFrenchrecreance,orgiving
"backorcowardice;andsometimesitiscalledcreantia,per
"antiphrasen,becausehethatusethitisnotfaithfulbut
"breakethhisoath."(3Inst.321.)
1DominusautemproquoDuellumsiibieratamittetpenitus
qtiicquidperilludintendebatobtinere.Neealiquidulteriusipse
velHeredessuiinquereldeontentionisdeceteropoteruntreda
mare.(LeGrandCustoum.deNormand.c.137.)
41
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CHAP.V.
Thisisthecourseofproceeding,whentheDemand
anthasbeensuccessfulintheDuel.Butifhehas
beenconquered,inthepersonofhisChampion,then
theTenantshallbefreedfromhisclaim,withoutany
possibilityofbeingagaindisturbedbyhim.Thusfar
concerningtheDuel,iwheretheTenantshouldchuse
orelectthatmodeofdefendinghimself,againsthisi
Adversary.
CHAP.VI.
But,iftheTenantshouldpreferputtinghimself
upontheKing'sGrandAssise,theDemandantmust
eitheradoptthesamecourse,ordeclineit.Ifthe
DemandanthasonceconcededinCourtthathewould
puthimselfupontheAssise,andhassoexpressedhim
selfbeforetheJusticesoftheCommonPleas,^hecan
1IntakingleaveofthetrialbyDuel,theReaderwillrecalto
mindJudgeBlackstone'sobservationthat,thoughthisspecies
ofTrialismuchdisused,itisstillinforce,ifthepartieschus^
toabidebyit.(3Comm.336.)
2CoramJusticiisinBancosedentibusisthemuchcontroverted
passageoftheText.Mr.Beevesconceivesittomean,before
theJusticesinopencourt,observing,thatthisphrasehasbeen
quotedbysomepersonstoshev7,thatinthetimeofGlanville,
therewereJusticesdebanco,inthemodernsenseofthosevrords,
aconstruction,heproceedstoremark,virhichthispassagewill
certainlynotwarrant.(Hist.Eng.Law,1.125.innote.)On
thesamesidewithMr.ReeveswefindMr.Madox,whois,un
doubtedly,averyrespectableauthority,didhenotindicate
rathertoostronganinclinationtointei'pretthepassage,ia
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notafterwardsretract,butoughteithertostandor
fallbytheAssise.
IfheobjecttoputhimselfupontheGrandAssise,
heoughtinsuchcasetoshewsomecause,whythe
Assiseshouldnotproceedbetweenthemsuchas,that
theywereofthesameblood,andsprungfromthe
samekindredstockfromwhencetheInheritanceitself
descended;andiftheDemandanttakethisobjection,
theTenantwilleitheradmititsvalidity,ordenyit.
IfheadmititinCourt,theAssiseitselfshallthereby
cease,sothatthemattershallbeverballypleadedand
determinedinCourt;becauseitisthenaquestionin
Law,whichofthepartiesisthenearertotheoriginal
stock,andassuch,theHeirmostjustlyentitledtothe
favorofhisownhypothesis.(Madox'sExcheq.c.19.)Lord
Halefollowsonthesameside."Neither,"sayshe,"doIfind
anydistinctmentionofthecourtofcommon"Pleasinthetime
ofthisking,"speakingofHenrythesecond.(Hist.Com.Law,
p.142.)This,itmustbeconfessed,isbutnegativeauthority;
forthoughitmaypossiblybecontended,thathisLordship
viewedthedoctrineoftheTextinthesamelightasMr.Madox
andJlr.Reevesviewit,yet,itismoreprobable,thathehad
forgottenit,orheotherwisewouldhavenoticed,ifmerelyto
refute,it.Asastrongsupporterofacontrarydoctrine,wefind
LordCoke.(3.Inst.33.Seealsopref.to8Rep.andCo.Litt.
71.b.andMr.Hargrave'snote.)ThereasonsadducedbyMr.
Reevesandthosewhoconcurwithhim,appearbynomeans
conclusive;andIthinkitwouldbefarfromdifiSculttogivea
completeanswertothem,fromconsideringthestyleandmanner
ofexpressionpeculiartoourauthor.Butasthisispurelya
speculativepoint,atleastinthepresentday,Iamnotanxious
tobalanceitinpulverescholastico,asMr.Madoxprofessestodo
it,butfollowthehighauthorityofLordCoke,withoutpretend
ingtoassert,thatevenhisopinionmaynotherebeliableto
question,soverydoubtfulisanyconclusionwhichwemay
cometouponthesubject!!
43
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inheritance;and,inthismanner,thenearerHeirshall
provehistitle,unlesshisadversarycanallegeinCourt
anyreason,whysuchHeirhaslosthisright,eitherfor
atimeorperpetually,orthatanyAncestorofhishad
sodone;as,forExample,thathehasgivenorsoldor
exchangedtheLandinquestion,or,byanyothermode
whichtheLawpermits,has,alienatedit;orifthe
Heir,oranyofhisAncestors,havecommittedFelony,^
andforfeitedtheirrightsentirely,concerningwhich
weshalltreatmorefullyhereafter.Shouldthesuit
onanyofthesegroundsbedelayed,themattermay
incidentally,throughtheEffectofPleadinghaving
suchatendency,beregularlybroughttotheDuel.
Butifhe,whohasputhimselfupontheAssise,deny
allKelationshipbetweenhimandtheDemandant,or,
atleast,insist,thattheywerenotsprungfromthe
samestock,fronawhichtheInheritancedescended,
then,recoursemustbehadtothe^commonKindred
ofbothparties,whoforthispurposearetobecalled
intoCourt,inorderthattheRelationshipofthe
partiestothesuitmaybeinvestigatedontheirtesti
mony.IftheRelationsunanimouslyaffirm,thatthe
1VideBiacton,130.s.19,20.Fleta43.s.4.andBrittono.5.
s.7.andInfra,L.7.c.17.&c.
2ButtheCottonianandDr.Milles'sMS.concurinstatingit
tobe,totheVicinage.ThattheprintedtextofGlanvilleiscor
rect,seemsunquestionable,ashementionsareferencetothe
Vicinage,afterthattothekindredhadfailed.Allthisisclear:
butaccordingtotheMS.alludedto,areferencemustbemade
totlieVicinage,aftertheVicinage,whichisassuredlyabsurd.
Tothismaybeadded,thattheprintedtextcorrespondswith
anotherpartofGlanville,whereanobject,notaltogetherdis
similar,isinview.VideL.5.c.4.
44
litigatingpartieshavedescendedfromthesamestock,
fromwhencetheInheritancemoved,theirassertion
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isconclusive,unlessoneofthepartiesstronglypersist
inassertingthecontrary;and,insuchcase,recourse
shallbehadtotheVicinage,whosetestimonyupon
thissubject,ifitcoincidewiththatoftheHelations,
mustbeunreservedlyacquiescedin.Thesamecourse
mustbepursued,iftheRelationsdifferintheirTesti
mony;forthenthepartiesmustabidebytheVerdict
oftheVicinage.TheInquisitionhavingbeenmade,
ifthePartiesbeunquestionablyfoundandprovedto
havesprungfromthesamestock,fromwhichthe
Inheritancedescended,theAssiseshallcease,andthe
suitmustverballyproceed,asIhavebeforementioned.
But,ifthecontraryshouldappeartotheCourtand
theKing'sJustices,then,theDemandantwhotook
theobjection,thatbothpartiesweresprungfromthe
samestock,inordermaliciouslytopreventtheAssise,
shalllosehissuit.Ifnothingintervenetoimpedethe
progressoftheAssise,thenthequestionshallbeas
finallyterminatedbythatmodeofdecisionasbythe
Duel.
CHAP.VII.
TheGrand1Assiseisacertainroyalbenefitbe
1Mr.Reevesthinksthetermmagnainthepresentpassagean
interpolation,becausetheCottonian,Bodleian,andHarleian
MS.omittheword.ItiswithreluctanceIdifferfromawriter,,
towhomtheprofessionisundersuchveryconsiderableobliga
tionsbutIsubmit,1st,Thatthewordmagnahadoccurredin
theprecedingchapter,andalltheseMS.hadconcurredinad
45
stoweduponthepeople,andemanatingfromtheclem
encyoftheprince,withtheadviceofhisnobles.So
eflfectuallydoesthisproceedingpreservethelivesand
civilconditionofMen,^thateveryonemaynowpos
sesshisrightinsafety,atthesametimethatheavoids
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thedoubtfuleventoftheDuel.Noristhisall:the
severepunishmentofanunexpectedandpremature
Deathisevaded,or,atleasttheopprobriumofalast
inginfamy,ofthatdreadfulandignominiousword^
mittingit.2ndly,Thattheconnectionofthesubjectshewsthe
Assisespokenofinthetwoplaces,tobeoneandthesamepro
ceeding.3rdly,Thatinnumberlessotherpassagesourauthor
characterisesthisAssisebythetermmagna,andmost,ifnotall,
oftheMS.admititinsuchpassages.4thly,ThattheRegiam
Majestatem,theMirror,theDiversityofCourts,Braoton,Fleta,
LordCoke,JudgeBlackstone,Cowell,Spelman,Madox,and
manyothers,alwaysspeakofthisproceedingundertheterm
GrandAssise;andlastly,thatasthewordassisahadavariety
ofmeanings,itseemsnolessconsistentwithclearnessofexpres
sion,thancompatiblewiththedignityofaproceeding,intended
initsobjecttoeffectsoremarkablearevolutioninourjudicial
polity,astheabolishingoftheDuel,toattachsomehonorable
termofdistinctiontoit.
Statusintegritatitarnsalubriter.OurAuthoralludestothe
consequencesthatbefeltheconqueredchampion:helosthis
life,orhislaw&c.But,inlosinghislaw,hisconditionorstate
insociety,asacivilcharacter,wasaffected,beingnolonger
capableofwagingtheDuelforanother&c.TheAssise,says
he,issoregardfulofthelivesofmenoftheircondition,as
civilBeings,thatitexposesneithertheonenortheothertoany
danger.
Thewholechapterissufficientlycrabbedandquaint;indeed,
themostdifficultpartsofthewholeworkarethoseinwhichthe
authorhasaimedatbeingelegant.
ThisobservationapplieswithparticularforcetoourAuthor's
Preface.
2SeeNotepage40.
46
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thatsodisgracefullyresoundsfromthemouthofthe
conqueredChampion.
ThislegalInstitutionflowsfromthemostprofound
Equity.ForthatJustice,which,aftermanyandlong
delays,isscarcely,ifever,elicitedbytheDuel,ismore
advantageouslyandexpeditiouslyattained,through
thebenefitofthisInstitution.ThisAssise,indeed,
allowsnotsomanyEssoinsastheDuel,aswillbeseen
inthesequel.Andbythiscourseofproceeding,both
thelaborofMen,andtheexpencesofthepoorare
saved.Besides,bysomuchasthetestimonyofmany
crediblewitnesses,injudicialproceedings,preponder
atesoverthatofoneonly,bysomuchgreaterEquity
isthisInstitutionregulatedthanthatoftheDuel.
ForsincetheDuelproceedsuponthetestimonyofon&
Juror,thisconstitutionrequirestheoathsoftwelve
lawfulmen,atleast.Thesearetheproceedingswhich
leadtotheAssise.Thepartywhoputshimselfupon
theAssiseshould,fromthefirst,andinordertopre
venthisAdversaryfromsubsequentlyimpleadinghim,,
sueoutaWritforkeepingthepeace,thesuitbeing
alreadypendingbetweenthepartiesconcerningthe
Tenement,andtheTenanthavingputhimselfuponthe
Assise.
CHAP.YIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.ProhibitJST.
"thatheholdnotinhisCourtthePleawhichisbe
"tweenM.andH.ofoneHydeofLand,insucha
47
"Yill,whichthesaidli.claimsagainsttheaforesaid'
"M.bymyWrit,unlesstheDuelbewaged;because
"Jf.theTenanthathputhimselfuponmyAssise,
"andpraysaKecognitiontobemade,whichof
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"themhavethegreaterrighttothatLand.Wit
"ness&c."Ifthesuitbeconcerningaservice,on
accountofwhichtheTenanthasputhimselfonthe
Assise,asheisatlibertytodoifhechuse,then,the^
Writwillbeasfollows.
CHAP.IX.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.ProhibitJST.
"thatheholdsnotinhisCourtthePleawhichisbe
"tweenM.andM.oftheserviceofeightshillings,and
"ofoneQuartôfHoney,andtwostikes*ofEels
"whichtheaforesaidM.exactsoftheaforesaidS.for
"theYearlyserviceofhisfreeTenementthatheholds
"ofhim,insuchaVill,forwhichTenementthesaid
"R.acknowledgesthatheoweshimeightshillingsa
"yearforeveryservice,unlesstheDuelbewagedbe
"tweenthem,becauseR.fromwhomtheserviceis
"required,putshimselfonmyAssise,andpraysaEec
"ognition,whetherheoweseightShillingsajêarfor
"everyservice,andbesidesoneQuartofHoney,and
"twostikesofEels.Witness&c."
'^Seodarii.VideSpelm.Gloss,advocem.
2Stikis.Astikeseemstobe25,sicdictaquodtrajectovimine,.
(quodsticdioimus)connectebantur.(Spelm.Gloss,advoc
stica.)
48
CHAP.X.
Bymeansofsuch"Writs,theTenantmayprotect
himself,andmayputhimselfupontheAssise,untilhis
Adversary,appearinginCourt,prayanother"Writ,in
orderthatfourlawfulKnightsoftheCounty,andof
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theVicinage,mightelecttwelvelawfulKnightsfrom
thesameVicinage,whoshouldsay,upontheiroaths,
whichofthelitigatingparties,havethegreaterright
totheLandinquestion.The"Writforthesummoning
ofthefourKnightsisasfollows
CHAP.XI.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^Summon,by
"goodsummoners,fourlawfulKnightsoftheVicinage
"ofStoke,thattheybeatthePentecostbeforeme,or
'"myJustices,at"Westminster,toelectontheiroaths,
'"twelvelawfulKnightsofthatVicinage,whobetter
"knowthetruth,toreturn,ontheiroaths,whether
"M.orR.havethegreaterrightinoneHydeofLand
"inStoke,whichM.claimsagainstR.bymy"Writ,
"andofwhichR.theTenant,hathputhimselfupon
"myAssiseandpraysaEecognitiontobemade,which
"ofthemhavethegreaterrightinthatLand;and,
"causetheirnamestobeimbreviated.Andsummon,
"bygoodSummoners,R.whoholdstheLand,that
1VideF.N.B.9.
49
"hebethentheretoheartheelection,andhavethere
"theSummoners,&c."
CHAP.XII.
AtsuchdaytheTenantmayessoinhimself,and
againhaverecoursetothreereasonableEssoins.
Andthis,indeed,appearsbutright;since,aswe
haveexplainedinaformerpartofthisTreatise,as
oftenasanyoneappearsinCourt,andthereperforms
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thatwhichtheLawrequiresofhim,hemayagainre
curtohisEssoins.
But,then,itwouldhappen,or,atleastitmightso,
thatasmany,ifnotagreaternumber,ofEssoins,may
interveneintheremedyoftheGrandAssise,asofthe
Duel,whichisbynomeanscompatiblewithwhatwe
havealreadylaiddown.Letus,then,suppose,that
theTenanthascastthreesuccessiveEssoinsagainst
theelectionofthetwelve,bythefourKnights.After
thesethreeEssoins,andupontheTenantappearingin
Court,oneormoreofthefourKnightsmayonthe
samedaycastanEssoin;and,ifthisbeconceded,the
Tenantmightagain,aftertheEssoinsofthefour
Knightswereexpired,essoinhimselfafresh,andthus
theAssisecouldscarcely,ifever,bebroughttoacon
clusion.Weshould,therefore,observe,thatacertain
justConstitution^hasbeenpassed,underwhichthe
1AConstitution,anInstitution,anAssise,werepromiscuously
employedtodesignateaStatuteorLaw,
4
50
Courtisauthorisedtoexpeditethesuit,uponthefour
KnightsappearinginCourtonthedayappointed
them,andbeingpreparedtoproceedtotheelectionof
thetwelveKnights.Uponthisoccasion,whetherthe
Tenantappearorabsenthimself,thefourKnights
shallproceedupontheiroathstoelectthetwelve.
But,iftheTenanthimselfbepresentinCourt,hemay
possiblyhaveajustcauseofExceptionagainstoneor
moreoftheTwelve,andconcerningthisheshouldbe
heardinCourt.Itisusual,indeed,forthepurposeof
saiisfyingtheabsentparty,nottoconfinethenumber
tobeelectedtotwelve,buttocompriseasmanymore
asmayincontrovertiblysatisfysuchabsentparty,
whenhereturntoCourt.ForJurorsmaybeexcepted
againstbythesamemeansbywhich"Witnessesinthe
CourtChristianarejustlyrejected.Îtshouldalsobe
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observed,thatiftheparty,whohasputhimselfupon
thegrandAssise,appear,althoughsomeofthefour
Knightsareabsent,thetwelvemaybeelectedbyone
ofthefourtakingtohimselftwoorthreeother
KnightsfromthesameCounty,ifsuchhappentobe
inCourt,thoughnotsummonedforthepurpose,pro
videdsuchcourseofproceedingmeetwiththeappro
bationoftheCourt,andbemutuallyconsentedtoby
thelitigatingparties.But,forgreatercaution,andto
avoidallpossiblecavil,itisusualtosummonsixor
moreKnightstoCourt,forthepurposeofmakingthe
election.
1"Allthepersonssuspecttoeitheroftheparty,''saysthe
RegiamMajestatem,"shallberepelled."("VideReg.Majesta
tem,L.1.c.10.)SeealsoBracton185.a.
51
Indeed,iftheobjectbetoexpeditetheproceedings,
itwillmoreavailtofollowthedirectionoftheCourt,
thantoobservetheaccustomedcourseoftheLaw.It
is,therefore,committedtothediscretion,andJudg
mentoftheKingorhisJustices,sototemperthe
proceeding,astorenderitmorebeneficialandequi
table.
CHAP.XIII.
ButanypersonmayputhimselfupontheAssise
concerningaService,orLand,andbesides,concerning
demandsofservice,andconcerningtheEightof
AdvowsontoanyChurch,lôristhepartyconfined
tothisremedy,asagainstastrangermerely,buthe
mayavailhimselfofitagainsthisLordforthepur
poseofascertaining,whethertheLordhasgreater
EighttoretaintheobjectinquestioninhisDemesne,
ortheTenanttoholditofhim.Itiseasytoforma
"Writ,adaptedtothevarietyofcircumstances.
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CHAP.XIY.
TheElectionofthetwelveKnightshavingbeen
made,theyshouldbesummonedtoappearinCourt,
preparedupontheiroathstodeclare,whichofthem,
namely,whethertheTenant,ortheDemandant,pos
sessthegreaterrighttothepropertyinquestion.Let
theSummonsbemadebythefollowingWrit
52
CHAP.xy.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Summon,by
'goodSummoners,thosetwelveKnightsE.andiT.
'(namingeach)thattheybe,onsuchaday,before
'meormyJusticesatsuchaplace,preparedontheir
'oathstoreturn,whetherE.orN.havegreater
'right,inoneHydeofLand,orinthesubjectmatter
'ofdispute,whichtheaforesaidE.claimsagainst
'theaforesaidN.andofwhichtheaforesaidI^.the
'Tenant,hasputhimselfuponourAssise,andhas
'prayedaRecognition,whichofthemhavethe
'greaterrighttothethinginquestion;and,inthe
'meantime,letthemviewtheLandorTenementit
'self,ofwhichtheserviceisdemanded;andSum
'mon,bygoodSummoners,N.theTenant,thathe
'bethentheretohearthatEecognition,&c."
CHAP.XVI.
Onthedayfixedfortheattendanceofthetwelve
KnightstotaketheEecognition,whethertheTenant
appear,orabsenthimself,thePecognitionshallpro
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ceedwithoutdelay;norshallanyEssoinavailthe
Tenant,becauseashispresenceisnotrequisite,the
Pecognitionmayproceedwithouthim;^since,ifhe
1"TheabsenceofeitherofthePartiesshallnotstaythe
"Assisetoproceed,seeingtheydidconsentthatthematter
"shouldpasstotheknowledgeofanAssise."(RegiamMajes
tatem,L,1.c.13.)
53
werepresent,hewould,byhaving,wheninCourt,put
himselfupontheGrandAssise,beprecludedfrom
alleginganyreason,whyitshouldbedeferredÎtis
differentwithrespecttotheabsenceoftheDemandant.
Ifheshouldessoinhimself,theAssiseshall,forthat
day,bedeferred,andanotherdayshallbegivenin
Court;becausethoughaPartymaylosebyhisdefaultj
noonewhenabsentshallgainanything.
CHAP.XVII.
"WhentheAssiseproceedstomaketheEecognition,
therightwillbewellknowneithertoalltheJurors,
orsomemayknowit,andsomenot,orallmaybe
alikeignorantconcerningit.Ifnoneofthemare
acquaintedwiththetruthoftheniatter,andthisbe
testifiedupontheiroathsinCourt,recoursemustbe
hadtoothers,untilsuchcanbefoundwhodoknow
thetruthofit.Shouldit,however,happenthatsome
ofthemknowthetruthofthematter,andsomenot,
thelatteraretoberejected,andotherssummonedto
Court,untiltwelve,atleast,canbefoundwhoare
unanimous.^But,ifsomeoftheJurorsshoulddecide
foroneparty,andsomeofthemfortheother,then,
othersmustbeadded,untiltwelve,atleast,canbeob
1ConcerningthismodeofsupplyingtheJurors,termedinour
oldLawBooksafforciament,theReadermayconsulttheMirror,
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o.4.s.34.Braoton,L.4.c.19.Britton,p.136.Fleta,4.c.9.
s.9.andMr.Kelham'sTranslationofBritton'sPleasofthe
Crown.Note23.p.35.
54
tainedwhoagreeinfavorofoneside.Eachofthe
Knightssummonedforthispurposeoughttoswear,
thathewillneitherutterthatwhichisfalse,nor
knowinglyconcealthetruth.Withrespecttothe
knowledgerequisiteonthepartofthosesworn,they
shouldbeacquaintedwiththemeritsofthecause,
eitherfromwhattheyhavepersonallyseenandheard,
orfromthedeclarationsoftheirFathers,andfrom
othersourcesequallyentitledtocredit,asiffalling
withintheirownimmediateknowledge.^
CHAP.XYIII.
"WhenthetwelveKnights,whohaveappearedfor
thepurposeofmakingRecognition,entertainnodoubt
aboutthetruthofthething,then,theAssisemust
proceedtoascertain,whethertheDemandant,or
Tenant,havethegreaterrighttothesubjectin
dispute.
ButiftheydecideinfavoroftheTenant,ormake
anyotherdeclaration,bywhichitshouldsuiEciently
appeartotheKing,orhisJustices,thattheTenant
hasgreaterrighttothesubjectindispute,then,bythe
JudgmentoftheCourt,heshallbedismissed,forever
releasedfromtheclaimoftheDemandant,whoshall
^TheReaderwillremarkthesingularcoincidence,inmany
respects,betweenthetwoproceedings,theDuelandtheGrand
Assise.Thiswasnodoubtintentional,andindicatedawise
andpoliticaltendernesstowardstheprejudicesoftheage,still
stronglyincliningtowardsthetrialbyBattle.
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55
neveragainbeheardinCourtwitheffectconcerning
thematter.Forthosequestionswhichhavebeen
oncelawfullydeterminedbytheKing'sGrandAssise,
shalluponnosubsequentoccasionbewithpropriety
revived.But,ifbythisAssiseitbedecidedinCourt
infavoroftheDemandant,then,hisAdversaryshall
losetheLandinquestion,whichshallberestoredto
theDemandant,togetherwithallthefruitsand
producefoundupontheLandatthetimeofSeisin.^
CHAP.XIX.2
APUNISHMENTisordaiucdforthosewhorashly
swearinthisAssise,andiswithmuchproprietyin
sertedinthatEoyalInstitution.^ForiftheJurors
1"Because,"saystheEegiamMajestatem,"thefruitsextant
"anddependantuponthegroundarepartoftheLandand
"ground."(L.1.c.12.)
Îtmaybeherenoticed,thatthepresentchapterisoneofthe
authoritiestowhichLordCokeappeals,insupportofhisposition,
thatanattaintlayatcommonLaw,bothinPleasrealandper
sonal.(2Inst.129,336.)
2IncommentingupontheStatutedefinibuslevatis.27.Ed.1.
Mr.Barringtonobserves,"theStatuteconsistsoffourchapters,
"andthefirststates,thegreatperjurywhichprevailedamong
"Jurorsatthistime,whichoffenceinawitnesswasnotnow
"punishablebyanyActofParliament;itmaybeperhaps
"thoughtareflectiononthecommonLawtoassert,tliatthis
"crimewastotallydisregarded,butyetwedonothearofany
"suchprosecution,excepttheattaintofaJurybeconsideredas
"such."(Observ.onAnc.Stat.176.)Itwillnot,Itrust,be
consideredasawantofrespectforthehighauthorityinques
tion,toobserve,thatthegeneralpositionintendedtobesup
ported,seemstoberefutedbythelatterpartofthepassage,if,
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asIconceive,theJurorwas,inthosetimes,ofnecessitya
56
shall,byduecourseofLaw,beconvicted,or,bylegal
Confession,beprovedtohaveperjuredthemselvesin
Court,theyshallbedespoiledofalltheirChattels
andMoveables,whicKshallbeforfeitedtotheKing,
althoughbythegreatclemencyofthePrince,their
freeholdTenementsarespared.Theyshallalsobe
thrownintoprison,andbetheredetainedforoneyear
atleast.Infine,deprivedforeverafteroftheirLaw,
theyshalljustlyincurthemarkofperpetualinfamy.
Thispenaltyisproperlyordained,inorderthata
similarityôfpunishmentmaydeterMeninsucha
Case,fromtheunlawfuluseofanOath.
Itshouldbeobserved,thattheDuelnevershallbe
"wagedinacasewheretheAssisecannotberesorted
to.Theconverseofthepropositionequallyholds.
tvitness:itwaspartofhisqualificationthathewasawitness,
thetwocharactersbeingthenblended.Thisis,Isubmit,evi
dentfromthe17thchapter,ofthepresentbook.Aseparation
ofcharacterseemstohavebeenthegradualeffectofposterior
times.Noristhisall.ThepunishmentofaJuror,whenguUty
ofperjury,appearsfromthepresentchapterofGlanvilleta
havebeenimposedbyanActofParliament.IfthisAct,like
most,ifnotall,ofthosementionedinthefollowingpages,be
notnowextant,itisassuredlynosmallpartofthemeritof
Glanville,thathehaspreservedthesubstanceofthosepublic
Records,ofwhichnoothertracecanbefound.
1Ourauthorseemstoalludetothepunishmentinflictedon
theconqueredChampionsuchChampion'scowardicebeing
esteemedaspeciesofperjury,asLordCokeinformsus,with
whichtheperjuryoftheJurorsintheassisewascommensurate.
.ThesameprinciplepervadestheNormanCodeOmnesautem
illi,quiperjuriovHIcesionefideisuntinfames,abhocetiam
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suntrepellendi;etomnesilliquiinbellosuccubuerunt,(Le
GrandCoustoum.deNormand.c.62.)
57
IftheLandinquestionbeadjudgedtotheDemand
ant,heshallberemittedtotheSheriffoftheCountyj,
wheretheLandissituated,inordertorecoverhis
possession.
And,forthispurpose,heshallhavethefollowing
Writ
CHAP.XX.
"that,withoutdelay,youdeliverpossessiontoiV.of
"oneHydeofLand,insuchaVill,whichheclaims
"againstB.ofwhichthesaidB.puthimselfuponmy
"Assise,becausethesaidB}hasrecoveredthatLand,
"inmyCourtbyaEecognition.Witness,&c."
CHAP.XXI.
But,iftherearenotanyKnightstobefoundinthe
Yicinage,norintheCountyitself,whoareacquainted
withthetruthofthematterindispute,itisaquestion,,
whatstepsshallberesortedto?
Whether,fromthatcircumstancealone,theTenant
shaU.prevailagainsthisAdversary?
Ifthisbeansweredintheaffirmative,shalltheDe
mandantlosehisEight,supposinghehasany?A
doubt,indeed,maybeentertaineduponthissubject
1ThisB.shouldbeN.
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58
Xetussupposethattwoorthreelawfulmen,oreven
more,providedthenumberdidnotexceedtwelve,
who,asWitnessesofthefact,shouldofferthemselves
inCourt,toproveit.Letus,even,supposethatthey
wereofsuchanageastobequalifiedtomakeproof
bytheDuel,andshouldmakeuseofallsuchwordsin
Court,onaccountofwhichtheDuelisgenerally
awarded.Afterallthis,itmaybedoubted,whether
anyofthemshallbehearduponthesubject.
looRIJI.
OFWARRANTORS;ANDOFTWOLORDS,UNDERONE
OFWHOM,THEDEMANDANTAVOWS,ANDUNDER
THEOTHER,THETENANT.
CHAP.I.
"WhenthepresenceoftheTenantonlyhappensto
berequisite,andinitselfprecludesthenecessityof
anyotherpersonappearingtoanswer,theorderof
PleadingwhichisobservedinCourtissuchaswe
havedescribed.
Butthepresenceofanotherpartybecomesnoless
necessarythanthatoftheTenant,ifthelatterdeclare
inCourt,thatthesubjectindisputeisnothisown,
butthathemerelyholdsit,asaLoan,ôraHireing,
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oraPledge,orascommittedtohisCustody,orin
someothermodeentrustedtohimbyanother;orif
heshouldallege,thatthepropertywerehisown,but
thathehadaWarrantor^fromwhomhehadreceived
1Commodatam,loeatam,<&g.TheReaderwillrecognisethese
TermsasborrowedfromtheRomanLaw.
InthetenthBook,ourauthorresumesthediscussionofthem.
2Warrantum.SirHenrySpelmanisinclinedtoderivethis
TermfromtheSaxonPrimitiveWar,arma,telum,defensio,&c.
60
it,eitherasaGift,orSale,orinExchange,or,gener
ally,foundhisTitletothethinguponanyothercause
ofthisnature.
IftheTenantshoulddeclareinCourt,thatthe
propertyisnothisown,butbelongstoanother,then,
suchotherpersonmustbesummonedbyanother"Writ,
butyetofasimilarnatureandthusthepleashallbe
commencedanewagainsthim.Andwhensuchother
personatlastappearsinCourt,heinthesamemanner
willdeclare,eitherthatthepropertybelongstohim,
ornot.Ifthelatter,then,thepartywhohadfirst
assertedinCourt,thatthepropertydidbelongtohim,
shalltherebylosetheLandirretrievably,andheshall
besummonedtoappearinCourt,andhearhisJudg
ment;andthus,whetherheappearorabsenthimself,
hisAdversaryshallrecoverpossession."Whenthe
TenantcallapersonintoCourttowarranttheLand,
then,areasonabledayshallbegivenhiminCourtto
producesuchpersonthere;andthushemayanew
recurtothreeEssoins,withrespecttohisownperson,
andtothesamenumber,withregardtothepersonof
Dr.Sullivantellsus,itwasderivedfromWar,because,inreal
Actions,theTrialwasofoldbyCombat.Dr.Cowell,however,
prefersderivingwarrantiafromtheFrenchgarantieorgarant.
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TheDoctornoticesthestipulatiooftheCivilians,but,asheob
serves,"thisreachethnotsofarasourwarranty."Theterm,
itseems,isofgreatantiquity,andissaidnottohavebeenun
knowntotheLongobardiintheiroriginalsettlements.(Spelm.
Gloss,advoc.andCowell'sInterpreter,advoc.andSullivan's
Lectures,119.)Itdoesnotfallwithinthescopeofthesenotes,
tobringtheLawdowntothepresentday.Thetranslator
wouldotherwisehaveavailedhimselflargelyofBracton's5th
book.Fleta,L.5.c.4.Britton,197,&c.Co.Litt.364.b.et
seq.andMr.Butler'sadmirableannotations.
61
hisWarrantor.Thepersoncitedtowarranthaving
atlastappearedinCourt,hewilleitherenterintothe
warrantyofthesubjectindispute,ordeclineit.If
headopttheformercourse,hethenbecomesaPrin
cipalPartyinthesuit,sothattheremainderofthe
causeshallbeentirelycarriedoninhisname;butif,
previoustothisstep,heessoinhimself,theTenant
cannotexcusehimselfbyanEssoin,but,ifabsent,
shallbeadjudgedindefault.If,however,theperson
calledtowarrant,beingpresentinCourt,shouldfail
inenteringintothewarranty,then,thepleamust
altogetherbecontinuedbetweenhimandtheparty
whohascalledhimandthus,bymeansofpleading
conducivetosuchanend,themattermaycometothe
decisionoftheDuel,andthat,whethertheTenantcan
producehisCharterof"Warranty,ornot,ifhebepre
paredwithanunobjectionableWitnesstomakeproof,
andheiswillingtoundertakeit.Itshouldbeob
served,thatwhenitisonceascertained,thattheper
soncitedtowarrantoughttotakethatobligationupon
him,theTenantshallnotafterwardslosetheproperty
indispute,becauseifsuchpropertyshouldberecov
eredinCourt,theWarrantorshallbeboundtomake
theTenantacompetentequivalentîfhepossesssuf
ficientmeanssotodo,
1EseawMum,atermusedinDomesday.SirEdwardCoke,in
speakingofawarranty,observes,thatitisacovenantreal,an
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nexedtoLands,wherebyamanandhisheirsareboundtowar
rantthesame"andtoyieldotherLandsandTenements(which
"inoldbooksiscalledinExcambio)tothevalueofthosethat
"shallbeevictedbyaformertitle,"(SeeCo.Litt.365.a.and
51b.)ItshouldseemfromBracton,thatifthewarrantorhad
62
CHAP.II.
Butitsometimeshappens,thatthepersoncalledto
Courttowarrantisunwillingtoappearthere,either
forthatpurpose,ortoshewthatheoughtnottowar
ranttotheTenantthepropertyinquestion.Inthat
case,uponthepetitionoftheTenant,andbytheorder
andindulgenceoftheCourt,thereluctantpartyshall
becompelledtodoso,andheshallbesummonedby
thefollowingWrit.
CHAP.III.
"goodSummoners,N.thathebebeforeme,ormy
"Justices,thereonacertaindaytowarranttoR.one
"HydeofLand,insuchaVill,whichheclaimsashis
"Gift,ortheGiftofM.hisFather,ifhewiUwar
notsufficientpropertytomakeafullrestitution,hewastodoso
asfarashispropertyextended,andtheTenantwastowait,until
bettertimes,forthedeficiency.IftheWarrantorhadnoprop
erty,hewasnot,fromthatcircumstance,tobeentirelyabsolved
frommakingrestitution,whilsttherewasanyprobabilityofhis
inheritingpropertyfromthatperson,onaccountofwhoruhewas
calledtowarrant.
Ontheotherhand,hewas'notboundtowarrantthedeedof
hisancestor,attheexpenseofanypurchasemadebyhimself.
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Norwastherecompensetobeestimated,beyondthevalueofthe
propertyatthetimeitwasoriginallywarranted.Norwasone
ofmanywarrantors,requiredtobeartheburthensolely,the
othersbeingobligedtocontribute,(Bracton,394.b.395a.See
alsoleGrandCoustoum.deNorm.c.50.)
63
"rantittohim,ortoshewwhereforeheoughtnotto
"warrantittohim;andhavetheSuramonersand
"thisWrit.WitnessKanuph,&c."
CHAP.IV.
Onthedayappointed,theWarrantorcaneither
essoinhimself,ornot.Ifnot,then,thatindulgence
whichisallowedtoanotherwouldbedeniedhim,not
beingculpable;whichwouldbenolessinconvenient
thanunjust.Îfhemayessoinhimself,letussuppose
thathehasproperlyessoinedhimselfthreetimessuc
cessively,itshouldonthethirdday,accordingtothe
LawandpracticeoftheCourt,beordered,thatheap
pearonthefourthday,orsendanAttorney.If,on
thatday,heneitherappearnorsendanAttorney,it
seemsaquestionwhatstepsaretobepursued.Be
causeweretheTenementtobetakenintotheKing's
hands,suchastepwouldseemaninjusticecommitted
ontherightoftheTenant,sincehehasnotbeenad
judgedindefault.
Butifthiscoursebenotpursued,thentherightof
theDemandant,supposinghepossessesany,wouldbe
unjustlydeferred.And,indeed,thecoursementioned
1"Atthedayassignedtothewarrantorforappearance,he
"mayessoinhimself,ornotessoinhimself.
"Ifheneitherappears,norsendsanEssoin,thepowerand
"benefitoftheLawshallbedeniedtohimwhichisgrantedto
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"others:foritisanunseemlythingandaniniquity(thathe
"beingsummoned,appearsnotbyhimselfnorbyanother.""
(Reg.Maj.L.1,c.21.)
64
shallbeadopted,asmostconsonanttotheLawand
CustomoftheEealm.Because,ifanyoneshouldlose
hisLand,ormerelythepossessionofit,throughthe
defaultofhisWarrantor,thelattershallbecompelled
tomakehimanequivalentrecompense,andmay,there
fore,bymeansoftheforegoing"Writ,bedistrainedto
appearinCourt,andwarranttheTenementitself,or
shewsomereasononaccountofwhich,heshouldbe
exemptfromtheobligationofwarranty.
CHAP.Y.
Itsometimeshappens,thattheTenant,althoughhe
hasa"Warrantor,doesnotcallhimintoCourt,but
takesuponhimselfentirelytodisputetheDemand
ant'sclaim.
IftheTenantshouldpursuethiscourse,andshould
ilosetheLandinquestionbytheDuel,hecannotafter
wardsrecoveranythingagainsttheWarrantor.^
But,accordingtothis,aquestionmaybeproposed,
whether,asanyonecandefendhimselfbytheDuel,
withouttheassentandpresenceofhis"Warrantor,he
canputhimselfupontheKing'sGrandAssise,without
theassentandpresence'ôfthe"Warrantor?And,
indeed,hemaydefendhimselfbytheAssiseupona
parityofreasonasbytheDuel.
1Havinglaiddownthesamedoctrine,theEegiamMajestatem
adds,"itissotobeunderstoodofallotherthingsdebateable,
"whereoftheWarrantorisnotcalledinlawfultime."(L.1,c.
S2.)
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"Knowledge,accordingtotheHarl.andBodl.MS.
65
CHAP.VI.
Butitsometimeshappens,thatthematterisde
ferredonaccountoftheabsenceoftheLords,when,
forexample,theDemandantclaimstheTenementin
question,asbelongingtothefeeofoneLord,andthe
Tenant,asbelongingtothatofanother.Insucha
case,boththeLordsmustbesummonedtoCourt,in
orderthat,intheirpresence,thePleamaybeheard,
and,intheaccustomedmanner,decided,leastany
injusticeshouldseemtobedonetothemwhenabsent.
Butuponthedayonwhichtheyaresummonedto
appearinCourt,bothoreitherofthemmaylawfully
castanEssoin,andthisthreetimesintheusualman
ner.ShouldtheLordoftheTenanthaverecurredto
threeEssoins,itshouldbeordered,thatheappear
personallyinCourt,orsendhisAttorney.
Ifafterthis,heneitherappear,norsendhisAttor
ney,lettheTenantbedirectedtoAnswerandtake
thedefenceuponhimself;and,ifheshouldprevail,he
shallretaintheLandtohimself,andfromthenceforth
shalldoservicetotheKing,becausehisLordshall
losehisservicethroughhisdefault,untilheappear
andperformtherethatwhichheoughttodo.
Inthesamemanner,maytheLordoftheDemand
antessoinhimself;but,whenheatlastappearin
Court,itmaybeasked,whethertheLordoftheTen
antcanagainessoinhimself?Hemay,indeed,until
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66
hehasonceappearedinCourt;becauseitis,|;hen,
incumbentuponhimtoallegesomereason,whyhe
oughtnottowaitanylonger;andthisEuleequally
prevailswithrespecttothepersonofeitherLord.
Butif,afterhavingavailedhimselfofthreeEssoins,
theLordoftheDemandantshouldbeabsent,itmay
beaquestion,whattheLawis?If,indeed,heshould
havefirstessoinedhimself,theEssoinersthemselves
shallbetakenintocustody,andthebodyoftheDe
mandanthimselfshallbeattached,ônaccountofhis
contemptofCourt;andthusheshallbedistrainedto
appearinCourt,thatitmaybeheardwhathehasto
allege.
CHAP.YIL
"WhenboththeLordsappearinCourt,theLordof
theTenantwillwarranttheLandinquestion,asin
Âttaohiabitur.Attaohiareissaidtobederivedfromthe
Frenchattacher.Itdifferedfromarrestereinmanyrespects.
AnArrest,saytheoldBooks,proceedsoutoftheinferiorcourts
byprecept;anattachment,outofthesuperiorcourtsbypre
cept,orwrit.(Lamb.Eiren.L.1.c.16.)AnArrestliesonly
againstthebodyofaMan;anAttachment,sometimesagainst
thegoodsonly.ThusKitch.(fol.279.b.)says,amanmay
attachacow;and,inanothercase,thatamanmaybeattached
byahundredsheep;anditissometimesawardedagainstthe
bodyandgoodstogether.AnAttachmentissaidtodifferfrom
acapias,becausetheformerismoregeneralandextendstothe
takingofthegoods,acapiasextendingtothebodyonly.An
AttachmentislaiddownasdifferingfromaDistress,inasmuch
asitisaProcessenumeratedtoissue,previoustoadistress.
ThusfarouroldlawBooks,(videTei'mesdelaleyadvoc.
attach.Cowell'sInterpreterandSpelman'sGlossary.)
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67
hisFee,orhewilldenythatitisso.Ifheadoptthe
formercourse,itremainsforhim,eithertotakethe
defenceuponhimself,orentrustittotheTenant,as
hemayfeeldisposed;andwhichevercoursehepur
sues,therightofeachofthemwillbesaved,aswell
thatoftheLordasoftheTenant,iftheirpartyshould
prevailinthecontest.But,ifthecontraryshouldbe
theresult,theLordshalllosehisservices,andthe
TenanthisLandirretrievably.IftheLordofthe
Tenant,beingpresentinCourt,failintheWarranty,
themattermaybeinterpleadedbetweenthem,provided
thattheTenantdeclare,thathisLordhadunjustly
failedintheWarranty,and,thereforeunjustly,be
causeheorhisAncestorshadperformedsuchand
suchspecificservicestotheLordorhisAncestors,as
Lordsofthatfee,addingthatofthisfacthehasthose
Avhohaveheardandseenit,and,inparticular,aproper
witnesstoproveit,orsomeotheradequateandsuffi
cienttestimonyreadytobeadduced,astheCourtshall
direct.
CHAP.VIII.
ASIMILARdistinctionmustbemade,inrespectof
thepersonoftheLordoftheDemandant.Whenhe
appearsinCourt,hewilleitherclaimtheLandin
question,asinhisfee,ornot.Andthusifhewarrant
theTitleoftheDemandant,andclaimtheLandas
withinhisFee,itisathisoption,eithertoholdhim
selftotheproofmadebytheDemandant,ifhebeso
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inclined,ortotakeuponhimselftoprovehisEight
againsttheother,savingtheEightofbothofthem,
namely,aswellhisownasthatoftheDemandant,if
theirpartyprevailinthesuit.If,however,ithappen
tobeunsuccessful,boththeDemandantandhisLord
shalllosetheirright.Ontheotherhand,iftheLord
declinetowarranttheclaimoftheDemandant,then,
thelattershallbeamercedtotheKingonaccountof
hisfalseclaim.
ifl0hJt.
OFECCLESIASTICALADVOWSONS.
CHAP.I.
PleasconcerningEcclesiasticalAdvowsonsâre
accustomedtobeagitated,aswellwhenthechurchis
vacant,aswhenitisnotvacant.If,uponavacancy
ofachurch,hewhoisseisedoftheAdvowsonshould
presentaParson^toit,andanyoneshouldquestion
thePresentationandclaimit,then,itmustbedistin
guished,whetherthedisputebeconcerningtheAd
vowsonitself,inotherwords,therightitselfofpre
sentingaParson,orwhetheritmerelyrelatestothe
'Advocationibus."Advocatio,"saysSirWm.Blackstone,
"signifiesinClientelamrecipere,thetakingintoprotection,
"andthereforeissynonymouswithPatronage,Patronatus."
(2Comm.21.)WiththisconcursLordCoke"Advocatio
"signifyinganadvowing,ortakingintoprotection,isasmuch
"asjuspatronatus."Again"InBrittonCap.92.ThePatron
"iscalledavow,andthePatronsadvoeati,forthattheybe
"eitherfoundersormaintainers,orBenefactorsofthechurch,
"eitherbybuilding,donation,orincreasingofit,inwhichre
"specttheywerealsocalledpatroni,andtheadvowsonjus
''patronatih."HisLordshipcitesBracton,L.4.fol.240.Fleta,
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L.5.c.14.(seeCo.Litt.17.b.and119.b.Cowelladyoc.and
Spelm.Gloss,advoc.)
2Personam,aParson.(VideCo.Litt.300.a.b.Bl.Comm.1.
383.)CowellderivesthewordfromtheFrenchpersonne.
69
70
lastPresentation,thatis,theSeisinoftherightof
presentingaParson.Ifthedisputemerelyconcern
thelastPresentation,andtheClaimantallege,thathe
oroneofhisAncestorshadthelastDonationandPres
entation,then,thePleashallbediscussedbj^the
AssiseappointedconcerningEcclesiasticalAdvovvsons;
andanAssiseshallbesummonedtomakeEecognition,
whatPatronintimeofpeacepresentedtheParsonwho
lastdiedtothatChurch;andconcerningthisAssise
weshallspeakmorefullyhereafter,^whenwecometo
treatofotherEecognitions.Thepartywhobythis
AssiseprovesinCourtthelastPresentation,shall
therebyrecoverSeisinofthePresentationofthevacant
Church,concerningwhichthedisputeis;sothathe
shalllawfullypresentaParsontotheChurch,saving
therightandclaimoftheDemandantwithrespect
totheEightofAdvowson.
But,iftherightofAdvowsonbethesolesubjectof
dispute,thentheDemandantshouldsubjointohis
claim,thathe,oroneofhisAncestors,hadthelast
PresentationofthatChurch;or,heshouldconcede,
thathisAdversary,oroneofhisAncestors,hadthe
lastPresentation;or,heshouldallege,thatsomethird
personhadthelastPresentation;or,infine,thathe
knowsnotAvhohadit.
Whicheverofthesecourseshepursues,ifhisAdver
saryclaimthelastPresentation,asmadeinhisown
person,orinthatofoneofhisAncestors,theEecog
1L.13.C.18.etseq.
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71
nitionshalliaeveryinstanceproceedupontheEight
ofPresentation,unlessinoneonlyoftheforegoing
cases,namely,whentheDemandantconcedestohis
Adversary,thatheoroneofhisAncestors,enjoyed
thelastPresentation,forthen,withouthavingrecourse
toaRecognition,heshallpresentonePersonatleast.
ThelastPresentationbeingdecidedbytheAssiseor
bysomeotherlegalmode,andaParsonbeinginsti
tutedintotheChurchuponthePresentationofthe
successfulparty,thenshalltheperson,whoisinclined
tocontendfortheEightofAdvovvson,havethefol
lowingWrit.
CHAP.II.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.CommandiV".
"that,justlyandwithoutdelay,herelinquishestoH.
"theAdvowsonoftheChurch,insuchaYill,which
"heclaimstobelongtohim,andofwhichhecomplains
"thatheunjustlydeforcedhim;and,unlesshedoso,
"summonhimbygoodSummoners,thathebeonsuch
"adaybeforeus,orourJustices,toshewwhyhe
"hasfailed;andhavetherethe.Summonersandthis
"Writ&c."
CHAP.III.
TheParty^beingsummonedmayavailhimselfof
thesamenumberofEssoins,andthatbythesame
1Thatis,accordingtotheCottonianandDr.Milles'sMS.the
personwliohasdeforcedtheadvowsonofthechurch.
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72
means,aswehavealreadydetailed,intreatingconcern
ingPleasaffectingLand.Supposing,then,thatafter
havingcastthreeEssoins,heshouldneitherappearnor
sendanAttorneyonthefourthday,itmaybeasked
whattheLawis?
Insuchacase,theseisinofthePresentationofthe
ChurchshallbetakenintotheKing'shands,andthat
bythefollowing"Writ.
CHAP.IV.
"that,withoutdelay,youtakeintomyhandsthe
"PresentationoftheChurch,insuchaYill,whichIf.
"claimsagainstR.andconcerningwhich,thereisa
"PleainmyCourtbetweenthem,andmakeknown
"thedayoftheCaptiontomyJustices,&c."
CHAP.V.
TheSheriffisboundtoexecutethis"Writ,inthe
followingmanner:heshouldgototheChurchin
question,andthereinapublicmanner,andinthe
presenceofrespectablemen,declare,thathehadseised
thePresentationôfsuchChurchintotheKing's
hands,inwhichtheSeisinshallcontinueforfifteen
days.TheTenant,ifhefeelsodisposed,may*re
1TheAdvowson,Bodl.andCotton.MS.
2Duringthe15days,Cotton,andDr.Milles'sMS.
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73
plevy,ândthusrecoverit,inthesamemanneras
statedinthefirstBook.
CHAP,yi,
AlltheEssoinstowhichtheDefendantcaniiave
recoursebeingterminated,atthedavappointedfor
thepartiesinCourt,eitherboth,orneither,orone
only,ofthepartieswillappear.Ifoneonly,orboth
ofthem,beabsent,themattermustbeorderedina
mannersimilartothatwehaveformerlyexplained,in
treatingofPleasconcerningLand.Butifbothparties
appearinCourt,theDemandantshouldthenpropound
hisrightasagainsthisAdversary,inthefollowing
words:"IdemandtheAdvowsonofthisChurch,as
"myright,andappertainingtomyInheritance,and
"ofwhichAdvowsonIAvasseised,oroneofmyAn
"cestorswasseised,inthetimeofKingHenrythe
"1st,theGrandfatherofourLordKingHenry,or
"aftertheCoronationofourLordtheKing;andbeing
"soseised,IpresentedaParsontothesameChurch
"whenvacant,atoneofthebeforementionedperiods;.
"andIsopresentedhim,thatuponmypresentation
"hewasinstitutedParsonintothatChurch;andif
"anyonewoulddenythis,IhavesomecredibleMen
"whobothsawandheardthefact,andarereadyto
"proveitastheCourtshallaward,andparticularly
"such,andsuchpersons."TheclaimoftheDemand
1"Replegiareiscompoundedofresmdplegiare,asmuchastO'
"say,toredeliveruponpledgesorSureties."(Co.Litt.145.b.)
74
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antbeingheard,theTenantmaydefendhimselfby
theDuel;andtheproceedingswillaccordingly,from
thatperiod,beconductedinthemannerwehave
formerlyexplained.Should,however,theTenant
chusetoputhimselfupontheGrandAssise,heisper
fectlyatlibertysotodo;andtheAssisemustthen
proceedintheformwehavepreviouslydetailed.
CHAP.YII.
But,althoughaChurchbenotvacant,adispute
mayariseconcerningtheAdvowsonofit,iftheParson
oftheChurch,orhewhoisinvestedwiththatChar
acter,derivehisTitlefromonePatron,atthesame
timeasanotherPerson,conceiving,himselftobethe
morerightfulPatronofsuchChurch,layclaimtothe
Advowson.Insuchcase,thefollowingWritshallbe
issueduponhisapplication.
CHAP.YIII.
"goodSummoners,theClerkN.,Parsonofsucha
"Church,thathebebeforeme,ormyJustices,at
"Westminster,onsuchaday,toshewofwhatPatron
"heholdshimselfinthatChurch,theAdvowsonof
"whichtheKnightM.claimstobelongtohim.Sum
'"monalso,bygoodSummoners,If.whodeforcedhim
75
''oftheAdvowson,thathebetheretoshewwhyhe
"deforcedhimofthatAdvowson,andhavetherethe
^'SummonersandthisWrit.Witness,&c."
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CHAP.IX.
If,aftertheClerkhasbeensummoned,heneither
appearontheappointedday,norsendanyonetoex
cusehisabsence,neitheronthefirst,second,northird
summons,itmaybedoubted,bywhatmodeheshould
bedistrainedtoappearinCourt,especiallyifhepos
sessnolayFee,towhichrecoursecanbe,hadforsuch
purpose.Âsimilardoubtmaybeproposeduponthe
coursetobepursued,shouldhe,afterhavingthrice
essoinedhimselfinCourt,neitherappearonthefourth
day,norsendanAttorneytoanswerforhim.
Shouldeitheroftheseoasesoccur,lettheBishopof
theplace,orhisOfficial,iftherehappentobeno
Bishop,beenjoinedtodistraintheClerktoappearin
Court,ortopunishhisdefault,bytakingtheChurch
intohishands,ortodistraintheClerkbysomeother
lawfulmeans.
When,atlast,theClerkappearinCourt,hewill
1Mr.Madoxinformsus,whenspeakingoftheKing'sDebtor,
"IfhewasaClergyman,andhadnolayFee,wherebyhemight
"bedistrained,writswerewonttoissuetotheBishopofthe
"Diocese,commandinghimtodistrainsuchDebtor,byhis
"EcclesiasticalBenefices.Manyofthesewritshadinthema
"clauseimporting,thatiftheBishopfailedtomakedueExe
"cution,theKingwouldcausetheDebttobeleviedonthe
"Bishop'sBarony."(Madox'sExcheq.c.23.)
76
eitheracknowledgetheDemandantasPatron,and
admitthathewasinstituteduponhisPresentation,or
uponthatofoneofhisAncestors,orhewillallege
someotherpersontobethePatron.
Intheformercase,thePleashallceaseintheKing's.
Court.IfthePatrondenytheassertionoftheClerk,
alleginghimselftohavebeeninstituteduponhisPres
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entation,orthatofoneofhisAncestors,andbedis
posedtocontestthispointagainsttheClerk,thePlea
shallbediscussedbeforehisEcclesiasticalJudge.
But,iftheClerknameanotherPatron,suchPatron
shouldbesummonedtoappearinCourt,whichSum
monshewilleitherobey,ornot.Inthelattercase,,
ifheneitherappearatthefirst,second,northird
Summons;orif,havingessoinedhimselfinCourtthe
first,second,andthirdtimes,heshouldneitherappear
norsendanAttorneyonthefourthday,itmaybe
asked,bywhatmeansheshallbedistrained,andhow
hisdefaultshallbepunished?TheAdvowsonofthe
Churchinquestionshallindeedbetakenintothe
King'shands,andthusremainforfifteendays;and
if,withinthatperiod,theClerkshouldnotappear,
then,theDemandantshallhavetheSeisindelivered
tohira.ButwhatshallbedonetotheClerkhimself?'
Whethershallhefromthatcircumstance,losehis
Church?1
But,ifthePartysummonedappearinCourt,he
1Heshouldnotlosehischurch,accordingtotheRegiam.
Majestatem,(L.3.c.33.)
77
willeitheracknowledgehimselfPatronoftheChurch
inquestion,ordisclaimallrighttotheAdvowson.
Shouldhepursuethelattercourse,theSuitshall
ceaseintheKing'sCourt,andthecausemustbedis
cussedbetweenthePatronandtheClerk,inthe
EcclesiasticalCourt.Butif,whilsttheSuitbepend
ing,theChurchitselfhappentobecomevacant,it
maybeasked,towhomtheinterveningPresentation
belongs?If,indeed,therebenodoubtmovedcon
cerningthelastPresentation,butthepersonagainst
whomtheEightofAdvowsonbesought,oroneof
hisAncestorshadthelastPresentation,then,heshall
presenttheParsoninthemeantime,anduntilhelose
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hisSeisin.Itisaconsequenceofthesameprinciple,
thatiftheAdvowsonofanyChurchshouldbeseised
intotheting'shandsonaccountofthedefaultofthe
Patron,and,duringthefifteendays,itshouldhappen
tobecomevacant,thePatronshallnotAvithinthat
periodlosehisPresentation.But,ifthepartysum
moned,shouldclaimtheEightofAdvowson,and
electtodefenditashisown,then,indeed,theSuit
mustproceedintheorderwehavealreadyexplained.
Ifheshouldprevail,heandhisClerkshallbefreed
fromtheClaimoftheirAdversary;but,ifhefailin
theSuit,then,heandhisHeirsshallforeverlosethe
Advowson.
CHAP.X.
ButwhatcourseshallbepursuedwiththeClerk,
theParsonoftheChurch,whohasdeclaredinCourt,
78
thatheheldthelivinguponhis^Presentation?In
theKing'sCourt,indeed,nothingfartheristobedone
inthematter,unlessasitconcernstheAdvowsonbe
tweenthetwoPatrons.
ButthePatron,whohasrecentlyrecoveredthe
EightofAdvowson,shallproceedagainsttheClerk
intheEcclesiasticalCourtbeforetheBishoporhis
Official,undertheserestrictionsif,atthetimeof
Presentation,thePersonpresentingsuchClerkwas
consideredtobethePatron,then,theChurchshall
continuetobeheldbytheClerk,duringtheremainder
ofhislife.Forjuponthissubject,aStatutehasbeen
passedintheKeignofthepresentKing,concerning
thoseClerkswhohaveobtainedLivingsuponthe
PresentationofsuchPatronsashave,intimeofwar,
violentlyintrudedthemselvesintoEcclesiasticalAd
vowsons;andbysuchStatuteitisprovided,that
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ClerksthuspresentedshallnotlosetheirChurches
duringtheirlives.Thusisthequestionabovepro
posed,resolved.But,afterthedeceaseofClerksso
presented,thePresentationsoftheChurchesshallre*
turntotherightfulPatrons.
CHAP.XL
Asconnectedwiththeprecedingsubject,aquestion
arises.LetussupposethataPatronhas,inthe
King'sCourt,recoveredtheAdvowsonasagainst
1Theunsuccessfulparty.
79
another;andthatafterwards,inprocessoftime,th&
ClerkoftheChurchshoulddie.Insuchacase,can
thepartyagainstwhomtheAdvowsonhadbeenre
coveredagaindemandanAssise,concerningthelast.
Presentation;and,ifheshouldobtaina"Writtosum
montheAssise,whatstepmusthisAdversaryresort
to?Letussuppose,thathehimselfhadneverpre
sentedanIncumbe.nttothechurchinquestion,but
thathisFather,oratleastoneofhisAncestors,had.
sodone,anditbeobjectedtohimbyhisAdversary,
thatheoughtnottohaveaRecognition,becausehe
hadalreadylosttheAdvowsonbytheformerJudg
mentoftheCourt,whether,itmaybeasked,shallthe
Assiseceaseonthataccount,ornot?Itappearsthat
itought1tocease,because,nothavingthelastPres
entation,heneverhadtheSeisinoftheAdvowson;but,
itseems,thathemightwellfoundhisclaimnponthe
SeisinofhisFather,notwithstandinganythingthat
maj''havebeendone,concerningtheRightitselfof
Presentation.ButifthepointofthelastPresenta
tioncanbeagainagitated,then,itshouldseem,that
theJudgmentsoftheKing'sCourtarenotofperpet
ualobligation.ForiftheAdvowsonofaChurch
wereonceadjudgedtoanyperson,itdoesnotappear
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consistentwithJusticethattheAdversepartyshould
byanymeans,whichcanbesubsequentlyresortedto,
recoveranySeisininthatCourt,especiallyagainst
himinwhosefavortheAdvowsonhasbeenalready
1TheHarl.Bodl.andCotton.MS.concurinintroducingnot
intothispassage.
80
decided,unlessanynewcircumstanceshouldinter
vene,onaccountofwhichheoughtagaintobeheard.
Iftherefore,anAssiseshouldbesummonedforthat
purpose,itshouldceasefromthiscircumstance,that
althoughitwereconcededthattheClaimant,orone
ofhisAncestors,hadthelastPresentation,yetit
mightbealleged,that,ifheorhisAncestorshadany
Right,theylostitbytheJudgmentoftheKing's
Court;and,thisbeingprovedbytheRecordofthe
Court,theComplainantshalllosehiscause,andshall
inadditionbeamercedtotheKing.
CHAP.XII.
Itshouldbeobserved,thatitsometimeshappens,
thatoneClerksuesanotherintheEcclesiasticalCourt,
concerningaChurch.ShouldtheyderivetheirTitles
throughdifferentPatrons,theEcclesiasticalCourt
may,uponthepetitionofeitherofthePatrons,be
prohibitedfromproceedingintheSuit,untilitbeas
certained,intheKing'sCourt,towhichPatronthe
AdvowsonoftheChurchbelongs.Forthispurpose
thefollowingWritshallIssue.
CHAP.XIII.
"TheKingtosuchEcclesiasticalJudges,Health.
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"i?.hathmadeknowntous,thatwhenI.hisClerk
"heldtheChurch,insuchaYill,onhisPresentation,
81
*'theAdvowsonbeinghis,ashesays,JV.aClerk,de
"mandingthesame,asoftheAdvowsonof31.a
*'Knight,drawsthesaid/.intoasuitbeforeyouin
"theCourtChristian.ButiftheaforesaidN.should
"recovertheChurchundertheAdvowsonoftheafore
"saidM.itisclearthatthesaidE.wouldincurthe
"lossofhisAdvowson.Andsincesuitsconcerning
"theAdvowsonsofChurchesbelongtomyCrownand
"Dignity,Iprohibityoufromproceedinginthat
"cause,untilitbeprovedinmyCourt,towhichof
"themtheAdvowsonofsuchChurchbelongs.Wit
"ness,&c."
Butif,afterthisProhibition,theyproceedinthe
cause,then,theyshallbesummonedtoappearinthe
King'sCourt,andanswerfortheirconduct,bythe
following"Writ.
CHAP.XIY.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^Prohibitsuch
*'Judges,leasttheyholdpleaintheCourtChristian,
"concerningtheAdvowsonofsuchaChurch,ofwhich
"lithePatronofthatChurchcomplains,thatN.draws
"himintoaSuitintheCourtChristian;becausePleas
"concerningtheAdvowsonofChurchesappertainto
"myCrown,andDignity.Andsummon,bygood
"Summoners,suchJudges,thattheyappearbeforeme,
*ormyJustices,onsuchaday,toshewwherefore,
1.VideF.N.B.89.
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82
"theyheldthatPlea,contrarytomyDignity,inthe
"CourtChristian.Summonalso,bygoodSummoners,
"theaforesaidN'.,thathebethentheretoshewwhere
"fore,hedrewtheaforesaidB.intoaSuit,inthe
"CourtChristian.Andhave,&c.Witness,&c."
koh^.
OFTHEQUESTIONOFCONDITION,ANDOFVILLEINS
BORN.
CHAP.I.
0[jRsubjectleadsusinthenextplacetotreatof
PleasconcerningtheConditionsofpersons.Questions
uponthissubjectarise,whenanyoneAvoulddraw
another,fromastateoffreedom,intothatofVillen
age;ôrwhenanyone,beinginthelatterstate,seeks
toemancipatehimself."Whenanyoneclaimsanother
whoisinVillenageashisVilleinborn,^heshall
havetheWritdenativis,directedtotheSheriff;and
1Villenagium."VilleinisfromtheFrenchwordVillaine,
"andthat,dvillA,quiavilloRadscriptusest.""VillenagiuTn(as
''inlikecaseshathbeensaidwheretheterminationisinaye)is
"theserviceofaBondman.Andyet,afreemanmaydothe
"serviceofhimthatisbond."(Co.Litt.116.a.Seealso
Cowelladvoc.andMirror,c.3.s.28.)
2Nativum.Inthe6thchapterofthepresentBookourAuthor
explainsthesenseinwhichheusesthetermnativiaprimd
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nativitatesud."InGlanville,"saysLordLittleton,"thenativi
"arecomprehendedundertheTermVillenagium,whichisused
'bythatAuthorsynonymouslywithServitude,andinopposition
'tofreedom,asastate,notatenure.''(3Hist.Hen.3.189.)
UpontheTermnativus,SirEdwardCokeobserves,"inthecom
monLawheiscallednativus,quiapromajorepartenatusest
servus."(Co.LittsedvideCraig.L.1.Dieg.4.6.)
83
84
bythatWritheshall,beforetheSheriffoftheCounty,
claimtheVilleinagainsthim,whoholdshiminVillen
age.And,ifhisVillenagebenotdeniedbeforethe
SheriffintheCountyCourt,thenthePleaconcerning
suchYilleinbornshallproceedbeforetheSheriff,as
weshallpresentlyexplain,betweenthepersonclaim
ing,andthepersoninpossession,oftheYillein.But,
iftheVilleinallegehimselftobeafreeman,andgive
securitytotheSherifftoprovethefact,then,thesuit
shallcease,asfarasappliestotheCountyCourt;be
causetheSheriffoughtnotanyfarthertointerferein
it.^But,iftheSheriffpersistinhearingthesuit,
then,hewhoseconditionisquestionedshallcomplain
totheJustices,andshallobtaintheKing's"Writ,in
orderthat,ifheshouldgivesecuritytotheSheriffto
provehisfreedom,thesuitmayberemovedbeforethe
JusticesoftheKing'sCourt,andinthemeantime,the
partybeunmolested.TheWritisasfollows.
CHAP.II.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^B.complains
"tomethatiV.drawshimtoVillenage,althoughhe
"isafreeman,ashesays.And,therefore,Icom
"mandyouthat,ifthesaidJR.makeyousecureof
"prosecutinghisclaim,then,thatyouputthesuit
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"beforeme,ormyJustices,onsuchaday;and,inthe
"meantime,youcausethathebeinpeace;andsum
1InthistheMirror,(c.2.s.28.)concurs.
2VideF.N.B.171.172.
85
"mon,bygoodSuminoners,theaforesaidN.thathe
"bethentheretoshewwhy,heunjustlydrawshimto
"Villenage.Andhavethere,&c."
CHAP.III.
Btthesame"Writ,thepartywholaysclaimtothe
other,asbeinghisVillein,shallbesummoned;anda
dayshallbeappointedhimonwhichhemayprosecute
hisclaim.But,ifonthedayappointed,theperson
whoisclaimedasaVilleinshouldneitherappear,nor
sendaMessenger,norEssoin,letthesamecoursebe
pursued,asthatbeforedescribedintreatingofPleas,
wherethePledgesaretobeattached.But,ifhechuse
toessoinhimself,hemayavailhimselfofthesame
numberofEssoins,andonthesameoccasionsasAve
havealreadymentioned.Butifthepartywhoclaims
theotherashisVillein,neitherappearonthatday,
norsend,lettheotherparty,ifpresent,bedismissed
unconditionally,undersuchform,namely,thatthe
claimantshallrecoversomuchasbyLawheoughtto
recover,concerningwhichprinciplewehavespoken
morefully,intheprecedingpartofthisTreatise.In
themeantime,thepartywhoisclaimedasaVillein
shallbeinSeisinofhisfreedom.
CHAP.IV
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BoTHpartiesbeingpresentinCourt,thefreedom
shallbethereprovedinthismanner:thepartj'^who
86
claimsbisliberty,shallproduceanumberofhisnearest
relationsandkindred,springingfromthesamestock
fromwhichhedescended.Iftheirfreedomberecog
nizedandprovedinCourt,thepartywhodemands^
hisfreedomshallbeliberatedfi'omtheyokeofser
vitude.But,ifthefreeconditionofthoseproduced
bedenied,ôradoubtbeentertainedrespectingit,
recourseshallbehadtotheVicinage,whoseVerdict
shallascertainthefact,whetherthoseproducedare
free,ornot:and,accordingtoitsdecision,thematter
shallbeadjudged.But,ifthepartywhoclaimsthe
otherashisVillein,shouldbringforwardotherpersons
toprovethecontrary,namely,thatsuchpersonsasthe
claimanthasnowbroughtforwardarehisVilleinsborn,
andthattheysprungfromthesamecommonstock
withhim,whomheclaimsasaVilleinborn,then,in
likemanner,shouldthoseproducedbybothsidesbe
recognizedasofcommonkindred,letitbeinquiredby
1Proclamat,accordingtotheBodl.MS,whichIfollow,pro
clamo,appello,jjrovoco,&o:(Spelm.Gloss,advoc.)
2"Yet,''saystheMirror,"iftheDefendantCanshewafree
"stockofhisAncestors,eitherintheconception,orinthebirth,
"theDefendanthathalwaysbeenaccountedforafreeman,
"althoughhisFather,Mother,Brother,andCousins,andallhis
"Parentage,acknowledgethemselvestobethePlaintiff'sVil
"leins,anddotestifytheDefendanttobeaVillein."(Mirror,
c.3.s.23.)
Wemustsupposethatthiswasanimprovementposteriorto
thetimeofGlanville,sincethoughsomepartoftheMirrorwas
probablywrittenbeforetheconquest,theotherpartwaswritten
subsequentlytotheReignofHenrythe3nd.Fewancientlaw
bookswouldperhapsstandhigherthantheMirror,couldwe
clearlyascertainwhatwasoriginal,whatwassuperadded.At
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present,onepartoftheworkisoftenadirectrefutationof
anotherpart.
87
theVicinage,^whichofthemarethenearesttohim;
and,accordingastheinquiryturnsout,lettheJudg
mentbegiven.Inasimilarmanner,ifthoseproduced
byonepartyshould^denyinanyrespecthisrelation
ship,or,ifaquestionariseconcerningit,everydoubtof
thisnatureshallbedeterminedbytheYicinage.The
freedomhavingbeensufficientlyprovedinCourt,then,
thepartywhoselibertyhasbeenquestionedshallbe
absolvedfromtheclaimofhimwhowoulddrawhim
toYillenage,andforeverfreedfromit.If,however,
heshouldfailinhisproof,or,ifheshouldberecovered
byhisAdversaryashisYilleinborn,heshallbeirre
coverablyadjudgedtobelongtohisLord,together
AvithalltheChattelshepossesses.Thesameformand
orderareobservedinpleading,whenafreemanis
claimedasaYillein,orwhenanyone,inastateof
Yillenage,aspiresofhisownaccordtofreedom.For
thispurpose,thepartywhosefreedomisimpeached
shallcometotheKing'sCourt,andpray,thatthesuit
mightberemovedintothesame,whichbeingconceded,
thesuitwillthenproceedintheformbeforestated.
ItmustberemarkedconcerningthisPlea,thatthe
Duelcannotberesortedto,inordertoprovethefree
domofanyonefromhisBirth.^
1"ItshallbetriedbyanAssise,"saystheEeg.Majestatem,
(L.2.c.11.)
2"Acknowledgehimtoierelatedtothem,whilstthosepro
"ducedbytheotherpartyshould"AddedbyCotton.Bodl.and
Dr.Milles'sMS.
^"Ortodisproveit."Bodl.andDr.Milles'sMS.TheRegina
Majestatemisyetmoreunrestrained"But,itistobenoted,
"thatSinglecombatshallnothaveplaceinanyplea,toproveor
"disprovethelibertyorEstateofanyman."(L.2.c.11.)
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88
CHAP.Y.
TheeearemanymodesbywhichaMan,inastate
ofVillenage,mayacquirehisfreedom.^Thusifhis
Lord,beingdesirousofemancipatinghim,releases
him,aswellfromallhisownclaims,asthoseofthe
Lord'sHeirs:or,iftheLordgiveorsellhimto
another,forthepurposeofliberatinghim.Itmust,
1TheMirrorenumeratesmanyothermodesbywhichaVillein
wasenfranchised,besidesthosestatedbyGlanville,whichap
pearrathertobeputforexamples,thanascomprisingallthe
instancesofemancipation;andtheMirrorconfirmsmost,ifnot
all,oftheExamplesinthetext.(c.2.s.28.)TheRegiamMajes
tateminformsus,thatHolyOrdersenfranchised,iftakenwith
theconsentoftheLord.TheVilleinwasalsoenfranchised,if
theLordseducedhiswife,fortheLawpermittedtheVilleinto
receivenootheramends.TheVilleinwaslikewiseEmancipated,
iftheLorddrewbloodofhim,or,iftheLordrefusedtobail
him,eitherinacivilorcriminalactioninwhichhewasafter
wardsclearedbyTrial.(RegiamMajestatem,L.2.c.12.)The
actofenfranchisement,whennotarisingbyimplicationofLaw,
ofwhichdescriptionmanyoftheinstancesappeartobe,was,in
ancienttimesandbeforewritingwascommon,accompaniedby
muchpublicityandceremony.Quiservumsuumliberumfacit
inEcclesid,velMercato,ve.lComitatu,velHundredo,coramtesti
busetpalam,faciat,etliberaseiviasetportaseonficribitapertas,
etlaneeametgladiumvelquceliberorumarmainmanibusei
ponat.(AngloSax.LL.Ed.Wilkins.)Whenwritingbecame
common,themethodwas,bytheLord'sDeedexpresslyenfran
chisingtheVillein.UponthesubjectofVillenage,Fortescue's
wordsarenolessremarkableforthetruthandbeautyofthe
sentimenttheyexpress,thansingular,whenitisconsideied
thattheywereaddressedtoaPrince.Abhomineetprovitio
introductaestservitus:sedLibertasdDeohominisestinsita
naturae.Quareipsiabhominesublatasemperrediregliseit,ut
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facitomnequodlibertatenaturaliprivatur,(delaudibuslegum
Anglise,c.42.)
89
however,beobserved,thatnooneinastateofYillen
agecanpurchasehisfreedomwithhisownMoney;,
for,insuchcase,hemay,accordingtotheLawand
CustomoftheEealm,beagainrecalledbyhisLordto
astateofVillenage,alltheChattelsofaYilleinborn
beingunderstoodassoabsolutelyinthepowerofbis
Lord,astoprecludetheformer,atleastwithhisown
Money,andasagainsthisLord,fromredeeminghim
selffromVillenage.But,ifastrangerwithhisown
MoneypurchasetheVillein'sfreedom,theVillein
mayforeveraftermaintainhisfreedomagainsthis
Lord,whohassoldhim."Whenanyonehasreleased
aVillein,fromallrightwhichhe,orhisHeirs,could
claiminhim,orhassoldhimtoastranger,theVillein
whohasbeenthusenfranchisedmayforeverafterde
fendhisfreedom,aswellagainsttheLordhimself,as
hisHeirs;whilsthecanprovethefactinCourt,either
byaCharter,orbyanyotherlawfulmeans.Andthe
questionmayevenbedecidedbytheDuel,ifanyone
deny,thatthepartyhasbeenliberatedfromhisstate
ofVillenage,and,therebeaproperWitness,who,
havingbothseenandheardtheveryfactofEnfran
chisement,isreadytoprovehisfreedominCourt.
Itshouldhereberemarked,thatamanmayenfran
chisehisVilleinborn,sofarastheconsequencesaffect
thepersonsofhimself,orhisHeirs,butnotasthey
applytoothers.Because,ifamanbornaVillein,but
thusrenderedfree,shouldbeproducedinCourt,to
makeproofagainstastranger,ortowagehisLaw,he
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90
maybejustlyprecluded,ifitbeobjectedagainsthim,
andprovedinCourt,thathewasborninastateof
Villenage,'althoughhisconditionwassuchthathehad
beenKnightedsubsequentlytohisbeingenfranchised.^
IfaYilleinbornpeaceablyremainduringayearanda
dayînanyprivilegedTown^sothathebereceived
intheircommunityorGuild*asaCitizen,heshall
fromsuchcircumstancebefreedfromVillenage.
1"Excepthereceivedhislibertyandwasmadefreewiththe
"Licence,goodwill,andspecialcommandoftheKing."(Eeg_
Maj.L.3.c.12.)LordLittletonascribestheruleinthetext,to
ajealousyofjudicialproceedings.(3Hist.Hen.2.p.193.)It
moreprobablyoriginatedfromthechivalricprideofthetimes.
AsthegreatLordsoftenpersonallyengagedinthecombat,their
ownimportancewasincreasedbykeepingupthedignityofthis
modeofTrial.
^Bracton,L.1.fol.6.b.7.a.Buteventhisperiodwouldnot
operateasabartotheLord,ifwithintheyearclameuinstium
qualitercunqueapposuerit."lfheremainedquietly"arethe
wordsoftheRegiamMajestatem,duringayearandadayina
privilegedTownhebecamefreebutoutofaprivilegedtown
sevenyearswastheperiodbutthislatterprescriptionheldnot
goodagainsttheKing.(L._3.o.13.)
^Villaprivilegiafa.Item,.saysaLawoftheConqueror,si
servipermanserintsinecalumnidperannumetdiemincivitati
busnostrisvelinhurgisinmurovallatis,velineastrisnostris,
a,dieHidliberiefficiuntur,etliberidjitgoservitutissucesintin
perpetuum.{I.L.Gul.Conq.66.Ed.Wilkins,p.339.)"By
privilegedTownismeantaTownthathad''Franchisesbypre
"scriptionorcharterandthiscommunicationoflibertyfrom
"thencetoaVilleinresidingamongtliemsoshortatime,shews
"thehighregardtotheLawofsuchcorporations,andlikewise
"adesiretofavorenfranchisement,asmuchasthesettledrules
"ofpropertywouldadmit."(3Hist.Hen.3.p.191.Litt.)This
partofourAuthor'stextisconsiderablyelucidatedbyFleta,
L.4.c.11.s.11.andCo.Litt.137.b.
Oyldam,fromtheSaxongeldanandgildan.Oildareoccurs
inDomesdayfrequentlyprosolvere,reddere.(VideSpelman
Gloss.)
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91
CHAP.YI.
ViLLEiNSBOENaresuchfromtheirBirth.Thus,if
boththeparentsareVilleinsborn,theOffspringisa
Yilleinborn.iThesamemaybesaiduherethe
EatherisfreebuttheMotheraYilleinborn.If,how
ever,theMotherbefree,andtheFatheraYillein
born,thesameruleprevails,asfarasthepurityof
Conditionbeinquestion.
IfafreemantaketowifeawomanborninYillenage,
whilsthesocontinuesboundtothestateofYillenage,
heshallasaconsequencelosehisLaw,asifhehimself
wereaYilleinborn.Îftherebeanychildrenresult
1"ThoseareVilleinswhoarebegotofVilleinsandNiefsin
"servitude,whetherborninmatrimonyoroutofmatrimony;
"thosealsoareVilleinswhoarebegottenofVilleinsandborn
"offreewomeninmatrimony,andthoseareVilleinswhoare
"begottenofafreemanandaNiefandbornoutofmatri
"mony."(Minor.c.2.s.28.SeealsoBracton,fols.4.5.)and
rieta,L.1.c.3.
2Fromtheextremebrevityandquaintnessoftheoriginal,it
isamatterofsomedoubt,whatthetruemeaningofthepassage
is.LordLittletongivesthepassagethus."Wearetoldby
'Glanville,thatinhistime,ifafreemanmaTriedawomanborn
'inVillenageandwhoactuallylivedinthatstate,helostthere
'bythebenefitoftheLaw(thatisallthelegalrightsofafree
'man,)andwasconsideredasaVilleinbybirth,duringthelife
'timeofhiswife,onaccountofherVillenage."This,however,
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isatbestbutalooseparaphraseofGlanville.HisLordshipwas
awareofit,andtoconfirmhisrepresentationofwhatissaid,as
hetermsit,soindistinctlybyGlanville,hereferstoBracton,
fol.5.Mr.ReevesmakesthisseverepenaltyupontheHusband
toarise,notfromthewifelivinginastateofVillenage,buther
holdingpropertyinVillenage.Tliefactis,thetextexpresses
"neitherLordLittleton'sExplanation,northatgivenbyMr.
92
ingfromtheconnectionofaWomanborninVillenage
belongingtooneperson,andaManborninthatstate
belongingtoanother,thechildrenshallbepropor
tionablydividedbetweenthetwoLords.^
Eeeves.Idonotflattermyselftokavesucceededbetter.la
Britton'stime,thewifewasenfranchisedduringthecoverture.
(78.b.)VideCo.Litt.123.a.and137.b.andMr.Hargrave's
notesthereon.
1"This,"exclaimsLordLittleton,"wasabsolutelyputting
"childrenuponthesamefootascattle,orotherstockonafarm,
"withouttheregardthatisduetotheinherentfreedomand
"dignityofhumannature."(3Hist.Hen.2.p.191.)
mtl.
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OFDOWER.1
CHAP.I.
ThetermDowerisusedintwosenses.Dower,^
inthesenseinwhichitiscommonlyused,means
1OnthesubjectofthepresentBookingeneral,seeBracton,
fo.92etseq.andFletaL.5.c.23.etseq.
2Dos,dower."Dosisderived,"saysSirEdwardCoke,"ex
donatione,etestquasidonarium."(Co.Litt.30.b.)Cowell
andSpelman,however,bothdeduceitfromtheFrenchdouaire.
(CowellandSpelman'sGloss,advoc.)TherealobjectsofDower
aresustenanceforthewife,andnurtureandeducationforthe
children.(FletaL.5.Cap.23.)TheRomanswerenotinthe
habitofendowingtheirwives.When,therefore,Tacitusmet
withthispeculiarityamongtheGermans,hewasstruckwithit.
DotemnonUxormaritoseduxorimaritusaffert.(Tacit,demor.
Oerman.18.)ThoughDowerwasunknowntotheRomans,it
seemstohavebeeninuseamongsttheancientHebrews,(Gen.
34.13.Exodus22.16.etal.)NorwasitunknowntotheGrecians,
ifwemayjudgefromthatpartoftheOdysseywhereVulcanre
claimstheDowerhehadgiventohisfrailwife.Itseemsto
havebeenknowntotheancientGauls,(CsesardebelloGallioo
L.6.c.18.)AndtotheCantabri,(StraboL.3.)Craig,how
ever,doubtswhethertherewasanysuchthingasdower
amongsttheancientNorthernNations.(JusFeud.L.2.Dieg.
14.)TheGothsAidnotallowDowertoexceedatenth.(Wise
goth.L.3.t.1.1.4.)
TheAssisesofJerusalemgaveahalf,(c.187.)thesamepor
tionastheLawsoftheAncientDuchyofBurgundy(Chass.
93
94
thatwhichanyfreemanatthetimeofhisbeing'
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affianced,^givestohisBrideattheChurchDoor>
ForeveryManisboundaswellbytheEcclesiastical
Law,asbythesecular,toendowhisBride,atthetime
ofhisbeingalBancedtoher.Whenamanendowshis
Bride,heeithernamestheDower,ornot.Inthe
lattercase,thethirdpartofalltheHusband'sfree
holdLandisunderstoodtobetheWife'sDower;and
thethirdpartofallsuchfreeholdLandsasherHus
bandheld,atthetimeofaffiancing,ândofwhichhe
consuet.ducat.Burg.rub.4.s.6.col.580.)TheSaxons(LL.
'tit.8.)prceterdotemquaminniiptiisadeptaest,allowedthehalf
ofwhattheHusbandandWifesubsequentlyacquired.ALaw
ofEdmundgavetheftaZ/.(LL.Edm.)Theio?i5fo&ar'diallowed
Dowertoextendtothe/oiijfft,part.(L.3.tit.4.)TheEnglish,
theScotch,andtheNormans,followinginthisrespecttheSicil
iansandNeapolitans,haveallowedDowertoextendtoathird.
(VideLL.Hen.1.70.Ed.Wilkins.LeGrandCustum.de
Norm.c.103.theRegiamMajm.L.3.c.16.)
'Temxioredesponsationis.AffianceandMarriageseemtobe
perfectlydistinctthingsintheCivilandCanonLaws.(Vido
Lyndw.Provinc.271.)butourlawbooks,itissaid,usetheterms
promiscuously,asbeingsynonymous.(SeeCo.Litt.34.a.and
Mr.Hargrave'snote.)
2OrattheDooroftheMonastery,saytheMirrorandLord
Coke.(Mirror,o.1.s.3.Co.Litt.84.a.)Thereasonforre
quiringtheendowmenttobemadeatthedooroftheseplaces
wastogivepublicitytothetransaction.(Bracton93.a.Fleta.
L.5.c.33.)
2TemporematrimoniiistheexpressionoftheGrandNorman.
Customary,(c.103.)andoftheEegiamMajestatem(L.3.c.16.)
anddiequoearndesponsavitisthelanguageofBracton(92.a.)
andFleta(L.5.c.34.)notwithstandingthatthe7thchapterof
MagnaChartaenlargedtheMidow'sclaimtoathirdpartofall
suchlandsastheHusbandisseisedofinvitasuaor,asithas
beentranslated,duringthecoverture;andthusithasstood
eversince,thoughnotwithouthavingbeenmateriallyen
croachedupon,bythecomparativelymoderndoctriueofTrusts.
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AvasseisedinhisDemesne,istermedaWoman'srea^
sonableDower.If,however,theMannamethe
Dower,andmentionmorethanathirdpart,suchdes
ignationshallnotavail,asfarasitappliestothe
quantity.Itshallbereducedbyadmeasurementto
thethirdpart;^becauseaManmayendowaWoman
ofless,butcannotofmore,thanathirdpartofhis
Land.2
CHAP.II.
Shouldithappen,asitsometimesdoes,thataman
endowsaWoman,havingbutasmallfreeholdatthe
timeofhisbeingaffianced,hemayafterwardsenlarge
herDowertothethirdpartorlessoftheLands,he
mayhave^purchased.
ButifupontheAssignmentofDower,nomention
Avasmadeconcerningpurchases,evenadmittingthat
atthetimeofaffiancehepossessedbutasmallEstate,
1ForthispurposeourAuthorgivesustheformofaWrit,
Cliapter18thofthepresentBook.
2"Lest,bysuchliberalendowments,theLordshouldbede
"fraudedofhiswardshipsandotherfeudalprofits."(3Bl.(ôm.
133.SeealsoGrandGust,deNorm.c.18.)Itisaremarkable
peculiarityofLegislation,thatthesameLawisfrequentlytlie
resultofprinciplesthemostdifferentthus,themodernFrench
codetellsus,thatitwillnotallowtheDowrytobeaugmented
duringthemarriage.(CodeNapoleons.1543.)
'Questus,moreproperly,saysSpelman,qiuestusfromquaero,
purchasedLands,contradistinguishedtoLandsacquiredbyin
heritance.(VideSpelm.Gloss,advoc.andCo.Litt.18.a.)pur
chasedLandsweredesignatedunderthefeudalLawbythe
feudumnovum.(CraigJusfeud.L.1.Dieg.10.s.13.)
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andthatheafterwardsmuchincreasedit,theWife
cannotclaimasDowermorethanathirdpartofsuch
LandasherHusbandheld,atthetimeofbeingaffi
anced,andwhenheendowedher.ThesameEulepre
vailsifaMan,notbeingpossessedofanyLand,should
endowhisWifewithhisChattels,ândotherthings,
orevenwithMoney.Shouldheafterwardsmake
considerablepurchasesinLandandTenements,the
Wifecannotclaimanypartofsuchpropertysoac
quiredbypurchase;itbeing,witlirespecttothequan
tityorqualityoftheDowerassignedtoanyWoman,
ageneralprinciple,thatifsheissatisfiedtotheextent
ofherendowmentatthedooroftheChurch,shecan
neverafterwardsclaimasDoweranythingbeyondit.^
1ItiscurioustoobservethefluctuationsofLaw.Though
Glanvilleinthetextexpresslylaysitdown,thataWomanmay
beendowedofchattels,ormoney,which,indeed,couldhave
beentheonlymodeofendowinginthestillmoredistant
agesofAntiquity,yetthiswasdeniedtobelawintheEeignof
Henrythefourth,(7.H.4.13.b.)TheDoctrineoftheCourts
ofEquityinthepresentday,inadmittingequitablebars,seems,
inpointofsubstance,torevivethelawaslaiddownbyGlan
ville.ThedoctrineofthetextisconfirmedbytheRegiamMa
jestatem,andFleta:butthelatterinformsus,thatDowers,of
thekindnowunderdiscussion,wereonlysofartoberecovered,
asthechattelsofthedeceasedextended.(L.5.c.23.)Hence
probablytheyfellintodisuse.
2"Sienimmulier,quandoductafueritinuxorem,concessit
etconsensusedotaridelmobiliveldeterraspeciflcata,illudeidebet
postdecessummaritisuisufficere,quodincontractumatrimonii
concessitseprodoterecipereetconsensit."(LeGrandCoustoum.
deNormand.c.103.)"Becauseshewasfirstcontentthere
with,"isthereasontheReg.Maj.giveswhysheshouldafter
wardsbeconfinedstrictlytotheoriginaldesignation.(L.2.c.
16.)
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CHAP.III.
Itshouldbeunderstood,thata"Woman^cannot,
duringthelifeofherHusband,makeanj'disposition
ofherDower.2ForsincetheWifeherselfisinalegal
senseundertheabsolutepowerofherHusband,itis
notsingular,iftheDower,aswellastheWomanher
selfandallotherthingsbelongingtoher,shouldbe
consideredtobefullyatthedisposaloftheHusband.
Butanyone,havingaWife,mayeithergiveorsellher
Dower,or,byanyothermodehepleases,mayalien
ateitinhislifetime;sothattheWifeshallbebound
toconformtohiswillinthisasinallotherrespects
whicharenotcontrarytotheLawofGod.Andso
faristheWomanboundtoobeyherHusband,thatif
herHusbandchusestosellherDower,andshere
fusesherconsent,andtheDowerbeafterwardssold
andboughtunderthesecircumstances,theWifecan
notâfterthedeathofherHusbandclaimherDower
1MulieristheexpressionwhichourAuthorgenerallyuses,to
designatetheWife:but,asLordCokeinformsus,thisTermwas
ancientlytakenforawife.(3.Inst.434.)
2ForwhichRuleBractongivestworeasons:1st.Becausethe
womanhasnofreeholdinherDower,previouslytoitsbeingas
signed.2ly.BecauseshecannotgainsayherHusband.(Brac
ton95.b.)
'IhavefollowedalltheMS.andtheEditionofGlanvillepub
lishedin1604,inadmittingnotintothetext.Isubmit,that
thisReadingissanctionednotmerelybythepreviouspartof
thispresentchapter,butalsobythe13thchapterofthepresent
Book.YettheMegiamMajestatemtaakesthevalidityofsucha
.saletodependuponthewife'sconsentbut,ifshemadenoop
7
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asagainstthePurchaser,ifsheconfessinCourtoris
convicteduponthefactthat,althoughsheopposed
herHusband,theDowerwassoldbyhim.
CliAP.IV.
UponthedeathoftheHusbandofa"Woman,her
Dower,ifithasbeennamed,willeitherbevacantor
not.
Intheformercase,thewomanmay,withtheconsent
oftheHeir,enteruponherDower,ândretainthe
positiontoit,itseemstoliavebeentantamounttoapositive
consent.(L.2.c.15.16.)Fromconsideringthe13thChapterof
thepresentBook,onethingseemsclearthatincasetheHus
banddisposedofhisWife'sdower,theHeirwasboundtorender
anequivalenttothePurchaser,iftheLandwasrecoveredfrom
him,ortothewife,ifitwasnotso.AstotheHeir,therefore,
itwasimmaterial;andsoitperhapsmightbeconsideredwith,
respecttotheWifeandthePurchaser,incasetheHeir,asHeir,
weresolvent;butifotherwise,itwashighlymaterialtoascer
tain,whoseright,thatofthewifeorthatofthepurchaser,was
paramount.BractonismoreexplicitthanourAuthor;and
fromhimwecollect,thatadistinctionshouldbemade,whether
theDowerwasoriginallynamed,ornot.Inthe/ormercase,the
womancouldpursuetheidenticalDower,andwrestitfromthe
handsevenofaPurchaser.Inthelattershewasobligedtore
sorttotheHeirforanEquivalent.Intliefirstcase,fromthe
momentthedowerwasnamed,thewomanacquiredacertain
jusetdominiumasBractonexpressesit,intheproperty,which
accompanieditintowhateverhandsitafterwardswent,andgave
hertherightoffollowingandreclaimingit.But,iftheendow
mentwexegeneral,andnoparticularlandspecified,theWife
didnotacquireanyimmediateright,onaccountoftheuncer
tainty;itbeingquestionable,whatidenticalallotmentwould
falltohershare,untiltheassignmenttookplace.(Bracton
300.b.)
1Itseems,th,ttheWidowtookpossessionofthepropertyin
thesamestateiawhichitexistedatthedeathofherHusband^
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possessionofit.If,however,theDowerbenotvacant,
eitherthewholewillbesocircumstanced,orsomepart
willbevacant,andsomenot.Ifacertainpartbeva
cant,andacertainpartnot,shemaypursuethecourse
wehavedescribed,andenterintothepartwhichis
vacant;andfortheresidue,sheshallhaveaWritof
Eight,directedtoherWarrantorînordertocompel
himtodocompleteJusticeconcerningtheLand,
whichsheclaimsasappertainingtoherreasonable
Dower,whichWritshallbeasfollows:
CHAP.Y.
"TheKingtoM.Health.Îcommandyouthat,
'withoutdelay,youholdfullrighttoA.whowas
"theWifeof!.ofoneHydeofLand,insuchaVill,
"whichsheclaimstobelongtoherreasonableDower,
"whichsheholdsofyouinthesameVillbythefree
"serviceoftenshillings,bytheyear,foreveryservice,
"ofwhichN.hasdeforcedher:andunlessyoudoso,
"theSheriffshall,^leastsheshouldanymorecomplain,
"forwantofJustice.Witness&c."
whetherincultivation,orotherwise,withthefruits,returns,
andallotherthingsappertainingtoit.(Braoton98.a.Fleta
L.5.c.24.s.2.)
1Namely,theHeirofherHusband.(VideReg.Maj.L.2.c.16.)
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2VideF.N.B.18.
3AmongtheConstitutionsoftheAncientkings,theMirror
informsus,"itwasordained,thatafteraPlaintofwrongbe
"sued,thatnootherhaveJurisdictioninthesameplace,before
"thefirstPlaintbedetermined:andfromthencecamethis
"clauseinaWritofRight,Etnisifecerisvicecomesfaciat."
(Mirrorc.1.s.3.)
100
CHAP.VI.
ThePleashallbediscussedintheCourtofthe"War
rantorbyvirtueofthisWrit,untilitbeprovedthat
suchCourthasfailedindoingJustice,concerningthe
natureofwhich,weshallspeakinanotherplace.^
Uponproofofthis,theSuitshallberemovedintothe
CountyCourt,throughthemediumofwhich,theSuit
may,atthepleasureoftheKingorhisChiefJusticiary,
belawfullytransferredtotheKing'sCourtbythefol
lowingWrit:2
CHAP.YII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Putbeforeme
"ormyJustices,onsuchaday,thesuitwhichisin
"yourCountyCourt,betweenA.and]V.concerning
"oneHydeofLandinsuchaYill,whichthesaidA.
"claimsagainsttheaforesaidiT.asherreasonable
"Dower.AndSummon,bygoodSummoners,the
"aforesaidJ^.whoholdsthatLand,thathebethen
"therewithhisPlea.Andhavethere,"&c.
1V.InfraL.12.o.7.
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2"TheFeme,whoisDemandant,mayremovethesamebya
"ToltintotheCounty;andalsomayremovethesameoutof
"theCountyintotheCommonPleasbyaPone,<c.vrithout
"shewinganycauseintheWrit,astheDemandantshalldoina
"WritofEightPatent."(F.N.B.15.)
101
CHAP.VIII.
Pleasofthisdescription,as,indeed,someothers,
maybetransferredfromtheCountyCourttothe
supremeCourtoftheKingforavarietyofCauses:
as,onaccountofanydoubtwhichmayariseinthe
CountyCourtconcerningthepleaitself,andwhich
thatcourtisunabletodecide;(andwhenanysuitis
thustransferredtotheCourt,thenbothparties,as
welltheTenantastheDemandant,shallbesum
moned.)But,whenithasbeenremoveduponthe
Petitionofoneoftheparties,itwillthensuffice,if
thatpartybesummonedwhodidnotrequirethere
moval:but,ifthesuitshouldbetransferredtoCourt
bytheconsentandprayerofbothparties,beingpres
entinCourttogether,then,neitherpartyoughttobe
summoned,becausethedayappointedinCourtis
knowntobothofthem.Uponthedayappointedin
Court,eitherbothpartieswillbeabsent,oronlyone
willbeso,orbothwillappear."Wehavealready
sufficientlytreatedconcerningtheabsenceofboth,or
ofoneonlyoftheparties.Ifbothbepresentin
Court,theWomanshallsetforthherclaimagainst
herAdversaryinthefollowingAvords."Idemand
"suchLand,asappertainingtosuchLand,whichwas
"namedtomeinDower,andofwhichmyHusband
'endowedmeatthedooroftheChurch,thedayhe
"espousedme,asthatofwhichhewasinvestedand
"seisedatthetimewhenheendowedme."^
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1ItisthusasliterallysetdownintheTranslationofthe
102
YariousaretheAnswerswhichtheAdverseparty
usuallygivestoaclaimofthiskind;insubstance,
however,hewilleitherdenythatsheAvassoendowed,
orconcedeit.
But,whateverhemayallege,theSuitoughtnotto
proceed,AvithouttheHeiroftheWoman'sHusband.
Heshall,therefore,besummonedtoappearinCourt
toheartheSuit,bythefollowingWrit:
CHAP.IX.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Summon,bygood
"Summoners,iV.theSonandHeirofE.thathebe
"beforeme,ormyJustices,onsuchaday,towarrant
"toJ..AvhowastheWifeofthesaidE.hisFather,one
"HydeofLandinsuchaYill,whichsheclaimstobe
"longtoherreasonableDoweroftheGiftofthesaid
"E.herHusband,againstN.andofAvhichthereisa
"SuitbetweentheminmyCourt,ifhewillAvarrant
"thatLand;ortosheAvtoherAA'hyheoughtnotto
"doso.Andhavethere&c.Witness&c."
CHAP.X.
ShouldtheHeir,afterhavingbeensummoned,
neitherappear,noressoinhimself,onthefirst,second,
KegiamMajestatem."IclaimsicLand,asanepartandper
"tinentsofthatLandnamedbymyumquhillHusbandformy
'Dourie,quherewithheindowedmeattliekirkdore,tlie'
"saminedaywhenhemarriedme,whereinhewasvestand
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"saisedatthetimeheindowedmetherewith."(L.3.c.16.)
103
northirdday;orif,afterhavingcasttheusualEs
soins,heshouldonthefourthday,neitherappearnor
sendhisAttorney,itmaybeaquestion,bywhat
meansheoughtorcanbedistrained,consistentlywith
theLawandCustomoftheEealm.Intheopinionof
some,hisappearanceinCourt,shallbecompelled,by
distraininghisFee.^
Andthat,therefore,bythedirectionoftheCourt
somuchofhisFee^shallbetakenintotheKing's
handsasmaybenecessarytodistrainhimtoappear
inCourttoshew,whetherheoughttowarrantthe
Landinquestionornot.Whilstothers^think,thathis
appearanceinCourtforsuchpurposemaybeeffected,
byattachinghimbyPledges.
CHAP.XL
Whex,atlast,theHeiroftheHusbandofthe
"Woman,thecomplainant,appearinCourt,eitherhe
1Hemay,accordingtotheRegiamMajestatem,bedistrained,
orattachedbyPledges.(L.3.c.16.)
^Feodum.Thisword,whichhasfrequentlyoccurredinour
progressthroughGlanville,hasgiventhenametoasystem.
TliereaderhasnodoubtperusedMr.JusticeBlackstone'saccount
ofit,(2Comm.44.)andtheluminousAnnotationwhiclrMr.
ButlerhassubjoinedtoCo.Litt.(Noteto199.a.)Itmaynotbe
amissbrieflytomentiontheleadingdivisionsofFeuds,asthe
Readerinthecourseofthesepageswillfindsomeofthesedi
visionsmentioned,andothersalludedto.1.InpropriumetIm
proprium.2.Iiifrancumetiwufrancum.3.InmascuUnum
etfemininum.4.Inrealeetpersonale.5.Inlaicumetecclesias
ticum.6.Inantiquumetnovum.7.Innobileetignobile.8.
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Inligiumetnonligium.9.Insimplexetconditionatiim.10.
IndivisibileetIndivisibile.(CraigdeJur.Feud,sparsim.)
3Namely,saysDr.Milles'aMS.HughBardolph.
104
willaflEirmthefact,andconcedethattheLandin
questionappertainstotheDowerofthe"Woman,and
thatshewasendowedofit,andthathisAncestorat
thetimeheendowedherwasseisedofitasanappur
tenanttotheLandwhichhenamedinchief,asher
Dower,or,hewilldenyit.IfthePleiradmitthisin
Court,heshallthenbeboundtorecovertheLand
againsttheTenant,ifhebedisposedtodisputethe
matter,andthendeliverittothewoman;andthusthe
contestwillbechangedintoonebetweentheTenant
andtheHeir.
If,however,theHeirbeunwillingtocontestthe
point,heshallbeboundtogivetotheWomanacom
petentequivalent;because,the"Womanherselfshall
notafterwardssustainanyloss.But,iftheHeirhimself
neitheradmitnorconcedetothe"Womanthatwhich
sheallegesagainsttheTenant,then,thesuitmay
proceedbetweenthe"WomanandtheHeir.Fora
"WomancannotwithEffectbringanActionagainst
anyone,withoutthe"WarrantorofherDower.Îf,
therefore,theHeirshouldabsolutelj'denytheEightof
theWoman,alleginginCourt,thatsheneverwasen
dowedbyhisAncestor,themattermaybedecidedby
theDuel,providedtheWomanproduceinCourtthose
whoheardandsawtheEndowment,oranyproper
Witnesswhomayhaveheardandseenthefactofher
1For,astheRegiamMajestatemadds,"theking'swritisof
"noforce,unlessthewarrantorbesummoned."(L.3.c.16.)
TheBodleian,Harleian,andCottonianMS.add,thatthewoman
isnotboundtoanswer,withoutherwarrantor.
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105
beingendowedbytheAncestoroftheHeiratthe
Churchdoor,atthetimeoftheEspousals,andbeready
toprovesuchfactagainsthira.
ShouldtheWomanprevailagainsttheHeirinthe
Duel,thentheHeirshallbeboundtodelivertheLand
inquestiontotheWoman,iortogiveheranadequate
recompense.
CHAP.XII.
Itshouldbeobserved,thatwhenanyoneendowhis
"Wifeinthesewords."IgivetotheethisLand,or
"Yill,byname,withallitsappurtenances"if,at
thatperiod,heheldnotanythingappurtenanttoitin
hisDemesne,norofwhichhewasseisedatthetime
ofhisEspousals,andheinhislifetimerecoverit,orby
anyotherlawfulmeansacquireit,the"Wife,afterthe
deathofherHusband,may,bytheLawofDower,
justlydemandsuchappurtenant,togetherwiththe
otherpropertyofwhichshewasendowed.
1TheDowerbeingassigned,saysBracton,itshall,inevery
senseoftheword,beenjoyedfreely;andthewifeshallnotbe
compelledtocontributeanyportionofit,towardsdischarging
theDebtsofherHusband,whichentirelydevolveuponthe
Heir.TheHeirshallwarrantanddefendtheDower,andper
formthejudicialservicesthatmaybedueinrespectofit,to
tlieCounty,theHundred,ortheLord'sCourt;whilstthewidow,
exemptfromeveryothercare,devotesherattentionsolelytothe
managementofherdomesticaffairs,andtotheeducationofher
children.Sheshall,however,haveherowncourt,(fo.98.a.)
Soeffectuallyweretheconvenience,theinterest,thedignity,of
thewidowattendedtowhenBractonwrote!!
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CHAP.XIII.
Itmustalsobeunderstood,thatiftheHusbandof
anyWoman,afterhavingendowedherashisWife,
shouldsellherDowertoanyone,hisHeirshallbe
obligedtodelivertheDowertotheWoman,ifhe
possiblycan;atthesametimeheshallbeboundto
renderareasonableequivalenttothePurchaser,on
accountoftheSale,orGiftofhisAncestor.Îf,
however,theHeirbeunablesotodo,heshallbe
boundtomaketothewomanareasonablecompen
sation.
CHAP.XIY.
WhentheDowerofaWomanhappentobesocir
cumstanced,thatsheispreventedfromobtainingany
partofit,then,thesuitshallfromthebeginningbecar
riedonintheKing'sCourt,andthepersoninpossession
oftheDowershallbesummoned,bythefollowing
Writ:
CHAP.XV.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.*CommandIf.
"that,justlyandwithoutdelay,hecauseA.whowas
"theWifeofE.,tohaveherreasonableDowerinsuch
1AnAssignmentofDowercarrieswithitanobligationof
warrantyunderthemodernFrenchcode.(CodeNapoleon,1547.
1564.)
2VideF.N.B.S39.
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"aVill,whichsheclaimstohaveoftheGiftofthe
"saidE.,herHusband,andofwhichshehasnopart,
"asshesays;andofwhichshecomplainsthathehas
"unjustlydeforcedher;and,unlesshedoesso,sum
"monhim,bygoodSummoners,thathebe,onsucha
"day,beforevs,orourJustices,toshewwhereforehe
"hasnotdoneit;andhavethere,&c.Witness,&c."
CHAP.XYI.
WhoeverhappenstobeinpossessicnoftheDower,
whethertheHeiroranotherperson,theHeirought
alwaystobepresenttoanswertheWomanclaiming
herDower.If,therefore,astranger,andnottheHeir,
deforcetheWomanofherDower,heshallbesum
monedbythisWrit;buttheHeirshallbesummoned
bytheformerWrit.
CHAP.XYII.
ThesuitbetweentheHeirandtheWidow,maybe
infinitelyvaried.FortheWomanwilleitherclaim
herDower,asnamed,orherreasonableDowerasnot
named.TheHeiralsomayadmitthatherDowerwas
named,butthatitdiffersfromthatshedemands:or
hemayallege,thatnoDowerwasspecified.
IfthecontestbetweenthembeconcerningDower
"whichwasnamed,orconcerningdifferentnominations
108
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ofit,then,thePleamayproceedinthemannerwe
haveabovedescribed.ButifareasonableDowerbe
demanded,nosjieciiicnominationhavingbeenmade,
theLawisperfectlyclear,thattheHeirisboundto
assigntotheWomanasherDower,athirdpartofall
thefreeholdTenementsthathisAncestorheldinhis
Demesne,onthedayoftheEspousals,andthisunre
servedly,ineverything,asinLands,andTenements,
andEcclesiasticalAdvowsons,isothatifthereshould
bebutoneChurchinthewholeInheritance,andsuch
happentofallvacantinthelifeofthewoman,and
afterthedeathofherHusband,theHeirshallnot,
withouttheAssentofthewoman,presentaParsonto
suchChurch.FromthegeneralityofthisRulewe
mustexcepttheCapitalMessuage,whichcannotbe
giveninDower,norcanitbedivided,butshallremain
entire.^Norshalladivisionbemadeofthosethings
whichotherwomen,whohavebeenpreviouslyen
1VideBracton,97.a.wherethedoctrinesofthetextarecor
roborated,andtlieadditionalimi^rovementslaiddown.
^Yet,fromtheformofthewrit,book12.c.20.asgivenby
ourauthor,wemaycollect,thattheLandassignedtotheWidow,
asherDower,wastohaveamessuageuponit,unless,asthe
Writsa3^s,landbadbeen,inthefirstplace,specificallynomi
nated,onwhichtherewasnomessuage.Thisinferenceiscorrob
oratedb}'Bracton.(97.b.)Itwascertainlyaqualificationof
tlieseverityoftheRule,whicliwouldturntheWidowoutof
thatHouseshemightpossiblylonghaveoccupiedwitliherHus
bandasitsmistress.TlieWidowhadfurtheradvantagesunder
the7tlichap,ofMag.Car.Thesedifferentregulationsinfavor
ofthewidow,tendedtorestorethecommonLawasitstoodin
theReignofCanute.UhiMaritushabiiavitabsqueliteetabs
quecontroversia,habitentuxoretinfansubiqueabsquelite.
(LL.Canuti,70.Ed.Wilkins.)
109
dowed,stillholdinDower.^Besides,ifthereshould
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betwoormoreManorstobedivided,theChiefManor
shallnotbe.divided,but,togetherwiththecapital
Messuage,shallremainentiretotheHeir,sothatthe
"WidowshallbefullysatisfiedfromtheotherManor
orManors.Itshouldalsoberemarked,thattheAs
signmentofthe'Dowershallnotbepostponed,on
accountoftheInfancyoftheHeir.Inaddition,should
anyLandhavebeengivenbynametoaWoman,in
Dower,andshouldaChurchhavebeenfoundedinthat
Fee,theWoman,afterthedeathofherHusband,shall
havethefreePresentation;soastohaveitinher
power,incasesuchChurchshouldbecomevacant,to
bestowituponanyproperClerk.^Butshecannot
conferituponaCollege,^because,bysodoing,she
wouldforeverdestroytheEightoftheHeir.
ButiftheHusbandofthewomanhappeninhislife
timetobestowtheChurchupontheClerk,thelatter
shall,duringthewholeofhislife,retainsuchChurch;
althoughhewerepresentedsubsequentlytotheperiod
whenthewomanwasendowedofthatLand.If,how
ever,theHusbandshould,intheinterval,bestowthe
ChurchuponanyreligiousHouse,theChurchought,
afterthedeathoftheHusband,tobedeliveredtohis
"Widow,sothatinthecourseofherlifeshemayhave
1"ThegreatThird,"saysSkene,"shallnotbecomputed,in
"thedivisionofasecondthird."(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.16.)
2"QualifiedClerk,inlifeandliterature."(Reg.Maj.L.3.
c.16.)
8"Seeing,"addsSkene,"aCollegeneverdies."(Reg.Maj.
1,.3.c.16.)
110
afreePresentation.^But,afterthedeathofthe'wo
man,andoftheClerkinstitutedParsonuponherPres
entation,theChurchshallreverttothereligious
House,andshallforeveraftersoremain.Itmayalso
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beobserved,thatifthewifeshould,inthelifetimeof
herHusband,beseparatedfromhimonaccountofin
continence,theWomanshallnotbehearduponaclaim
ofDower.2Thesameruleprevails,ifshebeseparated
fromhimonaccountofRelationship^sheshallbe
debarredfromclaimingherDower.Andyether
childrenmayinherit,and,bytheLa'woftheRealm,
shallsucceedtotheirFatherbyhereditaryEight.*
1"IftheHusbandgavetheChurchtoanyReligiousHouse,
"afterhisdeceasehisHeirshalldeliverthechurchtothe"Wife,
"sothatduringallthedaysofherlifeshemayhavetherightof
"Presentationthereof."(Reg.Majest.L.2.o.16.)
^FromaLawofEdmund,whichisineverysenseoftheword
amostsingularspecimenoflegislation,thetranslatormakes
thefollowingextract:Siearn(thewife)exterrailiadueere
vclitinalterhisThaniregionem,turn:sponsioipsiussitquam
Amidpaoiscantur,utMaritusejusnullamilliinjuriaminferat,
etsiiliadelictumcommiserit,utpossintessepropinquioresemen
dationi,siilianonJiabeatundecompenset.(LL.Edm.Ed.Wil
kins.)Thiswascertainlyamorepolitemodeofproceeding
thanCanuteallowed.UnderhisLaw,thewife,ifguiltyofthe
offenceinthelifetimeofherHusband,becameinfamous,for
feitedeverythingshepossessedtoherHusband,andlostboth
hernoseandears.(LL.CanutiIbid.)
5Parentelam,{videSpelm.Gloss,advoo.parentes.)"Paren
"tageandsibnessofblude(withindegreesdefendedandfor
"bidden,")(Reg.Majest.L.2.o.16.)
Divorce,generally,isabartoDowerundertheNormancode.
(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.o.102.)
*UponthisRuleofLaw,LordLittletonobserves,"astheCa
"ncnicalprohibitionsextendedsofar,thatdivorcesfrequently
"happened,afteracohabitationofmanyyearsinastateofwed
"locksupposedlawful,theiewasmuchhumanityandequityin
Ill
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Observealso,thatwhentheSonandHeirofanyon
marries,withtheconsentofhisFather,and,bythe
AssignmentofhisFather,endowhis"Wifewithacer
tainpartoftheLandofhisFather,îtmaybeques
tionedwhetherthe"Wifecandemandanymoreas
dower?ÎfherHusbanddiepreviouslytohisFather^
itmaybedoubted,whethershecanretaintheLandin
question,asherDower,andwhethertheFatherofher
HusbandbeboundtowarrantsuchLandtoher?Îf
"thisLaw,"especiallyashisLordshiphadjustobserved"sucha
"separationsupposedanullityinthemarriage,andthechildren
"mustinstrictnesshavebeenbastardisedbyit,"haditnotthus
havebeentemperedandrelaxed.(3Litt.Hist.Hen.2.p.126.)
AsimilarLawformspartoftheModernFrenchcode,though
clearlytheresultofdifferentprinciples"Dissolutionofmar
"riagebyDivorce,allowedatLaw,shallnotdeprivethechil
"drenbornofthemarriageofanyoftheadvantageswhichwere
"assuredtothembytheLaws,orbythemarriagecontractsof
"theirFatherandMother."(CodeNapoleon,s.304.)
1AccordingtotheNormanCode,iftheHusband,atthetime
ofthemarriage,hadnoFee,buthisfatherorGrandfatherhad
beenpresentandconsentedtothemarriage,thewifemightbe
endowedoutoftheLandoftheFatherorGrandfather,provided
therewerenootherHeirs:if,however,suchFatherorGrand
fatherhadotherHeirs,then,shewastobeendowedoutofthe
portiondescendingtoherHusband.But,iftheFatherorGrand
fatherdidnotconsenttothemarriage,shewasentitledtono
DoweroutoftheirLands.(LeGrandConst,deNormand,c.
103.)
2Thisisputasaquestionintheprintedtext,althoughtheCot
tonianandDr.Milles'sMS.assertitabsolutely,thatthewife
cannotclaimanymoreinDowerthanthatofwhichshehasbeen
soendowed.Tliattheprintedtextiscorrectseemsprobable:
forwecanscarcelysupposethedoctrineinquestionwassettled
whenthatcontainedinthenextfollowingpassagewasunsettled.
'TheEegiamMajestatemlaysitdown,thattheFatherof'the
Husbandshallbecompelledtowarrantthesametoher.(L.2.
c.16.)VideCo.Litt.35.a.
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112
awomanhavemoreLandinDowerthansheought,
thatis,morethanbelongstoher,lettheSheriffbe
commandedtoadmeasureit,andforthispurposethe
followingWritshallissue
CHAP.XVIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^N.complainsto
^'us,thatA.hisMother,hasmoreinDowerofhisIn
"heritance,thansheoughttohave,andthanbelongs
'"tohertohave,towit,herreasonableDower.There
"fore,Icommandyou,thatjusth'andwithoutdelay,
"youcauseittobeadmeasured;andthat,justlyand
"withoutdelay,youcausethesaidN.tohavewhathe
""oughtofrighttohaveofhisinheritance;and,justly
"andwithoutdelay,causethesaidA.tohavewhat
"sheoughttohave,andwhatbelongstohertohave,
"towit,herreasonableDower,leastheshouldagain
*'complainforwantofJustice.Witness,&c."
1VideF.N.B.331.
ioolt^||.
OFLAWFULHEIRS,ANDBASTARDS,MALEORFE
MALE,OFFULLAGEORMINORS;ANDOFTHECUS
TODYANDPRIVILEGEOFMINORS;ANDCONCERN
INGULTIMATEHEIRS,WHOARETHELORDSWHEN
THEFEEFALLSINTOTHEIRHANDS;ANDOFTHE
HEIRSOFINTESTATES;ANDOFUSURERS,AND
THEIRHEIRS;ANDOFMARRIAGEHOODANDOTHER
THEDONATIONSOFANCESTORS;ANDOFTHEIRTES
TAMENTSANDDEBTS,ALLWHICHTHEIRHEIRS
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AREBOUNDTOWARRANT.
CHAP.I.
TheterraDowerisreceivedinadifferentaccepta
tionintheKomanCode,accordingtowiiich,thatpor
tionwhichisgiventoaManwithaWomanis,prop
erlyspeaking,termedDower;butthiscorresponds
withwhatisusuallycalled,Marriagehood.Êvery
1Maritagium.ThisTermisexplainedbyourAuthormore
fullyinthe18thchapterofthepresentBook.LordCoketrans
latestheword,marriage:but,toavoidaconfusionofideas,I
haverenderedit,marriagehood.Thetermmaritagiumappears
tohavebeenemployedbyourancientvyritersinthreesenses.
1.Todesignatemarriage,inthemodernsenseoftheTerm.S.
ToimportLandgivenwithaWomaninmarriage;suchmarita
giumbeingeitherliberum,,orservitioobnoxium,asweshallpres
entlysee.8.TomeantherightwhichaLordhadofdisposing
ofhiswardinmarriage.(Bracton,21.a.Spelm.Gloss,advoo.
2Bl.Comm.69.Co.Litt.21.b.76.a.andMag.Car.c.7.)
8113
114
freemanpossessedofLandmaygiveacertainpartof
itwithhisDaughter,orwithanyotherWoman,in
Marriagehood,whetherhehasanyHeir,ornot;or
whetherhisHeir,supposinghehasone,consentto
suchadisposition,ornotnay,thoughtheHeirex
presslydissentfrom,andforbidit.Everyonemay
alsogiveacertainpartofhisfreeholdEstate^toany
personhechuses,inremunerationofhisservices,orto
areligiousEstablishmentinFreeAlms;2that,ifseisin
followuptheDonation,theLandshallperpetuallyre
maintothepersontowhomitisgivenandhisHeirs,
ifthetermsoftheGiftgotothatextent.But,if
suchaDonationshouldnotbefollowedupbyseisin,
nothingcan,afterthedeathoftheDonor,beclaimed
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witheffectinvirtueofit,contrarytothewillofthe
Heir;becausesuchadispositionisusuallyinterpreted
bytheLawoftheRealm,ratherasanakedpromise,
thanarealpromiseordonation.Thoughitisthus,
generallyspeaking,lawfulforaman,inhislifetime,
freelytodisposeofthereasonablepartôfhisLand,
1TheAssisesofJerusalempermittedaFieftobedismembered,
ifitconsistedofmoreKnight'sFeesthanone,butnototherwise,
(c.265.)
2PoteritetiamDonatioinliberameleemosinam,sicut,ecclesiis,
catliedralibus,conventualibus,parochialibus,virisreligiosis.
(VideBracton27.b.)'OriginallywhenLandsweregivento
"thechurch,theywereburdenedwithmilitaryservice:this
"servicetheBishoporAbbotperformedinsomeagesbyhim
"self,andinothersbyadelegate:but,whenthenecessityforit
"becameless,people,ingivingLandstothechurch,exacted
"nootherreturnthanPrayersandsuchreligiousExercises."
(Dalrymple'sEssayonFeuds,p.30.)
'ItdoesnotappearfromGlanvillewhatwasconsideredas
thisreasonablepart.InspeakingoftheConstitutionsofthe
115
insuchmannerashemayfeelinclined,yetthesame
permissionisnotallowedtoanyoneonhisdeathbed;
becausethedistributionoftheInheritancewould,
probably,bethenhighlyimprudent,^weresuchanin
dulgenceconcededtomen,who,intheglowofasud
denimpulse,notunfrequentlyloseboththeirmemory
andreason.
Hence,itistobepresumed,thatifaManlaboring
underamortaldisease,shouldthenforthefirsttime
setaboutmakingadispositionofhisLand,athing
neverthoughtofbyhiminthehourofhealth,that
theactisrathertheresultoftheMind'sInsanitythan
ofitsdeliberation.ButyetaGiftofthisdescription,
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ancientkings,theMirrortellsus,that"nonemightalienbut
"thefourthpartofhisInheritance,withouttheconsentofhis
"Heirs."(c.1.s.3.)Whetherthisremovesthedifficulty,is
fortheReadertodecide.The33ndchapterofMag.Car.in
tendedtoprovidearemedyfortheabuseoftheindulgence
statedinthetextvrhichwasagainaffectedbytheStatuteof
quiaEmptores.ThemodernFrenchcoderestrainsagifttothe
moietyofaman'sproperty,ifheleavesonechildtoathirdof
it,ifheleavestwoandtoafourthifheleavesthreechildren.
Nordoesitseemthatamanisfreefromrestraint,thoughhe
havenochild,providedhehasRelatives,eitherAscendantsor
Descendants.But,indefaultofallthese,therestraintceases,
andamanmaydisposeofthewholeofhisproperty.(CodeNa
poleon,s.913.914.915.)
1"Andsomehavequestioned,"saysJusticeBlackstone,
"whetherthisrestraint,whichwemaytraceevenfromthean
"cientGermans,wasnotfoundedupontruerprinciplesofpol
'icy,thanthepowerofwantonlydisinheritingtheHeirby
"will,andtransferringtheEstate,throughthedotageorcaprice
"oftheAncestor,fromthoseofhisbloodtoutterstrangers.
"Forthis,itisalleged,maintainedthebalanceofproperty,and
'preventedonemangrowingtoobigorpowerfulforhisneigli
"hours."(3Bl.Comm.373.)
116
ifmadetoanyonebythelast"Will,shallbevalid,if
donewiththeconsentoftheHeir,andconfirmedby
hisacquiescenceinit."WhenaMangivespartofhis
LandinMarriagehood,orinanyothermanner,his
Landconsistseitherofthatwhichisinheritableonly,
orofthatwhichhehaspurchasedonly,orofbothde
scriptions.IfhepossessinheritableLandonly,he
may,aswehavealreadyobserved,giveacertainpor
tionofittoanystrangerathispleasure.'^Butifhe
hasmanysonsbornin"Wedlock,^hecannot,correctly
speaking,withouttheconsentofhisHeir,giveany
partofhisInheritancetoayoungerson;because,if
thiswerepermitted,itwouldthenfrequentlyhappen
thattheEldestsonwouldbedisinherited,owingto
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thegreateraffectionwhichParentsoftenfeeltowards
theiryoungerchildren.
But,itmaybeasked,whetheraman,havingaSon
andHeir,cangiveanypartofhisInheritancetohis
illegitimateson?Ifhecan,itfollows,thatthecon
ditionoftheillegitimatesonwould,inthisrespect,
bepreferabletothatoftheyoungersonbornin"Wed
1AlibertythathewasnotindulgedinbytheLawsofAlfred,
unlessunderparticularcircumstances:(LL.Alfred,c.37.)nor
bytheLawsofHenrythe1stwasthisindulgenceconcededa
Man.SiBocklandhabeat,quameiparentesdederint,nonmit
tatearn,extracognationemsuam.(LL.Hen.1.cap.70.)
^Filiosviulieratos."WhenaManhasaBastardSon,and
"afterwardsmarriestheMother,andbyherhasalegitimate
"Son,suchlatterSon,InthelanguageoftheLaw,iscalleda
"rrmlier,or,asGlanvilleexpressesitinhisLatin,filiusmidie
"ratus."(3Bl.Comm.247.)WiththisinterpretationSkene
agrees.(Eeg.Maj.L.2.c.19.)
117
lock;andyettheLawisso.^But,iftheperson,de
sirousofmakingadonationofpartofhisLands,pos
sessonlysuchashehaspurchased,hemaythenmake
suchGift;provideditdoesnotextendtothewhole
ofhispurchasedLands,becausehecannotdisinherit
hisSonandHeir.'^Yet,ifhehasnotanyHeir,male
orfemale,ofhisownBody,hemay,indeed,consult
hisowninclinationinmakinganabsolutegift,either
ofpartorofthewholeofhispurchasedLands.Ând,
ifthepersontowhomthegiftbemadeobtainSeisin
ofit,duringthelifeoftheDonor,itisnotinthe
powerofanymoreremote*Heirtoinvalidatesuch
TheRegiamMajestatemlaysitdown,thatamancannot
giveanypartofliisInheritancetohisillegitimateSon.(L.2.
c.19.)TheGrandNormanCustumaryalsoexpresslydeniesthe
validityofagift,sale,delivery,orpledge,byaFather,tohis
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illegitimateSouofanypartoftheformer'shereditaiyEstate,
addingthatitmightbeimpeachedwithinayearandadayafter
theFather'sdecease.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.c.36.)We
mustrecollectthatboththesecelebratedworkswereposterior
toGlanvilletheLaw,therefore,had,inthepointnowbefore
us,undergonesomealterationintheinterveningperiod.
^VideSullivan'sLecturesontheLawsofEngland,p.149.
Îtisobservedbyajustlycelebratedwriterthat,intheold
restraintsuponalienation,whichwefindintheLawsofEng
landandScotland,nodistinctionismade,whethertheiiefwas
heldbyamilitaryorsocoagetenure;andthat,inthesameold
Laws,therestiaintuponalienationisalmostabsolute,where
theTenantisinbydescent,butveryloosewhenheisinbypur
chase;andthewiiterinquestionconcludesthat,theInterestof
theHeircreatedthedifference.(VideDalrympleonFeudsp.
80.)Thewriterjustmentionedfurnishesanexcellentcomment
uponthispartofourAuthor,(o.3..1.)
*Uteresremotior.Hceresremotiorhasapeculiarsignification
inourAuthor.ExceptaSonandDaughter,wliowereHceredes
proximi,everyHeirwashceresremotior.Seecap.3.ofthis
Book.NoHeir,saystheReg.Maj.beingoffartherdegreethan
118
Gift.Thusmayamangive,inhislifetime,thewhole
ofhispurchasedLand;buthecannotmakeanyone
hisHeirtoit,neitheraCollege,noranyparticularin
dividual,itbeinganEstablishedEuleofLaw,,that
Godalone,andnotMan,canmakeanHeir.Îf,how
ever,aManpossessbothinheritableandpurchased
Lands,itisthenunquestionablytrue,thathemay
absolutelygiveanypartorthewholeofthelatterto
suchpersonashepleases;ândofhisinheritancehe
maynotwithstandingdispose,accordingtowhatwe
havealreadyobserved,providedsuchdispositionbea
reasonableone.Itshouldbeobserved,that,ifaMan,
havingLandsinfreesoccage,^hasmanysons,who
areallinequalproportionstobeadmittedtotheIn
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thesonordaughter,mayimpugnthatgiftanymannerofways.
(L.2.c.20.)
1VideCraigdeJureFeud.p.349.334.368.andalsoSomneron
Gavelkynd.
^Primopatrisfeudumprimogenitusfiliushabeat:Emptioiies
veraveldeinccpsacquisitionessuasdetcuimagisvalit.(LL.
Hen.1.cap.70.)
Socagium.DidpotentsoecagiumaSocco.(BractonL.2.
o.35.)HincestquodSokemannihodiedicunturesseasucco
etlamderivantur.(FletaL.1.o.8.)Socagiumidemestquod
servitiumsocce,etsocaidemestquodcarucas.asokeoicaplough.
(LittletonsTenuresSect.119.)ThisderivationLordCokeap
provesof(Co.Litt.86.a.)SeealsoCowelladvoc.Mr.Somner,
however,disapprovesofit,astooconfined.Hewouldderiveit
fromtheSaxonSoc,wliichsignifieslibertyorprivilege,and
agiumtodenotetheagendaorServices(Somn.Gavelk.133.
SeealsoBl.Com.andMr.Christian'snote2.81.)"Itseems,"
saysMr.Hargrave,"thatbothderivationshavetheirshareof
"probability,whichisasmuchascanbeexpectedonasubject
"soveryuncertain."Mr.Somnertellsus,thatthetermsocage
hasfirstoccurredtohiminGlanville,butneverasyetinany
Elderrecord.(Gavelk.p.143.)
119
heritance,then,itisunquestionablytrue,thattheir
Pathercannotgiveagreaterpartofhisinheritable
Landorofbispurchased,ifhepossessnoinheritable,
toanyoneofthesons,thanthereasonablepartwhich
wouldfalltosuchsonofthewholepaternalInherit
ance.^ButtheFathercaninhislifetimegiveto
eitherofhisSonssuchapartonlyofhisinheritable
freesoccageLand,assuchsonwouldbeintitledto
uponthedeathofhisfatherbytheRuleofsuccession.
Yet,byreasonoftheliberalitywhichParentsarein
thehabitofexercisingtowardstheirsons,oreven
towardsotherpersons,questionsofLawfrequently
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ariseconcerningdonationsofthisdescription.Let
ussuppose,thataKnightorafreeman,havingfour,
oragreaternumberofsons,allborninWedlockof
oneMother,should,withtheconsentoftheHeirpre
viouslyobtained,(inordertopreventdisputes)giveto
oneofhissonsletussay,tothesecondandhis
Heirs,acertainreasonablepartofhisInheritance
Letussuppose,thattheson,towhomtheGifthas
beenmade,receivedSeisin,and,duringhisLife,took
theprofitsandproceeds,andthathediedinsuch
Seisin,leavingnotonlyhisFather,butallhisBrothers
yetliving.
Veryobscure,indeed,istheLaw,andconsiderable
thedebateandcontentionamongthemostskilfulof
1TheNormanCodelaysdownthesamerulegenerally,and
observes,thataftertheFather'sDeath,anysuchGiftshould
bebroughtintothegeneralstockanddividedamongstallthe
Heirs;inotherwords,shouldbeputintoHotchpot.(Le
GrandOust,deNorm.chap.36.)
120
thatProfession,whenthispointoccursormayoccur
intheKing'sCourt,inordertoascertain,whoought
bylawtosucceedtotheInheritance.TheFather
contends,thatheoughttoretaintohimselftheSeisin
ofhisdepartedson,andthusdesires,thattheLand
whichhademanatedfromhisBountyshouldagain
returntohim.Uponthisquestionbeingagitatedin
Court,theEldestsonwillanswertotheFather,inthe
actofclaimingtheLand,thatthelatteroughtnotto
behearduponthesubject,asitisageneralprinciple
oftheLawoftheRealm,thatnoonecanbeatonce'
LordandHeirofthesameTenement.^But,byforce
ofthesameprinciple,thethirdsonattemptstorepel
theEldestson,fromtheinheritanceinquestion.
For,sincetheEldestsonistheHeirtothewhole
Inheritance,hecannotbeatonceLordofitandHeir;
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especially,ifthefatheroftheEldestsonhappentobe
dead,suchsonwouldbeLordofthewholeInheritance.
1Anablewriteraccountsforthisprinciplebyinformingus,
thatthewholefeudalsystemwasbuiltonthedistinctrightsof
superiorandvassal,andtheblendingthesetwocharacters,
withoutanecessityarisingfromthefeudalrelationsthemselves,
inoneperson,appearedtobeblendingofcontraryqualities
together.(Dalrymple'sEssayonfeuds,p.177.)Mr.Reeves
observes,"thatinthetimesofGlanvilleandBraotonthereser
"vationofservicesmightbemadeeithertotheFeoffor,orto
"theLordofwhomtheFeofforheld;theyseemmorecom
"monlytohavebeenmadeintlieformermanner:thus,every
"suchnewfeoffmentinfee,madeanewtenure,andofcourse
"createdanewmanor:andsotheLawcontinuedtillthe
"statutequiaEmptores18.Ed.1.requiredfeoffmentsinfeeto
"bemade,withreservationoftheServicestothechiefLord."
(1Hist.Eng.Law.106.)SeealsoHale'sHist.Com.Law.158.
121
But,then,bytheLawofthe.Eealm,theLandcannot
remaintohim,forthereasonwehavementioned.If,
therefore,hecannotretainitabsolutely,howcanhe
claimitbytheruleofsuccession?Byaparityof
reasoningitseems,thatthethirdsonshallexcludeall
theothers.
Asimilardoubtarises,whenanyonehasconceded
andgivenacertainportionofhisLandtohisyounger
Brother,andhisHeirs.Letussuppose,thatthelatter
dies,withoutleavinganyHeirofhisownbody,and
theformerseizesintohisownhandstheLandofhis
deceasedBrother,asbeingvacantandwithinhisFee,
againstwhomhisowntwosonsprayanAssise,con
cerningthedeathoftheirUacle.Uponthesuitpro
ceeding,theEldestsonmaypleadagainsthisFather,
andtheyoungestsonagainsthisElderBrother,inthe
mannerbeforementioned^Butitisevident,thatthe
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Fathercannotbyanymeans,consistentlywiththe
LawoftheEealm,retaintheLandinquestion,ashe
cannotatoncebeLordandHeir.Nor,indeed,does
theLawadmitofLandsogivenagainrevertingtoth&
Donor,whenHomagehasfollowedtheGift,iifthe
persontowhomtheGiftismadehasanyHeir,ofhis
ownbody,orevenmoreremote.Besides,Landwhich
isthusgiven,likecertainotherInheritances,naturally
descendstotheHeirsbytheruleofsuccession,but
1VideReg.Majest.L.2.c.22."Butatthisday,''observes
LordHale,"thelawisaltered,andsoithasbeen,foraughtI
"canfind,eversince13Ed.1."(Hale'sHist.Com.Law..
229.)
122
nevernaturallyascends,^ThusthePlea,betweenthe
FatherandtheEldestson,shallceasebutitshall
proceed,betweentheEldestsonandtheyoungest,in
themannerwehavealreadydescribed.
But,whenthislastcasehasoccurredintheKing's
Court,ithassometimesbeenorderedbytheCourt,
actinguponequitableprinciples,thattheLandsogiven
shouldremaintotheEldestson,especiallyifhehas
notanyotherFeeinpossession,untilthepaternalIn
heritancefalltohim.Because,inthemeantime,ashe
isnottheLordofthepaternalInheritance,theRule,
thatnoonecanatoncebeHeirandLord,doesnot
standinhisway.ButsincebytheBuleofsuccession,
hemustbecomeLordofthatpartoftheInheritance,
1DescendititaqueJusquasiponderosumquidcadensdeorsum.
(Braoton62.b.)"ThisRule,"observesSirWm.Blaokstone
"sofarasitisaffirmative,andrelatestolinealdescents,isalmost
*'universallyadoptedbyallnations;""butthenegraiiuebranch,
"ortotalexclusionofParentsandalllinealAncestorsfromsuc
"ceedingtotheInheritanceoftheiroffspring,ispeculiarto
"ourownLaws,andsuchashavebeenderivedfromthesame
"original."(3Com.209.)
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TheReaderwillrecaltomindthematerialqualificationof
thisRule,which,thoughitprecludestheFatherfronitaking
asHeirtohisSon,byanimmediatedescent,permitshimtotake
asHeirtohisownBrother,whowasHeirtotheSon,bycol
lateraldescent.(Hale'sHist.Com.Law.216.336.3P.Wms.
613.Mr.Christian'snoteto2Bl.Com.213.)Thisappearsto
coincidewiththeRuleasqualifiedbyBracton;for,havinglaid
itdown,thatanInheritanceneverascendsthesamewayit
descends,hepx'oceeds,alateretamenascenditalicuipropter
defectum,hereduminferiusprovenientium.(Bracton03.b.See
alsoGrandNorm.Custum.c.35.)AdifferentRule,fromthat
inthetext,islaiddownintheLawsofHenrythefirst.Siquis
sineliberisdccesserit,paterautviaterejusinhereditatemsue
cedant,&a.(LL.Hen.1.c.70.)
123
itmaybeasked,whetherheisnottobeconsideredas
Heirofthepartinquestion,whenheisHeiroftlie
wholeInheritance?Tothiswe,answer,thatitisas
yetuncertainandincontingency,whethertheEldest
sonwillbetheHeirornot.If,indeed,hisFather
shoulddiebeforehim,thenitisnolongerdoubtful,
becauseheishisHeir.Shoulditsohappen,heceases
tobetheOwneroftheLandheformerlyacquiredby
succeedingtohisUncle;and,then,suchLandshall
descendtotheyoungerson,astherightHeir.If,
however,theEldestsonshoulddiebeforehisFather,
itis,then,equallyclear,thathewillnotbethefuture
HeirofhisFather;and,therefore,thosetwoaccidents
ofLaw,theHereditaryRightandDominion^never
concurinhisperson.Itshouldberemarked,that
BishopsandAbbotscannot,withouttheconsentand
confirmationoftheKing,makeanabsolutedisposition
ofanypartoftheirDemesnes,theirBaroniesbeing
heldinFrankalmoigneoftheGiftoftheKingandhis
Ancestors.^
1Dominium.TheCivilians,fromwhomthistermseemsto
Tiavebeenborrowed,divideddominiumintothedirectumand
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theutile;thefirstbeing,whereapersonhadthepropriety,
withouttheprofit,thelatterbeing,whereapersonhadthe
3)roflt,withouttliepropriety.(Wood'sInst.CivilLaw.L.2.c.
1.)Thisdivision,however,wasopposedbyCujaciusandsome
others.(CraigJus.Feud.L.1.Dieg.9.)
2TheEulelaiddowninthetextreceivedapartialconfir
mationfromtheStat,ofWestm.the2.c.41.Isaypartial,on
theauthorityofLordCoke,wholaysitdown,thatBishopsare
notcomprehendedinthatAct.(2Inst.457.)"Williamthe
"Conquerorthoughtpropertochangethespiritualtenureof
"frankalmoigneorfreealms,underwhichtheBishopsheld
"theirLandsduringtheSaxonGovernment,intothefeudalor
124
CHAP.II.
ButHeirsarebound,sofaratleastastheDonations
oftheirAncestorsarereasonable,towarrantthem,
andthethingscomprisedinthem,tothepersonstO'
whomtheyaremade,andtotheirHeirs.^
CHAP.III.
OfHeirs,somearenearest,ôthersmoreremote.
AMan'snearestHeirsarethoseofhisBody,asaSon,
oraDaughter.Ûponthefailureofthese,themore
remoteHeirsarecalled,namely,theGrandson,or
GrandDaughterdescendinginarightlinefromthe
SonorDaughter,inirifiniturn.ThentheBrother
andSister,andthosedescendingfromtheminatrans
"NormanTenurebyBarony,wliichsubjectedtheirEstatesto
"allcivilcliavgesandassessments,fromwhichtheywerebefore
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"exempt."(2Bl.Com.156.)
1"Forwherededi."saysLordCoke,"isaccompaniedwitha
"perdurabletenureofthefeofforandhisHeirs,theredediim
"portethaperdurablewarrantyfortheFeofforandhisHeirsto
"thefeoffeeandhisHeirs;andherewithagreethGlanville:"
(referringtothetext)(2Inst.275.)
^Plura,saysFleta,heredenireddiinthereditatipropiiiquio
rem.;utjwtesexus,linea,hereditaspartibilis,pluralitasfcemi
narum^modusdonationisetsanguinis.(L.6.c.1.s.12.)
^Yet,BractonreckonsadaughteramoreremoteHeirwhena
Sonwasliving.(Bracton64.b.)Itisclear,thatauthoruses
thetermcomparatively,andsotheGrandNorm.Cust.usesit,
(sparsim.)
125
verseline.Afterthese,theUncle,âswellonthepart
oftheFather,asoftheMother,andinlikemanner
theAunt,andtheirDescendants.^
"When,therefore,aManpossessedofanInheritance
dies,leavingoneSononlyhisHeir,itisunquestionably
true,thatsuchsonshallsucceedentirelytohisFather.
If,however,heleavesmoresons,then,adistinction
mustbemade,whetherthedeceasedwasaKnight,or
oneholdingbyMilitaryTenure,orwhetherhewasa
FreeSockman.^Because,ifhewereaKnight,or
holdingbyMilitaryTenure,then,accordingtothe
LawoftheEnglishKealm,hisEldestsonshallsucceed
tothewholeInheritance,sothatnoneofhisBrothers
canbyrightclaimanypartofit.*But,iftheParent
1Avunculus.OurAuthorisguiltyofaninaccuracyinusing
thisterm,whichmeans,anUncleontheMother'sside,patruus
beingtheUncleontheFather'sside.
2V.SomneriTractat.deGavelkynd.pag.42,etBractonL.2.
c.M.fol.76.a.FletamLib.5.c.9.s.15.(Al.MS.)OntheRules
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ofdescentastheyexistedamongsttheJews,theGrecians,the
Romans,theLombardi,theNormans,theancientBritish,the
Saxons,&e.IrefertheReadertoLordHale'sadmirablethough
unfinisnedTract,theHistoryoftheComm.Law,chapter11th.
OntheRulesofdescent,asexistinginthisCountrywhenBracton
wrote,whichLordHaleinfox'msus,stoodsettledinallpointsas
'theyareatthisday,exceptinsomefewmatterssoonafter
settled,theReadermayturntothe2ndBookc.30.31.ofBracton.
2TheNormanCodedividesInheritancesintoimpartibleand
partibletheformerappearingtoanswertoourmilitarytenure,
thelattertooursoccagetenure.(GrandCustum.c.24.)
*"TheNormans,introducingtheirFeuds,settledthewhole
"InheritanceofthemupontheEldestson,whichtheancient
"feudalLawdidnot(aswebeforehavenoted)tillfeudswere
"grownperpetual.Thereason,asItakeit,thatbegatthisal
"terationwas,forthatwhilethefeuddiddescendinGavelkynd
126
wereafreeSockraan,ithen,indeed,theInheritance
shallbeequallydividedamongstallthesons,however
numerous,providedsuchSoccageLandhasbeenan
cientlydivisible,^reserving,however,totheEldestson
"tothesonsandnephewsofthefeudatory,theserviceswere
"suspended,tilltheLordhadchosenwhichofthesonshewould
"haveforhisTenant,andthenitwasuncertain,whetherthe
"partychosenwouldacceptofthefeudornot,forsometimes
"theremightbereasonstorefuseit."(Spelm.Reliq.p.43.
Seealso3Litt.Hist.Hen.p.133.andRobinsononGavelkynd.
23.)
1VideSpelm.Reliq.inlibelloinscript.FeudsandTenureshy
KnighVsServicec.37.p.43.and44.(Al.MS.)
2SoccageLandsareassertedtohaveremainedpartiblelong
aftertheConquest,and,aswehavenoaccountoftheprecise
periodwlienthealterationwasmadeinthedescentofthese
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LandsfromalltheSonsequallytotheEldestSononly,itis
probable,asMr.Robinsonsuggests,thatthealterationwasnot
effectedatoncenorbyanywrittenLaw,butcreptininsensibly
andbydegrees,inimitationoftheDescentsofKnight'sService,
andfromtheprideoftheSoccageTenant,emulousthathisEld
estSoushouldequalinstateandsplendorthemilitaryTenant.
"Butthisalterationbegantoappearmoreplainlyinthetimeof
"Henrythe2nd.for,accordingtoGlanville,whowroteinthat
"Reign,inordertoentitletheSonstotakeequally,itwasnot
"onlynecessarythattheLandshouldbeholdeninfreesoccage,
"butfurtherquodantiquitusdivisum''ând,havingcitedthe
presentandfollowingpassagesofourauthor,Mr.Robinsonpro
ceeds"Sothataccordingtothisaccount,itisdifficulttosay,
"whatwasthenthecommonLawwith,regardtodescentsof
"soccageLands,orwhethereverypersonentitlinghimselfto
"thembyInheritance,wasnotobligedtosetoutthespecial
"customoftheplace.Thesameauthor,indeed,inotherparts
"ofhisBook,speaksofthepartibilityoftheseLandsmoregen
"erally,andinsuchmannerasmayinduceabelief,thatitre
"mainedthecommonLawatthattime:Pluriumitemhceredum
"conjnnctiomulierumsoil,infeodomilitarivelmascidorumvel
"fceminaruminliberasocagio.(L.13.c.11.)And,inanother
"veryremarkablepassage,whereinheshews,thattheLawso
"greatlyrespectedthisequaldivisionamongtheSons,asnotto
"permittheFathereveninhislifetimetopreferafavoritechild
127
asamarkofrespecttohisseniority,itheCapitalMes
suage,uponhismakingaCompensationtotheothers
equaltothevalue.'*If,however,theEstatewasnot
ancientlydivisible,then,theEldestsonshall,accord
ingtosomecustoms,takethewholeInheritance,
"toanyoftherest,byadvancinghimbeyondhisproportionable
"part"referringtothefirstchapterofthepresentBook.(Rob
insononGavelkynd24.25.)Thetwolatterpositionsreferredto
byilr.Robinson,aslaiddownbyGlanville,maybeaccounted
forbysupposing,thatourauthorspeakswithreferencetoLand
"antiquitusdivisa.""Although,"saysLordHale,commenting
uponapassageinourauthor'stext,"CustomdirectedtheDe
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"scentvariously,eithertotheEldestorYoungest,ortoallthe
"Sons,yet,itseems,thatatthistime,CommuneJus,orCom
"monrightspokefortheEldestSontobeHeir,nocustomin
"terveningtothecontrary."(Hist.Com.Law226.)Toconclude,
therightofprimogenitureeverydaymakingagreaterprogress
had,asMr.Robinsonobserves,intheReignofKingJohnfairly
gottlieupperhandofthepartibledescent,thepresumptionthen
beingthatevenSoccageLands(unlessinKent)weredescendible
totheEldestSononly,unlessthecontrarywereproved.(26.)
Uponthedoctrineofthetextandthesubjectofthisnote,see
theauthorsreferredto;alsoBracton76.a.PletaL.5.c.9.s.15.
Mirrorc.1.s.3.andCo.Litt.14.a.
1JEsneciceGall,aisne,quasiainsne.Thetransitioniseasy
fromthepersonoftheEldertohisprivilegeortherightofSe
niority.(Spelm.Gloss,advoc.)ThetermoccursintheStatute
ofMarlbridge,Fleta,Bracton,NormanCustumary&c.Among
thecustomsofBeauvoisis,wefindaLawsimilartothatinour
text.(c.14.)Butr/iattmasobserves,thatthisprivilegeattached
tosenioritydidnotregularlyprevailunlessSurlesHeritages
nobiles(397.)Itwasclearlynotsorestrainedwithus.
2PrimumPatrisfeodumprimogenitusflliushabet.(LL.Hen.
1.c.70.)FromthisLordHalecollects,thatthoughthewhole
landdidnotdescendtotheEldestSon,yetitbegantolookthat
way.(Hist.Com.Law,224.)Mr.Somner,however,interprets
theprimumfeodum,tobeonlytheCapitalMessuage,according
toGlanville.inthepassagenowbeforeus,orwhatiscalledin
theGrandNoimanCustum.lechiefdeHeritage(AngloSax.LL.
Ed.Wilkinsp.266.)
128
whilst,,accordingtootherCustoms,theyoungerson
:shallsucceedasIleir.Înlikemanner,shouldany
personleaveoneDaughteronly,hisHeir,thenwhat
wehavelaiddownwithrespecttoasonshallunques
tionablyprevail.If,however,heleavemoreDaugh
ters,then,theInheritanceshall,withoutdistinction,
bedividedbetweenthem,whethertheirFatherwasa
KnightoraSockman,reservingtotheEldestDaugh
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ter,theCapitalMessuage,undertheconditionsbefore
mentioned.Butitshouldbeobserved,ifeitherofthe
BrothersorSisters,amongst(vhomtheInheritanceis
divided,shoulddie,AvithoutleavinganyHeirofhisor
herBody,thentheportionofthepersonsodyingshall
bedividedamongstthesurvivors.ButtheHusband
oftheEldestDaughtershalldoHomage^totheChief
LordforthewholeFee.ButtheYoungerDaughterbs,
ortheirHusbands,areboundtoperformtotheChief
LordtheservicesduefortheirLand,bythehandof
theEldestDaughter,orherHusband.YettheHus
1SeeLordHale'sCommentonthispassage,supranote2.
p.126.
2OurauthorprofessedlyresumesthesubjectofHomageinthe
9thBook.Weshall,therefore,inthisplacemerelynoticethat
CraigmakesthemilitaryfeudtoconsistinthreethingsHoma
gium,fidelitas,andscutagium.Thechiefdistinctionsbetween
thetwoformerasstatedbythatauthor,are,1st,Themannerof
performingHomagewasmuchmorehumbleandimpressive,
thanthatofperformingFealty.2nd,Homagewasduefora
militaryFeealone;aRulethatifiteverprevailedwasrelaxed
bytheEnglish].aw.3rd,Homagecouldonlybereceivedbythe
Lordpersonally,fealtymightbereceivedbyaBailiff.4th,
ThosewhoheldbyHomagewereboundtosellorpledgeevery
thingfortheirLord;butthetenantbysimplefealtyhadno
suchheavyobligationimposeduponhim.(Craig.JusFeud.L.
1.D.11.10).
129
bandsoftheYoungerDaughtersarenotboundtoper
formanyHomage,orevenFealty,totheHusbandof
theEldestDaughter,inherlifetime.
NoraretheirHeirsinthefirstandseconddegrees;
butthoseinthethirddescentfromtheYounger
DaughtersareboundbytheLawoftheRealm,todo
HomagefortheirTenementtotheHeiroftheEldest
Daughter,andtopayareasonableEelief.Înaddi
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tionitshouldbeknown,thatHusbandscannotgive
anypartoftheInheritanceoftheir"Wives,withoutthe
consentoftheirHeirs,norcantheyremitanypartof
therightoftheHeirs,unlessinherlifetime.Îf,how
ever,aManleavesasonandHeir,andhasbesidesone
Daughterormore,thesonsucceedsentirelytothe
Inheritancefromwhenceitfollows,thatifaMan
shouldhavemarriedmanyWives,ândbyeachof
themhavehadoneormoreDaughters,andatlength
anonlysonbythelastofthem,thesonaloneshall
obtaintheInheritanceoftheFather;because,itisa
generalRule,thataFemalecannevershareanInher
itancewithaMale,unlessperhapsaspecialException
tothisexistinsomeparticularCity,groundedupona
1AmongthecustomsofBeauvoisis,thereisaLawverysimilar
fromwhichThaumasassertsweborrowedourrule.(c.47.)The
doctrineofthetextisconfirmedbyHenrytheSnd'sCharterto
theIrish,whichtheReaderwillfindamongThaumas'snotesto
thecustomsofBeauvoisisp.396.
2NoryetremitnordiminishtherightoftheHeir,butonly
"duringtheir(thewives)lifetime."(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.29.)
8VideD.Craig.LibrumdeSuccessionsAnglicdversap.375.
<A1.MS.)
9
130
Customwhichhaslongprevailedthere.But,ifa
manshouldmarrydifferent"Women,andbyeachof
themshouldhaveoneDaughter,ormore,alltheDaugh
tersareequallyentitledtotheInheritanceofthe
Father,inthesamemannerasiftheywereallsprung
fromthesameMother.^ButwhenaMandieswithout
leavinganySon,orDaughter,hisHeir,ifhehasany
GrandChildren,then,undoubtedly,theyshallsucceed
tohim,inthesamemanneraswehaveabovemen
tioned,hisSonorDaughterwouldhavesucceeded,and
undersimilardistinctions.FortheDescendantsinthe
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rightline,arealwaystobepreferredtothosewhoare
inthetranverseline.Butwhenanyonedies,leaving
ayoungerson,andaGrandson,theChildofhisEldest
son,greatdoubtexists,astowhichofthetwotheLaw
prefersinthesuccessiontotheother,whethertheSon
ortheGrandson.Somethink,theYoungerSonhas
morerighttotheInheritancethansuchGrandson,for
thisreasonthattheEldestSondidnotsurvivehis.
Father,andwasnotinexistencewhentheInheritance
fell,buttheYoungerSondidoutlivebothhisBrother
andhisFather,anditis,therefore,right,astheycon
tend,thatheshouldsucceedtohisFather.Butothers
inclinetothink,thattheGrandsonoughtofrightto
bepreferredtohisUncle.
ForsincetheGrandsondescendedfromtheEldest
1"Thisistobeunderstood,"saystheRegiamMajestatem,
"oftheFather'sHeritage,descendingfromhimtothem.For,
"iftheHeritagedescendandcomeoftheMother'sside,each
"daughtershallsucceedtotheHeritageofherownMother."
(L.3.0.31.)
131
SonandistheHeirofhisBody,hewouldhavesuc
ceededtoallhisFather'srightshadhestilllived,and
heoughtthereforetosucceed.InwhichopinionI
concur,ifhisFatherwasnotportionedoff^bythe
Grandfather.
ForaSonmay,inthelifetimeofhisFather,bepor
tionedoffbyhim,ifthefatherassignsacertainpart
ofhisLandtotheSon,anddeliverhimSeisininhis
lifetime,attherequestandwiththeunrestrainedcon
sentoftheSon,insuchmanner,thatthelatterbefully
satisfiedwithsuchpart.Insuchcase,theHeirsof
theSon'sBody,cannotclaim,asagainsttheirUncle,
oranyotherperson,anygreaterportionoftheresidue
oftheGrandfather'sInheritance,thanthepartoftheir
Father,althoughtheFatherhimselfmight,ifhehad
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survivedtheGrandfather.Besides,iftheEldestSon,
afterhavinginhisFather'slifetimedoneHomageto
theChiefLordforhispaternalInheritance,shoulddie
beforehisFather,thereisnoquestionbutthathisSon
shallbepreferredtotheUncle.Uponthissubject,
however,acontestmayarise,betweentheGrandson
andtheChiefLord,ifthelatterrefusetheHomageof
theGrandson;orbetweentheChiefLordandthe
Uncle,iftheChiefLordhaswarrantedtheHomageof
theGrandson.Inboththesecases,thereisnoreason
ableobjectiontopreventthemattercomingtothe
Duel,unlesstheHomagecanbeproved;forthen,
1Forisfamiliatusisaliquemforisfamiliamponere,saysSpel
man,(Gloss,advoc.)asimilarexplanationtothatofthe
EegiamMajestatem.(L.2.c.33.)Videalso3Bl.Com.219.
132
indeed,(astheLawnowobtainsbetweentheUncle
andtheGrandson)Meliorestconditiopossidentis}
CHAP.IV.
UponafailureofDescendantsintherightline,^then
theBrotherorBrotherssucceed;or,ifnoBrothers
canbefound,theSistersaretobecalled;and,these
beingdead,theirchildrenaretobecalled.After
these,theUnclesaretobecalled,andtheirchildren;
and,lastly,recoursemustbehadtotheAunts,ortheir
children;thedistinctionabovementionedbeingalwaj's
observedandkeptinview,betweenthesonsofa
1"Ifitcannotbeproved,thattheHomagewasmadebetween
"theNephewandtheFather'sBrother,heshallbepreferred
"whoisinpossession.Fortheconditionofthepossessoris
"best."(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.33.)
2Siguis,saysaLawofHenrythefirst,sineliberisdecesserit.
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PaterautMaterejusinhereditatemsuccedant,velfrater,vel
soror,sipateretmaterdesint.(LL.Hen.1.c.70.Ed.Wilkins.)
Patri,saystheNormanCode,succeditfiliusprimogenitus:et
matrisimiliter.Etsipriorpatredecesseritejusfilius,eteju^
herespropinquiorineademdirectalineasuccessionishancsiicccs
sionemobtinebit.Siveronullusdelineaprimogenitiremanserit,
filiuspostprimwnprimogenitus,utejusdemlinecepropinquior
decesserit,successionemhereditariamretinebit.Etsimiliterin
telligendumestinaliislineisposfnatorum.Siveroomneslinece
eorumdecesserint,adfratremprimogenitumreditsuccessio
feodalis,veladejuslinecepropinquiorein.Siautemfratres
defuerint,exeonimlineareditadpatremexquolineceproces
serint.(LeGrandOust,deNorm.c.25.)Iconcludethisnote
withthemodernFrencliCanon"TheLawregulatestheorder
"ofsuccessionamonglawfulHeirs:forwantofthem,theprop
"ertypassestothenaturalchildren,afterthattothesurviving
"HusbandorWife;and,forwantofthese,then,tothestate."
(CodeNapoleon,s.720.)
133
Knight,andofaSockman,andinlikemanner,be
tweentheirGrandchildren.Thedistinctionbetween
MalesandFemalesislikewisetobeobserved.
CHAP.V.
HeiesarealsoboundtoobservetheTestamentsof
theirFathers,andoftheirotherAncestors.Ofsuch,
Imean,tovrhomtheyareHeirs;andtodischarge
theirDebts.ForeveryFreeman,notinvolvedin
Debtbeyondhiscircumstances,mayonhisdeathbed
makeareasonabledivisionôfhisEffects,underthis
form,asprescribedbythecustomofcertainplaces.
Inthefirstplace,heshouldrememberhisLord,by
theGiftofthebestandchiefthinghepossesses:then
the2Church,andafterwardsotherpersonsathis
pleasure.But,whatevertheCustomofdifferent
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placesinculcatewithreferencetothispoint,yet,
accordingtotheLawoftheKealm,nomanisbound
toleaveanythingbyWilltoanypersoninparticular,
unlessitbehisinclination;foreveryMan'slastWill
issaidtobefree,accordingtothespiritoftheseLaws,
aswellasothers.
1Divisam,derived,accordingtoSpelman,fromtheFrench
termdiviser,topartitionordivide.(Spelm.Gloss.)Itissome
timesusedforaboundaryofLandmetceetrationabilesdivisoe.
qiiCEponunturinterminisetfinibusagrorumaddistinguendam
prcedia,saysFleta,L.4.c.2.s.17.Inthislattersenseour
authorusesit.Infra,L.9.c.13.14.&o.
2His,accordingtotheHarl.Bodl.andCotton.MSS.,designat
ing,probably,hisparishchurch,andnotleavinghimatliberty
tochuse,whatchurchhepleased.
134
Awoman,indeed,whenatherowndisposal,may
makeaTestament;but,ifmarried,shecannot,with
outtheAuthorityofherHusband,makeanyWillof
theEffectsofherHusband.^Yetitwouldbeamark
ofaffectionandhighlycreditabletotheHusband,if
heconcedeareasonableportionofhisEffectstohis
Wife;inotherwords,athirdpart,which,indeed,she
wouldbeentitledto,shouldsheoutlivehim,aswill
bemorefullyseenhereafter.Husbandsindeed,much
totheirhonor,frequentlygranttotheirWivesthis
indulgence.
When,therefore,anyonebeingindisposedwishesto
makehisWill,ifhebenotinvolvedinDebt,allhis
moveablesshouldbedividedintothreeequalparts;of
whichonebelongstohisHeir,*anothertohisWife,
andthethirdisreservedtohimself.Ôfthisthird,he
^ThemodernFrenchCodepermitsthewifetomakeawill,
evenwithouttheauthorityofherHusband.(CodeNapoleon,
s.236.)
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Atthesametimesheisrestrainedfrommakingagift,with
outhisconsent,orthesanctionoftheLaw.(Ibid.s.905.)
2"Tohischildren"generally,accordingtotheReg.Maj.c.36.
Withrespect,however,tothetextofGlanville,Mr.Seldencol
lects,fromtheLawsofHenrythefirstandtheAssiseofClaren
don,thattheHeirsinheritedChattelsaswellasLands,aslate
asthetimeofHenrythesecond,andthattheLawwaschanged
aboutthetimeofKingJohn,bysomeActofParliamentnot
nowtobefound.(Selden'sTit.ofHonor,part2.c.5.s.21.)
^Thetextreceivesconsiderableconfirmationfromthecustoms
ofGuvelkynd,highlyprobableasitis,thatthosecustomsare
thevaluablerelicsoftheoldcommonLaw."Letthegoodsof
"gavelkyndPersons,"saystheCustumalafKent,"beparted
"intothreeparts,afterthefuneralsandthedebtspaid,ifthere
"belawfulIssueinlife.Sothatthedeadhaveonepart,and
"hislawfulsonsanddaughtersanotherpart,andthewifethe
135
hasthefreepowerofdisposing.But,ifhedieswith
outleavinganyWife,thehalfisreservedtohim.l
"thirdpart:and,iftherebenolawfulissueinlife,letthedead
"havetheonehalf,andthewifealivetheotherhalf."(vide
Eobins.onGavelkynd,287.)LordHalerecognisesthedoctrine
inthetext,which,hetellsus,wasconformabletotheancient
LawofEnglandandthecustomoftheNorthtothisday.(Hist.
Com.Law.192.325.)ItislikewiseconfirmedbytheRegiam
Majestatem,(L.2.c.37)andinsubstancebyBracton,andFleta.
Yet,notwithstandingallthis,LordCoke,inhisCommentary
onMagnaCarta,roundlyasserts,thatthedoctrinelaiddownin
thetext,neverwastheCommonLaw;(3Inst.33)and,insup
portofthisposition,hecitesapassagefromBracton.
Tothatpassage,Ihaveturned.Bractonthereconfirmsthe
textofGlanville,andtellsus,thattheLawisso,unlessinsome
citiesandboroughs.Thisleadshimtomentionthecustomof
London,andsomefloatingopinionsaboutitsextent.Heisof
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opinion,thatthewillofacitizenofLondonoughttobefree,
andunrestrainedbyanysuchlimitation,aswasimposedupon
willsbythecommonLawButLordCokehashastilyassumed,
thatwhatBractonspokeoftliecustom,ofLondononly,relatedto
thekingdomatlarge.Asthisassumptionfails,thededuction
thatflowedfromitfailsalso.SirWilliamBlackstone,Ifind,
hasmentionedandrefutedLordCoke'smistake.(3Comm.492)
ashasMr.SomnerinhisTreatiseonGavelkynd,p.96.Tothese
authors,thereadermayrefer,asalsotoReeves'sHist.Eng.Law.
2.334.335.andF.N.B.370.Inconcludingthisnote,Ishall
mention,thecourseofdistributionofanIntestate'sEffects
undertheLawsofCanute,andtheconqueror.Underthe
former,theLordtooktheHeriot,andtheremainderwasdis
tributedbetweenthewife,children,andrelatives,cuilibetpro
dignitatequaeadcumpertinet.(LL.Canuti,68.)Underthe
latter,thechildrendividedtheInheritanceequallybetween
them.(LL.Gul.Conq.36.)
1BractonandFletaperfectlyconcurwithourauthor,except
thattheyusethewordchildreninsteadofHeir,adding,thatif
thedeceasedhadnochildren,then,theonehalfwasathisown
disposal,theotherbelongstothewife;and,ifhehadneither
wifenorchild,thewholewasathisowndisposal.(Bracton,
0.b.Fleta,L.2.c.57.s.10.)Beforewequitthepresent
cnapter,itmaynotbeamisstoobserve,thatGlanvillehasbeen
thoughtgrosslytocontradicthimselfinthecourseofit.But
136
ButofhisInheritance,hecannotbyhislastWill
makeanydisposition,asbeforeobserved.
CHAP.VI.
TheTestamentoughttobemadeinthepresenceof
twoormorelawfulMen,eitherclergyorlay,and
suchascanbeproperwitnessesofit.TheExecutors
ofaTestamentshouldbesuchpersons,astheTesta
torhaschosenforthatpurpose,andtowhomhehas
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committedthecharge.
But,ifheshouldnotnominateanypersonforthis
thishasbeeninconsideratelyimputedtohimbythose,whohave
notattendedtothecontext.Hestates,thataccordingtocertain
customs,whichprevailedinparticularplaces,amanwasbound
torememberhisLord,andtheChurch,previouslytohismaking
hiswill.But,sayshe,whateverthosecustomsinculcate,yet,
accordingtotheLawoftherealm,nomanisboundtoleave
anjthingtoanyparticularperson,unlessitbehisinclination,
foreveryman'swillisfree,overthatpartofhispropertywhich
theLaiopermitshimtodisposeof,namely,athird,or,eventu
ally,ahalfWhenourauthorlaiditdown,thataman'swill
wastobefree,hedidnotmeantoassert,thathewasatliberty
todisposeofallhisproperty.Shoulditinthepresentdaybe
laiddown,thataTestator'swillwasfree,andthathewasnot
boundtogiveanythingtoanyparticularindividual,woulditbe
afairinference,thatamancoulddevisehisentailedLands?It
weapplythistoGlanville,heisconsistent,andwillbeunder
stoodtospeak,withreferencetopersons,whathehasbeencon
sideredtospeak,withrespecttothings.Thatthedivisionof
theproperty,mentionedinthetext,didnotlongsurvivethe
timeofGlanville,ismostprobable.(SeeSomneronGavelk.p.
98.)Swinburneseemsstrangelytohaveblunderedinthinking,
thatourauthortookpartofhistextfromMagnaCarta,(Swin
burneonWills,part3.section16.)Thepassingofwhichwas
aneventclearlyposteriorintimetoGlanville.
137
purpose,thenearestofKinandRelativesofthe
deceasedmaytakeuponthemthecharge;andthis,so
effectually,thatshouldtheyfindtheHeiroranyother
persondetainingtheEffectsofthedeceased,they
shallhavetheKing's"WritdirectedtotheSheriffin
thesewords
CHAP.YII.
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"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Îcommand
"youthat,justlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseto
"standthereasonabledivisionofiT.asitcanberea
"sonablyshewnthathemadeit,andthatitoughtto
"stand."Witness,&c."
CHAP.VIII.
"Whenaparty,summonedbyauthorityofthisWrit,,
allegesanythingagainsttheTestamentitself;either
thatitwasnotreasonablymade,orthatthething
claimedwasnotasassertedleftbyit,then,thePlea
oughttobeheardanddeterminedintheCourtChris
tian;becausePleasconcerningTestamentsoughtto
beagitatedbeforetheEcclesiasticalJudge,anddecided
accordingtothecourseofLaw,ontheTestimonyof
thosewhowerepresentatthetimeofthemakingof
the"Will.Butiftheperson,whointendstomakea
will,shouldbeoverburthenedwithDebts,hecannot
1VideF.N.B.270.
138
{beyondthepaymentofhisDebts)makeanydisposi
tionofhisEffects,withouttheconsentofhisHeir.
Shouldit,however,happen,afterpaymentofthe
Debts,thatanythingremains,thenitisdividedinto
threepartsinthemannerbeforestated;andhemay,
^sobserved,makeaTestamentofathirdpartofit.
If,however,theEffectsofthedeceasedareinsufficient
topayhisDebts,thenhisHeirisboundtomakeup
thedeficiencyoutofhisown;Imean,ifheisofAge.^
CHAP.IX.2
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Thisleadsustoobserve,thatsomeHeirsareevi
dentlyofAge,someasclearlynotoffullage,but
othersofwhomitmaybedoubtful,whetherthey
haveattainedtheirageornot.Thefirstdescription
ofHeirsmay,immediatelyuponthedeathsoftheir
Ancestors,holdthemselvesinpossessionoftheirIn
heritance,''althotightheirLordsmaytaketheFee,
togetherwiththeHeir,intotheirhands.This,how
1"Ifthegoodsofthedefunctarenotsufficientforpaymentof.
"hisDebts,bytheLaw,hisHeirshouldpaythesameofhis
"ownpropergoods."(Reg.Maj.L.2.c.39.)ThisRulewas
soonalteied.Quatenus,saysBrskcton,adipsumpervenerit,sci
licet,dehereditatedefunctietnonultra,nisivelitdegratia,etsi
nihilmultofortius.(SeeBracton,61.a.Fleta,L.2.c.57.s.10.)
Notandumest,quodnullusdeantecessorisdebitoteneturrespon
<dereultravalorem,quoddeejushereditatedignoseiturpossidere.
(LeGrandOust,deNorm.c.88.)
^Hereongenerally,seeBracton,86.b.
*VideStatuteofMarlebridge,chap.16.andLordCoke'sCom
jnentthereon.(3Inst.133.)
139
ever,oughttobedonewithsuchmoderation,asnot
tocauseanyDisseisintotheHeirs,whoma}îndeed,
shoulditbenecessary,resisttheviolenceoftheir
Lords,providedtheyarepreparedtopaytheirBeliefs,
andtorendertothemsuchotherservicesasarejustly
due.But,ifitbeevidentthattheHeirisunderage,
andheholdbyMilitaryservice,heisconsideredtobe
intheCustodyôfhisLord,untilheattainshisfull
age.
ThefullageofanHeir,ifthesonofaKnight,orof
oneholdingbyMilitaryservice,iswhenhehascom
pletedhistwentyfirstTear.^But,iftheHeirbethe
SonofaSockman,heisesteemedtobeoffullage
whenhehascompletedhisfifteenthYear.Îfheis
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thesonofaBurgess,heisunderstoodtohaveattained
hisfullage,*whenhehasdiscretiontocountMoney
andmeasureCloth,andinlikemannertomanagehis
Father'sotherconcerns.
InsoextensiveasensehaveLordstheCustodyof
theSonsandHeirsoftheirHomagersandoftheir
Fee,thatthey,forexample,exerciseanabsolutecon
1OftheCustodyandMarriageoftheMinor,wemayforma
generalnotion,whenweunderstand,thattheywereconsidered
aschattelsandmoveables,whichtheLordmightdisposeofin
extremis.SeeFletaandBracton,Sparsim.
2VideCraig.Jusfeud.L.2.D.17.s.17.andL.2.D.20.s.17.
Bracton86.b.
8VideCraig.Jusfeud.L.2.D.17.s.37.LL.Hen.1.c.70.
Bracton86.b.This,itseems,isstilltheagebythecustomof
Oavelkynd.(Robins,onGavelk.185.)
*Atfourteen,orwhenhecanattendtohisParent'sconcerns,
accordingtoReg.Maj.L.2.c.41.SeeBracton86.b.
140
troulwithrespecttopresentingtoChurchesintheir
Custody,inmarryingFemales,(iftheyfallintoward
ship),andinregulatingothermatters,inthesame
mannerasiftheyweretheirown.TheLaw,how
ever,doesnotpermittheLordstomakeanyabso
lutedispositionoftheInheritance.Inthemean
time,theLordshouldmaintaintheHeirinamanner
suitabletohisDignityandtheextentofLisInherit
ance,andshoulddischargetheDebtsofthedeceased,
sofarastheEstateandthelengthoftheCustodywill
admit.^HencetheyareboundbytheLawtoanswer
theDebtsoftheAncestors.
TheLordsmayalsomanagetheconcernsofthe
Heir,andcommenceandprosecuteallSuitsforthere
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coveryofhisrights,providednoexceptionbetaken
onaccountoftheMinor'sAge.'^ButtheLordisnot
boundtoanswerfortheHeir,neitherinaquestionof
EightnorofDisseisin,exceptinoneinstancewhen
oneMinorhastheCustodyofanother,afterthede
ceaseofhisFather.ShouldthelatterMinor,uponhis
attaininghisfullage,berefusedhisInheritance,he
mayhaveanAssiseandRecognitionoftheDeathof
hisAncestor;norshalltheRecognition,insuchcase,
1ThedoctrineofthetextiscorroboratedbytheReg.Maj.L.
2.c.42."EveryGuardian,''saystheMirror,"isanswerable
"forthreethings.1.TliathemaintaintheInfantsufficiently.
"2.ThathemaintainliisrightsandInheritance,withoutwaste..
"3.ThatheanswerandgivesatisfactionoftheTrespassesdone
"bytheInfant."(Mirrorc.5.s.1.SeealsoBracton87.a.and
leGrandOust,deNorm.c.33.)
2TlieTranslatorrendersthepassageasrestoredbytheHarU
Cotton,andDr.Milles'sMSS.
141
cease,onAccountoftheMinorityoftheLord.Butif
aMinorbeappealedofanyFelony,!thenheshallbe
attachedbysafeandsecurepledges.Yet,whilsthe
continueswithinage,heshallnotbecompelledtoan
swer,noruntilhehasattainedhisfullage.Those
personswhohavetheCustodyareboundtorestore
theInheritancetotheHeirsingoodcondition,ând
dischargedfromDebts,inproportiontotheduration
oftheCustody,andtheextentoftheInheritance.
Butifitbedoubtful,whethertheHeirbeoffullage
oraMinor,then,undoubtedly,theLordshallhavethe
CustodyaswelloftheHeirasofhisInheritance,
untilthefullageoftheHeirbereasonablyprovedby
theoathsoflawfulmenoftheYicinage.
CHAP.X.
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IfthoseHeirs,liabletobeinCustody,havemore
Lordsthanone,thechiefLord,thatis,theoneto
whomtheHeirowesallegianceforhisfirstFee,shall
havetheCustody.Butthisisnottodeprivethe
LordsoftheotherFeesoftheirKeliefsandrightful
ÂppeleturdeFelonia."Appellum,"sa,yaSirEdwardCoke,
^'signifiesanaccusation,and,therefore,toappealamanisas
"muchastoaccuseliim.''Thewordappellumisderivedofap
pellertocall:because,appellansvocatreuminjudicium,he
calleththeDefendanttojudgment.(Co.Litt.287.b.Seealso
391.a.andCowelladvoc.)AppealswereknowntotheNor
mans.(GrandCustum.c.68.)
2This,thoughapartofthecommonLaw,hadbeensofre
quentlyviolated,thatitwasfeltnecessarytomakeitpartofthe
GreatCharter.(3Inst.14.)
142
services;buttheCustodyshallremaintothementire^
undertheformbeforementioned.Yetshoulditbe
observed,thatwhenanyoneholdoftheKingirv
Capite,theCustodyofhimbelongsexclusivelytothe
King,whethertheHeirhasanyotherLordsornot;
becausetheKing^canhavenoequal,muchlessasu
perior.'^Butyet,byreasonofBurgageTenure,^the
KingisnotpreferredintheCustodytoothers.Ifth&
KingshouldcommittheCustodytoanother,*then,a
distinctionistobemade,whetheritisuncondition
ally,andinsuchmannerasnottorendertheperson
towhomitwascommittedaccountabletotheExche
quer,orwhetheritisunderrestrictions.Ifitiscom
mittedtohiminsuchunconditionalmanner,thenhe
canpresenttovacantChurches,and,generally,asfar
asconsistentwithJustice,managetheconcernsofth&
Heir,asiftheywerehisown.
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CHAP.XI.
TheHeirsofSockmenuponthedeathoftheir
Ancestors,shallbeintheCustodyôftheirnearest
1BractonL.1.c.8.(Al.MS.)=Bractonfo.5.b.
*Orsoccage,saysBracton,fo.87.a.SeeCo.Litt.77.a.
*Vide2.Inst.12.13.WithrespecttothePractice,alludedto
inthetext.LordLittletonobserves,thatundoubtedlyinfe
riorLordsdidthesame.Itlikewise,addshisLordship,ap
pearsbytheGreatEoUs,thatthewardshipsofthecrownwere
soldbyKingHenrythesecond,andmentionismadeofthat
practice,withoutanyblame,inthechartersofKingJohnand
Henrythethird.(Hist.Hen.2.Vol.3.109.)Theabovecitation
fromLordCokeconfirmsthedoctrineofthenobleHistorian.
5If,saysaLawofIna,theHusbandandWifehaveany
143
Kindred,withthisdistinction,thatiftheInheritance
itselfdescendedfromthepaternalside,theCustody
shallbeconferreduponthekindred,thedescendants
onthematernalside;but,iftheInheritancedescend
onthepartoftheMother,thentheCustodybelongs
totheKindredontheFather'sside.Forthecustody
ofapersonshallneverbyLawbecommittedto
another,ofwhomasuspicioncanbeentertained,that
heeithercouldormightwishtoclaimanyrightin.
theInheritanceitself.^
CHAP.XII.
ButiftheHeirsarefemales,theyshallremainin
theCustodyoftheirLords.IftheyareMinors,they
children,andtheHusbanddies,themothershallretainand
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nourishherChild.Sixshillingsshallbegivenhertoenableher
todoit;aCow,insummer,andanOx,inwinter.(LL.Insec.88.)
1NullusHeredipetasuipropinqui,velextranetpericulosce
sanecustodicecommittatur.(LL.Hen.1.c.70.)LordChan
cellorMacclesfieldcondemnedthisRule,asnotgroundedupon
reason,butasprevailinginbarbaroustimes,beforetheNation
wascivilized.(3P.Wms.262.)Ontheotherhand,Fortescue^
(c.44.)LordCoke,(Co.Litt.88.b.)JudgeBlackstone,(1
Comm.461.)Mr.Hargrave,(notetoabove),andMr.Christian
(ubisupra)approveofthisEuleofourLaw,sooppositetothat
prevailingintheRomanCode.NorhastheGreatFeudist
Craigwithheldthetestimonyofhisapprobationtoit.(Craig
Jus.feud.L.2.D.20.s.6.)Dr.Sullivan,however,approves
bothofourRuleandthecivillawRule,conceivingeachadapted
tothepeculiarstateofthepeopletheone,abarbarousthe
other,acivilizedpeople,(Lect.onLawsofEnglandp.127.)
butthisofcourseisapplicabletotheoriginratherthanthecon
tinuanceoftheRules.
Itwasinconformitytotherulelaiddowninthetext,thatthe
EldestSisterwasexcludedfromhavingthecustodyofher
YoungerSisters.(Bractonfo.78.a.Fleta,L.3.c.16.s.71.)
144
shallcontinueinCustodyuntiltheyareoffullage,^
atwhichperiodtheLordisboundtofindthemaMar
riage,deliveringtoeachofthemherreasonableportion.
Butiftheywereoffullage,thenalsotheyshallremain
intheCustodyoftheirLord,untilwithhisAdvice
anddisposaltheyaremarried;becausewithoutthe
disposalorassentofherLordnofemale,theHeirto
Land,2canbytheLawandCustomoftheEealmbe
married.
Henceitis,thatifaMan,havingonlyaDaughter
orDaughters,hisHeirs,shouldinhislifetimemarry
ofoneormoreofthemwithouttheassentoftheLord,
heisjustly,accordingtotheLawandCustomofthe
Eealm,foreverdeprivedofhisInheritance;andthat
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insuchmanner,thathecanneverafterwardsrecover
anypartofit,unlessbytheindulgenceoftheLord.
ThereasonissimplythisthatastheHusbandofan
HeiressisboundtodoHomagetotheLordforher
Estate,theapprobationandconsentoftheLordis
requisiteforsuchpurpose;leastheshouldbecom
pelledtoreceivefromhisEnemy,orfromsomeother
improperperson,theHomagedueinrespectofhis
Fee.^ButifanyonedemandsofhisLordaLicense
1WeareinformedbytheRegiamMaj.thattheywereoffull
ageatfourteencomplete.(L.3.o.48.)Atwhichtime,they
might,itwassupposed,haveHusbands,capableofperforming
theservicesduefortheirFiefs.SeeBracton86.b.
2"ByLandinthispassage,hemeans,Landthatwasheldby
"militaryservice.''(3Litt.Hist.Hen.2.103.)Ifwemay
judgefromalawofCanute,(LL.Canuti72.)tliemarriageof
Wardswasunknowninhistime.VideSpelm.Reliq.p.29.
8"This,"observesLordLittleton,"appearstoextendequally
145
tomarryhisDaughterandIleirtoanother,theLord
isboundeithertoconsent,ortoshewsomejustcause,
whyherefuses;ôtherwisethewomanmay,withthe
adviceandapprobationofherFather,bemarried,even
contrarytotheLord'sinclination.Uponthisoccasion
itmaybeasked,ifaAVoman,havingLandsinDower,
may,withouttheconsentofher"Warrantor,^follow
herowninclinationinmarryinganother;and,ifshe
<loso,whethersheshallonthataccountloseherwhole
Dower?Itdoesnotappearthatsheoughtforthat
reasontoloseherDower,sinceherHusband,bythe
LawandCustomoftheRealm,owesnoHomagetoher
"Warrantor,butmerelyFealtywithanOath,leastif
the"WomanherselfshoulddiebeforeherHusband,the
Homageshouldbeentirelylost,noTenurebeingre
tained.YettheWomanisboundtoobtaintheconsent
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^'toallkindsoffiefsforwhichHomagewasdone,astothose
"thatwereheldbyKnight'sService."(3.Hist.Hen.2.104.
VidealsoCraigJusfeud.L.2.Dieg.21.s.8.Bracton88.a.)
1.Henrythe1stexpresslypromises,inhisCharter,thathewill
takenothingforhisconsent,norwillhewithholdit,unlessit
beproposedtounitethefemaletohisenemy.(AngloSax.LL.
EJ.Wilkinsp.233.)Hepromises,also,onthedeathofhis
Barons,tomarrytheirDaughterswiththeadviceoftheother
Barons,andthathewillnotcompelwidowstomarryagain;
andheenjoinshisBarons,toactinasimilarmannertowards
theirTenants.Theseregulationswerebutillobserved.From
thetext,itisperfectlyclear,thattherightofmarriageextended
tofemalesonlybutLordssubsequentlyenlargedtheirclaim,
andexerciseditalsooverMaleHeirs.Thisissupposedtohave
grownupInHenrythe3d'stimefromaforcedconstructionof,
thosewordsofMag.Car.Heredesmaritentursinedisparagatione:
(Sullivan'sLectures,p.130.)^
2TheHeirofherHusband,whomust,therefore,have
frequentlybeennotonlyherownSon,butanInfant.Thismay
beconsideredasoneoftheabsurditiesoftheFeudalsystem.
10
146
ofherWarrantortohermarriage,orsheshallloseher
Dower,!unless,indeed,sheholdsotherLandinMar
riagehoodorbyInheritance;forthenitsuffices,ifshe
hasobtainedtheconsentoftheChiefLord.ThisRule
obtainsnotonaccountoftheHomagebutoftheother
Fealty,whichtheHusbandisboundtoperformtothe
Lordaswehaveobserved.But,iftheInheritancebe
withintheFeesofmanydifferentLords,itisthensuf
ficient,iftheconsentoftheChiefLordbeobtainedta
theMarriageofthefemaleHeir.IffemaleHeirs,
duringsuchtimeastheyareinCustody,areguiltj''of
incontinence,**andthisbeproved,then,thosewhohave
thuserredshallbeexcludedfromtheInheritance;and
theirportionshallaccruetotheothers,whoarefree
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fromthesamestain.Butif,inthismanner,allofthem
shoulderr,then,thewholeInheritanceshalldevolve
1UndertheAssisesofJerusalem,theWidow,generally
speaking,wasnottobecompelledtomarryagain;butifshe
did,shewastoasktheconsentofherLord.(c.187.)Seealso
theMirrorc.1.s.3.andBraoton88a.
2Decorporibussuisforisfecerunt.Forisfaciois,accordingto
Spelman,derivedfromtheFrench/or/aiVe.(Gloss,adtoc.)
Inapropersignification,therefore,andasindicating/or/eit
ure,itratherdescribesthepunishmentthantheoffence.The
transitionisbynomeansdifBcult;and,initsapplicationtothe
crime,itassumesanewmeaning,byagradationinlanguage
notunfrequent.Thetermfrequentlyoccursinthetranslations
oftheSaxonandNormanLaws.(VideLL.Ed.Conf.c.33.10.
36.13.andGul.1.c.1.Hen.1.o.23.VidealsoCraigL.3.D.3.
s.3.Co.Litt.58.a.and3Inst.337.)LordLittletonobserves,
"thiswasaseverepunishmentforthefrailtyofasinglewoman,.
"andwithoutexampleinotherLaws:butitundoubtedlyarose,
"notsomuchfromarigoroussenseoftheheinousnessofthe
"fault,asfromtlienotionofanadvantageduetotheLord
"fromthemarriageofhisward,whichheprobablymightbe
"deprivedofbyherbeingdishonored."(3Hist.Hen.3.p.119.>
147
upontheLord,asanEscheat.Yet,ifsuchfemale
Heirsareoncelawfullymarried,andafterwardsbecome
widows,theyshallnotagainbeundertheCustodyof
theirLords;althoughthe}''are,forthereasonformerly
explained,boundtoaskhisconsenttotheirmarriage.^
Xor,insuchcase,shalltheyforfeittheirInheritance,
ifguiltyofincontinence.^
Buttheassertionwhichisgenerallymade,thatin
continenceîsnoforfeitureoftheInheritance,isto
beunderstoodofthecrimeoftheMother;because,
thatSonisthelawfulHeir,whommarriageproves
tobesuch.*
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CHAP.XIII.
KeitheeaBastard,^noranyotherpersonnotborn
inlawfulwedlock,canbe,inthelegalsenseofthe
1VideMag.Car.Cap.7,andLordCoke'scommentthereon.
(3Inst.16.)SeealsoRobinsononGavelk.160andBracton
313.a.
2LordLittletonthinks,thereasonforexemptingWidows
fromthepenaltywas,thatthey,notbeingunderthecustodyof
theirLords,theirincontinencewasnobreachoftheDutyand
reverenceduefromaVassal.(3.Hist.Hen.3.p.119.)The
Mirrorcoincideswiththetext.(c.1.s.3.)ThecustomofGa
velkyndislessliberaltothefrailtyofthewidow.(Robins,on
Gavelkynd(195.)
^Piitagium;quasi,saysSpelman,puttamagereaGall,putte,
Ital.putta,nieretrix.Petrarch,puttasfacciata.(Spelm.
Gloss,advoc.)
"FortheCommonLaw,saystheMirror,onlytakethhimto
beaSon,whomthemarriageprovethtobeso.(Mirrorp.70.
SeealsoBracton63.a.b.)
'TheNormanCodeenumeratesfourImpedimentstoSucces
148
term,anHeir.^ButifanyoneclaimsanInheritance
inthecharacterofHeir,andtheotherpartyobject
tohim,thathecannotbeHeir,becausehewasnot
borninlawfulwedlock,then,indeed,thePleashall
ceaseintheKing'sCourt,andtheArchBishopor
Bishopoftheplaceshallbecommanded,toinquire
concerningsuchmarriage,andtomakeknownhis
decision,eithertotheKingorhisJustices.
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Forthispurpose,thefollowing"WritshallIssue:
CHAP.XIV.
"TheKingtotheArchBishop,Health.W.appear
"ingbeforemeinmyCourthasdemandedagainstH.
"hisBrother,thefourthpartofoneKnight'sFee,in
"suchaVill,ashisright,andinwhichthesaidJi.
"hasnoright,asW.says,becauseheisaBastard
"bornbeforetheMarriageoftheirMother.And,
"sinceitdoesnotbelongtomyCourttoinquirecon
"cerningBastardy,Isendthemuntoyoucommand
"ing,thatyoudointheCourtChristianthatwhich
"belongstoyou.AndwhentheSuitisbroughtto
"itsproperendbeforeyou,informmebyyourLetter
sion.Bastardy,pxôfessionofReligion,forfeiture,andincurable
Leprosy.(LeGrandCustura.deNorm.27.)Bastardyseemsto
havebeenalegalobjectiontoawitnessundertheAssisesof
Jerusalem.(56.)
1AdifferentLawprevailedamongsttheancientWelclipeo
ple,asLordHalededuces,fromconsideringtheStattttiimWallioe
12.Ed.1.and,hethinks,thattheAncientBritishadmitted
Bastardstoinherit.(1.Hist.Com.Law219.)
149
"whathasbeendonebeforeyouconcerningit."Wit
"ness,&c."
CHAP.XV.
Uponthissubjectithasbeenmadeaquestion
whetherifanyonewasbegottenorbornbeforehis
FathermarriedtheMother,suchSonisthelawful
Pleir,iftheFatherafterwardsmarriedhisMother?
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Although,indeed,theCanonsandtheEomanLaws
considersuchSonasthelawfulHeir,iyet,according
totheLawandCustomofthisRealm,heshallinno
measurebesupportedasHeirinhisclaimuponthe
Inheritance;norcanhedemandtheInheritance,by
theLawoftheRealm.'^Butyetifaquestionshould
1"InthetimeofPopeAlexanderthe3rd,(A.D.1160Anno
"6.Hen.2.)thisConstitutionwasmade,thatchildrenbornbe
"foresolemnizationofMatrimonywhereMatrimonyfollowed,
"shouldbeaslegitimatetoinherituntotheirancestors,as
"thosethatwerebornafterMatrimony."(2Inst.96.)Tothis
ConstitutionourAuthoralludes.ThedoctrineoftheNorman
CodeisinconformitywiththeCanonofAlexander.(Grand
Custum.c.27.)ThemodernFrenchCodeallows,undercertain
restrictions,ofthesubsequentlegitimationofchildreneven
ofdeceasedchildren,whohaveleftissue.(CodeNapoleons.
331.332.)
2"ThisdecisionofGlanville,"observesLordLittleton,"is
"veryremarkable:asitshewstheentireindependenceofthe
"LawofEnglandontheCanonandCivilLawsinhistime."
(3Litt.Hist.Hen.3.p.125.)Whenthisdoctrinewas,inasub
sequentperiodofourHistory,attemptedtobeoverturned,it
gaverisetothecelebratedansweroftheBaronsrecordedinour
StatuteBook.EtomnesComitesetBaronesundvoceresponde
runt,quodnoluntlegesAnglioemutare,qucehucusqueusitatoesunt
etapprobatce.(Stat,ofMerton.c.9.Seealso2Inst.96.)The
Eule,thusmemorablydefended,hasdescendeduntouchedto
thepresentday.
150
arise,whethersuchaSonwasbegottenorbornbefore
marriage,orafter,itshould,aswehaveobserved,be
discussedbeforetheEcclesiasticalJudge;andofhis
decisionheshallinformtheKing,orhisJustices.
Andthus,accordingtotheJudgmentoftheCourt
Christianconcerningthemarriage,'namely,whether
theDemandantwasbornorbegottenbeforemarriage
contracted,orafter,theKing'sCourtshallsupply
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thatwhichisnecessary,inadjudgingorrefusingthe
Inheritancerespectingwhichthedisputeis;sothat
byitsdecisiontheDemandantshalleitherobtainsuch
inheritance,orlosehisclaim.
CHAP.XYl.
AsaBastardcanhavenoHeir,unlessitbeoneofhis
ownBody,aquestionarisesrespectingaBastard.If
anyonehasgivenLandtohim,reservingaserviceor
anyotherthing,andhasreceivedhisHomageforit,
sothattheBastardhasdiedintheSeisinofsuchLand,
withoutleavinganyHeirofhisownBod}^,whoisen
titledbylawtosucceedtohim,ashisLordcannotfor
thereasonsbeforestated?^Butwhenanyonedies
1"Itisanswered,"'saystheRegiamMajestatem,"thatno
"Manmaysucceedtohim,butonlytheKingbythereason
"aforesaid."(L.2.c.53.)ButBractonresolvesthequestion
byinformingus,thatinsuchacase,theLandwouldescheat
totheLord;nor,wouldthecircurastanceofHomagehaving
beenreceived,alterthecase,quiahomagiiimevanescitheredibus
dejicientibusubique;(Bracton.20.b.)adoctrinewhichlias
beenstrangelymisinterpreted,andthatbyahighlyrespectable
writer,whoconsidersthepositionlaiddownbyGlanville,that
151
intestate,allhischattelsareunderstoodtobelongto
hisLord;and,ifhehasmoreLordsthanone,eachof
themshallrecoversuchChattels,asmaybefound
withinhisFee.ButalltheEffectsofaUsurer
(whetherhemakeaWillornot)belongtotheIving.^
ButitisnottheCustomforanyone,whilstliving,to
beappealedorconvictedofthecrimeofUsurybut,
amongotherRegalInquisitions,itisusuallyinquired^
theLordwasprecludedbyreceivingHomageofhisclaimtothe
Escheat,asnottobereliedupon;because,intheverynext
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Reign,theLordwasultimusherestoaBastard.Insupportof
thisconjecture,theAuthorinquestionappealstoBracton.(Ubi
supra.)SeeDalrympleonFeudsp.64.BractonwrotetheLaw
ofthetimesasitstoodwhenhecomposedhistreatise,which
wasnott?itheverynextReign,buttowardsthelatterendofthe
EeignofHenrythethird,thebetterpartofacenturylaterthan
whenGlanvillewrote.Hadthefact,however,beenasassumed,
theconclusiondrawnfromitwouldbynomeansbewarranted:
since,toarguefromwhatisLawatoneperiodinordertorefute
whatwassoatanotheranteriorperiodisthepurestsophistry.
^TheAncientRomanspunishedUsurywithmoreseverity,
thantheydidTheft.(CatodereEusticS,Proem.)TheNorman
codeimposesaforfeitureofalltheoffender'sproperty,provided
hehadbeenguiltyofUsury,withinayearandadaybeforehis
death.(GrandCustum.deNorm.c.20.)
ByaLawofEdwardtheConfessor,Usurerswerebanishedthe
iingdom,andapersonconvictedofthecrimeforfeitedallhis
substance,andwastobetreatedasanoutlaw.IftlieReader
feelanydesiretopenetrateintothemotivesthatdictatedthis
Law,thesearetheconcludingwordsofit.Hocautemasserebat
ipseRexseaudiisseinCuriaRegisFrancorum,dumibidem
moraretur,quodXJsuraradixomniumvitiorumesset.(LL.Ed.
Conf.c.37.)Thedoctrine,aslaiddownbytheMirror,is,that
thegoodsandChattelsofUsurersshouldremain,asEscheatsto
theLordsoftheFee.(Mirrorc.1.s.3.)TheReaderwillfind
somecuriousdisquisitionsonthesubjectofUsuryintheAncient
Dialog,deScaocario.(L.3.s.10.)
2OurAuthoralludestotheInquisitionsmadeunderthe
JusticesItinerant,aninstitutiongenerallyascribedtoHenrythe
152
andproved,whohavediedinthisOffence/andthatby
theoathsoftwelvelawfulMenoftheVicinage.Which
beingprovedinCourt,alltheMoveablesandChattels
whichbelongedtothedeceasedUsurershallbeseisedto
theKing'suse,withoutanyregardtothepersonin
whosehandstheymaybefound.HisHeirisforthe
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samereasondeprivedoftheInheritanceaccordingtothe
LawoftheEealm,theInheritanceitselfrevertingto
theLord.Itshould,however,beobserved,thatif
anyonehas,duringacertainperiodofhislife,been
guiltyofthisCrime,andbepubliclyaccusedôfitin
theCommunitywherehelived,ifhedesistedfromhis
errorbeforehisdeath,andwaspenitent,neitherhe,
norhisproperty,shallafterhisdeathbeliabletothe
penaltiesofUsury.Itought,therefore,tobeevident,
Slid,and,asgenerally,imaginedtohavebeenfirstordainedin
theGreatCouncilatNorthamptoninthe22ndyearoftheReign
ofthatIMonarch.LordCoke,however,ascribestothemamuch
earlierorigin;andfromtheRecordsintheExchequer,itshould
seem,thattherehadbeenJusticesItineranttohearanddeter
mineCivilandCriminalcauses,soearlyasthe18thofHenry
thefirst.LordLittletonthinks,thefirstappointmentofJustices
ItinerantviâsmadebyHenrythefirst,inimitationofasimilar
InstitutioninFranceestablishedbyLouisleGros.Justices
Itinerantadcommuniaplacitawerecontinueduntilthe10thof
Edw.the3rd,whentheyseemtohavegivenwaytoJusticesof
Assise,Nisiprius,Oyerandterminer,andGaoldelivery.(Vide
Madox'sExcheq.96.Litt.Hist.Hen.2.Vol.4.271.Hale'sHist.
Com.Law140.1682Inst.497.)
'TheMirrorconfinesthepunishmenttothoseattaintedof
Usuryaftertheirdecease,"butnot,iftheybeattaintedthereof
"intheirlifetime,forthentheylosebutonlytheirmoveables;
"because,bypenanceandrepentance,theymayamendand
"haveHeirs."(Mirrorc.4.s.12.SeealsoFletaL.1.c.20.S.
28.andDial,deScacc.L.2.s.10.)
.2VideBook14.Note2.
153
thataManhasdiedaUsurer,inorderthathemaybe
soadjudgedafterhisdeath,andhisEffectsdisposed
ofasthoseofaUsurer.
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CHAP.XYII.
TheUltimateHeirofanypersonishisLotd.^
When,therefore,aMandieswithoutleavinganycer
tainHeir,such,forexample,asaSon,orDaughter,or
withoutanysuchHeirofwhomtherecanexistno
doubt,^butthatheisthenearerandrightHeir,the
LordsoftheFeemay,andindeed,usuallydo,takethe
YacantInheritancesintotheirhands,andretainthem
asEscheats,^whoeversuchLordmaybe,whetherthe
King,oranyotherperson.But,ifanyoneappearand
asserthimselftobetherightHeir,ifbytheindulgence
ofhisLord,orbytheKing'sprecept,hecaneffectit,
heshallprosecutehisclaim;andthushemayestablish
hisright,ifhehasanysuch;but,inthemeantime,the
LandinquestionshallremaininthehandsoftheLord
oftheFee;because,wheneveraLordentertainsa
doubtconcerningtheHeirofhisTenant,whetherhe
betherightHeirornot,hemayretaintheLanduntil
1SirWm.Blackstone,whenspeakiugoftheLawofEscheat,
informsus,thatitisadoptedinalmosteverycountry,toprevent
therobusttitleofoccupancyfromagaintakingplace.(2Bl.
Comm.10.)SeeFletaL.6.c.1.s.11."Bycommoncustoinand
"useonly,"saysSkene,commentingontheRegiamMajestatern,
"theKingisthelastHeir."(L.2.c.55.)
2TheTranslatorfollowstheReadingsanctionedbyalltW
MSS.'SeeCo.Litt.13.a.b.
154
thefactbelawfully'provedtohim.^Thesameruleis
Jaiddown,inaformerpartofthisTreatise,wherea
doubtariseswithrespecttothefullageorMinorityof
theHeir.Thereis,however,thisdifference,thatin
theonecase,theInheritanceitselfisinthemeantime
tobeconsideredastheLord'sEscheat:butintheother
case,itisnotconsideredtobetheLord'snothing,in
deed,buttheCustody.Butifnooneshouldappear
toclaimtheInheritanceinquestionasHeir,thenit
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shallabsolutelyreverttotheLordasanEscheat;so
thathemaydisposeofitathispleasureashisown
property.Besides,ifaFemaleHeir,intheCustody
ofherLord,beguiltyofIncontinence,herInheritance
shallescheattoherLord,onaccountofhercrime.
AndifanypersonbeconvictedofFelony,orconfess
LisGuiltinCourt,deprivedbytheLawoftheBealm
ofhisInheritance,hisLandshallremaintotheLord,
nsanEscheat.Îtistobeobserved,thatifanyone
holdoftheKinginCajnte,then,aswellhisLand,as
allhisMoveablesandChattels,inwhoseeverpossession
theymaybefound,shallbeseisedtotheKing'suse,
andtheIleirshallbeforeverdebarredfromrecover
ingthem.Butifanoutlaw,ôroneconvictedofFel
ony,holdofanyotherpersonthantheKing,then
alsoallhisMoveablesshallbelongtotheKing;his
1SeeBracton71.b.
"^HowsimilartheNormanCodewasinthisrespect,theReader
willperceive,onturningtoLeGrandCust.deNorm.c.24.
'Utlagatus,theoutlaw,or,intheexpressivetermofafardis
tantday,thefrendlesman,or,asweshouldnowwriteit,the
friendlessman.(Bracton138.b.SeeDial,descacc.L.2.s.10.)
155
LandsalsoshallremainintheKing'shandsduring
oneyear,whichperiodbeingexpired,suchLandshall
reverttotherightLord,inotherwords,tohimto
whoseFeeitbelongs,theHouses,however,being
throwndown,andtheTreesextirpated.Ând,gene
rallyspeaking,wheneverapersonhasdoneorsaidany
thinginCourtforwhichhehasbeen,byaJudgment
oftheCourt,disinherited,hisInheritanceisaccustomed
1"Thereasonofthis,'"saysLordLittleton,"wasasupposi
"tion,thattheLord,ofwhomthefelonheld,wasinsomedegree
"culpable,forwantofapropercareinthechoiceofhisTenant.''
(3Hist.Hen.2.p.118.)Itisdifficulttofeeltheforceofthis
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reasoning,fromthemomentfiefsceasedtobegivenforthelife
ofthefeudatoryforwhatchoice,itmaybeasked,wasleftto
theLord,whenfiefswerehereditary,astheyclearlyappearto
havebeenwhenGlanvillewrote,andforsometimepreviously.
LordCokeascribestheruletoanothersource,layingitdown,
"thatoriginallytheKingwastohavenobenefitfromtheattain
der,butwastocommitdestructiontothepropertyoftheoffend
erindetestationofthecrime,vtpoenaadpaucos,metusad
orrmesperveniat.(3Inst.36.)Butthisisasfarfrombeingsat
isfactory,asthereasongivenbyLordLittleton.Because,asthe
propertyhadceasedtobelongtotheoffender,anywastecom
JtnittedonitredoundedinthefirstplacetotheinjuryoftheLord,
andthroughhimtothepublic,whowereboth,layingalltechni
calfictionsaside,innocent.ThepunishmenttotheTenantwas
theforfeiture,andnotthewastesubsequentlycommitted.This
cruelpolicy,orratherimpolicy,wasabrogatedbythe23ndCliap
terofMagnaCarta.TheReaderwillconsultLordCoke'scom
mentonthatChapter,andthenjudgeforhimself,whetherthe
yearandadaycameinlieuofthewaste.Thattheywereco
existentseem.sstronglycorroboratedbytheCustumalofKent
"TheKingshallhavetheyearandthewaste."(Robinsonon
<]ravelk.284.SeealsoIbidc.4.)TheMirrorishere,asin
manyotherinstances,atvariancewithitself.ButBrittonap
pearstoconsiderthemascoexistent,(c.18.s.6.)andsodoesthe
EegiamMajestatem.(L.2.o.55.)
LordCokehaswithhisusualindustry,collectedtheauthori
tiesinfavorofhisposition.Dr.Sullivanmaybeaddedtothem.
{Lecturesp.348.)
156
toreturnasanEscheattotheLordoftheFeeof
whomitisheld.Butaforfeiture,committedbythe
SonandHeirofanyone,shallnotdisinheritthe
Father,northeBrother,nor,indeed,anyotherperson
buthimself.Itshouldalsobeadded,thatwhena
ManhasbeencondemnedofTheft,allhisMoveables,
andChattelsgenerallydevolveontheSheriffofthe
County;buthisLand,ifhehasany,shallimmediately
reverttotheLordoftheFee,withoutawaitingthe
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year.^Whenanyonehasbeenoutlawedb\'theLaw
oftheLand,andhasafterwards,bytheindulgenceof
thePrince,beenrestoredtothePeace,hecannoton
thataccountrecoverhisInheritance,supposingthathe
orhisPleirspossesssuch,asagainsthisLord(unless
bythemercyandindulgenceoftheLordhimself.)
TheKing,indeed,isaccustomedtoremitthepainsof
ForfeitureandOutlawry,jêtcannothe,undercolour
ofthisprerogative,infringeupontherightsofothers^
CHAP.XYIII.
OfMarriagehoodtheonekindisfree,theother,,
liabletotheperformanceofservices.*Marriagehood
iscalledfree,whenanyfreemangivesacertainpart
ofhisLandwithaWomaninMarriagetoanother,so
thatsuchLandbeexemptfromeverykindofservice,
^TheEeaderwillrecollect,thatwhenGlanvlUewrote,Theft
wasnotanoffenceagainsttheKing'scrown.Chap.3.L.1.
2VideNote1.c,1.ofthisBook.Bracton21.a.b.andFleta.
L.3.c.11.
157
andacquittedonthepartofhimandhisHeirs,as
againsttheChiefLord.TheLandinquestionshall
enjoythisimmunity,eventothethirdHeir;^nor,dur
ingtheinterval,aretheHeirsboundtodoanyHom
ageforit;but,afterthethirdHeir,^theLandagain
becomessubjecttoitsoriginalservices,andHomage
shallbereceivedforit,and,ifitbepartofaMilitary
Fee,theTenantshallperformtheserviceoftheFee,
withreferencetothequantityoftheLand.Butsome
timesLandisgiveninMarriagehood,savingandreserv
ingtheservicesduetotheChiefsLord;andthenin
deed,theHusbandofthe"WomanandhisHeirsmust
performtheservices,withtheExceptionofHomage,
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eventothethirdHeir.*
ButthethirdHeirshalldoHomageforthefirst
time,andallhisHeirsafterwards.Butanother
Fealty,^withtheinterpositionofasolemnpromiseor
oath,shall,intheinterveningperiod,beperformedby
theWomenandtheirHeirs,almostinthesameform
1Inenumeratingthesedegrees,sayBractonandFleta,Dona
tariusprimumfaeiatgraduin,heresejussecundumgradum&c.
(Bractonfo.23.b.FletaL.3.c.11.s.1.)
2Nor,duringtheinterval,aretheHeirshoundtodoanyHom
ngeforit,hut,afterthethirdHeir,omittedbytheHarl.and
Bodl.MSS.
8AlltheMSS.concurinomittingthewordchief.
*"AndthethirdHeirshallmakeHomage,therefore,Ward
"andRelief,andallhisHeirsafterhim."(RegiamMajest.L.
3.C.57.)
^"Andanotherfealty,bymakingofanoathandfaith,shall
"begivenandmadebytheWomanandherHeirs,inthesame
"formandwordsasHomageshouldbemade."(Reg.Maj.L.
3.c.57.)
158
andinthesamewordsinwhichHomageiscommonljr
performed.
When,therefore,anyonehasreceivedLandswith
hisWifeinMarriagehood,andhasbyheranHeir,,
MaleorFemale,heardtocrywithinthefourWalls,
then,ifthemansurvivehiswife,whethertheHeirlive
ornot,theMarriagehoodshallnotwithstandingre
maintotheHusband,duringhislife;but,afterhis
death,itshallreverttotheoriginalDonor,orhis
Heirs.iButifheneverhadanHeirfromhisWife,
then,immediatelyafterherdeath,theMarriagehood
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shallreverttotheDonororhisHeirs.^
1WhatourAuthortreatsof,asaconsequenceofaMan'sre
ceivinglandsinmarriagehood,hasreceivedconsiderableex
tensioninsucceedingtimes,andhasbecomeknownbytheTitle
oftheCurtesyofEngland.But,asLordCokeobserves,itwas
knowntotheScotchandIrish,and,hemighthaveadded,tothe
Normans.Craigcitesapassagetoshewthatitwasnotun
knowntotheRomanCode,andSirWm.Blackstonequotesan
authoritytoprovethatitwasinuseamongsttheancient
AlmainsorGermans.LikeDower,Itisnotaprovisionarising
fromthecompactoftheparties,butemanatingfromtheliberal
ityoftheLaw.Astotheevidenceoftheexistenceoftheoff
spring,theRegiamMajestatemexpresslycoincideswithour
Author,(L.2.c.58.)andinthis,isfollowedbyBracton,Fleta,
andBritton.LordCoke,however,asserts,thatifbornalive,it
issufficient,thoughnotheardtocry,which,indeed,isconsist
entwithreasonfortheciyingofthechildismerelyevidenceof
lifewhichraayaswellbefurnishedbyathousandothercir
cumstances.Itisnotimprobable,thatasanadherencetothe
strictLetteroftheancientLaw,aslaiddownbyGlanvlUe,had
beenfoundextremelyinconvenient,ithad,therefore,been
silentlyabrogated,previoustothetimeofLordCoke.(SeeCraig,
L.2.D.22.s.40.LeGrandCustum.deNorm.c.120.2Bl.
Comm.125.andCo.Lltt.29.b.)
2HeforfeitedItundertheNormanCodebyasubsequent
marriage,withanotherwoman.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.,
C.131.)
159
AndthisissomereasonwhyHomageisnotusuallj
receivedforLandsinMarriagehood.
ForifLandweresogiveninMarriagehood,orin
anyotherway,thatHomagewasreceivedforit,then,
itwouldneverafterwardsreverttotheDonor,orhis
Heirs,aswehaveexphiined.If,however,suchWoman
takeasecondHusband,thesameEuleprevails,asto
thesecond,aswehavestatedconcerningthefirst,
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whetherthefirstshouldhaveleftanHeirornot.
ButwhenanyonesuesforLandastheMarriagehood
ofhis"Wife,orwhenthe"WomanorherHeirdoesso,^
then,adistinctionmustbemade,.whethertheLandis
demandedasagainsttheDonor,orhisHeir,oragainst
astranger.IftheSuitbeagainsttheDonor,orhis
Heir,then,itisattheElectionoftheDemandant,
whetherhewouldproceedintheCourtChristian,or
intheSecularCourt.
ForiftheDemandantchusestoresorttosuch
Tribunal,itbelongstotheEcclesiasticalJudgeto
holdpleasofMarriagehood;aJurisdictionheacquires
fromthemutualTrothusuallyplighted,whenanyone
promisestomarrya"Woman,andsheinherturnprom
isesmarriagetohim.Nor,indeed,istheEcclesias
ticalJudgeprohibitedbytheKing'sCourtfromhold
ingsuchplea,althoughitconcernaLayfee,ifitbe
clearthatthedemandrelatetoMarriage.Butifthe
SuitbebroughtagainstaStranger,then,indeed,it
shallbedeterminedintheLayCourt,andthat,in
thesamemannerandorderinwhichPleasconcerning
otherLayFeesaregenerallyconducted.
160
Yet,shoulditbeobserved,thattheSuitoughtnot
tobeproceededin,withouttheWarrantor,aswe
formerlymentionedwhentreatingofDower.The
Suit,indeed,mustbeproceededin,asfarasrespects
theWarrantor,inthesamemannerasaPleainDower.
Whatwe,therefore,saidontheformeroccasionwith
respecttothispoint,isapplicabletothepresent.It
remainstoadd,thatthethirdHeir,afterhehasonce
doneHomage,can^proceedinthesuitwithoutthe
a,uthorityoftheWarrantor.
ÂlltheMSS.concurinintroducingnotintothetext.
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inolt^JJ|.
OFACONCORDMADEINCOURT;ANDOFTHECHIRO
GRAPHSCONTAININGTHECONCORD;ANDOFTHE
RECORDSOFTHECOURTORCOURTS,IFEITHEROF
THEPARTIESSHOULDBREAKTHECONCORD,AND
PINE,MADEINCOURT.
CHAP.I.
Butitoftenhappens,thatPleasmovedintheKing's
Courtaredeterminedbyanamicablecompositionand
iinalConcord,butwiththeconsentandLicenseofthe
KingorhisJustices,whateverthePleamayconcern,
whetherLand,oranyotherthing.SuchaConcord
Is,withthegeneralconsentofthepersonsinterested,
usuallyreducedintoawriting,commontoallthepar
ties,^whichisrecitedbeforetheKing'sJusticesofthe
CommonPleas,înwhosepresenceeachperson'spartof
thewriting,agreeinginallthingswiththeother's,is
deliveredtothepart3^TheConcordisinthefollow
ingform
1Incommunemseripturam,achirograph.(Madox'sExch.
c.19.)
2JusticiisdominiregisinBancoresidentibusVideantepage
41.Note2.
II.161
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162
CHAP.11.
"ThisisthefinalConcord,madeintheCourtof
"ourLordtheKing,at"Westminster,ontheYigilof
"theblessedPeter,theApostle,intheThirtythird^
"YearoftheReignofKingHenrytheSecond;before
"RanulphdeGlanville,JusticiaryofourLordthe
"King,andbeforeR.R.W.andT.andotherfaithful
"subjectsofourLordtheKing,thentherepresent,
"betweenthePriorandBrethrenoftheHospitalof
"Jerusalem,andW.T.,theSonofNorman,andAlan
"hisSon,whomheappointedAttorneyintheCourt
"ofourLordtheKingtogainorlose,concerningall
"suchLandanditsAppurtenances(exceptoneOxland
"andthreeTofts^)whichthesaidW.held:concern
1Thisandasimilarpassage,inthefollowingchapter,afford
strongdata,fromwliencetoascertaintheyear,whenthepresent
workwaswritten.Admittedasitis,onallhands,thatitwas
composedintheReignofHenrytheSecond,anditbeingastrong
presumptionfromthepassagesinquestion,thatitcouldnot
havebeenwrittenantecedenttothe33dyearofsuchReign,it
merelyremainsforustochusebetweenthe33d,34th,and35th
years;foronthelatteryeartheReignterminated.Ifwefollow
SirHenrySpelman'splan,anddividetheintermediateperiod,
weshouldinferthatthepresentworkwaswritteninthe34tk
yearofHenrytheSecond,inotherwords,in1187.Dr.Robert
son,thoughwithoutalleginganyreason,says,itwascomposed
abouttheyear1181.(Hist.Charles.V.vol.1.p.296.)Blair's,
chronologyusespreciselythesameassertion.
2ItseemsbynomeanstobeagreedofwhatquantityanOxland
consisted.(Co.Litt.69.a.andMr.Hargrave'snote.)
3Toftis.AToftissaidtobethescitewhereaHouseformerly
stood;andisawordmuchusedinFines.(VideSpelm.Gloss,
andOowell'sInterp.advoc.)
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163
"iiigallwhichLand(excepttheaforesaidOxlandand
"threeTofts)therewasaPleabetweentheminthe
"CourtofourLordtheKing;towit,thattheafore
"saidW.andAlanconcedeandattesttheGiftwhich
"NormantheFatherofthesaidW.madetothem;
"andtheyquitclaimallthatLandfromthemand
"theirHeirstotheHospitalandtheaforesaidPrior
"andBrethrenforever:excepttheoneOxlandafore
"said,andthethreeTofts,whichremaintothesaid
"W.andAlanandtheirHeirs,tobeheldoftheHos
"pitalandtheaforesaidPriorandBrethrenforever,
"b}'^thefreeserviceoffourpenceayear,forallserv
"ice.Andforthisconcession,andattestation,and
"quitclaim,theaforesaidPriorandBrethrenofthe
"HospitalhavegiventothesaidW.andAlanone
"hundredShillingssterling."OrintheseTerms
CHAP.III.
"ThisisthefinalConcord,madeintheCourtof
"Galfred,theSonofPeter,andafterwardsrecorded
"andinrolledîntheCourtofourLordtheKing,
"atWestminster,intheThirtythirdYearofthe
"KeignofKingHenrytheSecond,onTuesdayafter
"thefeastoftheApostlesSimonandJude,before^
"KBishopofEly,andi.BishopofNorwich,and
1AndinrolledomittedbytheBodln.andDr.Milles'sMSS.
2O.BishopofEly,I.BishopofNorwich,andRanulphdeOlan
ville,&c.JusticesinEyre,intheyear1179,25Hen.3.&c.accord
ingtoBodl.MS.
164
"i?.deGlanville,JusticeofourLordtheKing,and
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"otherfaithfulandtrustyservantsofourLordthe
"King,thentherepresent,betweentheaforesaidG.
"theSonofPeterandR.thesonofReginald,ofthe
"AdvowsonoftheChurchofAllSaintsofShuld
"ham,andcommonofpastureofHeddon,con
"cerningwhichtherewasadisputebetweenthem;
"towit,thattheaforesaidR.hasacknowledged
"totheaforesaidO.,ashisRight,theAdvowsonof
"theaforesaidChurch,andhasquittedclaimtothe
"aforesaid6r.andhisHeirs,fromhimandhisHeirs
"forever,ifhehadanyrightintheAdvowson
"oftheaforesaidChurch:alsotheaforesaidR.
"quitclaimstotheaforesaidG.theCommonof
"PastureofHeddonAndallthepurprestures^
"whichG.hasmadeinShuldham,intheWood
"land2andMillsandCroftsândTurbaries*of
"Shuldham,ofwhichthesaidR.reservesnothing,
"unlessthatwhichisnecessarytoburninhisHousefor
"himandhisHeirs,withoutmakinganysale;and
1VideInfra,L.9.c.11.whereourauthorexplainstlieimport
oftheTerm.
2Frusseto,or,asLordCokewritesit,frasseto,signifiesawood
orgroundthatiswoody.(Co.Litt.4.b.)
'Croftis.Acroftissaidtobesynonymouswithwhatfarmers
callaclose.ThetermisusedbyIngulphus,andderivedfrom
theSaxoncroftorcruft.
*Turbariis.ThiswordisofSaxonorigin,andseemstohave
beenusedintwosenses;first,fortherightoftakingturf;sec
ondly,forthegroundfromwhichtheturfitselfwastakenor
dug.(Spelm.Gloss.)Thereaderwillnodoubtadmireecclesi
asticalingenuity,whenheunderstands,thatturbarywascom
prisedunderthetermlignum,andTitheconsequentlyclaimedin
respectofit.(Lyndw.Provinc.p.100.Annot.adturvarum.)
165
"ainexternalfolds,^(excepthisown)andthebidden
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"days3ofexternalploughs,andtheCustoms*ofHens
'ForinsemSotermed,Bractontellsus,quiafitetcapitur
forts,siveextraservitiumquodfitdominocapitali.(Bracton,fo.
36.a.)Thispartofthetextisratherobscure;and,thoughI
havetakensomepainstogetatthesenseofallthetermsGlan
villemakesuseofinthisConcord,IcannotflattermyselfIhave
perfectlysucceeded.
2Faldas.Faldaisfrequentlyused,asSpelmaninformsus,
prolihertatefaldagiifaldagiumheingaprivilege,whichLords
anciently,notunfrequently,reservedtothemselves,ofsetting
upfoldsforsheepinanyfieldswithintheirmanors,thebetter
tofeedtheirflocks,andthis,notmerelywiththeirownbut
theirTenants'sheep,although,inthelattercase,theprivilege
wasmoreusuallycalledsectdfaldce.
Itsliouldraiherseem,thattheTenantssometimesenjoyed
suchaprivilegeasagainsttheirLords.Faldai.e.hominesvilloB
debentponereovessuasinfaldam,Domini,arethewordsofan
ancientMS.relatingtotheMonasteryofSt.Edmund.When
thetermforinseeasisattachedtofaldas,adifficultyoccurs,
whichperhapsmaybegotoverbyrecurringtothedoctrineof
subinfeudation,socommonwhenGlanvillewrote.Theprivilege
inquestionmighthavebeenwithintheboundariesoftheancient
ororiginalmanor,whilstitmighthavebeenexternalorwithout
thecircuitofalessmanor,formingmerelyapartoftheoriginal
manorandcreatedinacourseofposteriorsubinfeudation.
Thisissubmittedmerelyasaconjecture.
3Precarias."VideSomn.Tract,deGavelkyndinvoc.Be
nerth,p.18."(Al.MS.)"Benerth,saysLordCoke,signifieththe
"serviceoftheploughandcart.''Co.Litt.86.a.Precariaeare
saidtobedayworks,whichtheTenantsofsomemanorsare
bound,byreasonoftheirtenures,todofortheirLordsinHar
vesttime;andtheyareinsomeplacetnailedbinddaysforbid
dendays,since,asithasbeenremarked,biddenestpreedri.
TliiscustomissaidtobeplainlysetforthintheGreatBookof
theCustomsoftheMonasteryofBatteltit.Appelderhamfo.60.
anextractfromwhichthereaderwillfindinSpelm.Gloss,ad
voc.precarice.Somner,indeed,considersitaspeciesofTillage
service,performedprecario.(UbiSupra.)
*Consuetudines,meaning,perhaps,customaryrenders,orpay
ments,asRents.Itiswellknown,thataperiodofourHistory
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166
"andEggs.AndforthisConcordandquitclaim,the
"aforesaidG.hasgiventothesaidR.twentymarks
"ofsilver."Andobserve,thatsuchaConcordis
termedfinal,becauseitputsanendtothematter,^so
thatneitherofthelitigatingpartiescaneverafter
recedefromit.Forifeitherofthemfailtoadhereto
it,ortoperformhispartofit,andtheotherpart}''
complain,theSheriffshallbedirectedtoputhimby
safepledges,thatheappearbeforetheKing'sJustices
toanswer,whereforebehasnotkeptsuchfine.I
mean,ifthepartycomplaining,haspreviouslygiven
theSheriffsecurity,toprosecutehisclaim.Forthis
purpose,thefollowingvs^ritshallissue
CHAP.ly.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.CommandN.,
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,heholdtheFinemade
"inmyCourt,betweenhimandR.ofoneHydeof
"Land,inthatVill,concerningwhichaSuitwasbe
"tweentheminmyCourt;and,unlessliedoso,and
hasexisted,whenmostoftheRentsofthekingdomwerepaidin
thismannei'.
1AsimilardescriptionoccursintheReg.Maj.(L.1.c.27.)
andinBracton.(L.2.tr.5.c.28.)LordCokequotesthelatter,
aswellasthepassageiiithetext,ascorrect."This,"observes
Mr.Hargrave,"thoughajustdescriptionoffines,accordingto
"theiroriginalandstillapparentimport,yetgivesaveryinade
"quateideaofthemintheirmodernapplication.InGlanville's
"time,theywerereallyp.micablecompositionsofactualSuits.
"Butforseveralcenturiespast^weshavebeenonlysoinname."
(Co.Litt.121.a.andnote1.)"FortheantiquityofFines,"says
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LordCoke,"itiscertain,theywerefrequentbeforetheCon
"quest."(2Inst.511.)
167
"theaforesaidA.makeyousecureofprosecutinghis
"claim,then,puthimbyGageandsafePledgesthat
"hebebeforemeormyJusticesonsuchaday,to
"shewwhyhehasnotdoneit.Andhavetherethis
"Writ.Witness,&c."
CHAP.Y.
Shouldtheparty,thussummoned,neitherappear,
Boressoinhimself,onthedayappointed,orif,after
havingcastthreeEssoins,heneitherappear,norsend
anAttorney,thecourseinsuchcasetobepursuedhas
beenalreadj'pointedout,inthatpartofthisTreatise
whichappliestoPleas,wherethePledgesaretobe
attached,andinthefirstBook.Bothpartiesbeing
presentinCourt,ifeachofthemshouldacknowledge
thewriting(containingtheConcordmadebetween
them)oriftheConcordisstatedtobesuchbythe
King'sJusticesbeforewhomitwasmade,andthisbe
properlytestifiedbytheirPecord,thenthePartywho
hasbrokentheConcordshallbeamercedtotheKing,
andshallbesafelyattached,untilhefindgoodse
curitythathewillfromthenceforthkeeptheConcord,
byadheringtoitsterms,ifpossible,orwillotherwise
makehisAdversaryareasonablerecompense.For,it
isaconsequencewhichnaturallyresultsfromacknowl
edgingafactintheKing'sCourtinthepresenceof
theKingorhisJustices,orundertakingtodoany
particularAct,thatthePartyshouldbecompelledto
abidebyorperformit.If,however,suchaConcord
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168
\
bemadeinasuitconcerningLand,then,theparty
convictedinCourt,orconfessingthathehadnotprop
erlyobservedtheFine,ifaTenant,shalltherebylose
hisLand,but,ifaDemandant,hisSuit.Butifthe^
parties,eithertheoneortheotherofthem,denythe
CommonChirograph,then,thesameJusticesshallbe
summonedtoappearonadayappointedtothemin
Court,andthererecord,ho^vthesuitcametoanend
whichwasbeforethemintheKing'sCourt,between
suchandsuchparties,ofsomuchLand,inthatVill,
whichtheoneclaimedagainsttheother;and,ifthe
parties,bythelicenseoftheJusticesandintheirpres
ence,cametoanagreement,underwhatformthe
Concordwasmade.Buthereadistinctionmustbe
taken,whethersuchConcordwasmadeintheKing's
chiefCourt,orbeforetheJusticesItinerant.
Inthelattercase,suchJusticesmustbesummoned
toappearinCourt,withcertaindiscreetKnights,of
theCountywheretheConcordinquestionwasmade,
whowerepresentwhenitwasenteredinto,andknow
thetruthofthefact;inorderthatsuchJusticesmay
makeaEecordoftheSuit,withtheassistanceofthe
Knights,whoaretobecalledtoCourtforthatpur
pose,fromthewholebodyoftheCounty,bythefol
lowingWrit
CHAP.YI.
"goodSummoners,JV.andli.thattheyappearbefore
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169
"me,ormyJustices,suchaday,torecord,withdis
"creetKnightsofthatCounty,howthePleaofone
"HydeofLand,whichJV.claimedagainstB.,inthat
"Yill,andofwhichtherewasaSuitbeforethem,on
"theirEyre,ceasedinmyCourt."TheSheriffofthe
County,inwhichtheSuitwasdecidedbeforethe
Justices,shallalsobecommandedtotransmitatthe
sametimeaRecordoftheSuitinquestiontotheKing,
orhisJustices,bythehandsofdiscreetKnightsofhis
County.This'shallbedonebythefollowingWrit^
forpresentingsuchEecordinCourt
CHAP.YH.
"TheKingto.theSheriff,Health.Icommandyou,
"thatyoucausetoberecordedinyourCountyCourt,
"thepleawhichisbetweensuchandsuchperson,con
"cerningsomuchLand,inthatVill,"&c.asinthe
followingChapterbuttwo.
CHAP.VIIL
TheJusticesbeingpresentinCourt,andperfectly
concurringastotheEecord,itnecessarilyfollows,that
theirRecordmustbeabidedby,neitherpartybeing
allowedtodenyit,aswehavealreadyobserved.
ButiftheJusticesentertainanydoubtuponthe
subject,anditcannotbeascertained,then,thePlea
mustbeagaincommencedandproceededoninCourt,
170
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CHAP.IX.
Itshouldbeunderstood,thatnoCourt,generally
speaking,hasaRecord,excepttheKing'sCourt.^For
inotherCourts,ifaManshouldsayathing,whichhe
wouldafterwardsretract,hemaydenyîtagainstthe
wholeCourt,bytheoathofthreewitnesses,affirming
thathehadnotsaidthethingimputedtohim,or,in
deed,byagreaterorlessnumberofwitnesses,accord
ingtothecustomofdiiferentCourts.Yet,insome
cases,theCountyandotherinferiorCourtsarebya
particularLawoftheKealmallowedtohaveRecords;
thus,iftheDuelhasbeenAvagedinanyinferiorCourt,
andtheSuitshouldbeafterwardstransferredintothe
King'sCourt;then,astotheclaimoftheDemandant,
thedefenceoftheTenant,andthewordsinwhich
suchDuelwasadjudgedandwaged,theformerCourt
shallhaveitsRecordevenintheKing'sCourt;but,
inotherrespects,suchinferiorCourthasnoRecord,
unlessconcerningthechangeofaChampion.For
if,afterthesuithasbeentransferredintotheKing's
^V.LL.Gul.1.Norman,cap.28.(Al.MS.)TheLawalluded
toisinthesewords.QuiplacitatinCuriacujuscunqueCuria
sit,exceptoubipersonaRegisestetquiseumsistatsupereoquod
dixerit.rem.quamnolitconflteri,sinonpotestdisrationariper
intelligenteshominesquiinterfueruntplacitoetvidentesquod
nondixerit,recuperitjuxtaverbumsuum.(LL.AngloSax.Ed.
Wilkins,p.234.)
2RecordaiionemCuriaeRegisnullinegarelicetaliaslicebitper
intelligibileshominesPlaciti.(LL.Hen.1.c.31.SeealsoLL.
Hen.1.c.49andCo.Litt.117.b.)
171
ourt,adifferentChampionshouldbeproduced,than
theonewhohaswagedtheDuelintheinferiorCourt,
andadisputeariseuponthispoint,theEecordofthe
inferiorCourtshallbyaLawoftheEealmhecon
clusiveuponthesubject.Itshouldalsobeunderstood,
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withrfespecttotheEecordofaninferiorCourt,that
anyonemayadd,thathehadsaidmorethaniscon
tainedinsuchEecordandthathedidinCourtsay
it,hemayproveagainstthewholeCourt,bytheoathsof
twoormorelawfulMen,accordingasthecustomof
differentCourtsvary;becausenoCourtisbound,
eithertoproveordefenditsEecordbytheDuel.But
itisnotallowedtoanyonetotakeexceptionsagainst
onepart,andadmittheother;andthisruleisgrounded
onaLawoftheEealm:sincehemayfromthefirst
denythewholeEecord,anoathbeingtakeninthe
mannerbeforementioned.But,althoughaCourtis
notobligedtodefenditsEecordbytheDuel,yetisit
boundtodefenditsJudgmentbytheDuel.Îf,there
fore,anyoneshoulddeclareagainsttheCourtfor
passingafalseJudgment,and,thereforefalse,because
Tvhenonepartyhadsaidthus,andtheotheranswered
thus,theCourtinquestionhadjudgedfalselyoftheir
allegationsbydecidinginsuchwords;andthatthe
CourthadgivensuchfalseJudgmentbythemouth
ofN.;and,ifheweredisposedtodenythepresent
charge,theotherwaspreparedtoproveitagainst
him,chieflybysuchproperwitness,whovpasready
toenterupontheproof.Thusmaythematter,and
1"BytheDuel,"omittedbyHarl.Bodl.andDr.Milles'sMSS.
althoughfromthecontext,itmustbeunderstood.
172
thatveryproperly,bedecidedbytheDuel.^But^
whethersuchCourtisobligedtodefenditselfbyone
ofitsownmembers,ormayhaverecoursetoastranger,
maybequestioned?
Itought,indeed,todefenditselfchieflybytheper
sonwhohaspassedtheJudgmentând,iftheCourt
shouldbeconvictedofthecharge,theLordofthe
CourtshallbeamercedtotheKing,andshallfor
everbedeprivedofhisCourt.Besideswhich,the
wholeCourtshallbeamercedtotheKing.But,if
thepersonbringingthechargeforwardshouldfailin
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hisproof,heshalltherebylosehisprincipalsuit.A
Courtmayalsohavealiecord,bytheindulgenceof
thePrince.Thus,iftheKing,influencedbysome
reasonablemotive,shouldcauseanyCourttobesum
monedtomakeaRecordinhisCourt;sothatthe
Kingchuses,thatsuchEecordshallnotbecontra
dicted.Courtsarefrequentlysummonedtohavea
RecordofsomeparticularsuitbeforetheKing,orhis
1ThelibertyoffalsifyingaJudgmentwasallowedbythe
AssisesofJerusalem.Buttheperson,availinghimselfofthis
dangerousprivilege,seemstohavebeeoobligedtofightallthe
personscomposingtheCourt,notmerelytheJudges,butthe
Sailors,oneaftertheother.Underthesecircumstances,the
jirivilegewould,probably,notoftenbeclaimed.(Assis.de
Jerusalem,c.111.)
2SeeMirror,c.3.s.23.AJudge,whohadgivenafalse
Judgment,isheavilyfinedtotheKingbytheLawsofEdgar,
unlessliedaredconfirmuponhisoath,thatheknewnothowto
passabettersentence.(LL.Edg.o.3.)BytheLawsofthe
Conqueror,suchJudgelosthisivere,unlesshecouldexcusehim
selfbythesamemeans.(LL.Gul.Conq.c.15.)BytheLaws
ofAlfred,hewas,afterhavingmadesatisfactiontothosehehad
injured,toforfeittheremainderofhisgoodstotheKing,&c.
&c.(Mirror,c.4.s.18.)
173
Justiees,althoughtheyhavenotfromthiscircumstance
anyEecordbutwhatmaybecontradicted;because,
bytheconsentoftheparties,thesuitmaybepro
ceededinuponthatEecord.
IftheyagreeastotheEecord,theSummonsmay
bemade,byawritofthefollowingdescription
CHAP.X.
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"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Icommandyou,
^'thatyoucausetoberecordedinyourCountyCourt,
"thesuitwhichisbetweensuchandsuchpersons,of
"somuchLand,insuchaYill;andhavetheEecordof
"thatsuitbeforeme,ormyJustices,atsuchaday,^by
"fourLawfulKnights,whowerepresentatthemak
"ingofsuchEecordAndSummon,bygoodSum
"moners,thepartyclaimingtheLand,thathebethen
"therewithhisPlea;andthepartywhoholds
"theLand,thathebethentheretohearit.''And
"have,&c."
CHAP.XI.
InteeioeCourtshavealsoEecordsconcerningthings
transactedinthem,whicharereceivedassuchinthe
King'sCourt.ThishappenswhenaLord^hasaPlea
inhisCourt,concerningwhichareasonabledifficulty
1TerminumVideante,p.22.not.2.
2TheRecordBo&\.andDr.Milles'sMSS.
2Barohocestrdburbeli,saysBracton.Thetermwasfor
174
arises,andtheCourtisincompetenttodetermineit.
Onsuchanoccasion,theLordhimselfmayadjournhis
CourtîntotheKing'sCourt,inordertohavethe
adviceandassentofthelatter,indeterminingwhatis
propertobedone.TheKing,indeed,owesthisassist
ancetohisBarons,whomayonsuchanoccasion,asa
matterofright,adjourntheirCourtsintotheKing's
Court,inordertoobtainfromtheskilfulmenwho
presidethere,thatadvicetheystandinneedof.But,
whentheyhavebeencertifiedintheKing'sCourt,
concerningthedoubtfulpoint,theymayreturnAvith
theSuit,resumetheconsiderationofit,andfinally
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determineitintheirownCourt.^TheCountyCourt
hasaRecord,astothegivingandreceivingpledges
there,andofsimilarmatters.
meilyusedinavarietyofsenses.Ishallmentionsomeofthem
aMan,ahiredSoldier,anOfficer,aTenant,alesserTenantin.
chief,agreaterTenantinchief,aNoble,anEcclesiasticalDigni
tary,agreaterVassalofanEarlorPrelate,aKnight,aHus
band,anEldestSon,aBurgess,aCitizen,aRobber,&c.(Vida
Spelm.Gloss,advoc.Cowell'sInterp.Craig.Jus.feud.L.1.
Dieg.13.s.15.16.2Inst.5.Madox'sExcheq.c.5.s.1.Index
toAngloSax.LL.Ed.Wilkins,voc.Bareandauthoritiesre
ferredtobj'suchauthors.)
1Suit,insteadofCourt,accordingtoHarl.andBodl.MSS.
2Lords,atfirst,hadbutadomesticJurisdiction,inorderto
compeltheirTenants'Services,andtomaintainpeaceandorder
amongstthem.Afterwards,inimitationoftheSovereign's
Court,LordscausedRecordstobemadebeforetheirownofficers
ofthetransactionswhichhadtakenplaceintheirCourts.But,
astheseRecordsderivedtheirchieforratheronlystrength,
fromthepartiesvoluntarilysubmittingtothem,theauthority
oftheLordswasgraduallyweakened;and,asmurmursbegan
toincreaseagainstthedecisionsoftheirCourts;areferenceto
theKing'sCourtbecametheonlyresortoftheLords.(Traites
surlesCoutumesAngloNormandesparM.Houard,p.507.
Tom.1.)
ifloR
OFHOMAGES,ANDRELIEFS,ANDSERVICES,AND
AIDS,ANDOFPURPRESTURES,ANDBOUNDARIES
DISTURBED.
CHAP.I.
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Itremainstoresumethesubjectofperforming
Homages,ândreceivingReliefs.*Uponthedeathof
1Homage,tlieresultoftheFeudalSystem,wasunknownto
theRomans;andSpelmanthinks,itwasunknowntotheAnglo
Saxons.(Reliq.p.34.)Howeverthatmaybe,WilliamtheCon
querorisstatedtohavereceiveditfromtheNobles,immediately
aftertheBattleofHastings.(M.Paris.)Itisgenerallyderived
fromthewordhomo,which,aswellasoursynonymousterm
man,Spelmanasserts,tohavebeenusedformanyagesbythe
Germanand"WesternNations,foraservantorvassal.(Spelm.
ubisuprasedvideCo.Litt.64.b.)Homageisdividedintoliege
andfeudal:theformerwasduetotheKing,thelattertothe
Lord,ofwhomtheTenantheldhisFee."ThereasonofHom
"age,saysSpelman,wastopreservethememoryofthetenure,
"andofthedutyoftheTenant,bymakingeverynewTenantat
"hisentrytorecognisetheInterestofhisLord,lestthatthe
"feud,beingnowhereditary,andnewHeirscontinuallysuc
"ceedingtoit,theymightbylittleandlittleforgettheirduty
"andsubtractingtheirservicesdenyatlastthetenureitself."
(Spelm.Reliq.34.)OnHomageingeneralseeBracton78.b.et
seq.Fleta1.3.c.16.Littleton'sTenuresandLordCoke'sCom
ment.Craig,Spelman,Sullivan,AssisesdeJerusalemc.205.
&c.&c.&c.
^Reliefquiahereditas,quaejacensfuitperantecessorisde
cessum,relevaturinmanusheredumetpropterfactamrelevatio
175
176
theFather,oranyotherAncestor,theLordofthe
Feeisbound,fromthefirst,toreceivetheHomageof
theEightHeir,whethertheHeirhasattainedhisfull
age,ornot,ifhebeaMale.For,Femalescannotby
LawperformanyHomage,âlthough,generallyspeak
ing,theyaretodoFealtytotheirLords.
nemfaciendaeritabheredequoedamprcestatio,qucediciturrele
vium.(VideBracton84.etFleta1.3.c.17.h.1.)Amongthe
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LawsofEdwardtheConfessor,thereisasingularone,respect
ingtheReliefofaTenantwhofellinbattle.(LL.Edw.Conf.
c.35.)Itmust,however,beobservedtliatSpelmanquestions
thatLaw,andstronglycontends,thatReliefswerenotinuse
amongtheSaxons.(Reliq.p.31.)TheReaderwillfindthat
pointcontrovertedintheprefacetoWilkins'sAngloSax.LL.p.
'9.TheReader,ifdesirousofextendinghisenquiriesonReliefs
ingeneral,mayconsultBracton84.etseq.FletaL.3.c.17.
Co.Litt.76.a.83.a.Black.Com.Sullivan,Craig,Spelman&c.
&c.&o.
1"Glanville,''observesLordCoke,"saith,thatWomen
"shallnotdoHomage:butLittletonsaith,thataWoman
"shalldoHomage,butsheshallnotsay,Jeodevignevoirefeme,
"butJeofaceavoushomage;andsoisGlanvilletobeunder
"stood,thatsheshallnotdocompleteHomage."(Co.Litt.65.
b.)Havingcitedthispassage,anobleHistorianobserves"But
"Ishouldratherthink,thatinGlanville'stimesinglewomen
"didnone,andthatthealterationintheform,whichismen
"tionedbyLittleton,wasanexpedientfoundafterwardstoob
"viatetheobjectionofanindecencyintheirHomage:asit
"wasalsointhecaseofEcclesiastics."(3Litt.Hist.Hen.2.p.
339.)SkenegivesareasonfortheruleaslaiddownbyGlan
ville:becauseHomageespeciallyconcernsserviceinwar,(de
verb.sign,advoo.homagium.)Healsoremarks,thatconse
cratedBishopsdidnohomage.Thereason,saysCowell,may
beallone.(Interpreter)ButCraig.(Jus.Feud.1.11.10.)and
theRegiamMajestatem(L.2.c.60.)expresslycoincidewithour
Author.Indeed,ifanydoubtcouldpossiblyexist,concerning
theunconditionalmeaningofthepassageinthetext,itwould
besilencedbythelatterpartofthepresentchapter.Having
madeuseoftheexpressionliberhomo,ourauthorpointedlyadds,
masculus,asifsolicitoustopreventanypossiblemisconception,
speciallythatverymisconceptionLordCokeseemstohave
177
But,iftheyaremarried,theirHusbandsoughtto
doHomagetotheirLordsfortheirFees;Imean,if
HomagebedueinrespectofsuchFees.If,however,
theHeirbeaMaleandaMinor,theLordoftheFee
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isnotentitledbyLawtotheCustody,eitherofthe
Heir,orhisInheritance,untilhehasreceivedthe
HomageoftheHeir;because,itisageneralprinciple,
thatnoonecanexactfromanHeir,whetherheisof
age,ornot,anyservice,consistinginaKelieforother
wise,untilhehasreceivedtheHomageoftheHeir,in
respectofthatTenement,forwhichtheserviceis
claimed.ButapersonmayperformHomagetosev
eralLordsonaccountofdifferentFees;but,ofthese
Homages,oneshouldbethechief,andaccompanied
withallegiance,ândthismustbemadetotheLord,
fromwhomthepersonperformingHomage,holdshis
ChiefEstate.Homageoughttobedoneinthisform,
namely,thepartyperformingitshallsobecomethe
falleninto,whichislikewiserefutedbyacustommentionedby
LordLittleton."FromtheobligationlaidontheHusbandto
"doHomageforthewife,itnaturallyfollowed,thattheBarony
"ofawife,aswellaseveryotherFiefrequiringHomage,was
"ineffectmadeovertotheHusband;and,therefore,inthose
"daysmanyBaronscametoParliamentinrightoftheirwives,
"andbyvirtueoftheirmarriage,wereaccountedPeersofthe
"Realm.Ithasbeenobserved,inthisHistory,thatthesame
"notionextendedtoDukedomsandPrincipalitiesinmanyparts
"oftheContinent."(Litt.Hen.3.p.339.)
1Wehaveobserved,thathomagewasdividedinto,liegeand
feudal:itwasalsodividedinto,liegeandnotliege,whichdi
visioncorrespondswiththeother.Liegeisborrowedfromthe
French,asThaumasinformsus.(Cout.deBeauvoisisp.255.)
andseemstohavemeantaservicethatwaspersonalandinevi
table.(TraitesSurLesCout.AngloNorm,parHouard.p.511.
Tom.1.)
12
178
ManofhisLord,thatheshallbearfaithtohimfor
theTenementinrespectofwhichhedoesHomage/
andshallpreservetheLord'sterreneHonorinall
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things,savingthefaithduetotheKing,ândhis
Heirs.
Fromthisitisevident,thataVassalcannotinjure
hisLord,consistentlywiththeFaithimpliedinHom
age;unless,possibly,inhisowndefence,orunless,in
compliancewiththeKing'sprecept,hejoinhisArmy
whenitproceedsagainsthisLord;and,generallyspeak
ing,noonecanbyLaw,consistentlywiththeFaithim
pliedinHomage,doanythingwhichtendstodeprive
hisLordofhisInheritance,ortoaifixapersonalstain
uponhim.2If,then,aTenanthasinrespectof
severalFeesdoneHomagetodifferentLords,whoaf
terwardsmakewaroneachother;andtheChiefLord
shouldcommandtheTenanttoaccompanyhimin
personagainstanotherofhisLords,heoughttoyield
ÎnperformingHomage,theTenantwastonameandspecify
theparticularTenement,onaccountofwhichhedidHomage,
inorderthattheLordmightnotbeimposedupon.(Britton174.
Mirrorc.3.s.36.)
2"Intlieyear1152,theEmperorFredericBarbarossamadea
"Statute,thatineveryoathoffealtytakentoanyofhissub
"jects,thereshouldbeareserveofthefaithduetohimandhis
"successors;whichimmediatelywasadoptedbyseveralother
"nations,wherethefeudalLawwasinuse,withregardtotheir
"sovereigns,and,theomissionofthatreservewaspunished
"inEnglandbyajvidicialdeterminationunderEdwardthe
"first."(3Litt.Hen.3.p.111.)Thisreservewasalsore
quiredbytheBookofFeudsL.3.t.55.EegiamMaj.L.3.and
GrandCust.Norm.
5VideMin'orc.4.s.10.and11,andLeGrandCust.deNorm,
c.14.
179
obediencetothisMandate,savinghowevertheservice
duetotheotherLordfortheFeeheldofhim.
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Fromwhathasgonebeforeitisevident,thatifa
Tenantshoulddoanj^thingtothedisinherisonofhis
Lord,andshouldbeconvictedofit,heandhisHeirs
shallaccordingtotheLawforeverlosetheFeeheld
ofsuchLord.iThesameconsequencewillfollow,if
theTenantlayviolenthandsonhisLordtohurthim,
ortocommitanyatrociousinjuryuponhira,andthis
belawfullyprovedinCourtagainsttheTenant.But,
itmaybeasked,whetheranyonecanbecompelledin
theLord'sCourt,todefendhimselfagainsttheLord
fromsuchcharges;andwhetherhisLordcan,bythe
JudgmentofhisownCourt,distraintheTenantsoto
do,withoutthePreceptoftheKing,orhisJustices,
orAvithouttheKing'sWrit,orthatofhisChief
Justice?
TheLaw,indeed,permitsaLordbytheJudgment
ofhisCourttocalluponanddistrainhisHomagerto
appearinCourt,and,unlesshecanpurgehimself
againstthechargeofhisLordbythreepersons,oras
manyastheCourtshouldaward,heshallbeamerced
totheLord,totheextentofthewholeFeethathe
holdsofhim.
Itmayalsobeenquired,whetheraLordcandistrain
hisHomagertoappearinCourt,andanswerforaserv
1AstheTenantcouldnotinjurehisLord,neithercouldthe
LordinjurehisTenant.Iftheviolationofthisobligationwas
punishedontheTenant'spart,bythelossofhisTenement,the
Lord,whentheAggressor,losthisDominion.(FletaL.3.c.16.)
180
ice,ofwhichtheformercomplainstheTenanthas
deforcedhim,orofwhichsomepartisunpaid?
TheLord,indeed,byLawmaywelldoso,even
withoutthepreceptoftheKing,orhisJustices.And
thustheLordandhisHomagermayproceedtothe
Duel,ortheGrandAssise,bymeansofoneofthe
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Peers,!whochusestomakehimselfa"Witnessôfthe
fact,ashavingseentheTenanthimself,orhisAnces
tors,performsuchservicefortheFeeindisputetothe
LordorhisAncestors,andispreparedtoprovethe
fact.But,iftheTenantbeconvictedofthischarge,
heshallbyLawbedisinheritedofthewholeFee.
whichheholdsofhisLord.If,however,anyoneis
unabletoconstrainhisTenants,itthenbecomesneces
sarytohaverecoursetotheCourt.*EveryfreeMale
personmayperformHomage,whetheroffullage,or
otherwise,whetheraClergymanorLayman.Butcon
secratedBishopsarenotinthehabitofdoingHomage
totheKing,evenfortheirBaronies;butmerely
Fealty,accompaniedwithanoath.ButBishopselect
1Parium.Vide2Inst.42.SpelmGloss,advoc.Paresenim
suntcumunusaliisnonsubditurHommagio,Dominatione,vel
Antenatione.HommagioutHomosubditurDominosuocuifecit
HomTnagium,Dominatione,utHomosubdituruxorisdominoet
ejusprimogenitofilio:etomnespostnatirationeantenationis.
(GrandCustum.deNorm.c.126.)
2ThisdifferedfromtheNormancode,which,inatoneof
haughtydespotism,releasedtheLordfromthenecessityofad
ducinganytestimony.VoxenimsolaDominiCuriaeiniisquce
adipsum,pertinentsufficitadaccusationemsubditorum.^Grand
Oust.c.136.)Perhapsaworseprincipleneverdisgracedan
Easterncode.
Thatis,theKing'sCourt.
181
areaccustomedtodoHomage,previoustotheirCon
secration.i
CHAP.II.
ButHomageisdueonlyforLands,freeTenements,
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Services,Rentsincertain,whetherinMoney,orin
otherthings.But,inrespectofDominionâlone.Hom
ageoughtnottoberenderedtoanyone,exceptto
theKing.YetHomageisnotalwaysperformedfor
evervspeciesofLand.Thus,itisnotdueforLand
inDower,norforfreeMarriagehood,norfromthe
FeeofYoungerSistersholdingoftheEldest,Avithin
thethirddescentonbothsides^;norisitduefroma
1"PopePaschalthe2nd,"observesLordLittleton,"allowed
"theBishopselecttodoHomage,andtaketheoathofFealty,
"beforetheywereconsecrated.ThiswasconfirmedbytheCon
"stitutionsofClarendon,ofwhichaparticularaccountwillbe
"givenhereafter;and,fromthewordsofGlanville,itappears,
"thatabouttheendofHenrythe2nd'sreignHomagewasac
"cordinglydonebyBishopselect,buthetellsus,thatafterthey
"ivereconsecratedtheytooktheoathoffealty.Thiswasa
"materialdifferencefromwhathadbeensettledbytheconsti
"tutionsofClarendon:anditissurprising,thatwehaveno
"accountofitintheHistoryoftheTimes."(Litt.Hen.3.Vol.
3.113.)
2ProDominoistheexpressionofthetext,whichIhavedis
regardedbuthavepreferred,what,Isubmit,mustbethetrue
reading,proDominio,forsoBractonhasitinapassagecorrobo
rativeofthedoctrineofthetext.(79.b.)Andwiththisconcurs
theEegiamMajestatem:"Homageisnotmadetoanymanfor
"hishandofmaintenance,butonlytotheKing."(L.2.c.65.)
^SeeCo.Litt.67.a.ThetenureoiparageamongtheNormans,
whichseemstohavepossessedsomefeaturesincommonwith
thatalludedtointhetext,requiredfealtytobedonebythe
YoungertotheElderbranchatthesixth,andHomageatthe
seventh,descent.(GrandCustum.deNorm.c.30.)
182
FeegiveninFreeAlms,norforanyTenementgiven
inanywayinMarriagehood,asfarasconcernsthe
personoftheHusbandoftheWomantowhomthe
propertybelongsasherMarriagehood.
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CHAP.III.
ButHomagemaybedonetoanyfreeperson,
whetherMaleorFemale,whetheroffullageorother
wise,whetherClergyorLay.Yetshoulditbeunder
stood,thatifapersonhasdoneHomageforaTene
menttoa"Womanwhoafterwardsmarriesanyman,
heshallbecompelledtorepeatittoherHusbandfor
thesameTenement.But,ifanyonehasbyConcord
madeinCourtrecoveredaTenementagainstanother
whohadpreviouslypaidaReliefforittotheChief
Lord,itmaybequestioned,whetherthepersonsore
coveringtheTenementoughttopayanyBeliefforit.^
CHAP.IV.
Becipeocal,indeed,oughttobetheBelationof
FidelitybetweenDominionandHomage.^Nordoes
1HeshallnotpayanyotherRelief,saystheRegiamMajesta
tem.(VideL.3.c.67.)
2ThemutualityofobligationcreatedbyHomageisincul
cated,notmerelybyourown,butotherwriters.(VideAssises
deJerusalemc.99.CoutumesdeBeauvoisisc.58.Mirrorc.4.
s.11.BraetonlS.FletaL.S.c.U.BHttonfo.IIO.a.)This
hasinducedLordLittleton(3Hist.Hen.2.121.)andMr.Wat
kins(CopyholdsVol.1.p.2.)toconclude,thattheFeudalSys
temwasabhorrentfromTyranny,originatedinfreedom,and
ceasedtobefreeonlywhenitwascorrupted.
183
theTenantowemoretohisLord,inrespectofHom
age,thantheLordowestotheTenantonaccountof
Dominion,Keverencealoneexcepted.Hence,ifone
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persongivetoanotheranyLandinreturnforService
andHomage,whichisafterwardsrecoveredagainst
theTenanthyathirdperson,theLordshallbebound
towarrantsuchLandtohim,ortoreturnhiman
adequateequivalent.Itisdifferent,however,with
respecttohimwhoholdsaFeeofanother,ashisIn
heritance,and,inthischaracter,hasdoneHomage;
becausealthoughhelosetheLand,theLordshallnot
beboundtogivehimanequivalent.Înthecasewe
haveformerlymentioned,ofthedeathoftheFatheror
Ancestor,leavinganHeir,aMinor,theLordofthe
FeehasnorighttotheCustodyoftheHeir,orhis
Inheritance,unlesshehasfirstreceivedtheHomageof
theHeir.ButtheHomagehavingbeenreceived,the
Heir,withhisInheritance,shallcontinueinthemanner
beforementioned,intheCustodyofhisLord,untilhe
hasattainedhisfullage.Havingatlastarrivedat
suchage,andreceivedrestitutionofhisInheritance,he
shall,byreasonofhishavingbeeninCustody,be
exemptfromthepaymentofanyRelief.^Buta
1TheTextseemstoalludetoHomageauncestrel,andpoint
edlytoinculcateanoppositedoctrine.Yet,LordCokerefers
tothisidenticalchapterofGlanville,insupportofthedoctrine
ofHomageAuncestrel!!(Co.Litt.101.a.)TheReg.Maj.is
rathermoreconsistentwithitself,butassistsusnotmaterially.
"ButitisotherwisetobeunderstoodofhimwhohasLandsas
"freeHeritage,forthewhichheisnotobligedtomakeHora
"age:for,althoughhelosethatLand,theoverLordgiver
"thereofisnotobligedtowarrantthesame.''(L.3.c.67.)
2SimilaristhedoctrineoftheGrandNormanCustumary
c.33.
184
FemaleHeir,whethershehasattainedherfullage,or
not,shallremainintheCustodyofherLord,until,
withhisadvice,sheismarried.Îf,however,shewas
withinage,whentheLordreceivedherintoCustody,
then,uponhermarriage,theInheritanceshallbedis
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chargedfromtheEelief,sofarasrespectsherselfand
herHusband.^But,ifshewasoffullageatthattime,
althoughshecontinuesometimeinherLord'sCustody
beforesheismarried,herHusbandshallpayaRelief.
When,however,theReliefhasbeenoncepaidbythe
HusbandofaWoman,itshallexemptboththeHus
bandandtheWifeduringtheirseverallivesfrompaj''
mentofanotherRelief,onaccountofsuchInheritance;
because,neithertheWomanherself,norhersecond
Husband,ifsheshouldespouseaseconduponthedeath
oftheformer,norherfirstHusband,shouldhesurvive
her,shallagainpayaReliefforthesameLand.But
whenaMaleHeirisleftoffullage,andknowntobe
theHeir,heshallholdhimselfinhisInheritance,as
1SiautemfceminceinOustodiafuerint,cumadannosnubiles
pervenerint,perconsiliumetlicentiamdominisuietconsiliumet
conse.nsumainicorumsuorunietconsanguineorumpropinquorum
proutgenerisnobilitasetfeudorumvalorreqiiisierintdebent
maritari,etincontractumatrimoniidebetiisfeodumcustodiali
berari.(GrandNorm.Cust.c.33.)
2FletaenumeratestheinstancesinwhichReliefswerenotto
bepaid.1.NonewaspayableforaFief,acquiredbyanyspecies
ofpurchase.2.NoronachangeoftheLord.3.Norwasa
Tenantforlifeonly,topayaRelief.4.Noranymanwho
]narriedawomanwhohadbeenincustodybutthisdiffers
fromtheText.5.NoranyonefromwhomhisLordhadre
ceivedaremuneration,onaccountofcustody.6.Noranyone
whohadoncepaidareliefforhisEstate.(FletaL.3.c.17.
s.5.etseq.)
185
wehaveformerlyobserved,eventhoughhisLordbe
unwilling,providedhemakeaTendertohisLord,as
heoughttodo,ofhisHomage,andreasonableRelief,'
inthepresenceofcreditablepersons.Aperson'sRelief
issaidtobereasonable,withreferencetotheCustom
oftheRealm,accordingtowhichtheReliefofa
Knight'sFeeisonehundredShillings,^whilstthatof
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LandinSocageisoneYear'sYalue.^ButastoBar
onies*nothingcertainisenacted,^becauseBarons
holdingoftheKingmj.CapiUareaccustomedtopay
theirReliefstotheKing,accordingtohispleasure,
andindulgence.^ThesameRuleprevailsastoSer
1BeliefswereinmanypartsofNormandycertainandfixed:
tliusaKnight'sfee,or,asitistlieretermed,/eifdw?)!.loricoewas
fivepounds,abaronyonehundredpounds,landtwelvepencean
acre,andwoodyground6d.(GrandOust.c.34.)
2Now,asaKnight'sfeewasvaluedat30,thesummentioned
inthetextwas&fourthofit.
3ItappearstohavebeenthussettledbyaLawoftheCon
queror.(LL.Gul.Conq.c.40.Ed.Wilkins.)This,asMr.Wat
kinsobserves,seemstohavebeennomorethanaccountingto
theLordfortheprofitsofthatyear,forwhichliemightunder
certaincircumstances,haveretainedtheLands.(Treat,on
Copyh.1.231.)
*Dr.SullivanaccountsfortheadvantagewhichtheKnights
hadobtained,whencomparedtothegreatBarons,inhaving
theirReliefsreducedtoacertainty,fromthenumberofthe
KnightswhomadethestrengthoftheKingdomandwerenotto
bedisobliged;andalsofromtheprecarioussituationmanyof
thegreatLordswerein,whohadbeenattachedtothecauseof
Stephen.(Lecturesp.109.)
*Statutum."Fromthewordstafufurn,"saysDr.Sullivan,
commentingupontheText,"Itakeitforgranted,thischange
"ofReliefsintomoneywasbyActofParliament."(Lectures
p.290.)
*ThiswasremediedbyMagnaCartacap.2.TheReadermay
consultLordCoke'scommentonthewordsantiquumrelevium,
186
jeanties.iIf,however,theLordwillneitherreceive
theHomagenorreasonableReliefoftheHeir,then,
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thelattershouldsafelykeeptheEelief,andfrequently
tenderittohisLord,bythehandsofrespectable
persons.IftheLordwillbynomeansreceiveit,then,
theHeirshouldmakecomplaintofhimtotheKing,
orhisJustices;andshallhavethefollowingWrit.
CHAP.V.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.2CommandN.
"that,justlyandwithoutdelay,hereceivetheHom
"age,andreasonableReliefofR.concerningthefree
"Tenementwhichheholds,insuchaVill,andthathe
"claimstoholdofhim;and,unlesshedoesso,sum
"monhimbygoodSummoners,thathebebeforeme
"orâ^^Justicesonsuchaday,toshewwhyhehas
"notdoneit.AndhavetheretheSummoners,and
"this"Writ.Witness&c."
CHAP.VI.
Astotheproceedingswhicharetoberesortedto,in
casetheLordshouldnotobeythisSummons,andthe
whereheendeavourstoprove,theancientReliefwascertain.
(2Inst.7.and8.)LordCoke,insupportofhisposition,citesa
MS.intlieLibraryofArchbishopParker,whichseemsalmost
wordforwordtocoincidewiththeLawsoftheConqueror.
(LL.Gul.Conq.c.23.23.24.)Thisisthemoreremarkable,as
hisLordshipcitesfromaMS.merely,withoutdescribingthe
natureofit.iVideCo.Litt.105.b.andBracton84.a.
2VideCo.Litt.101.a.
187
meansbywhichheshallbedistrainedtoappearin
Court,theymaybecollectedfromtheformerpartof
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thisTreatise.When,atlast,heappearsinCourt,he
willeitheracknowledgethattheTenantistlieright
Heir,ordenythatheistheHeir,orhewilldoubt,
whetherheistherightHeirornot.Ifheshould
acknowledgehimtobetheHeir,hewill,then,either
denythattheTenanthastenderedhimtheHomage
andreasonableBelief,orhewilladmitit.Ifhecon
fessboththeoneandtheother,heshalleitherimme
diatelyreceivetheTenant'sHomageandreasonable
EeliefinCourt,orheshallappointhimafitdayfor
doingit.Thesameobservationmaybemade,although
hedenythattheTenanthasprofferedtohimhisHom
ageorEelief,providedheadmittheTenanttobethe
Heir.ButifindecidedtermshedeniestheTenant
tobetheHeir,then,indeed,maythelatter,ifoutof
possession,requireagainsthisLordanAssisedemorte
Antecessorissui.ShouldtheTenant,however,happen
tobeinpossession,hemayholdhimselfinit,andpa
tientlyawait,untilitpleaseshisLordtoaccepthis
Homage;because,nooneispreviouslyboundtoanswer
hisLordastotheEelief,untilthelatterhasreceived
hisHomagefortheFee,onaccountofwhichHomage
isduetohim.ButiftheLorddoubts,whetherthe
persontenderingtheHomagebetherightHeiror
not,^beingforexampleunknowntotheLordhimself,
1Fletatellsus,thatanexaminationoughttoprecedethe
Homage,inordertoascertain,whetherthepersonofferinghim
self,wasthenaturalSonofthemantowhomhemadehimself
Heir,bothwithrespecttotherightofpossession,andofpro
188
oreventotheVicinageinthecharacterofPleir,then
theLordoftheFeemaytaketheLandintohisown
hands,andretainit,untilthepointbefullyclearedup,
acourseofproceeding,whichtheKinggenerally
adoptswithrespecttoallhisBaronsholdingofhim
inCajpite.
For,uponthedeathofaBaronholdingofhimin
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chief,theKingimmediatelyretains^theBaronyin
hisownhands,untiltheHeirhasgivensecurityfor
theEelief,althoughtheHeirshouldbeoffullage.
ButLords,forareasonablecause,maysometimespost
ponereceivingHomageandBelieffortheirFees.
Suppose,forExample,anotherperson,thantheone
whoassertshimselftobetheHeir,shouldclaima
rightintheInheritance.Duringthependencyofthis
Suit,Ploraageoughtnottobereceived,noraBelief
given.Or,iftheLordthinkthathehimselfhasa
righttoholdtheInheritanceinhisownDemesne.
priety&c.&c.thattheLordmightnotinadvertentlybedeceived.
(L.3.c.16.s.23.24.)
1TheReaderwillobservetheexpression,theKingretains,
whilstaninferiorLordseisesortakes,thefeeintohisliands.
InnianumregisdelapsaestistheexpressionofDial,deScacc.
speakingofafeeheldinchief,uponthedeathofitsowner.
(L.2.c.10.)ButapassageinMr.Madox'sHist,oftheExcheq.
servestothrowstillmorelightonthetext."EveryHonor
"originallypassedfromtheKing,and,uponeverychange,by
"death,orotherwise,returnedtotheKingagain,andremained
"inhishand,untilhecommandedseisinofittobedeliveredto
"hisHomager,accordingtothecustomofnoblefiefs."Asthe
Law.bythemagicofafiction,casttheInheritanceontheKing
themomenthisTenantinCapitedied,itwasmerelynecessary
forhimtoretainitwhilsttheLaw,notinterferingonbehalf
ofaninferiorLord,obligedhimtoseisetheLand.
189
Andifinsuchcaseheshould,byforceoftheKind's
WritorthatofhisJustices,impleadthepersonin
possession,theTenantmayputhimselfuponthe
King'sGrandAssise,theformofwhichproceeding
isexplainedinthesecondBook,unlessinsomere
spectsthereshouldbeavariation,anExampleofwhicn
wehaveinthefollowing"Writforsuchpurpose
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CHAP.YII.
"goodSummoners,fourlawfulKnights,fromthe
"NeighbourhoodofsuchaYill,thattheybebefore
"me,ormyJustices,onacertaindaytheretoelect,
"upontheiroaths,twelve&c.whobetterknowthe
"truthofthething,andwillsay,forthepurposeof
"makingaEecognition,whetherJV.hasgreaterright
"ofholdingoneHydeofLandinthatVillofI.or
"whetherJi.ofholdingitinhisDemesne,whichthe
"saidJi.claimsbymy"WritagainsttheaforesaidJV.
"andofwhichiV.whoholdstheLand,hathputhim
"selfuponmyAssise,andpraysaRecognitiontobe
"made,whetherhehasgreaterrightofholdingthat
"LandinhisDemesneortheaforesaidJV.ofholding
"itofhim:Andsummon,bygoodSummoners,the
"aforesaid]V.whoholdstheLand,thathebethen
"theretohearthatElection.Andhavethere.,&c.
"Witness,&c."
190
CHAP.VIII.
ButafterithasbeensettledbetweentbeLordand
theHeiroftheTenantconcerningthegivingandre
ceivingofthereasonableRelief,thelattermayexact
reasonableAidsfromhisHomagers.^This,however,
mustbedone^withmoderation,keepinginviewthe
extentoftheirFees,andthecircumstancesoftheTen
ants,leasttheyshouldbetoomuchoppressed,orlose
theirContenement.Êutnothingcertainisfixed,con
cerningthegivingorexactingAidsofthisdescrip
tion,unlessthattheformwehavementionedshould
1"Aidswere,atfirst,benevolenoiesoftheVassals,andwere
"givenduringthegreatfestivity,orthegreatnecessityofthe
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"LorduponthreeoccasionstowitwlieuhisSonwaskniglited,
"whenliisDaugliterwastobemarried,andwhenliisperson
"wastoberansomed:butwhatoriginallyflowedfromregard,
"Superiorssoonchangedintoamatterofduty,andonagratui
"tyerectedaright.''(Dalrymp.onfeuds,p.52.)Speakingof
aids,Mr.Madoxinformsus,thatKingWilliamtheFirsttook6s.
ofeachHydethroughEnglandKingHenrytheFiisttook3s.
foresLchliyde,ASaidpurfillemarier.Butheadds,that,for
wantofrequisitenotices,hecouldnotspeakdistinctlyofthem.
(Hist.Exch.c.15.s.1.)TheReadermayalsobereferredto
TraitessurlesCoutumesAngloNorm,parM.Houard.1.265.
518.
2BytheNormanCodeitwasfixedathalftheReliefpaidby
themesnetotheChiefLord.(GrandCust.c.35.)
^Contenementum,awordoffrequentrecurrenceintheold
BooksandStatutes."Mr.Seldeninhistabletalksays,thatthe
"wordconfe)ieTOe)i/i;?)i.signifiesthesamewithcountenance,as
"usedbythecountrypeople,whenintendingtoreceiveaperson
"withhospitality,theysayIicillseeyouuiththebestconntc
"nance.SothatthemeaningofMagnaCarta(wherethisword
"occurs)is,amanshallnotbesofined,butthathemaybeable
"togiveliisneighbourgoodentertainment.''(Barr.Ano.Stat.
p.13.Seealso4Bl.Comm,378.)
191
beinviolablyobserved.Therearealsoothercases,in
whichaLordcanexactfromhisHomagerssimilar
Aids,observing,however,theprinciplewehavelaid
down:asifhisSonandHeirshouldbemadeaKnight,
orifheshouldmarryoffhisEldestDaughter.^But,
whetherLordscanexacttheseAidstomaintaintheir
own"Wars,isdoubtful.Theopinionthatprevailsis,
thattheycannotbyrightdistraintheirTenantsfor
suchpurpose,unlesssofarastheTenantsmayfeeldis
posed.But,"withrespecttotherenderingofreason
ableAids,Lordsmayofright,withouttheKing'spre
cept,orthatofhisJustices,butbytheJudgmentof
theirownCourt,distraintheirTenantsbysuchoftheir
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chattelsasmaybefoundwithintheirFees,orbytheir
Fees,ifnecessary;providedtheTenantsaredealt
withaccordingtotheJudgmentoftheCourt,andcon
sistentlywiththereasonableCustomofit.If,there
fore,aLordmaythusdistrainhisTenants^torender
1Aidandreliefdonotalwaysappeartobeusedbytheold
Books,indifferentsenses.Speakingoftheaids,mentionedin
thepresentpassageofthetext,theNormanCodesays,Hujus
modireleviainquibusdamfeodisdimidiorelevioequalia:etin
quibusdamfeodisdecernsolidos.Hence,theancientcustomwas
tobefollowed.(LeGrandOust,deNorm.c.35.)WhenBracton
wrote,theseaidswereconsideredasmatterofgrace,ratherthan
ofright,being,ashetermsthem,customs,notservices,and
personaltotheTenant,notpraedial.(36.b.)JudgeBlack
stonenoticesthegreatresemblance,which,intheparticular
ofaids,theLordandVassaloftheFeudalLawboretothepatron
andclientoftheRomanLaw:thepatronbeingentitledtotliree
aidsfromliisclient,viz.tomarryhisDaughter,topayhisDebts,
andtoredeemhispersonfromcaptivity.(2Com.63.)Gene
rally,seeCo.Litt.70.a.andMr.Hargrave'snote1.3Inst.231.
232,andMirror,c.1.s.3.
2Homagers.Bodln.MS.
192
suchreasonableAids,muchstrongeristheargument
infavorofitsbeinglawfulforhimtodistraininthe
samemannerforaEelief,asalsoforanyotherservice
necessarilyduetohim,inrespectoftheFee.Butifa
Lordisunabletocompel^hisTenanttorenderhis
servicesorCustoms,thenrecoursemustbehadtothe
AssistanceoftheKing,orhisChiefJustice,andhe
shallobtainthefoliowinffWrit
CHAP.IX.
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"youthatyouadjudgeN.that,justlyandwithout
"delay,herendertoR.theCustomsandrightServ
"iceswhichheoughttorenderhim,fortheTenement
"thatheholdsofhim,insuchaYill,ascanbereason
"ablyshewntobeduetohim,leastheagaincomplains
"forwantofright."Witness,&c."
CEAP.X.
"WhenthePleaproceedsbyvirtueofthis"Writ,the
complainantshall,intheCountyCourt,andbeforethe
Sheriff,recoverhisservices,whethertheyconsistin
1Justiciare.Justiciatio,saystheNormanCode,estcoarctatio
superaliquemfacta,utjuripareat.Havinggiventhisdefini
tion,itgoesOTitoobserve,thatitoughtnottoprecede,butfol
lowtheoffencethattherewerethreethingsthatauthorised
ittransgressioterminiprefixieontemptusjustidoe,andirro
gatioInjurice.Welearnfi'omthesamesource,thatthisJusti
ciatiowasbydistrainingthegoods,ortheFee,orbytakingthe
body.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.c.6.)2F.N.B.337.
193
Beliefsorotherthings,accordingtotheCustomofthe
CountyCourt.And,ifheshouldprovehisright,the
AdversepartyshallrenderthereasonableEeliefto
hisLord,andshall,inaddition,beamercedtothe
Sheriff;itbeingageneralprinciple,thattheAmerce
mentwhichresultsfromeverysuit,whichhasbeen
carriedonanddeterminedintheCountyCourt,be
longstotheSheriff.Theamountofit,indeed,has
beenascertainedbynogeneralAssise,'butisregulated
bytheCustomsofdifferentCounties;inoneCounty
more,inanotherless.
CHAP.XI.
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ItfollowsthatAvespeakconcerningPurprestures.
APurpresture,ormoreproperlyspeaking,aPorpres
ture,2iswhenanythingisunjustlyencroachedupon;^
againsttheKing;asintheEoyalDemesnes,orinob
structingpublicways,orinturningpublicwatersfrom
1"BythegeneralAssiseorAssembly,"meaningtheParlia
ment,accordingtoJudgeBlackstone.1.148.
2PurpresturavelPorprestura"Andbecause,itisproperly,
"whenthereisaHousebuildedoranEnclosuremadeofany
"partoftheKing'sDemesnes,orofanHighway,orofacom
"monstreet,orpublicwater,orsuchlikepublicthing,itisde
"rivedoftheFrenchpourpris,whichsigniflethanenclosure."
(Co.Litt.277.b.)Thetermpurprestureseemstohavebeenun
derstoodbyouroldLawyersinthreesenses.1st.ascommitted
againsttheKing,byasubject.2d.ascommittedbyaTenant,
againsttheLordofwhomheheldhisfee.3d.ascommittedby
oneneighbour,againstanother.(VideCraig.Jus.feud.L.1.D.
16.c.10.andL.3.D.5.s.6.7.Spelm.Gloss,advoc.Cowell's
Interp.Manwood'sForestLaws.p.169.176.GrandNorm.
Cust.c.10,&c.&c.andTraitessurlesCoutumesAngloNorm,
parHouard.1.387.)
Ôccupatur."Occupationes,"saysLordCoke,"aretaken
13
194
theirrightcourse;orwhenanyonehasbuiltanEdifice
inaCityupontheKing'sStreet.And,generallyspeak
ing,wheneveraISTuisanceiscommittedaffectingthe
King'sLands,ortheKing'sHigh"Way,oraCity,the
suitconcerningitbelongstotheKing'sCrown.But
Purpresturesofthisdescriptionareenquiredafter,
eitherintheKing'sChiefCourt,orbeforehisJustices
sentintothedifferentpartsoftheKingdom^forthe
purposeofmakingsuchInquisitions,byaJuryofthe
Place,ôrVicinage.Andif,bysuchJury,amanbe
convictedofhavingmadeanyPurprestureofthiskind,
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heshallbeamercedtotheKingtotheextentofthe
wholeFeethatheholdsofhim,andshallrestorethat
whichhehasencroachedupon;and,ifconvictedof
havingencroachedbybuildinginaCityuponthe
King'sStreet,theEdificesshallbelongtotheKing;
those,atleast,whicharefoundtobeconstructedwithin
theEoyalDistrict;and,notwithstanding,heshallbe
amercedtotheKing.
"forusurpationsupontheking,and,itisproperly,whenone
"usurpethupontheking,byusingoflibertiesandfranchises
'whichheoughtnottohave;and,asanunjustEntryuponthe
"kingintoLandsorTenements,iscalledanintrusion,soanun
"lawfulusingoffranchisesorlibertiesissaidanUsurpation;
"butocoupationesinalargesensearetakenforpurprestures,
"intrusions,andusurpations."(2Inst.272.)TheReadermay
alsoconsultDialog,deSoaoc.L.2.s.10.
1Braotontellsus,thatitwas,inhistime,anArticleofthe
Eyretoinquire,depurpresturisfactissuperdominuviRegem,
siveinferra,siveinmari,siveinaquadulci,siveinfraliberta
tem,siveextra.(116.)Seealso2Inst.272.4Chap.Stat,deBig
amis.Co.Litt.293.b.394.a.
2Patrice.VideSpelm.Gloss,advoc.also3Bl.Com.349.and
375.andMr.Christian'sNote.
195
AnAmercement^totheKingis,whenanyonehas
beensofaramerced,bytheoathsoflawfulMenof
theYicinage,asnottoloseanypartofhisHonorable
Contenement.2Whenapersonhasmadeapurpres
tureagainstanyotherthantheKing,hewilleither
havemadeitagainsthisownLord,oragainstanother.
IntheformerCase,iftheoffencecomenotwithinthe
Assise,^then,theoffendershallbedistrainedtoappear
intheLord'sCourt,toanswerconcerningitImean,
ifheholdsanyotherTenementoftheLord.Forthis
purposethefollowing"Writshallissue
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CHAP.XII.
"thatyoucompelI^.,thatwithoutdelay,heappear
1HavingalreadyspokenofAmercements,weshallheremerely
remarkthatinthereignsofWilliamtheConquerorandhisSon
Eufus,theywerenolessimmoderate,thanoppressive.Henry
theFirstwascompelled,bythepeculiardiflBoultiesofhissitua
tion,tomakemanyconcessions.Oneofwhichwas,that
amercementsshouldnolongerbeassessed,astheyhadbeenin
hisFather'sandBrother'sreigns,totheextentofthewhole
propertyoftheoffender,butshouldbeproportionatetothe
crimesicutretroatemporepatrismeietfratrismeiintempore
aliorumantecessorummeorum.(LL.Hen.1.c.1.)Ifthese
wordsmeananything,theyimply,thatHenrymerelyre
storedtheCommonLaw,whichhisFatherandBrotherhadvio
lated.Howillthisconcessionwasobserved,wemayconjec
ture,fromitshavingbeenfeltnecessarytomakeitpartofthe
greatcharter.(See2Inst.27.)
2V.Gul.Somn.NotasadLL.1.Cap.1.p.176.{Al.MS.)
8InfraAssisamThatis,saysSkene,withinthetimewithin
whichhisActionshouldbepursued,orelsetobeholdenas
prescribed.(Reg.Maj.L.2.c.74.)
196
"intheCourtof/.hisLord,andthereabidebythe
"rightconcerninghisfreeTenement,thathehath
"encroachedagainsthim,ashesays,least,&c.Wit
"ness,&c."
CHAP.XIII.
IfthepartybeconvictedofthisoffenceintheLord's
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Court,heshallirrecoverablylosetheTenementhe
holdsofsuchLord.
But,ifheholdnootherTenementofthesameLord,
then,thelattershallimpleadhimintheCourtofthe
ChiefLordbyaWritofRight.Inlikemanner,if
anyonecommitanencroachmentinthiswayupona
person,notbeinghisLord,andthecasefallnotwithin
theAssise,^themattershallbedecidedbyWritof
Eight.But,ifthefacthappenwithintheAssise,
then,recoursemustbehadtoaEecognitionofNovel
Disseisintorecoverpossession,ofwhichproceeding
weshallpresentlyspeak.InPurpresturesofthis
description,theBoundariesofLandaresometimesde
stroyedandencroachedupon.Insuchcase,upona
complaintbeingmadeinCourtbyanyoftheISTeigh
bours,lettheSheriffbecommanded,thataViewof
theBoundariesinquestionbetakeninhispresenceby
LawfulMenoftheYicinage,and,upontheiroaths,
thathecausetheboundariestobeastheyoughttobe,
1InfraAssisamlawfultime,saysSkene,sothattheAction
ofNovelDisseisinisnotprescribed.(Reg.Maj.L.2.c.74.)
197
andwereaccustomedtobeinthetimeofKingHenry
theFirst:forthispurpose,thefollowingWritshall
issue
CHAP.XIY.
"you,thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youmakereason
"abledivisions^betweentheLandofR.insucha
"Yill,andtheLandofAdamofByre,astheyought
"tobe,andwereaccustomedtobe,andastheywere
"inthetimeofKingHenry,m^'Grandfather,of
"whichR.complainsthatAdam,unjustlyandwith
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"outjudgment,hasencroachedmorethanbelongsto
"hisfreeTenementofByre,leastIagainhearcom
"plaintforwantofJustice.Witness,&c."
1VideF.N.B.385.
2VideAntep.133.Note1.
iooR|.
OFTHEDEBTSOFTHELAITYARISINGFROMDIFFER
ENTKINDSOFCONTRACTS,VIZ.FROMSALE,PUR
CHASE,GIFT,LOAN,BORROWING,LETTINGOUT,AND
HIRING;ANDOFPLEDGESANDGAGES,WHETHER
MOVEABLEORIMMOVEABLE;ANDOFCHARTERS
CONTAININGDEBTS.
CHAP.I.
PleasconcerningtheDebtsoftheLaityalsobe
longtotheKing'sCrownandDignity."When,there
fore,anyonecomplainstotheCourt,concerninga
Debtthatisduetohim,andbedesirousofdrawing
thesuittotheKing'sCourt,heshallhavethefollow
ingWrit,formakingthefirstSummons
CHAP.II.
"TheKingtotheSherifiF,Health.CommandW.,
'thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,herendertoH.,one
"hundredMarkswhichheoweshim,ashesays,and
"ofwhichhecomplainsthathehasunjustlydeforced
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"him.And,unlesshedoesso,summonhim,bygood
"Summoners,thathebebeforemeormyJusticesat
198
199
""WestminsterinfifteendaysfromthePentecost,to
"shewwhereforehehasnotdoneit.Andhavethere
"theSummonersandthis"Writ.Witness,&c."
CHAP.III.
"Wehavesuificientlyexplainedthecourseofpro
ceedingtobeadopted,incaseoftheabsenceofeither
oftheparties,orofdefault,beforethesuitisentered
upon.Weshould,however,remarkthat,itisnot
usualfortheKing'sCourttocompelanyonebydis
traininghisChattelstoappearinCourt,onaccountof
anysuit.InsuchaSuit,therefore,anyonemayby
theJudgmentoftheCourtbedistrainedbyhisPee,
orbyattachinghisPledges,asisusuallydonein
othersuits.BothpartiesbeingpresentinCourt,the
Plaintiffmayfoundhisdemandonavarietyofcauses.
HisDebtmayariseeitheruponaLending,ôraSale,
oraBorrowing,oraLettingout,oraDeposit,orfrom
someotherjustcauseinducingaDebt.
ADebtofthefirstdescriptionarises,whenoneper
sonentrustsanotherwithanysuchthingasconsists
inNumber,or"Weight,orMeasure.*^"Whenoneper
sonsoentrustsanother,ifheshouldreceivebackmore
1TheTermsmutui,venditionis,commodato,locato,deposito,
areevidentlyborrowedfromtheCivilLaw.Butvpearenot
fromhencetoconclude,asBishopNicholsonhastilydid,that
Glanvilleapes,asheexpressesit,theRomanCode.(Scotch
234/344
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HistoricalLibrary,255.)This,ofallfaults,istheleastimput
abletothevenex'ableGlanville.OnthetermmutuumseeNote
1.p.304.Infra.2videJustin.Instit.L.3.tit.15.
200
thanhelent,hecommitsUsury;and,ifhedieinsuch
Crime,heshall,bytheLawoftheLand,bepunished
asaUsurer,ofwhich,indeed,wehavespokenmore
fullyintheprecedingpages.^Butwhenanythingis
entrustedtoanother,itis,generally,confidedupon
thegivingofPledges:^sometimes,indeed,uponthe
puttingthingsinPledge:sometimes,underasolemn
promise;sometimesupontheExpositionofaCharter:
andatothertimesupontheconjoinedstrengthof
manyoftheseSecurities."When,therefore,anyDebt
issecureduponthegivingofPledgesalone,ifthe
principalDebtorshouldbesomuchreducedastobe
incapableofdischargingit,then,recoursemustbehad
tothePledges;andtheyshallbesummonedbythe
following"Writ
CHAP.lY.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.CommandiT.,
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,heacquitB.ofthe
1L.7.c.16.
'^TheNormanCodedividesPledgesinto,simpUees,anddebiti
retinentes.Anexampleoftheformerkindisthefollowing^
EgoplegioA.quodreddatB.decernsolidos.Theeffectofsuch
apledgewas,thatitceasedwiththelifeofthepersonentering
intoit,anddescendednotuponhisHeirs.Neitherwasthere
anydifference,inthisrespect,ifthepledgewasgivenforthe
appearanceofanotherinanysuit.Withrespecttothelatter
kindofpledge,theTermwasemployed,whenthepersonenter
ingintoitmadehimselfanswerablefortheDebt,andthusstood
inthetwofoldcapacityofDebtorandpledge.Theeffectofthis
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seemstohavebeen,toreleasetheoriginalDebtor,andtorender
theRepresentativesofthepersonenteringintoitliabletoan
swerit.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.c.60.89.90.)
201
"HundredMarksagainstiV^.,forwhichhebecamehis
"surety,ashesaj^s,andofwhichhecomplainshehas
"notacquitted"him.And,unlesshedoesso,summon
"him,bygoodSummoners,&c."
CHAP.Y.
"WhenthePledgesappearinCourt,theywilleither
confesstheirSuretyship,ortheywilldenyit.Should
theyadopttheformercourse,theyarethenbound^
tosatisfytheCreditor,ataconyenienttimeappointed
inCourtforsuchpurpose;ortheyareboundina
legalmannertoprove,thattheyaredischargedfrom
suchsuretyshipbypayment,orbysomeotherlawful
means.But,iftherearemanyPledges,eachofthem
isanswerableforthewholeDebt,unlessitwasother
wisestipulatedwhentheybecameSureties;andthey
arealltobedistrainedtosatisfytheDebt.
Hence,ifthereweremanySureties,andoneor
moreofthemproveincapableofansweringtheengage
ment,theburthenoftheDebtshallfalluponthe
others,eitherentirely,ortotheextentoftheDeficien
cy.Butif,inbecomingsuretiesforapersonindebted,
thePledgesassumedtheresponsibilityofcertainparts
1ThesameRuieislaiddownintheNormanCode:butthe
subjectistheretreatedfarmorediffusely.Itseems,bythat
Code,tohavebeenanobligationimposedupontheHomager,
byhistenure,tobecomepledgeforhisLord'sDebtstotheex
tentofayear'sRenttobecomepledgeforhisperson,ifin
prisonforhisprosecutingasuit,orappearingtoit,&c.&c.
(GrandGustum.c,60.)
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202
only,whatevermayhappenastosomeofthePledges,
theothersshallnotbecompelledtoanswer,exceptfor
theirownproportion.Fromthisitisevidentthata
disputemaysometimesarisebetweentheCreditorand
thePledgessometimesbetweenthePledgesthem
selves,ifanyoneofthemshouldallegethathehad
becomethesuretyoftheprincipalDebtorforaless
sum,whilst,ontheotherhand,itisassertedthathe
becamesoforagreater.ForwhenthePledgesare
individuall3'boundforcertainparts,itfollowsofne
cessity,thattheCreditorhimselfmustsuetheone,
whoconfessestoowelessuponhisundertakingthanhe
ought.But,shouldsomeofthembecomePledgesfor
thewhole,someforcertainparts,then,indeed,itwill
berequisite,thatthosewhohavebecomesuretiesfor
thewholeshouldsuethosewhowillonlyconfessthem
selvesindebtedinalesssumthantheyreallyowe.
Howthesedifferentpointsaretobeproved,willbe
seeninthesequel.TheSureties,havingdischarged
theDebt,mayhaverecoursetotheprincipalDebtor,
shouldheafterwardsacquiresufficienttorepaythem;
andthisbyanoriginalActionofDebt,ofwhichwe
shallpresentlyspeak.Itshould,however,beobserved,
thatifaManhasbecomeaPledgeforanother'sap
pearance,andheshould,inconsequenceofthedefault
ofhisPrincipal,happentobeamerced,andinrespect
ofitpayanysum,hecannotafterwardsonthisaccount
recoveranythingagainsthimforwhomhebecame
Surety.^Whoever,indeed,hasbecomeaPledgefor
iTheRegiamMajestatem,onthecontrary,laysitdown,that
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203
another'sappearanceinanysuitthatbelongstothe
King'sCrown,as,concerningthebreakingofthe
King'speace,orotherwise,ifhedonotproducehis
Principal,heshall,asaconsequenceofhissuretyship,
beaniercedtotheKing,ofthenatureofwhichwe
spokeonaformeroccasion.Buttheeffectofthiswill
betoliberatehimfromhissuretj'^ship.
Should,however,thePledgesdenyinCourttheir
Suretyship,then,ifthereweremanj''Pledges,either
allofthemwilldenysuchsuretyship,orsomewill
admit,andsomedenyit.But,ifsomeadmit,and
somedenyit,then,theremaybeaSuit,aswellbe
tweentheCreditorhimselfandthePledges,asbetween
thosePledgeswhoconfess,andthosewhodenytheir
engagement,accordingtowhatwehavepreviouslyob
served.
But,whatshallbetheproofrequiredofthose,be
tweenwhomthesuitistobeconducted,isaquestion?
"Whether,forexample,itshouldbemadebytheDuel,
orbyanyothermode;orwhetherthePledgescan,
bytheoathsofsuchanumberofmenastheCourt
mayrequire,denytheirundertaking?Withrespect
tothispoint,somepersonsassert,thattheCreditor
himself,byhisownoathandthatoflawful"Witnesses,
canbyLawproveitagainstthePledges,unlessthe
Pledgeswillpreventhimfromtheoath;andthismay
nowbedonewhentheDemandantappearsprepared
hecanrecover,(L.3.c.1.)arulethatiscertainlymorecon
sistentwithJustice.Ontheotherhand,theMirrorcoincides
withthetext.(c.3.s.24.)
204
totaketheoath,thoughformerlyitoughttohave
beendonebeforetheLawwaswaged.
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ThusinsuchcasetheDuelmayberesortedto.
CHAP.YI.
ALoanîssometimesmade,upontheCreditofa
puttinginPledge.WhenaLoanofthisdescription
takesplace,sometimesmoveables,asChattels,areput
inpledge:sometimesimmoveables,asLaudsand
Tenements,andRents,whetherconsistinginMoney,
orinotherthings.WhenaCompactismadebetween
aCreditorandDebtor,concerningtheputtingany
thinginpledge,then,whateverbetnemodeofpledging,
theDebtoruponhisreceivingthethinglenttohim,
eitherimmediatelydeliverspossessionofthePledgeto
theCreditor,ornot.Sometimesalsoathingispledged
foracertainperiod,sometimesindefinitely.
Again,sometimes,athingispledgedasaMortgage,
sometimesnot.ApledgeisdesignatedbytheTerm
Mortgage,^whenthefruitsandEents,whichare
1Mutuumquia,itaametibidatur,utexmeotuumfiat.(Jus
tin.Instit.L.3.t.15.)Vinniusterrasthisbellaallusio,nonvera
voeisoriginatio.Dr.Woodobserves,astotheTermitself,it
hathnooneparticularnameintheEnglishlanguage.
2WiththisexplanationtheRegiamMajestatem(L.3.o.2.)and
theOrandNormanCustumary(c.113.)literallycoincidethough
itdiffersfromthatgivenbyLittleton,andfollowedbyCoke,
Craig,andBlackstone.(Co.Litt.205.a.2Comm.Bl.157.Craig.
JusFeud.L.2.D.6.s.27.)Whatisthemoreremarkable,
LordCokeexpresslycontraststhemortuumvadium,tothevivum
205
receivedintheinterval,innomeasuretendtoreduce
thedemandforwhichthepledgehasbeengiven.
When,therefore,moveablesareputinpledge,so
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thatpossessionbedeliveredtotheCreditorforacer
tainperiod,heisboundtokeepthepledgesafely,and
neithertouseit,norinanyothermanneremployit,
soastorenderitoflessValue.Butshouldit,whilst
inCustodyandwithintheTerm,sufferdeterioration,
bythefaultofthecreditor,aComputationshallbe
madetotheextentofthedetriment,anddeducted
fromtheDebt.But,ifthethingbeofsuchadescrip
tionthatitnecessarilyrequiressomeexpenceandcost,
forExample,thatitmightbefedorrepaired,thenthe
stipulationofthepartiesonthatsubjectshallbe
abidedby.Inaddition^Yhenathingispledgedfor
adefiniteperiod,itiseitheragreedbetweentheCred
itorandDebtor,thatif,atthetimeappointed,the
Debtorshouldnotredeemhispledge,itshouldthen
belongtotheCreditorsothathemightdisposeofit
ashisown;ornosuchagreementisenteredintobe
tweenthem.Intheformercase,theAgreementmust
beadheredto;inthelatter,theTermbeingunex
pired1withouttheDebtor'sdischargingtheDebt,the
vadium.Vivumautemdiciturvadiumquianonquammoriturex
aliqudpartequodexsuisproventibusacquiratur.Butassuredly,
ifthetermmortgageistobecollectedfromitsforciblecontrast
tothesewords,Glanville'sexplanationisinfinitelypreferableto
thatgivenbyLordCoke.
1Existentetermino.Thisisapalpablyfalsereadingitshould
be,elapsotermino,thetermbeingexpired,anexpressionfamiliar
toGlanville.ThissuggestionissanctionedbytheReg.Maj.
'thedaybeingbygone.'(L.3.c.3.)bytheexpressionofthetext
206
Creditormaycomplainofhim,andtheDebtorshall
becompelledtoappeariiiCourt,andanswerbythe
followingWrit.
CHAP.YII.
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"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.CommandN,
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,heredeemsuchathing
"whichhehaspledgedtoR,forahundredMarks,for
"aTermwhichispast,ashesays,andofwhichhe
"complainsthathehasnotredeemedit;and,unless
"hedoesso,&c."
CHAP.vni.i
InwhatmannertheDebtorshallbedistrainedto
appearinCourt,whetherbythePledgeitself,orby
anothermode,isdoubtful.Butthatmaybeleftto
thediscretionoftheCourt,asthemattercanbesuffi
cientlyexpeditedwhichevermodeisresortedto.It
is,however,sometimesrequisitethatheshouldbe
adterminuminthesentenceimmediatelyprecedingbythe
wordsoftheWritinthenextchapter,'atermwhichispast'
and,lastly,byapassageintheEighthChapterofthisBook,
whereourAuthorexpresslylaysitdown,tliat,beforethetime
fixedforpayment,theCreditorcannotclaimtheDebt.Yetis
thereadingexistenteterminopreservedinMr.Houard'sEdition
ofGlanville,anEditionfrequently,butnotalways,morecorrect
thananyofthoseprintedinthisCountry.
1SirEdwardCoke,havingbeenledbyhissubjecttotreatof
conditions,referstothepresentChapterofourAuthor.From
suol?plainandsimplematerialsdidtliecomplicateddoctrineof
.conditionsdrawitsprimaryprinciplest!(Co.Litt.201.b.)
207
presentinCourt,beforethethinginquestionbead
judgedabsolutelytotheCreditor;since,werehe
present,hemightalledgesomereason,whythething
shouldnotirrevocablybelongtotheCreditor.But
whentheDebtorappearinCourt,hewilleithercon
fess,thathepledgedthethinginquestionfortlie
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Debt,orhewilldenyit.Ifheconfessit,ashebasin
sodoingconfessedtheDebt,heshallbecommanded
atareasonableperiodtoredeemhispledge;and,un
lessheshouldcomply,libertyshallbegiventothe
Creditor,fromthattime,totreatthepledgeashis
ownproperty,anddowhateverhechuseswithit.
ShouldtheDebtor,however,denyit,hewillthen
eitheracknowledgethatthethingishisproperty,but
thatforsomecauseithappenedtobeoutofhispos
session,andtohavegotintothehandsoftheother,as
aLoan,orasbeingintrustedtohimforCustodyor
fromsomeothercauseofthisnature;orhewillcon
fessinCourt,thatthethingisnothisproperty,which
ifheshoulddo,libertyshallimmediatelybeconceded
totheCreditor,todisposeofthethinginquestion,as
hisown.But,ifhealledgethatthethingishisprop
erty,butdeniesaswellthepledgeastheDebt;then,
theCreditorshallbeobligedtoproveagainsthim,that
heintrustedtheothertotheextentofthepresentde
mand,andthattheDebtorinreturnpledgedtohim
thespecificobjectindispute.Thenatureofthisproof
maybecollectedfromwhatweformerh'^laiddown,in
treatingofPledgeswhodenytheirsuretyship.But,
previoustotheperiodfixedforthepayment,the
208
Debtcannotbedemanded;although,ifathingbe
pledgedindefinitely,andwithoutanyperiodbeing
fixed,theCreditormay,atanytimehechuses,demand
theDebt.TheDebtbeingdischargedbytheperson
owingit,theCreditorisboundtorestoretohimthe
thingpledged,withoutitshavingsufferedanydeterio
ration;nor,ifthethingshouldbyanyaccidentbelost
orinjuredwhilstinhisCustody,istheCreditorfrom
thatcircumstanceliberatedfromtheDebtor'sclaim;
becauseheisdecidedlybound,eithertorestorethe
thingpledgedortomakesatisfactionforit,ortolose
hisDebt.WhenaCompactisenteredintobetween
aDebtorandCreditor,concerningthepledgingofa
particularthing,iftheDebtor,afterhavingreceived
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theLoan,shouldnotdeliverthepledge,îtmaybe
asked,whatstepshouldtheCreditorhaverecourseto
insuchacase,especiallyasthesamethingmaybe
pledgedtomanyotherCreditors,bothpreviouslyand
subsequently?Uponthissubject,itshouldbere
marked,thattheKing'sCourtisnotinthehabitof
givingprotectiontoorwarrantingprivateAgreements
ofthisdescription,concerningthegivingoraccepting
thingsinpledge,orothersofthiskind,madeoutof
1"InGlanville'stime,"saysSirWm.Blackstone,"whenthe
"universalmethodofconveyancewasbyliveryofseisin,or
"corporealtraditionoftheLands,nogageorpledgeofLands
"wasgood,unlesspossessionwasalsodeliveredtotheCreditor"
and,havingreferredtothispartofourAuthor,heobserves,
"Andthefraudswhichhavearisen,sincetheexchangeofthese
"publicandnotoriousconveyancesformoreprivateandsecret
"bargains,havewellevincedthewisdomofourancientLaw."
(3Bl.Com.159.)
209
Court,oreveninanyotherCourtthanthatofthe
King.If,therefore,sucliCompactsarenotobserved,
theKing'sCourtdoesnotinterfere:andhenceitis
notboundtoanswerconcerningtherightofdiffer
entCreditors,aspriororsubsequent,orrespect
ingtheirprivileges.But,whenanimmoveablethingis
putintopledge,andSeisinofithasbeendeliveredto
theCreditorforadefiniteterm,ithaseitherbeen
agreedbetweentheCreditorandDebtor,thatthepro
ceedsandrentsshallinthemeantimereducetheDebt,
orthattheyshallinnomeasurebesoapplied.The
formerAgreementisjustandbinding:theother,un
justanddishonest,andisthatcalledaMortgage,but
thisisnotprohibitedbytheKing'sCourt,althoughit
considerssuchapledgeasaspeciesofUsury.^Hence,
ifanyonediehavingsuchpledge,andthisbeproved
afterhisdeath,hispropertyshallbedisposedofno
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otherwisethanastheEffectsofaUsurer.
1ThismaybeaccountedforbyrecollectingthatUsuryitself,
thoughviewedinacriminallight,wasnotexpresslyprohibited.
{AnteL.7.c.16.)Norwasitpunished,ifthepartyamended:
but,ifhediedinthecrime,theacthadthenreachedthepoint
fcriminalitytheoffencewascomplete,andthepunishment
followed.But,untilthatmomentarrived,Usury,instrictness,
wasanactratherapproachingtoacrime,thanactuallyamount
ingtoit.Thereasoningwasfoundeduponprinciplesnoless
artificialthanfalsethedeathofthepartybeingpurelyacciden
tal,andthecrimeitselfbeingcomplete,withoutanyreference
tosuchaccident,theveryinstantthepartyreceivedtheusuri
ousremuneration.ThedoctrineoftheKegiamMajestatem,in
unisonwiththisreasoning,andcontrarytothetextofGlanville,
expresslyforbidsaMortgage,becauseitwasaspeciesofUsury.
(c.5.L.3.)
TheReaderwillmeetwithsomecuriousdisquisitionsinthe
Dial,deScacc.(L.3.s.10.)wherehewillfindthedoctrineofthe
textillustratedinthetruespiritofthetimes.
14
210
I
Inotherrespects,thesameEulesshouldbeobserved,
asinpledgesofmoveables,concerningwhichwehave
alreadyspoken.But,itmustberemarked,thatif,
afteranyonehaspaidhisDebt,orhasinaproper
mannertenderedit,theCreditorshouldmaliciously
detainthepledge,theDebtoruponcomplainingtothe
CourtshallhavethefollowingWrit
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CHAP.IX.
"TheKingtotheSherifif,Health.CommandIT.
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,herendertoR.the
"wholeLands,orsuchLands,insuchaVill,which
"hehaspledgedtohimforaHundredMarksfora
"termwhichispast,ashesays,andhasreceivedhis
"Money,orwhichhehasredeemed,ashesays;and,
"unlesshedoessoSummonhimbygood&c."
CHAP.X.
UpontheCreditor'sappearinginCourt,beingsum
monedforthispurpose,hewilleitheracknowledge
theLandinquestion,ashispledge,orhewillsay,he
hol(issuchLand,ashisFee.Intheformercase,he
oughteithertoreturnthepledge,orshewtothe
Courtsomereasonablecause,whyheshouldnotbe
compelledtodoso.Inthelattercase,itshall,upon
theprayereitheroftheCreditororDebtor,beput
uponaEecognitionoftheCounty,whethertheCred
211
itorholdstheLandiaquestion,ashisFee,orhis
Pledge;orwhetherhisFather,oranyotherofhis
Ancestors,wasseisedofit,asinFeeorinPledge,on
thedayofhisdeath;and,soitmaybeobjectedto
himwhoseekstheLandupontheseisinofhisFather.
ThustheRecognitionuponthissubjectmaybein
finitelyvaried,tocorrespondwiththeClaimandthe
Defence.But,iftheKecognitionbenotprayedby
eitherparty,thePleamayproceedinCourtuponthe
Eight.
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CHAP.XL
IftheCreditorlosehisSeisin,eitherbymeansof
theDebtor,oranyotherperson,hecannotrecoverit
throughtheassistanceoftheCourt;notevenbya
RecognitionofNovelDisseisin.
Forifhewasunjustlyandwithoutajudgmentdis
seisedofhispledge,byanyotherpersonthanthe
Debtorhimself,theDebtormayhaveanAssiseof
NovelDisseisin.If,however,theCreditorwasdis
seisedbytheDebtorhimself,theCourtwillnotassist
himagainsttheDebtor,inrecoveringhispledge,orin
givinghimaHeentry,unlessthroughtheDebtor
himself;fortheCreditorshouldresorttoanoriginal
PleaofDebt,inorderthattheDebtormaybecom
pelledtorenderhimsatisfactionforhisDebt.In
suchcase,theDebtorshallbesummonedbythefore
goingWritoffirstsummons.
212
CHAP.XII.
ÛpontheDebtor'sappearingonthedayappointed
inCourt,iftheCreditorhasneitherPledge,norSure
ties,noranyotherproof,unlessthemerefaithofthe
other,thiswillnotbereceivedasanyproofinthe
King'sCourt.Yet,hemayproceedforthebreachor
violationoffaithintheCourtChristian.But,though
theEcclesiasticalJudgecanholdcognizanceofsuch
crime,andeitherimposepenanceontheconvicted
party,orenjoinhimtomakesatisfaction,yet,with
respecttoPleasconcerningtheDebtsoftheLaity,or
affectingTenements,theCourtChristiancannotbya
LawoftheEealmholdordecidethem,underthepre
tenceofthepartyhavingpledgedhispromise.^The
Creditorought,therefore,toadduceotherproof,if
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theDebtordenytheDebtinquestion.
Forifheadmitit,then,heisboundtodischargeit,
inmannersimilartothatwehavealreadyexplained,
inspeakingofPledges,confessingtheirsuretyship.^
Shouldhe,however,denyit,theCreditormayprove
iVideLL.Gul.Norman,c.38.(Al.MS.)TheLawhere
alludedto,theReaderhasalreadybeenputinpossessionof.See
p.170.note1.
"VideConstitutionsofClarendon.(AngloSax.LL.Ed.
Wilkina.334.)
^TheTextisnotfreefromdifBcultywhichevidentlyarises
fromanomission.Ihaveventuredtointroducethewords,
"shouldhe,however,denyit,theCreditor."TheContextcoun
tenancesthisconjecture.
213
hisdemand,eitherbyaproperWitness,orbythe
Duel,orbyaCharter."When,therefore,anyone
offerinCourt,asproofoftheDebt,theCharterof
hisAdversary,orhisAncestor,theDefendantAvill
eitheradmitsuchCharter,ordenyit.Inthelatter
case,hemaydenyorcontrovertitintwoways:thus,
hemayacknowledgeinCourtthesealtobehisown,
butdenythattheCharterwasmadeeitherhyhim,or
withhisconsent,orthatofhisAncestor;orhemay
absolutelydeny,boththeSealandtheCharter.In
thefirstcase,whenhehaspubliclyincourtacknowl
edgedtheSealtobehisown,heisboundtowarrant
thetermsoftheCharter,and,inallrespects,toob
servethecompactexpressedintheCharterascon
tainedinit,withoutquestion,andtoimputeittohis
ownindiscretion,ifheincuranylossbynegligently
preservinghisownSeal.Butinthelattercase,the
ChartermaybeprovedinCourtbytheDuelby
anyproperWitness,especiallyifhisnamebeinserted
intheCharteritself.Thereisanothermodebywhich
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theCreditofaCharterisaccustomedtobeestablished
inCourt,namely,bysomecertainandunquestionable
signs.As,forExample,byotherCharters,impressed
withthesameSeal,andconcerningwhichitisclear,
thattheyaretheChartersoftheparty,whodenies
thepresentCharter,becausehehasopenlywarranted
theminCourt.Ifinsuchcasetheimpressionscoin
cideineveryrespect"withoneanother,sothatthere
isnosuspicionofanydifferencebetweentheSeals,it
isusualtoconsiderthefactasproved;and,whether
214
bythis,orbj'anyotherlegalmode,thepartyshould
beovercome,heshalllosehissuitontheoccasion,
whetheritbeaPleaofDebt,orconcerningLand,or
anyotherthingwhatever;andheshall,inaddition,
beamercedtotheKing.For,itisageneralEule,
thatwheneverapersonhassaidanythinginCourtor
inaPleawhichheafterwardsdenies,orofwhichhe
hasneithersuit,norWarrantor,norsufficientproof,^
orhasbeendistrainedtoassertthecontrary,ortodeny
itbysufficientproof,heshallbeamercedtotheKing.
But,iftheperson,againstwhomtheCharterispro
ducedtoproveacertainDebt,acknowledgeitfrom
thefirst,thenheshallbecompelledtosatisfythe
Creditor,accordingtothetenoroftheCharter."When
anythingislentonthejointstrengthofmanyofthe
proceedingsecurities,then,fromthemomentthe
Debtormakesdefault,heisliabletobedistrainedby
allthesecuritiesbeingputinforceagainsthimatthe
sametime.Itisonthisaccount,therefore,thatmany
securitiesaretaken,thatincaseoftheinabilityofthe
Debtor,theCreditormaymorereadilybesatisfied,
thanifthereexistbutonesecurityonly.
CHAP.XIII.
ADebtsometimesariseswhenathingisborrowed;^
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asifIlendathingtoyougratuitously,tobemade
1AsimilarLawistobefoundamongstthoseascribedtothe
Conqueror.(LL.Gul.Conq.c.28.)
2Commodatum.(Justin.Inst".S.15.2.)ACommodatumdif
feredfromamutuum,becausethesamepersoncontinuedtobe
215
useofinyourservice.Theservicebeingfinished,you
areboundtorestoremypropertytome,withoutdete
rioration,îfitbeinexistence.
But,ifthethingitselfbedestroyed,orhasbyany
meansbeenlost,whilstinyourCustody,youareabso
lutelyboundtoreturnmeareasonableprice.Butby
what,orwhoseproof,îtistobeshewnorifanyone
haslenthispropertj'^tobeusedinacertainplace,or
foracertainTerm,andhewhothusreceivedithas
usedit,eitherinanotherplace,oratanothertime,the
extenttowhichheoughttomakearecompense,or
uponAvhatproof,orwhosepropertyitistobead
judged,arepointsthatmaybequestioned.Theparty,
indeed,shallbeabsolutelyexcusedfromtheimputa
tionofTheft,byreasonthathispossessionofthething
detainedoriginatedthroughtheowneroftheproperty.
Itmayalsobedoubted,whethertheOwnercanre
callhispropertysolenttoanother,withinthetimeor
placeallotted,especiallyifhehimselfshouldhave
occasiontouseitintheinterval.^
theowner,andbecausethesamethingwastobereturned,and
notanotherofthesamequantityorquality,asinamutuum.
(Dig.13.6.8.and9.)"TheyhavedifferentnamesinLatin,though
"notinEnglish,"saysDr.Wood.(CivilLaw.Inst.)Toavoid
theinconvenienceandconfusionofemployingthesametermfor
each,theTranslatorhascalledtheonealoan,theotherabor
rowing.Thedistinctionbetweenagratuitousloanforuse,and
asimpleloan,occursintheCodeNapoleon,whichisdrawn,as,
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indeed,maybeobservedofnosmallportionofthatwork,from
theCivilLaw.iSkenereferstoExodusc.23.v.14.15.
2"ByhimwhogavetheLoan,andbyhisWitness,"saysthe
EegiamMajestatem.(L.3.c.9.)
8"Itisanswered,henaaynotrepeatitorseekitagain,be
216
CHAP,xiy.i
ADebtalsoarisesbyreasonofaPurchaseand
Sale.Whenanypersonsellsathingtoanother,the
priceisduetotheVendor,andthethingcontracted
fortothePurchaser.^
Butapurchaseandsaleareeffectuallyperfected
fromthemomentthepriceissettledbetweenthecon
tractingparties;providedpossessionofthethingpur
chasedandsoldbedelivered,ôrthattheprice,either
wholly,orinpart,bepaid,or,atleast,thatEarnest*
begivenandreceived.^
"causeanyloanmaynotberepeatedorcalledbackagain,until
"theusebeperfectedandfulfilledtothewhichitwaslent."
(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.9.)ButthemodernFrenchCodepermitsit
toberecalled.(S.1889.)
1VideBractonfo.61.b.andFletaL.2.c.58.
2VideJustin.Inst.3.24..Custum.deNorm.c.23.andBrac
ton61.b.ThetwochiefobligationsoftheVendor,aslaid
downinthepresentandfollowingchapters,arecomprisedina
sectionofthemodernFrenchCodethatofdelivering,aijdthat
ofwarrantingthethingwhichhesells.(CodeNapoleon1603.)
*Quiasinetraditionenontransferunturrerumdominia,
(Bracton61.b.)
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*Arrhse.IntheCivilLawtheArrhaorEarnestwasgiven,
eithersimplyasasymbol,ormarkoftheContract,or,itwas
given,asVinniusinformsus,asapartoftheprice.Inthe
formercasethepurchaserwasnotpermittedtoavoidthecon
tractwiththelossofhisEarnestinthelatter,hewasallowed
todoso.TheVendormightrecedewiththelossoftwicethe
valueofit.(Dig.18.1.35.19.1.11.6.Inst.3.34.pr.)With
respecttotheeffectofEarnest,asourLawnowstands,vide2.
Bl.Comm.447.
6Whenthereisneitherwriting.Earnest,nordelivery,the
parties,saysBracton,mayretract.(61.b.)
217
But,inthetwoformercases,neitheroftheCon
tractingpartiescaiibyanymeansathisownoption
recedefromtheAgreement,unlessforsomejustand
reasonablecause;as,ifthetermsofthecontractwere,
thateitherofthepartiesmayAvithimpunityretract
withinacertainperiod;then,indeed,eitherpartymay
withintheperiodprescribedavailhimselfoftheterms
oftheContractandrecede,withoutbeingliabletoany
penalty:sinceitis,generallyspeaking,unquestionable
that,Conventiolegemvinoit}Besides,iftheVendor
soldthethingtothePurchaserasbeingsoundand
withoutfault,ândthePurchasercanafterwardssatis
factorilyshew,thatthethingatthetimeofthecon
tractwasnotsound,butfaulty,then,indeed,theVen
dorshallbecompelledtotakebackhispropert}^.But
itissufficient,ifthethingwasinaproperstate,atthe
timeoftheContract,whatevermayafterwardshappen
toit.ButIdoubt,astotheperiodwithinwhichthis
shouldbeproved,orcomplaintmadeconcerningit,
especiallywherethereisnospecialAgreement.
"Where,however,Earnestonlyhasbeengiven,ifthe
PurchaserwouldrecedefromtheContract,hemaydo
so,withthelossoftheEarnest.Butif,insuchcase,
theVendorAvouldretract,itisaquestionwhetherhe
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^Pactumenimlegemvincit.(LL.Hen.1.o.49.)"Contracts
"legallymadehavetheforceofLawbetweenthosewhohave
"madethem."(CodeNapoleons.1134.)
Îf,saysaLawofIna,apersonhaspurchasedanything,and,
withinthirtydays,discoverittobedefective,hemayrestorethe
thingtothehandsoftheVendor,unlessthelatterwillswear,
thatheknewofnodefectinitatthetimehesoldit.(LL.Inse.
c.56.)
218
candosowithoutincurringapenalty.Îtdoesnot
seemthathecan;becausehewouldthenbeinabet
tersituationthanthePurchaser.But,ifitcannotbe
donewithimpunity,whatpunishmentshallsuchcon
ductincur?^Theriskofthethingsoldandpurchased
generallybelongstothepersonwhohaspossessionof
it,ûnlessithasbeendifferentlyarranged.
CHAP.XY.
TheYendorandhisHeirsareboundtowarrantthe
thingsoldtothepurchaserandhisHeirs,ifthething
beanimmoveable;andhence,thePurchaser*andhis
Heirsmaybesuedinthemannerwehaveformerly
explained,intreatingofWarranties.
IfanypersonsuethePurchaserwithrespecttoa
moveable,onthegroundthatthethinginquestion
wasfirstsoldorgiventohim,orfromanyotherjust
causewasacquired,unconnectedwiththeimputation
ofFelony,thesamerulemaybelaiddownasthatwe
havementionedconcerningimmoveables.Butif,under
1InBracton'stimetheVendorforfeiteddoubletheEarnesta
ruleaccordingwiththatoftheRomancode.(Bracton63.a.)
2"DoubletheEarnest"wastobeforfeitedbyhimaccording
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totheReg.Maj.fL.3.c.10.)
3Quiareveraquirememptorinondumtradiditadhucipsedo
mimiserit.HenceSipostemptionemantetraditionem,fundo
venditoaliquidperalluvionemvelaliomodoacarevitquodcommo
dumadvenditorempertinebit.(Bracton63.a.)
*Emptor,apalpablyfalsereading,asthecontextproves:it
shouldbevenditor,thevendor.SeeBracton63.a.
219
animputationofTheft,ithePurchaserissuedfor
thething,heisboundintheclearestmannertore
movefromhimselfeverysuchanimputation,ortocall
aWarrantor.Îf,therefore,headoptthelattercourse,
hewillnameeitheracertainWarrantor,oranuncer
tainone.IfhecallacertainWarrantortoCourt,
allegingthathedesirestohavehimtoWarrantata
reasonableperiod,thenadayistobegivenhimin
Courtforthatpurpose.
And,ifthepersoncalledtoWarrantappearonthat
day,andwarrantinCourt,boththesaleandthething
soldtothePurchaser,then,thelattershallbeentirely
discharged,andthatsoeffectually,thatheshallnot
afterwardssustainanyloss.But,ifheshouldfailin
enteringintotheWarranty,then,thePleashallpro
ceedbetweenthePurchaserandhisWarrantor;and
thusmayitcometotheDuel.But,itmaybeasked,
cantheWarrantorcallanotherWarrantorintoCourt?
Ifthatbepermitted,atwhatWarrantormustitstop?*
Itshouldbeadded,thatwhenanyonehassonamed
1VideBraoton150.b.etseq.
2VideMirrorc.3.s.13.Braoton151.b.Fleta55.s.8.We
ndthatWarrantorsweresometimescollusivelyvouclied.
Thus,Cliampionsofacknowledgedprowesswerenamed,who,
beinghiredforthepurpose,readilyenteredintotheWarranty.
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Whensuchaninstanceofcollusiontookplace,theChampion
was,accordingtoBraotonandFleta,toloseafootandahand
but,inBritton'stime,theChampionandthepersoncitinghim
werebothliabletodeath.
sTheBodleianandHarleianMSS.saythefourth,omittingthe
markofinterrogationattheend,andleavingthesentencean
absoluteassertion;whichmostprobablyisthetruereading,as
itcorrespondswiththeRegiamMajestatem.(L.3.c.13.)
220
aWarrantorofathingwhichissuedforasstolen,the
Warrantorisusuallyattachedbyvirtueofthefollow
ingWrit,directedtotheSheriff:
CHAP.XVI.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Icommand
"you,thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseN.to
"beattached,bysafeandsecurePledges,thathebe
"beforeme,ormyJustices,onacertainday,towar
"rantM.suchathingwhichH.claimsagainstM.as
"stolen,andofwhichtheafor6saidM.hasdrawnhim
"towarrantinmyCourt;ortoshewwherefore,he
"oughtnottowarranttohim.Andhavetherethe
"SummonersandthisWrit,&c."
CHAP.XVII.
But,ifthePurchasershouldcallanuncertainWar
rantor,insuchcase,ifhehavesufficientproofofits
beingalawfulpurchase,thatshalldischargehimfrom
theFelony.^Yetitshallnotprotecthimfromth&
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1NoMan,saysaLawoftheConfessor,shallpurchaseany
thingwithouttheCitygate,butsliallhavethetestimonyofthe
PrefectoftheCity,orofsomeotherrespectableperson,whocan
beconfidedin.(LL.Ed.Conf.1.)ALawofhispredecessor
jS5thelstanisnearlyinthesamewords,exceptthatittacitly
permitspurchaseswithouttheCityGate,iftheydidnotexceed
twentydenarios.(LL..atheist.12.)SomeoftheLawsof
221
loss,Imean,ofthethinginquestion.But,ifupon
thispointhehasnotasuflBcientsuit,heisindanger.
Debtsarisingeitherfromapurchaseoraborrowing
areusuallysubstantiatedbythegeneralmodeofproof
inCourt;inotherwords,eitherbyaWriting,orby
Duel.
CHAP.XVIII.
ADebtsometimesarisesfromaLettingoutanda
Hiring:âswhenanyoneletsoutathingtoanother
foracertainperiod,inconsiderationofreceivingacer
tainreward.Insuchcase,theformerisboundto
concedetheuseofthething,andthelattertopaythe
price.But,itshouldbeobserved,upontheexpiration
ofthetermstipulated,theformermaylawfullyandof
hisownauthorityresumepossessionofhisproperty.^
But,ifthepersonengagingtohirethethingshould
notpaythepriceattheappointedtime,itmaybe
asked,whethertheotherpartycaninsuchcaseforc
iblyresumepossessionbyhisownauthority?
ButwebrieflypassovertheforegoingContracts,
arisingastheydofromtheconsentofprivateindivid
Edgarareadmirablyadaptedtoeffectthesameobject,(LL.Sup.
Eadg.)whichappearstobeconstantlykeptinviewbythedif
ferentLegislators,whoprecededHenrytheSecond.
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Êxlocateandexconducto."Locatioconductio,"saysDr.
"Wood,"isoneword."Locatorishethatletsouttohire,con
ductorhethathires.(Justin.Inst.3.25.pr.)
^Sietiamvacuaminveneritetnnnobligatam.(Bracton62.b.)
222
uals;because,asithasalreadybeenobserved,the
King'sCourtdoesnotusuallytakecognizanceof
them;nor,indeed,withsuchContracts,asmaybe
consideredinthelightofprivateAgreements,does
theKing'sCourtintermeddle.
3oolII.
OFATTORNIES,WHOAREPUTINTHEPLACEOF
THEIRPRINCIPALSINCOURT,TOGAINORLOSE
FORTHEM.
CHAP.I.
TheSuitsdiscussedintheformerpartofthisTreat
iseconcerntheEightandProprietyofthething,
whichapersonmayprosecute,asindeed,someother
CivilPleas,aswellbyhimself,asbyanAttorney^
putinhisplacetogainorlose.Buttheperson,who
thusputsanotherinhisplace,oughttobepresent*in
Court.
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ItisusuallydoneinthepresenceoftheKing'sJus
1Responsalis.FromsomeexpressionsmadeuseofbyBracton
andFleta,ithasbeenconjectured,thatanAttorney,anEs
soiner,andaResponsalis,differedinsomerespects.(Bracton
212.b.andFleta,L.6.c.11.s.6.7.)OfthisopinionLordCoke
seemstobe.(Co.Litt.128.a.)Yet,wemustbecautious,in
applyingthesedistinctionstoGlanville;fortheymay,afterall,
betheresultofamuchmorerecentperiod.Noristhereading
ofBracton,inthepassagealludedto,perfectlyfreefromsus
picion.
2SirEdwardCokeascribesthisruleto"thepolicyofthe
"CommonLaw,thatsuitsmightnotincreaseandmultiply."
(3Inst.249.)WhilsttheMirrorlaysitdowngenerally,that
itisanabusetoanswerorappearbyAttorney.(Mirror,c.5.
s.1.)
223
224
ticesoftheCommoiiPleas.Butonnoaccount,other
wisethanashavingbeenappointedbyhisPrincipal,
whenpresentinCourt,oughtanyonetobereceived
asanAttorney.Îtisnotrequisite,thattheadverse
partyshouldonthataccountbepresentinCourt;^
nor,indeed,thepersonwhoissoputintheplaceof
theother,ifhebeknowntotheCourt.Oneperson
alonemaybeputintheplaceofanother;ortwoor
more,eithercollectivelyorseparately;sothat,ifone
ofthemisunabletoattend,theotherorothersmay
followupthePlea.Throughthemediumofsuchan
Attorney,aPleamaybecommencedinCourt,and
determined,whetherbyJudgment,orfinalConcord;
andthat,asfullyandeilectually,asbythePrincipal
himself.
But,itshouldbeunderstoodthat,itwillnotsuffice
1Mr.Madox,intreatingoftheExchequer,informslis,that
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"ingeneral,accomptantswereobligedtocomeinpersonto
"rendertheiraccounts.IftheymadeanAttorneytoaccount
*'forthem,itwasusualtohavetheKing'sleaveforit.Some
"times,theaccomptantnominatedhisAttorneybeforethe
"King:andthereupontheKingbyhisWritcommandedthe
"TreasurerandBaronstoadmitsuchperson,asAttorney,ac
"oordingly.Butsometimes,especiallytowardsthelatterpart
"ofthesecondperiod,theAocomptant'sAttorneywasadmitted
"bywarrantorleaveoftheTreasurer,ChancelloroftheEx
"chequer,orBarons,oroneofthem."(Madox'sExcheq.c.23.
s.5.)Supposingtherewasacertainuniformityofproceeding
observedinthesuperiorCourts,thisextractmayfurnishus
withanideaofthegradualdeviationsfromthestrictruleof
ourtext.
2TheNormanCodelaysdownacontrarydoctrine,asserting
thatitwasnotlawfultoconstituteanyAttorneyintheabsence
oftheparty,unlessinthepresenceofthePrince,whosetesti
monyalonesufficedtomakeaRecord.(Grand.Oust.c.63.)
225
foranyonetoconstituteanotherhisBailiffôrStew
ard^forthemanaginghisLandsandaffairs,even
ifitbemadetoappeartotheCourt,inorderthathe
shouldbereceivedinCourtinanySuitintheplaceof
hisPrincipal.3But,itisnecessarythat,aspecial
iiuthorityshouldbedelegatedforthispurpose;and
thattheAttorneyshould,inthemannerbeforede
scribed,beputinhisplace,expresslyinthatparticular
Action,toloseorgainforhim.
Itshouldalsobeobserved,thatanyonemayinthe
Eing'sCourtputanotherinhisplace,togainorlose
^Ballivum.ItistheopinionofSirHenrySpelman,thatwe
TeceivedthetermfromtheNormans.Thereis,indeed,frequent
mentionofsuchanoflScerintheGrandCustumary.(c.4.&c.)
ButLordColiethinks,wereceiveditfromtheSaxons.Itoc
cursinalawofEdwardtlieConfessor,ifitbenotaninterpola
tionofalaterage.(Ed.Conf.LL.c.35.)Ithasbeenreceived
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inavarietyofsignificationsAsmeaningaJudge,anOfficerof
theCrown,aBailiffofahundred,ofaLiberty,andofaBor
ough,ofaManorandofanEstate.(Spelm.Gloss,advoc.)
Cowell,whodeducesthewordfromtheFrench,thinksour
SheriffswereformerlycalledBailiffs,astheirCountiesare
termedBailiwicks.(Cowelladvoc.)SeeFletaL.3.
^Senesehallum"Is,saysCowell.aFrenchword,butbor
^'rowedfromGermany,being,asTiliussaith,compoundedof
"Schal,i.e.servusautofficialis,andgesnid,i.e.familia.We
"englishitSteward."(Cowell'sInterp.advoc.Seneshall.See
alsoMadox'sExcheq.c.8.s.6."Itisderived,"saysLordCoke,
"ofSeinahouseorplaceandschalcanofficerorgovernor,&c."
(VideCo.Litt.61.a.forotherderivations.)SeeFletaL.2.
"Yet,fromtheformofthewritwhichourAuthorgivesus,
L.13.c.13.itseemsperfectlyclear,thataBailiffwasallowed
tohearaRecognitionforhisprincipal.Thereasonofthedis
tinction,perhaps,mightbefoundinthedifferentnatureofthe
functionstoperformthedutyofanAttorneybeinganactive,
thatofmerelyhearingaBecognitiori,ofapassivenaturethe
one,requiringskilltheother,not.
IS
226
forhim,eveninasuitthathehasinanotherCourt;
anditshallbecommanded,thattheAttorneyshallbe
receivedinsuchCourtintheplaceofhisPrincipal,
bythefollowingWrit
CHAP.II.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,ortoanyotherpresiding
"inhisCourt,Health.KnowthatH.hathbefore
"me,ormyJustices,putM.inhisplacetogainor
"loseforhim,inthePleawhichisbetweenhimand
^^R}concerningoneploughLandorconcerningany
"otherthing,(namingit)and,therefore,Icommand
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"you,thatyoureceivetheaforesaidli.intheplaceof
"thesaidN.,insuchPlea,togainorlose.Witness,
"&c."
CPIAP.III.
Whenanyone,therefore,accordingtotheform,
beforementioned,isputintheplaceofanotherinany
suit,itmaybeasked,whetherEssoinsshallholdwith,
referencetothepersonoftheAttorneyonly,orthe
personofhisPrincipalonly,orwithregardtobothof
them?And,indeed,theEssoinsoftheAttorneyhim
selfonlyshallinsuchcasebeallowed,untilhisap
pointmentisrevoked.2"W'henanyone,soputinthe
1Hereisanotherinstanceofconfusion,arisingfromtheinac
curatemannerinwhichtheselettersareinserted1
*"TheEssoinoftheProcuratoronlyshallhaveplace,until
227
placeofanotherinCourt,answertothesuit,anddoes
thatwhichappertainstohira,itmaybeasked,wheth
erhisPrincipalcanathispleasureremovehim,and
substituteanotherAttorney,especiallyifanygreat
degreeofEnmityshouldsubsequentlyarisebetween
them?
ThatthePrincipalhimself,indeed,mayfollowup
theSuit,theAttorneybeingremoved,isunquestion
able;becauseeveryManisunderstoodtoputanother
inhisplace,underthetacitcondition,thathehimself
cannotbepresent.Theprevailingpracticepermitsa
PrincipaltoremovesuchAttorney,inanypartofthe
Suit,andalsotoreplacehimbysubstitutinganother
inCourt,inthemannerbeforementioned.AFather
maythussubstitutehisSon,andviceversa:onestran
germayalsosubstituteanother;andaWifeherhus
band.WhenaHusband,putintheplaceofhis"Wife
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inasuitconcerninghermarriagehoodorDower,
shouldloseanypartofthepropertyofhisWife,or
should,byaJudgmentoraConcord,remitanyright
oftheWife,whether,itmaybeasked,cantheWife
herselfagainagitatethequestion,orwhetherisshe
absolutelybound,afterthedeathofherHusband,to
abidebyhisAct?Itdoesnotseemthatthewoman
insuchacaseought,bytheActofherHusband,to
loseanypartofherright;because,whilstinthepower
ofherHusband,shecaninnomeasureopposeorcon
"theprocuratoryberevoked."(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.16.)Mr.
ReevesappearstohaveviewedthepassageoftheTextinadif
ferentlight.(VideHist.Eng.Law.1.170.)
228
troverthis"Will,and,therefore,shecouldnot,contrary
tohispleasure,lookintoherrights.^But,onthe
otherhand,itmaybecontended,thatthoseActswhich
aretransactedintheKing'sCourt,oughttobeheld
settledandunalterable.
CHAP.IV.
ThePrincipalistobedistrainedtoabidebywhat
hasbeendonebyhisAttorney,whetheritbesodone
byJudgmentorbyConcord.Butwhatmustbedone,
ifthePrincipalisincompetenttopay,andhasnothing
wherebyhecanbedistrained,althoughtheAttorney
has?TheAttorney,indeed,mustnotbedistrained.
CHAP.V.
Theprinciplethatwehavejustlaiddown,thatnoone,
unlesspresentinCourt,caneffectuallyputanotherin
hisplace,seemscontrarytowhatiscontainedinthe
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firstBook,uponthedoctrineofEssoins.^For,itis
therestated,thatifanyoneshould,afterhisthird
Essoin,sendanAttorney,whoeverhehappentobe,
withLetters,heshouldbereceivedinCourt.Butthis
happensbyforceoftheJudgment.AdifferentHule
1VideMirror,c.5.s.5.Ante97.Not.3.andM.Houard's
TraitessurlesCoutumesAngloNorm.Tom.1.451.wlierehe
adoptsthesamereading,asIcontendfor.andobservesthatun
dertheancientNormanCustumarythewifecouldnotreclaim
herDower.2l_1.g.i3_
229
prevailswhere,urgedbyanorderoftheCourt,orby
aDistress,apersonpraystoputanotherinhisplace
inaSuit,togainorloseforhim.Itshouldalsobe
observed,thatAbbotsandPriorsofCanonsRegular
arereceivedinCourt,upontheirownauthority,with
outeventheLettersoftheirConvents.
OtherPriors,whetherofCanonsorMonks,ifCel
lariiêventhoughAliens,arebynomeanstobead
mittedinCourt,withouttheLettersoftheirAbbotor
GrandPrior.^TheMasteroftheKnightTemplars
andtheChiefPrioroftheHospitalofJerusalemâre
alsoreceivedupontheirownauthority;butnoneof
theirOrdersofaRankinferiortothemareinthe
habitofbeingreceived.Whenoneormorehavebeen
substitutedinCourttoconductaSuitforanother,in
themannerbeforementioned,whethertheonecan
11haveretainedtheoriginalword,notmerelybecauseI
knowofnowordansweringtothecomplexideaofSkene,but
thatitisveryquestionable,whetherSkenebecorrect.Hethus
interpretstheword"Iftheydwellincells,separatefrom
"abbiesormonasteries."(Reg.Maj.L.3.c.18.)Fromother
authorities,Ishouldratherhaveinferred,thatthecellariiwere
aspeciesofmonks,investedwiththepowerofprovidingfor
theirBrethren,andregulatingtheinternalpartoftheirmonas
teries.ButthisagainiswithdiflBcultytobereconciledtothe
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terms,inwhichoneofthemisspokenofsecunduspaterin
monasterio,unlessweconcurwithSpelman,whosays,when
speakingoftheword,crevissevideturinamplitudinem.(Vide
Spelman.Gloss,advoo.)
2TheRegiamMajestatem,onthecontrary,asserts,thatthey
shallbereceived,withouttheLetteroftheirAbbotorGrand
Prior.(L.3.c.18.)
8OftheseOrderstheReaderwillfindsomementionin3Inst.
431.
230
delegatehisauthoritytoanother,orwhetheroneof
thetwocannominatetheother,orathird,inhis
place,orinthatofhisPrincipal,togainorlose
forhiminthatSuit,arepointsatleastques
tionable^
1"Itisanswered,"saystheReg.Maj."hemaynotdoso,be
"causeallthingsareforbiddentoaprocurator,whicharenot
"expresslygrantedandcommittedtohim.''(L.3.c.19.)
iooftIII.
OFTHEPLEAOPRIGHT;ANDOFDIFFERENTWRITS
OFRIGHT,DIRECTEDTOTHESHERIFFSORLORDS
OPTHEFEE,UPONVARIOUSOCCASIONS.
CHAP.I.
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TheprecedingPleasofEightare,directlyandin
thefirstinstance,commencedintheKing'sCourt,
where,aswehaveobserved,theyarediscussedand
terminated.ButsomePleasofRight,althoughnotin
thefirstplacecommencedintheKing'sCourt,are
sometimesremovedthere,whentheCourtsofdifferent
LordsareprovedtohavefailedindoingJustice;for
thensuchPleasmay,throughthemediumofthe
CountyCourt,betransferredfromthencetotheChief
CourtoftheKing,forthevariouscausesshewnina
formerpartofthisTreatise.^
CHAP.II.
When,therefore,apersonclaimsanyFreeholdTen
ement,oraService,asheldofanotherbyfreeservice,
hecannotdrawthepersonholdingitintoaSuit,with
outtheKing'sWrit,orthatofhisJustices.Heshall,
1VideL.6.c.8.
231
232
therefore,havea"WritofEight,directedtotheLord
ofwhomheclaimstohold.IfthePleaconcernLand,
suchWritwillbeasfjUows
CHAP.III.
"TheKingtotheEarlofW.,Health.Îcommand
"you,thatwithoutdelay,youholdfullKighttoiV^.of
"tenploughlandsinMiddleton,whichheclaimsto
"holdofyoubythefreeserviceofoneKnight'sfee
"foreveryservice;orbythefreeserviceofoneHun
"dredShillingsbytheTearforeveryservice;orby
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"thefreeserviceofwhichtwelveploughlandsmakea
"Knight'sFeeforeveryservice;orwhichheclaims
"tobelongtohisfreeTenementthatheholdsofyou
"inthesameVill,orinMortunebythefreeservice,
"&c.orbytheservice,&c.;orwhichheclaimsto
"holdofyouasthefreeMarriagehoodofM.his
"Mother;orinfreeBurgage;orinfreeAlms;orby
"thefreeserviceofgoingwithyouintheKing's
"Armywithtwohorsesathisowncostforevery
"service;orbythefreeserviceoffindingyouone
"CrossBowman2intheKing'sArmyforfortydays
"foreveryservice;ofwhichH.,theSonofTT^.,had
"deforcedhim;and,unlessyoudoso,theSheriffof
1VideF.N.B.2.
2ArbelastariumfromtheFrencharbalestier.Inthedistribu
tionofEstatesbyWilliamtheCouqueror,theArbelastariiwere
reckonedamongthosenobleandmilitarychiefs,thePeersof
theRealm.ThisappearsfromsomepassagesinDomesday.
(SpelmanGloss,advoo.)
233
"Northamptonshall,leastIshouldhearanymore
"complaintforwantofJustice."Witness,&c."But
WritsofEightofthiskindareusua%infinitelydi
versifiedfordifferentcauses,as,indeed,willappear
fromthevariousformsweshallpresentlygive.But,
ifthePleaconcernaservice,the"Writwillbeas
follows
CHAP.lY.
"TheKingtoiV".Health.Icommandyou,that
"withoutdelay,youholdfullEighttoN.ofahundred
"shillingsofEentinsuchaYill,whichheclaimsto
"holdofyoubyfreeservice,&c.ortheservice,&c.;
"and,unlessyoudoso,theSheriffofOxfordshalldo
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"it,leastIshouldanymorehearacomplaintforwant
"ofJustice."Witness,&c."
CHAP.Y.
"TheKingtoR.,Health.Icommandyou,that
"justlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseN.andA.his
"Wifetohavetheirreasonablepartwhichbelongsto
"themofoneMessuage,insuchaYill,whichthey
"claimtobelongtotheirfreeTenement,thattheyhold
"ofourLordtheKing,insuchaYill,bythefreeserv
"iceoftwoshillingsbytheyear;orofoneMark
"Eent,insuchaYill,whichtheyclaimofthefree
"MarriagehoodofthesaidA.,ofwhichtheycomplain
"thatB.,thesisterofA.,hasdeforcedtheni,orthat
234
"Q.hasdeforcedthem.And,unlessyoudoso,the
"Sheriffshalldoit,leastanyfurthercomplaintshould
"bemadeforwantofJustice.Witness,&c."
CHAP.YI.
TheseSuitsareinthehabitofbeingconductedin
theCourtsofLords,orofthosewhofilltheirplaces,
accordingtothereasonableCustomsprevailingintheir
Courts;whicharesonumerousandvarious,thatitis
scarcelypossibletoreducethemintowriting.^
CHAP.YII.
TheseCourtsareprovedtohavefailedindoing
Justiceinthismanner.UpontheDemandant'scom
plainingtotheSheriffintheCountyCourts,andpro
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ducingtheKing's"Writ,theSheriffshallsendoneofhis
OfficerstotheLord'sCourtonthedayappointedthe
partiesbytheLordofsuchCourt,inorderthatthe
Officer,inthepresenceoffouroragreaternumberof
thelawfulKnightsoftheCounty,whobytheSheriff's
commandshallattendthere,mighthearandseethe
proofoftheDemandant,namely,thatsuchCourthad
failedtodohimJusticeinhisSuit.Thatthefactis
1TheEegiamMajestatemandBraotonavailthemselvesofthe
sameexcuse,fordecliningtoenlargeonthesubject,thoughthe
latterobserves,thatindemandingaviewinvouchingtowar
rantyinproposingexceptionsandinwagingtheDuel,&c.
suchCourtsfollowedtheKing'sCourt(329.b.)
235
so,theDemandantshallprove,byhisoirnoathand
thatoftwoothers,whohaveheardandknownthe
fact,andshallswearwithhim.
Undersuchsolemnity,then,Pleasaregenerallyre
movedfromtheseCourtsintotheCountyCourt,and
arethereagaindiscussedandfinallyterminated,with
outanycontradictionorrecoveryonthepartofsuch
Courts,ortheLordsofthem,ortheirHeirs,sofaras
concernsthePleainquestion.Butif,previouslyto
suchCourtbeingprovedinthemannerwehavestated
tohavefailedindoingright,anyPleashouldbedrawn
fromittothesuperiorCourt,theLordoftheinferior
Courtmaytakeadvantageofsuchcircumstanceand
onthedayappointedfortheTrialofthecausereclaim
hisJurisdiction;becausehisCourthasnotbeenproved
tohavefailedindoingJustice;andthusheshallbe
adjudgedtorecoverit,unlessitbethereproved,that
JiisCourtfailedindoingJustice,asbeforeremarked.
Itshould,however,beobserved,thatifaPleahas
beensodrawntotheKing'sChiefCourt,itwillbein
TainfortheLordtoreclaimitonthedayoftrial,un
less,onthethirddaypreceding,hehadclaimedit,in
thepresenceoflawfulMen.
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ButifnodaybegiventotheDemandantonwhich
tomakehisComplaint,andhehasexperiencedade
lay,itwillsufficeforhimtofalsifytheCourt,under
theformbeforementioned,inwhateverpartofthe
Teehemaychuse,iftheLordhasnoresidence^within
1Reseantisam.Videantep.10.Note1.
236
theFee,itbeinglawfulforhim,asLord,toholdhis
Courtthere,andputadaytotheDemandant,inwhat
everpartofhisFeehechuses.Buthecannotlegally
dosooutofhisFee.^
CHAP.VIII.
Butthe"Writtobeobtainedoughttobedirectedta
himonly,ofwhomtheDemandantclaimstohold,and
nottoanother,noreventotheChiefLord.But,it
mayherebeasked,whatwillbetheconsequence,if
theDemandantclaimtoholdofoneLord,andthe
Tenantofanother?Insuchacase,sincetheLordto
whomthe"Writisdirectedcannottakecognizanceof
thesuit,andunjustlyandwithoutaJudgmentdisseise
anotherLordoftherightofholdingaCourt,ofwhich
heisunderstoodtobeseised,recoursemustnecessarily
behadtotheCountyCourt,wheretheSuitshallpro
ceed;or,intheChiefCourt,sothatboththeLords
oughttobepresenttherebySummons,inorderthat
thethingshouldbediscussedbeforethem,intheman
nerweformerlymentionedwhentreatingof"Warran
ties.
CHAP.IX.
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TotheSheriffs,indeed,notonlybelongthefore
goingPleasofEight,whentheCourtsoftheLords
areprovedtohavefailedindoingJustice,butsome
1WiththisconcurtheMirror,(c.3.s.28.)(Bracton,330.a.)
andtheGrandCustumaryofNormandy,(c.6.and61.)
237
otherPleas."When,forExample,anyonecomplains
totheCourt,thathisLordexactsCustomsandServ
icesthatarenotdue,orgreaterservices,inrespect
tothefreeholdtheTenantholdsofhim,thanhe
ought:1whenthePleaconcernaVilleinborn,asbe
foreobserved:orwhen,generallyspeaking,anyother
matteroccurofwhichtheSheriffhastheKing'sWrit,
orthatofhisChiefJustice,forthepurposeofholding
Jurisdictionoveranyone,orthathehimselfshoulddo
right,unlessanotherdoesso,asbeforementioned;
wheneveranysuchPleasoccur,itbelongstothe
Sherifftohearanddecideuponthem.Someofwhich
appearfromthefollowingWrits.
CHAP.X.
"TheKingtoN.Health.Îprohibityou,leastyou
"unjustlydisturbII.orpermithimtobedisturbed,
"concerninghisFreeTenement,thatheholdsofyou
*'insuchaVill.JSTorexactfromhim,norsuffertobe
"exacted.CustomsorServiceswhichheoughtnotto
"renderyou,orwhichhisAncestorsdidnot,norought
^'tohavedone,inthetimeofKingHenrymyGrand
"father;and,unlessyoudoso,theSheriffshall,least
^'heshouldanymorecomplain.Witness&c."
CHAP.XI.
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"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Icommand
'you,thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseM.to
1Vide2Inst.31.=VideF.N.B.31.
238
"haveR.hisVilleinbornandfugitive,withallhis
"Chattels,andwithhiswholeissue,iwheresoeverh&
"isfoundinyourBailiwick,unlessthefugitivebein
"myDemesne,aftermyfirstCoronation.AndIpro
"hibit,leastanyoneunjustlydetainhimunderfor
"feiture,&c."Witness&c."
CHAP.XII.
"TheKingtotheSheriif,Health.Îcommand
"you,thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseG.to
"havehisBeastsbyGageandpledges,ofwhichhe
"complainsthatJR.hastakenthem,andunjustlyde
"tainsthem,fortheCustomswhichheexactsfrom
"him,andwhichhedoesnotacknowledgetoowe
"him;and,inthemeantime,causehimjustly&c.
least&c."
CHAP.XIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Icommandyou^
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcausetobead
"measuredthepastureinsuchaVill,which1.who
iCumtotdsequeldsud.Mr.Barringtonhavingobserved,that
ifVilleinswerebornwithinacertainDistrict,theyandtheir
issueweretheBondmenoftheLord,proceedsthus,"Thisex
"plainswhatfrequentlyoccursinancientgrantsofVilleins,
"cumtotdsequeldsud,which,accordingtoSirJamesWare,in.
"hisaccountoftheBetaghii,(whoweretheIrishVilleins,)in
"eludednotonlyChildrenbutNephews,p.149.SeealsoMar
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"dox'sForm.Angl.p.416."(Barr.Obs.onAnc.Stat.p.306.)
'^VideF.N.B.152.
239
"wasthewifeofP.andR.hersister,complainthatR.
"hadunjustlysurcharged;norpermitthattheafore
"saidH.shouldhaveinthatPasturemorebeasts
"thanheoughttohave,andthanbelongstohimto
"have,accordingtotheextentoftheFeewhichhe
"hasinthatYill,least&c."Witness&c."
CHAP.XIV.
"TheKingtotheSherijBf,Health.Icommandyou,
"thatwithoutdelay,youcommandR.that,justly
"andwithoutdelay,hepermitII.tohavehisEase
"mentsînthe"WoodândinthePastureofsucha
"Vill,whichheoughttohave,ashesays;ashe
"oughttohavethem,andusuallyhashadthem;and
"thatyoupermitnottheaforesaidR.oranyotherto
"molestorinjurehim,least&c."Witness&c."
CHAP.XV.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Iprohibityou,
"leastyoupermit,thatR.unjustlyexactfromS.for
"thefreeTenementwhichheholdsofN.oftheFee
"ofthesaidR.insuchaVill,moreservicethanbe
1AiBiayneniafromtheFrenchaise,voluptas.(Spelm.Gloss,
advoc.)
*Boseo.Thiswordsometimesmeansthewoodmerelysome
timesitincludesthelandonwhichthewoodgrows.(Co.Litt.
4.b.)
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240
"longstothatfreeTenementthatheholds;andthat
"youcausetoberepleviedtohimhisBeasts,which
"weretakenforthatdemand,whichhedoesnotac
"knowledge,asbelongingtotheFreeTenementhe
"holds;untilthePleabeheardbeforeus,anditbe
*'known,whethersuchserviceisdueornot.Wit
"ness&c."
CHAP.XVI.
'"you,thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youmakereason
"abledivisionsbetweentheLandofS.insucha
"Villanditsappurtenances,andtheLandofD.in
"suchYill,astheyoughttobe,andareaccustomed
"tobe,andastheywereinthetimeofKingHenry
"myGrandfather,ofwhichB.complains,thatA.
"has,unjustlyandwithoutJudgment,encroached
"morethanbelongstohisfreeTenementinthatYill,
"least&c."Witness&c."
CHAP.XVII.
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcausetoabide,
"thereasonableDivisionwhichB.niadetothe
"BrethrenoftheHospitalofJerusalemofhisChattels,
"asitcanbereasonablyshewnthathemadeit,and
"thatitoughttobeabidedby.Witness&c."
1VideL.9.c.14.whereasimilarwritoccurs.
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241
CHAP.XVIII.
"thatyoucompelR.thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,
"hereturnstoN.hisChattels,whichheclaimsthat
"hetook,unjustlyandAvithoutajudgment,inhis
"Freehold,insuchaYill,sincetheDisseisinwhichhe
"didhim,sincemyAssise,ofwhichherecoveredhis
"SeisinbeforemyJusticesbyaEecognitionofNovel
"Disseisin,asitcanbereasonablyshewnthatheought
"tohavethena,least&c."^
CHAP.XIX.
"thatyoucauseadelayuntilacertainfittime,when
"youcanbepresent,oftheEecognitionwhichissum
"monedbetweenR.andM.concerningthedivisions^
"ofsuchTills,whichbymyJusticesofthosepartsis
"injoinedtoyouandH.totakebeforeyou;forthe
"takingofwhich,asitissaid,youhavedeputedothers
"inyourplace,becauseitisnottheCustomthatwhen
"anymatterappertainingtomyJudges*isinjoined
1Vide2Inst.311.
2Videantep.133.Note1.Astothelatterpartofthepresent
Writ,ourauthorsurpassesevenhimselfinquaintnessofex
pression.
'AdJusticias.Justieia,aJustice,orJudge,or,asithasin
subsequenttimesbeenwritten,Justiciarius.(VideSeldenop.
i6
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242
"tootherstobeexecuted,thattheyshouldtransfer
"overtoothersagainanythingwhichappertainsto
"myJudge.Witness&c."
CHAP.XX.
"thatjustlyandwithoutdelay,youcauseA.whowas
"theWifeofJ2.tohaveherreasonableDowerofthe
"wholeFeethatwasthesaidJi''s,exactlyandinevery
"thing,savetohisHeirthecapitalMessuage,andthat
"youcausethesaidWifetohaveanothermessuage,
"unlessanyLandinwhichthereisnoMessuagemay
"havebeennamedtoherinDower;anditshallnot
"cease,becausetheFeeoftheaforesaidi?.isheldof
"myBarony,because,Iwillnot,nordoestheLawre
"quire,thattheWivesofKnightsshouldonaccount
"ofthislosetheirDower.Bat,oftheChattelsthat
"wereoftheaforesaidH.Icommandyou,thatyou
"causethemalltobeinpeace,sothatnopartbere
"moved,neithertomakedivision,norforanyother
"purpose,untilhisdebtsareentirelydischarged;andof
"theresiduethereshallbeafterwardsareasonabledivi
"sionmade,accordingtotheCustomofmyLand.
"And,ifanypartoftheChattelsoftheaforesaidH.
"shallhavebeenremovedsincehisdeath,itshallbe
Omn.1669.Madox'sExch.24.&c.)Mr.Seldenconsidersthe
useofthistermbyGlanvilleasaproof,thattheworkitselfis
oftheageofHenrythe2nd,aswehavealreadyobserved,inour
introductoryaddresstotheReader.
243
"returnedtohisotherChattelstopayhisDebts.
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"AYitness&c."
CHAP.XXI.
"TheKingtotheEcclesiasticalJudges,Health.^
"Iprohibityou,leastyouholdthePleainCourtChris
"tian,whichisbetweeniT.andR.ofthelayFeeof
"theaforesaidR.ofwhichhecomplainsthatiV^.draws
"himintoPleainCourtChristian,beforeyou,because
"suchPleabelongstomyCrownandDignity.Wit
"ness&c."
CHAP.XXII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.ProhibitE.least
"heshouldfollowthePleaintheCourtChristian
"whichisbetweenN.andhimofthelayFeeofthe
"aforesaidR.insuchaVill,ofwhichhecomplains
"thattheaforesaidiV^.drawshimintoPleainCourt
"ChristianbeforethoseJudges.And,iftheafore
"saidR.shallmakeyousecureofprosecutinghis
"claim,then,putbyGageandsafePledges,theafore
"saidN.thathebebeforeme,ormyJustices,sucha
"day,toshewwherefore,hehasdrawnhimintoPlea
"inCourtChristian,concerninghislayFee,insucha
"YiU,assuchPleabelongstomyCrownandDignity.
"Witness&c."2
1VideF.N.B.90.
2ThisWritstandsalsoinneedofaTranspositionoftheCapi
talstorenderitintelligible.
244
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CHAP.XXIII.
Withrespecttothemannerortherightofcom
mencingorterminatingthesePleas,orothersindifferent
CountyCourts,Iforbeartospeak,aswellonaccount
ofthedifferentCustomsTvhichprevailindifferent
Counties,eachobservingitsownpeculiarCustoms,as
ofthebrevityofmyproposedobject,noPleascoming
withinthescopeofit,butthosewhichareusuallydis
cussedintheKing'sChiefCourt.
CHAP.XXIV.
Itshouldalsobeobserved,thatina"WritofRight
sometimeslessiscomprisedthanisinsertedinthe
CountinCourt,aswellrespectingtheAppurtenances
asotherthings;butsometimesmoreisincluded.
SometimesthereisanErrorinthe"Writ,astothe
nameinsertedinit,sometimesconcerningthequantity
ofServices.When,indeed,lessiscontainedinthe
WritthanintheCount,thepartycannotdemand
morebyforceoftheWrit,thaniscomprisedinit.
ButwhenmoreiscontainedintheWrit,thaninthe
Count,theExcesswhichiscomprisedinitmaybere
mitted,andtheresiduemaybeclaimedbyvirtueof
theWrit.But,iftherebeanErrorinthename,then,
bystrictnessofLaw,anotherWritmustbesuedout.
ButwhentheErrorconcernthequantityofservice,
theWrit,instrictnessofLaw,isalsolost.
245
Yet,asitsometimeshappens,thataTenementisde
mandedbylessservicethanisdueinrespectofit,or
thanhasbeenaccustomedtoberenderedtotheLord,
itmaybeasked,whethertheLordisboundbythe
"Writtodorighttothedetrimentofhisownservice?
Heis,indeed,bound;butshouldtheDemandanthap
pentoprevail,theLordafterEvictionmayrecover
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againstthepartyevictinghim.^
CHAP.XXV.
Itshouldalsobeadded,that,accordingtotheCus
tomsoftheRealm,nooneisboundtoanswerinhis
Lord'sCourt,concerninghisFreeholdTenement,with
outtheKing'sprecept,orthatofhisChiefJustice;I
mean,iftheFeeinquestionbealayone.
But,ifthePleashouldbebetweentwoClerks,con
cerningaTenementheldinFrankalmoigneofan
EcclesiasticalFee,oriftheTenant,aClerk,holdan
EcclesiasticalFeeinFrankalmoigne,whoevermay
happentobetheDemandant,thePleaconcerningthe
EiirhtouffhttobeintheEcclesiasticalCourt,unlessa
Eecognitionshouldbedemanded,whethertheFeein
questionbeEcclesiasticalorlay,ofwhichweshall
presentlyspeak.ForthensuchEecognition,as,in
deed,certainothers,mustbeheldintheKing'sCourt.
1Namely,theservicesreallydueinrespectoftheTenement.
\QOk|,
CONCERNINGPLEASBYASSISESANDRECOGNITIONS.
ANDOFDIFFERENTKINDSOFDISSEISINS.
CHAP.I.
ThegeneralcourseofProceedings,astheymore
usuallyoccurinCourtupontheforegoingWritsof
Eight,havingbeensofartreatedof,itnowremains
tospeakconcerningthestepscommonlyresortedto,
whereSeisinaloneisinquestion.Asthesequestions
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are,underthebeneficialprovisionsofaLawofthe
Realm,whichistermedanAssise,usuallyandforthe
mostpartdecidedbyaEecognition,oursubjectleads
ustotreatofthedifferentkindsofRecognitions.
CHAP.II.
TheeeisonespeciesofEecognitionwhichiscalled
mortDÂuncestor'ânotherdeultimispresentationi
busofParsonstotheirchurchesanother,whethera
TenementbeanEcclesiasticalFeeorLayFeeanother,
whetheranyonewasseisedofaFreeholdonthe
dayofhisdeath,asoffeeorasofpledgeanother,
^VideBracton252.a.et.seq.
246
247
whetheranyonebeunderageoroffullageanother
whetheranjjônediedseisedofacertainFreeholdas
offee,orasofwardanother,whetheranyonepre
sentedthelastParsontoaChurch,byvirtueofthe
FeethatheheldinhisDemesne,orbyvirtueofa
"Wardship.Andothersofasimilardescription,which,
astheyfrequentlyariseinCourtwhenthepartiesare
present,are,withtheirconsentandtheadviceofthe
Court,directed,inordertodeterminethepointincon
troversy.ButthereisanotherEecognitionwhichis
calledNovelDisseisin.When,therefore,anyonedies
seisedofaFreeholdinhisDemesneasofFee,the
HeirmayjustlyclaimtheseisinofhisAncestor;
and,ifhebeoffullage,heshallhavethefollowing
Writ
CHAP.III.
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TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.ÎfG.,theson
"ofT.shallmakeyousecureofprosecutinghisclaim,
"then,summonbygoodSummoners,twelvefreeand
"lawfulMenoftheNeighbourhoodofsuchaVill,
"thattheybebeforeme,ormyJustices,onsucha
"day,preparedontheiroathtoreturn,ifT.thefather
"oftheaforesaidO.wasseisedinhisDemesneasof
"Fee,ofoneTardland,inthatVill,onthedayofhis
"deathifhediedaftermyfirstCoronation,ândif
1VideF.N.B.433.
2This,LordCokeinformsus,wasthe30thofOctober1154.(3
Inst.94.)Alimitationofbetween30and40years.
248
"thesaidG.behisnearerHeir.And,inthemean
"time,letthemviewtheLandandcausetheirnames
"tobeimbreviated;andsummon,bygoodSummoners,
"R.whoholdsthatLand,thathebethenthereto
"hearsuchKecognition;andhavetheretheSum
"moners&c.Witness&c."But,iftheAncestor
wasseisedinthemannerbeforementioned,andhad
begunaVoyage,then,theWritwillbeasfollows
CHAP.IV.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.ÎfO.theSon
"ofT.shallmakeyousecureofprosecutinghisclaim,
"thensummonbygoodSummoners,twelvefreeand
"lawfulMenoftheNeighbourhoodofsuchaVill,
"thattheybebeforeme,ormyJustices,^suchaday,
"preparedupontheiroathstoreturn,ifT.thefather
"oftheaforesaidG.wasseisedinhisDemesneasof
"FeeofoneYardland,insuchaVill,thedayonwhich
"hebeganhisJourneytoJerusalem,ortoSt.Jago,
"inwhichJourneyhedied.And,ifhebeganhis
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1VideF.N.B.434.InthisWrit,saysFltzherbert,itsufflceth,
ifhewereseisedthedayhewentoutoftheLandandtookthe
Sea,althoughitwasnotthedayofhisdeath.(Ubisupra.)
"^"BeforethisStatute,"saysLordCoke,commentingonMag.
Carta,"theWritsofAssise,ofNovelDisseisinandMortdano'
"werereturnableeithercoramrege,orintotheCourtofCom
"monPleas:andthisappearethbyGlanvillecorammevet
"coramJusticiariismeis.But,sincethisStatute,theseWrits
"arereturnable,coramJusticiariisnostrisadAssisascumin
"partesillasvenerint."(3Inst.24.)
249
"JourneysincemyfirstCoronation,andiftheafore
"said0.behisnearerHeir.And,inthemeantime
"&c."asbefore.But,iftheHeirbewithinage,then,
theWritwillbeasfollows
CHAP.Y.
"goodSummoners,&c."inallrespectsasinthefore
going,exceptthatinthepresentWritthisclausein
thebeginningshallbeomitted,"ifG.theSonofT.
"shallmakeyousecureofprosecutinghisclaim."^
AlsothisclauseinthebodyoftheWritisomitted,.
"ifT.theFatheroftheaforesaidQ.diedaftermy
"firstCoronation."But,ifheassumedthehabitof
Eeligion,thentheWrit,inconformitytothiscircum
stance,willbevariedinthefollowingmanner
CHAP.YI.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.IfO.theSon
"ofT.makeyousecure&o."inallrespectsasbefore,
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exceptingthatinthepresentWrittheremustbein
sertedintheBodyofit,"preparedupontheiroath
"toreturnifT.thefatheroftheaforesaidG.was
"seisedinhisDemesneasofFee,ofsomuchLandin.
1VideFitz.N.B.434.
250
"suchaTill,thedayonwhichheassumedthehabit
"ofEeligion;and,ifheassumedsuchhabitaftermy
"firstCoronation;and,iftheaforesaidG.behis
"nearerHeir;and,inthemeantime,thattheyview
"theLandfec."asbefore.
CHAP.VII.
TheWritofMortBâuncestor'^havingbeenre
ceivedbytheSheriff,andsecuritygivenbytheDe
mandantintheCountyCourttoprosecutehisclaim,
theProceedinginthismannercomestoanAssise.In
thefirstplace,twelvefreeandlawfulMenofthe
Neighbourhoodaretobeelected,accordingtothe
formexpressedintheWrit,bothpartiesbeingpres
ent,aswelltheDemandant,astheTenant,orthe
latterbeingabsent,providedhehasbeensummoned
once,atleast,tobepresentattheElection.Heis,
indeed,tobeoncesummonedinorderthathemaybe
present,andhearwhoareelectedtomakesuchRec
ognition.Someofthemhemayforareasonable
causeobjectto,ifheissoinclined,andtheyshallbe
1ThoughtheWritsinsertedinthethreeforegoingChapters
appeartobeframedwithaviewtothedeathoftheDemand
ant'sFather,yetwearenotfromthencetoinfer,thatthe
remedy,nowunderconsideration,wasconfinedinitsapplica
tiontothedeathofaParentonly,sincetheAncestorinaWrit
ofinorid'auncestorwasintendedoftheFather,Mother,Brother,
Sister,Uncle,Aunt,Nephew,orNieceoftheDemandant.But
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hereitended.(SeeBracton,354.361.and3Inst.399.)
251
excludedfromtheKecognition.Ifheshouldnotap
pearatthefirstSummons,regularlyprovedinCourt,
heshallnotbeawaitedanylonger;but,thoughhe
beabsent,thetwelveJurorsshallbeelected,andthen
sentbytheSherifftotakeaYiewoftheLandorother
Tenementinquestion.TettheTenantshallhaveone
Summonsonthisaccount.TheSheriffshallcausethe
namesofthetwelvepersonselectedtobeimbreviated.
Havingdonethis,theSheriffshallcausetheTenant
tobesummonedtoappearonthedayappointedby
theKing'sWrit,orthatofhisJustices,beforethe
Xing,orhisJustices,toheartheRecognition.
But,iftheDemandantbeoffullage,theTenant
mayessoinhimselfonthefirstandsecondday,^buton
thethirddayhecannotdoso,sincetheKecognition
shallbethentaken,whethertheTenantappearornot;
becauseinnoRecognition,whereSeisinalonebein
question,aremorethantwoEssoinsallowed.
But,inaRecognitionofNovelDisseisin,noEssoin
ispermitted.Onthethirdday,therefore,whether
theTenantappearornot,theAssisemustbetaken,as
wehaveobserved;and,iftheJurorsshoulddecide
fortheDemandant,Seisinshallbeadjudgedhim,and
theSheriffshallbedirectedtoputhimintoSeisin,by
thefollowing"Writ
1"ThereasonwhyAssisesweremoreexpeditiousthanother
"remedies,arosefromnoEssoinbeingallowedinthem"says
Mr.Harrington,(ObservationsonAncientStatutes,p.105.)
which,fromthetextofGlanville,appearsevidentlytobean
inaccuracy,asageneralposition.
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252
CHAP.VIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.Know,thatIf.
"has,inmyCourt,recoveredSeisinofsomuchLand,
"insuchaVill,byaRecognitionofMortDâuncestor
"againstR.and,therefore,Icommandyou,thatyou
"causehimtohavetheSeisinwithoutdelayWit
"ness&c."
CHAP.IX.
But,togetherwiththeSeisin,thesuccessfulparty
shallrecoverthepossessionofallthechattelsandother
thingsfoundintheFee,atthetimeofdeliveringSei
sin.But,aftertheSeisinhasbeenfullyrecovered,
thepartywhohaslostitmaysueconcerningtheEight,
bymeansofa"WritofRight.Yetitmaybeques
tioned,towhattimethisistoberestricted,afterres
titutionhasbeenfullymade.
CHxiP.X.
But,ifthedecisionbeinfavoroftheabsentTenant,
theSeisinshallthenremaintohim,withouthisAd
versarybeingabletorecoverit.ButsuchSeisinshall
benobartoaSuitconcerningtheRight.Norshalla
PleaofRightconcerninganyTenement,preventa
RecognitionforrecoveringtheSeisinofaperson'sAn
253
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cestorinthesameTenement,previouslytothewaging
oftheDuel.But,howthenshallhiscontemptof
Courtbepunished?
CHAP.XI.
BothPartiesbeingpresentinCourt,itisusualto
inquireoftheTenantwhetherhecanshewanyreason,
whytheAssiseshouldnotproceed?And,hereit
shouldbeobserved,thatapersonoffullagesometimes
demandsaEecognitionofthiskindâgainstaMinor
sometimesaMinordemandsitagainstoneoffullage
sometimesaMinoragainstaMinorsometimesoneof
fullageagainstanotherofthatdescription.^Generally
speaking,theAssiseshallnotproceed,iftheTenant
admitsinCourt,thattheAncestor,onthestrengthof
whoseSeisintheDemandantfoundshisclaim,was
seisedonthedayofhisdeathinhisDemesneasof
Fee,withtheothercircumstancesexpressedinthe
Writ.
But,iftheSeisinonlybeconceded,theothercir
cumstancesnotbeingadmitted,then,theAssiseshall
proceeduponthecircumstanceorcircumstancesnot
conceded.AnAssiseofthiskindisaccustomedto
ceaseformanycausesif,forexample,itshouldbe
1NooneoffullagewasallowedbytheNormanCodetoprose
cuteaMortD'au7icestor,unlesshehadpurchasedhiswrit
withinayearandadayafterhisAncestor'sdeathhadbeen
publiclyproclaimed.(GrandOust.c.99.)
2SeeBracton274.a.etseq.
254
allegedbytheTenant,thattheDemandantwasseised
afterthedeathofhisFather,oranyoneofhisAnces
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tors,whethertheAncestorwasseisedornot,onthe
dayofhisdeath;and,whilsttheDemandantwasin
suchSeisin,thathehaddone,withrespecttohimself,
somesuchactasdebarredhimofsubsequentlyresort
ingtotheAssiseasifhehadsold,given,orquitted
claim,or,byanyotherlawfulmeans,haddisposedof
theLandinquestiontotheTenant.^
Shouldsuchadefencebesetup,recoursemaybe
hadtotheDuel,ortoanyotherusualmodeofproof,,
consistentwiththepracticeoftheCourt,wherethe
Righttoanypropertyisinquestion.Thesameob
servationapplies,shoulditbeallegedbyhisAdversary,,
thattheDemandanthad,onaformeroccasion,im
pleadedhim,whenaFinewasmadebetweenthemin
theKing'sCourt;orthattheLandbelongedtothe
TenantbythedecisionoftheDuel,inwhateverCourt
itmayhavebeenwaged;orbyaJudgment,orby
quitclaim.2Yillenage,also,ifitbeinCourtobjected
andprovedagainsttheDemandant,takesawaythe
Assise.ÂnexceptionofBastardyhasthesame
effect.^TheKing'sCharter,also,inwhichtheLand,,
theSeisinofwhichisdemandedbytheAssise,is.
specificallynamedorconfirmedtotheTenant,as,
indeed,theconjunctionofmoreHeirsthanone,of
1Braoton,370.b.
2Bracton,271.b.
'Bracton,271.b.andAnteL.5.c.5.
*Bracton,280.a.andAnteL.7.c.13.
255
Females,forexample,inaMilitaryFee,orofMalesor
FemalesinfreesoccageTenure.^
Againifitbeconceded,thattheAncestorupon,
whoseSeisintheDemandantfoundshisclaim,hada
certaindegreeofSeisin,namelyonederivedthrough
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theTenanthimselforhisAncestor,asfromaPledge,
aLoanoranyothercauseofthisnature,theAssise
shallnotgoforward,butrecoursemustbehadtoan
othermodeofproceeding.
Consanguinity,also,takesawaytheAssise;namely,,
iftheDemandantandTenantshouldhavesprungfrom
thesamestockfromwhichtheInheritance,theSeisin
ofwhichisinquestion,hasdescended,andsuchfact
hasbeenobjectedandprovedinCourt.Ânother
causehasbeenmentionedintreatingofMarriagehood,,
whentheEldestSonhasgivenacertainpartofhis
LandstohisToungerBrother,whodieswithoutleav
inganyHeirofhisBody.Înthiscase,asinothers
ofasimilardescription,theAssisewearenowtreating
ofshallcease,sincethesamepersoncannotbeboth
HeirandLordofanEstate*If,also,theDemandant
beconvicted,or,indeed,confess,thathewasformerly
inArmsagainsttheKing,theAssisewhichhesode
mandsinCourtshallfromsuchcircumstancecease.^'
Byreason,also,ofBurgageTenure,theAssisedoes
notusuallyproceed.Thisisincompliancewithapar
1Braoton,372.b.Seeantep.136.Note3.
2VideanteL.3.c.6.^videanteL.7.c.1.
VideanteL.7.o.1.^Bracton,273.b.
256
ticularLawoftheEealm,^havingforitsobjectgreat
erutility.But,ifnoexceptionbetakeninCourt,on
accountofwhichtheAssiseoughttocease,theRecog
nitionshallproceed;and,inthepresenceofboth
parties,theSeisinshall,ontheoathsofthetwelve
Jurors,andaccordingtotheirverdict,beadjudged
totheoneortheother,inthemannerdescribedina
formerpartofthisBook.
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CHAP.XII.
But,whenaMinorpraysanAssiseofthekindwe
aretreatingofagainstoneoffullage,then,indeed,the
lattershallnotbeallowedanyEssoinagainstthefor
mer,because,onthefirstday,theKecognitionshall
proceed,whethertheTenantappear,orabsenthim
rself.Andthisuponageneralprinciple.
For,wheneverithappens,thattheTenant,ifpresent
inCourt,cannotallegeanycausewhysuchAssise
oughtnottoproceed,theEecognitionoughtbyright
1Wemayconjecture,thatthisLawwascorroborativeofthe
particularCustomsofcertainCitiesandBoroughs,underwhich
theCitizensandBurgessescouldmakeaWillofLands.
WheresuchCustomsprevailed,itwasanidlethingtoinquire
whethertheAncestordiedseised.Itseems,LondonandOxford
enjoyedtheseCustoms.(Bractonfo.372.)Mr.Somnercon
ceives,thattheutilityaimedatbytheLawinquestionandthe
foundationofitwas,thegoodoftheCommonwealth,bythe
maintenanceoftraffic,whichwasmuchencouragedbytheliberty
ofafreedevise,thoughthisissomewhatdarklypointedat,as
hesays,byGlanvilleinthepresentpassage.(SomneronGavel
kind,p.97.)
257
toproceed,withoutawaitingtheappearanceofthead
verseparty.But,iftheTenantwerepresent,hecould
not,asweobserved,allegethattheMinorhaddone
anythingonaccountofwhichtheAssiseshouldcease;
and,therefore,theRecognitionshallunquestionably
proceed,whethertheTenant,beingoffullage,appear
ornot,accordingtotheformbeforementioned;and
thus,restitutionhavingbeenmadetotheMinorthrough
theRecognition,thefullageoftheMinorshallbe
awaited,ifitbeintendedtosuehimconcerningthe
Right.ButwhenoneMinorsuesanother,theRecog
nitionshallproceedinthesamemanner,andwithout
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anyvariation,asitusuallydoesbetweenaMinorand
oneoffuUage.
CHAP.XIII.
But,whenapersonoffullageproceedsagainsta
Minor,thelatter,indeed,mayavailhimselfofanEs
soinagainsthisAdversary,intheusualmanner."When
heappears,hemayprayadelay.Onaccountofhis
Age,andthattheRecognitionmaynotbetaken,until
heisoffullage;and,thus,onaccountofAge,the
Recognitionofmortd'auncestorusuallystandsover.
Buthereweshouldobserve,uponthenecessitywhich
exists,inorderthatsuchAssiseshouldstandoveron
accountofhisage,thattheMinorshouldallegehim
selftobeinSeisinoftheTenementinquestion,and,
therefore,thattheRecognitionoughtnottoproceed,
beforehehasattainedhisfullage:norshouldhe
17
258
omit,thathisFatherorsomeotherAncestorwasseised
onthedayofhisdeath;since,neitheraRecognition
againstaMinor,norevenasuitconcerningthepro
priety,shallcease,byreasonoftheSeisinofaTene
mentwhichanyMinorhashimselfacquiredand
retainsonlybyhisownright.But,ifitberepliedto
aMinor,thathisAncestordiedseisedoftheTenement,
theSeisinofwhichissoughtbytheRecognition,not
asofFee,butasofWard,then,indeed,althoughthe
principalRecognitionoughttocease,onaccountof
theMinor'sage,yetanotherRecognitionshallproceed
uponthepoint,whethertheMinor'sAncestorwas
seisedasofFeeorof"Ward,onthedayofhisdeath;
andtheAssiseshallbesummoned,bythefollowing
Writ.
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CHAP.XIY.
"goodSummoners,twelvefreeandlawfulMenofthe
"NeighbourhoodofsuchaVill,thattheybebefore
"me,ormyJustices,atsuchaday,preparedupon
"theiroaths,toreturn,ifH.theFatherofN.whois;
"withinage,wasseisedinhisDemesneofoneplough
"landinthatVill,ofwhichM.theSonandHeirof
"/.praysaRecognitionofthedeathofthesaidI.
"hisFather,againstthesaidN.asofhisFeeonthe
"dayhedied,orasofWard.And,inthemeantime,
"letthemviewthatLand;andcausetheirnamesto
"beimbreviated.Andsummon,bygoodSummon
259
"ers,theaforesaidiT.whoholdssuchLand,thathe
"bethentheretoheartheRecognition.Andhave
"&c."
CHAP.XY.
But,itshouldbeobserved,thatifadayhasbeen
givenforthispurposetobothparties,whenpresentin
Court,then,theTenantoughtnottobesummoned.
Butthereupon,aKecognitionshallproceedtobe
takenontheoathsoftwelveJurors,and,accordins:to
theirVerdict,shallitbedeclared,whatSeisinthe
Minor'sAncestorhad,onthedayofhisdeath,inthe
Tenementinquestion;and,ifitshouldbeproved,that
theAncestoroftheMinorhadnoSeisinonthedayof
hisdeath,unlessasofWard,then,theDemandant
shallrecoverSeisinagainsttheMinor.But,itmay
bequestioned,whetherthisalonebesufficientto
enablehimtorecoverSeisin.
Itdoesnotappeartobeso;becausethisbyno
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meansproves,thattheDemandant'sAncestorwas
seisedinhisDemesneasofFee,onthedayofhis
death;noreventhattheDemandantbehisnearer
Heir.But,onthecontrary,itmaybesaid,thatthis
beingproved,theMinorhasconsequentlynoright
afterwardstoretaintheSeisin.Butifthisassertion
becorrect,towhomisthepossessiontoberestored?
whether,insuchacase,mustrecoursebehadtothe
principalEecognition?If,however,itbeprovedby
260
theoathsofthetwelveJurors,thattheMinor'sAn
cestorwasseisedonthedayofhisdeath,asofFee,
then,theSeisinshallcontinuetotheMinorwithout
disturbance,untilhearrivesathisfullage.
But,insuchacase,canhisAdversaryorhisHeirs
onanyfutureoccasionbeagainheard?Hemayat
leastwithrespecttotheProprietyofthatTenement,
asagainsttheMinor,whenhehasattainedhisfull
age,oragainsthisHeirs.Inaddition,theAssise
shouldproceedagainstaMinorinthatonecaseonly,
whichweobserved,intreatingconcerningHeirs
withinage.iUpontheAssiseproceedingagainsta
Minor,iftheSeisinshouldbeawardedtocontinuewith
him,heshallnotanswerconcerningtheEight,until
hehasattainedhisfullage.For,itisageneralprin
ciple,thataMinorisnotobligedtoanswertoanysuit
bywhichhemaypossiblybedeprivedofhisInherit
ance,orbywhichhecanloselifeormember,untilhe
attainhisfullage.Yet,incertainothercases,heis
bound,as,forexample,respectinghispaternalDebts,
orhisown,andincaseofaISTovelDisseisin.Should,
however,theSeisinbeadjudgedagainsttheMinor,in
favoroftheDemandant,restitutionshallbemadeto
himintheformbeforementioned,norshallheanswer
totheMinoruponthequestionofRight,untilsuch
Minorhasattainedhisfullage,asthelatterwouldnot
beboundtoanswertheDemandant.Thereasonisof
generalforce:because,suchtransactions,astakeplace
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261
withMinors,inPleasofthisdescription,oughtnotto
beheldfirmandunalterable.
Butif,onaMinoralleginghimselfintitledtothe
privilegeofhisage,itshouldinCourtbeobjected,
thatheisoffullage,thisisusuallyascertainedbya
KecognitionofeightfreeandlawfulMen,whoare
tobesummonedforsuchpurpose,bythefollowing
Writ
CHAP.XVI.
"goodSummoners,eight^freeandlawfulMenofthe
"jSTeighbourhoodofsuchaYill,wheretheTenementin
"questionis,thattheybebeforemeormyJustices,
"onsuchaday,preparedontheiroathstoreturn,
"whetheriV.,whoclaimsoneHydeofLandinthat
"YillbymyWritagainstR.,beofsuchage,thathe
"canandoughttosue;and,inthemeantime,letthem
"viewthatLand,andcausetheirNamestobeimbre
"viated;andSummon,bygoodSummoners,himwho
"holdstheLand,thathebethentheretohearthat
"Eecognition.Andhave,&c."
CHAP.XYII.
If,therefore,thefullageofthepersonwhoseageis
indisputeshallbeprovedbysuchEecognition,from
1VideF.N.B.569.wheretwelveJurorsaiementioned.
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262
thenceforwardhemustbetreatedasoneoffullage,
sofarasrespectstheprincipalEecognition.But,it
maybedoubted,whether,generallyspeaking,and
withreferencetothesuitsôfothers,heshould,by
forceofthepresentEecognition,beconsideredasof
fullage,insuchmannerasnottobeabletoprotect
himselfundertheprivilegeofage.But,ifsuchRec
ognitionshouldfindhimaMinor,heshallavailhim
selfoftheprivilegeofinfancy,sofarasrespectsthe
principalEecognition;but,itmaybequestioned,how
farhecanavailhimselfofitonotheroccasionsandin
othersuits.
CHAP.XYIII.
Itfollows,thatwespeakoftheEecognitiondeuL
timdpresentatione?If,uponthevacancyofaChurch,
therebeacontroversyconcerningthePresentation,it
1Impetitionemproimpetitiones.Thetermappearstobegen
erallyemployedtodesignateacriminalproceeding;and,ifwe
meetwithitconnectedwiththetermwastesineimpetitione
vasti,wemustrecollect,thatwasteunderthefeudallawwas
consideredasacriminaloffence.Amuchgreaterlatitudewas
afterwardsallowedintheapplicationoftheterm.(Vide
Spelm.Gloss,advoc.impetitusandimpetitioandCowellad
voc.impeachment,&e.)
2VideBracton237.b.etseq.Itisnot,perhaps,irrelativeto
observe,thatLordCokereferstothisandthetwofollowing
chaptersamongotherauthoritiestoprove,that,atCommon
Law,ifastrangerhadpresentedhisclerkandhehadbênad
mittedandinstitutedtoachurch,whereofanysubjer^thadbeen
lawfulPatron,thePatronhadnootherremedytorecoverhis
advowson,butawritofrightofadvo^v^n,whereintheIncum
bentwasnottoberemoved.(Co.Litt.344.a.)
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263
maybedecidedbyaRecognitiondeultimapresenta
Hone,uponeitherofthelitigatingpartiesrequiringit
inCourt.Onsuchanoccasion,heshallobtainthe
following"Writ
CHAP.XIX.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^Summon,by
*'goodSummoners,twelvefreeandlawfulMenofthe
"NeighbourhoodofsuchaVill,thattheybebefore
*'me,ormyJustices,suchaday,preparedontheir
"oathstoreturn,whatPatronpresentedthelastPar
"sonwhodied,totheChurchofsuchaYill,whichis,
"asitissaid,vacant,andofwhichN.claimstheAd
"vowson;andcausetheirnamestobeimbreviated;
"andsummon,bygoodSummoners,i?.,whodeforced
"thatPresentation,thathebethentheretohearthe
"Recognitionandhavethere,&c."
CHAP.XX.
AstotheEssoinsallowedinthisspeciesofRecog
nition,theymaybecollectedfromwhathasgonebe
fore.UpontheRecognitionproceeding,whetherboth
ofthepartiesbepresent,oroneofthembeabsent,the
person,towhom,onhisown,orhisAncestor'sSeisin,
thelastPresentationshallbeadjudged,isunderstood
1F,N.B.68.
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264
therebytohaverecoveredSeisinoftheAdvowson
itself;sothat,uponhisPresentation,theBishopof
theplaceshallinstitutethefirstParson,ifaproper
person,întothevacantChurch,whichheshallretain
duringhiswholelifeuponhisPatron'sPresentation,
whatevermayafterwardshappen,withrespecttothe
EightofAdvowson.Fortheperson,againstwhom
thelastPresentationhasbeenawardedbytheKecog
nition,mayproceedagainsttheother,orhisHeirs,
upontheEightofAdvowson,thenatureofwhichhas
beenexplained,inaformerpartofthisTreatise.It
maybeasked,whether,fromthefirst,anythingcan
beallegedtopreventtheAssisefromgoingforward.
Inordertoeffectsuchobject,theTenantmayadmit,
thattheAncestoroftheDemandantmadethelast
Presentation,astherealLordandtheEldestHeir,
butthatheafterwardstransferredtheFee,towhich
theAdvowsonisappendant,totheTenantorhisAn
cestors,byagoodTitle;andthusuponthisallegation
theAssiseshallcease,andaPleamaythenbehadre
coursetobetweenthelitigatingparties,uponthisex
ception.Uponthisexception,eitheroftheparties
maydesireaEecognition,andisintitledtohaveit.
Buteitherofthelitigatingpartiesmayadmit,thatthe
other,oroneofhisAncestors,madethelastPresenta
tion,butnotasofFee,butofWard,andmaydemand,
andshallobtain,aEecognitionuponthispoint.Such
Eecognitionshallbesummonedbythefollowing"Writ
1"Aworthyman,qualifiedinliterature,life,andmanners"
arethewordsoftheEeg.Maj.L.1.c.3.Vide1Bl.Comm.389,
265
CHAP.XXI.
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"goodSummoners,twelvefreeandlawfulMenof
"theNeighbourhoodofsuchaYill,thattheybebe
"foreme,ormyJustices,atsuchaday,preparedon
"theiroathstoreturn,ifR,,whopresentedthelast
"Parson,whoisdead,tosuchaChurch,byreasonof
"theTenementthatheheldinsuchaVill,made
"suchPresentation,asofFee,orasofWard,ând
"causetheirnamestobeimbreviated;andsummon,by
"goodSummoners,himwhohasdeforcedthePresen
"tation,thathebethenthere,&c."
CHAP.XXII.
ThefactbeingascertainedbytheKecognition,if
thelastPresentationwasmadeasof"Ward,theAd
vowsonofthePresentationisatanend,andthePres
entationitselfshallbelongtotheotherparty.But
if,asofFee,thePresentationshallcontinuetohim.
CHAP.XXIII.
Itfollowstoti'eatoftheRecognitiontoascertain,
whetheraTenementbeaLay,oranEcclesiastical
Fee.Uponeitherofthepartiesdesiringtohavesuch
1"And,inthemeantime.letthemviewtheTenement"
addedinCotton,andBodln.MSS.
266
JRecognitiou,itshallbesummonedbythefollowing
Writ
CHAP.XXIV.
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"theNeighbourhoodofsuchaVill,thattheybebe
"foreme,ormyJustices,suchaday,preparedupon
"theiroathstoreturn,whetheroneHydeofLand,
"whichN.,theParsonoftheChurchofthatYill,
"claims,asheldinFrankalmoignebyhisChurch,
"againstB.inthatYill,betheLayFeeôfthe'âid
"i?.,oranEcclesiasticalFee;and,inthemeantime,
"letthemviewtheLand,andcausetheirnamestobe
"irabreviated.Andsummon,bygoodSummoners,
"theaforesaidB.,whoholdsthatLand,thathebe
"thentheretoheartheRecognition,andhavethere,
&c.Witness,&c."
CHAP.XXV.
NeithebinthisRecognition,norinanyother,ex
cepttheRecognitionoftheGrandAssise,aremore
thantwoEssoinspermitted.BecauseathirdEssoin
1Sitlaioumfeodum."AJurisUtrunididlieattheCommon
"LawforaParsonagainstaLayman,andforaLaymanagainst
"aParson:butnoJurisUtrumdidlieforoneParsonagainst
"another,beforethisAct,(Westmr.2d.)becauseitwasthe
"EightoftheChurchandnoLayFee.Andthewordsoftlie
"writattheCommonLawwere,ansitlaicumfeodum,&c."
(Vide3Inst.407.andtheauthoritiescitedbyLordCoke.)
267
isneverallowed,unlesswhereitcanbejudicially
ascertained,whetheranillnessamounttoalanguoror
not.AsthisisnotusuallydoneinEecognitions,they
necessarilyprecludeapartyfromcastingathirdEssoin.
TheEecognitionwearenowtreatingofproceedsin
themannerwehavedescribed,whendiscussingother
Eecognitions.Tet,shoulditbeobserved,thatif,by
theEecognition,aTenementbeprovedtobeanEc
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clesiasticalFee,itcannotafterwardsbetreatedasa
LayFee,althoughitmaybeclaimedbytheAdverse
:partytobeheldoftheChurch,byastipulatedservice.
CHAP.XXYI.
Oursubjectleadsus,inthenextplace,toconsider
"thatspeciesofEecognitionwhichisusuallyresorted
"to,inordertoascertain,whetherapersondiedseised
ofacertainFreehold,asofFeeorasofPledge.When
anyoneclaimsacertainTenementtoberestoredto
him,aspledged,eitherbyhimself,oroneofhisAn
cestors,iftheTenantdoesnotacknowledgetheTene
mentinquestiontobeapledge,butassertsinCourt
thatheisseisedofitasofFee,recourseisusuallyhad
toaEecognition,whichshallbesummonedbythefol
lowing"Writ
CHAP.XXVII.
268
"suchaYill,thattheybebeforeme,ormyJusticeSy
"suchaday,preparedupontheiroathstoreturn^
"whetherN.holdsoneploughlandinsuchaYill,
"whichR.claimsagainsthimbymyWrit,inFeeor
"inPledge,aspledgedtohimbythesaidE.orby
"H.,hisAncestor."Orthus"whetherthatplough
''land,whichli.claimsagainstN.,insuchaYill,by
"my"Writ,betheFeeorInheritanceofthesaidiV^.,,
"orPledgedtohimbythesaidH.,orbythesaidi7.,.
"hisAncestor;and,inthemeantime,letthemview
"thatLand;andcausetheirnamestobeimbreviated;.
"andsummon,bygoodSummoners,theaforesaidN.,
"whoholdsthatLand,thathebethentheretohear
"theKecognitionAndhavethere,&c."
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CHAP.XXYin.
But,itsometimeshappens,thatapersonholdsa
Tenementasapledge,andsodiesseisedofit.His
Heir,also,byreasonofsuchaSeisin,praysa"Writof
MortD'aunoestoragainstthetrueHeir,whohasob
tainedtheSeisinoftheTenementinquestion.If,in
deed,itshouldthenbeacknowledgedbytheTenant,
thattheAncestoroftheDemandanthaddiedseised,
butasofPledge,andnotasofFee,theconsequence
is,thatrecoursemustbehadtothebeforementioned
Recognition,whichshallbesummonedbythefollow
ing"Writ
269
CHAP.XXIX.
"goodSummoners,twelve,&c.,thattheybe,&c.
"preparedupontheiroathstoreturn,whetherN.,
^'thefatherofli.,wasseisedinhisDemesne,asof
^'Fee,orasofPledge,ofoneploughland,insucha
"Vill,thedayonwhichhedied.And,inthemean
*'time,&c."
CHAP.XXX.
ItbeingprovedbytheKecognition,thattheTene
mentinquestionisapledge,then,theTenantwhohas
assertedittobehisFeeshalllosetheTenementin
question,sothatheshallnot,byreasonofitshaving
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beenapledge,recurtoitfortherecoveryofhisDebt.^
But,ifitbedecidedtobetheFeeoftheTenant,then,
theDemandantshallfromhenceforthbebarredfrom
anyrecoveryunlessbya"WritofEight.Itmay'be
asked,whetherinthisRecognition,orinanyother,a
person's"Warrantorshouldbeawaited,whateverde
scriptionof"Warrantor,orforwhatevercausehemay
besuch,especiallyifthe"Warrantorshouldbecalled
intoCourtuponthissubjectaftertwoEssoins?
1Thetextisobscure,andcontradictory:mostprobably,falsely
transmittedtous.
ThisisansweredintheaffirmativebytheEegiamMajestatem.
L..3.c.35.*
270
CHAP.XXXI.
TheRecognitionswhichremainmaybepartlycol
lectedfromtheprecedingRecognitionsandpartly
fromtheJudgmentoftheCourt,foundedonthealle
gationsofbothparties.Withrespect,forexample,to
theRecognitiontoascertain,whetherapersonbe
withinageornotsomementionandnoticearetaken
ofitinthefifteenth,sixteenth,andseventeenthChap
tersofthepresentBook.
Inlikemanner,concerningtheRecognition,whether
apersonwas,onthedayofhisdeath,seisedofacer
tainFreehold,asofFeeorofAard,inthethirteenth,
fourteenth,andfifteenthChaptersofthisBook.In
thesamemanner,concerningtheRecognition,whether
apersonpresentedthelastParson,inrightofhisFee,
orhisWardship,inthetwentieth,twentyfirst,and
twentysecondChaptersofthepresentBook.These
Recognitionsfollowthosewehavepreviouslytreated
ofwithrespecttoEssoins,andproceedorceasefor
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thesamereasons.
CHAP.XXXII.
Inthelastplace,itremainsforustospeak,concern
ingthatspeciesofRecognition,whichiscalledNovel
Disseisin}Whenanyone,therefore,unjustlyand
1Astothetermnovel,whentheActionwasbroughtbefore
theEyre,orCircuit,theActionorDisseisinwasancient,whilst.
271
withoutaJudgment,hasdisseisedanotherofhisFree
hold;andthecasefallwithintheKing'sAssise,orin
otherwords,withinthetimeforsuchpurposeap
pointedbytheKingwiththeadviceofhis^Nobles
(whichissometimesagreater,''sometimes,alessperiod)
thisLawcomestotheaidofthepersondisseised,who
shallhavethefollowingWrit
CHAP.XXXIII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.îT.complains
"tome,thatR.has,unjustlyandwithoutaJudgment,
iftheDisseisinweredonesincethelastEyre,thenitwasancyvel
Disseisin.Bractontreatslargelyuponthesubjectofnovel
Disseisin160,etseq.Seealso3Inst.24.Theremedyofnovel
DisseisinisalsotreatedofintheAssisesofJerusalem,with
somepeculiarprovisionsadaptedtothesingularcircumstance*
inwhichtheHolyLandwassituated,(c.63.etseq.)There
spectableTranslatoroftheCodeNapoleonobserves,thathehas^
notmetwiththeterranoveldisseisinbeforeMagnaCarta.
Amidsttheattentionofpreparinghisworkforthepress,he
'musthaveforgottennotonlyGlanville,buttheMirror.Wha;l
everdoubtmaybeentertainedrespectingtheauthorityofthe
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Mirror,yetGlanvilleindubitablyproves,thatthetermwaswell
knowntoourlawyersantecedenttotheGreatCharter.(See
Mirror,c.3.s.25.)
1MeaningtheParliament,accordingtoJudgeBlackstone.
(1.147.148.)
^Thewordsinsertedinthisparenthesishavebeenthoughtto
beaninterpolationofalaterdate.(1.Beeves'Hist.Eng.Law.
189.)Yetthissuggestionmayveryreasonablybequestioned
asthepassageseemsmerelyassertiveofwhatmustnecessarily
bethefact.Itwasaconsequenceoffixingthetimeoflimita
tiontothecoronationoftheking,hisJourneyintoNormandy,.
oranyotherevent,thatthetimeitselfmustbealteringdaily..
(Vide3Inst.94.)8VideF.N.B.394.
272
"disseisedhimofhisfreeTenement,insuchaYill,
"sincemylastVoyageintoISTormandy;ând,there
"fore,Icommandyou,thatiftheaforesaidN.should
"makeyousecureofprosecutinghisclaim,then,you
"causetheTenementtobereseised,withtheChattels
"takenonit,andthatyoucausehimwithhisChattels
"tobeinpeace,ûntilthePentecost;and,inthemean
"time,youcausetwelvefreeandlawfulMenofthe
"NeighbourhoodtoviewtheLand,andtheirnamesto
"beimbreviated;andsummonthem,bygoodSum
"moners,thattheybethenbeforeme,ormyJustices,
"preparedtomaketheKecognition;andput,bygage
"andsafepledges,theaforesaidR.ôrhisBailiff,îf
"hebenottobefound,thathebethentheretohear
"suchRecognition,andhavethere,&c."Witness,&c."
CHAP.XXXIV.
But"WritsofISTovelDisseisinarevariedindifferent
Tnodes,accordingtothediversityoftheTenementsin
whichDisseisinsarecommitted.ButifanyDyke*
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1So.1184.IfthepresentTreatisewaswiittenin1187,the
remedyofnoveldisseisinstoodlimitedtothreeyears,which,of
course,waseverydaylengtheninguntilanew^rawasfixed.
2AffirmedbyStatuteofMerton,c.37.(3Inst.235.)
3VideNote3.p.235.
*Fossatum.ThiswordoccursinPliny.Itseemstohave
beenchieflyusedbytheoldLawyersintwosenses1.asdenot
ingacamp,orintrenchment3.asmeaningaditch,dyke,or
moat.Butitwasnotalwaysconfinedtothesesignifications
asthereaderwillperceiveonturningtotheAncientGlossaries,
particularlytothatveryvaluableonegiventotheworldby
Spelman.
273
shouldberaisedorthrowndown,orthePondôfany
Millbedestroyed,totheinjuryofanyperson'sFree
hold,andsuchoffencehasbeencommitted,withinthe
timelimitedbytheKing'sAssise,then,accordingto
thesubjectmatter,theWritsarevariedinthefollow
CHAP.XXXY.
"TheKingtotheSheriflF,Health.*N.complains
*'tome,thatB.,unjustly,andwithoutaJudgment,
"hasraisedacertainDykeinsuchaYill,orthrown
*'itdown,tothenuisanceofhisFreehold,inthesame
"Yill,sincemylastYoyageintoNormandyAnd,
"therefore,Icommandyou,iftheaforesaidN.should
"makeyousecureofprosecutinghisclaim,then,that
"youcausetwelvefree,&c.toviewsuchDykeand
^'Tenement,andcausetheirnamestobeimbreviated.
*'Andsummon,bygoodSummoners,&c."asbefore.
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CHAP.XXXYI.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^N.hascom
*'plainedtomethatR.,unjustlyandwithoutaJudg
"ment,hasraisedthePondofhisMill,insuchaYill,
*'tothenuisance*ofhisFreehold,insuchYill,or
1Stagnum,SirEdwardCokeinformsus,"dothconsistof
WaterandLand,and,therefore,bythenameofStagnum,ora
"pool,thewaterandlandshallpassalso."(Co.Litt.5.a.)
VideF.N.B.408.409.
VideF.N.B.407.*SeeBl.Com.3.220.
i8
274
"inanotherYill,sincemylastVoyageintoNor
"mandy.And,therefore,Icommandyou,thatifthe
"aforesaidN.shouldmakeyousecureofprosecuting
"hisclaim,then,youcausetwelvefree,&c.toview
"thatPondandTenement,&c."asbefore..
If,however,theDisseisinconcernCommonofPas
ture,then,theWritshallbeasfollows
CHAP.XXXYII.
"TheKingtotheSheriff,Health.^N.complains
"tome,thatB.,unjustlyandwithoutaJudgment,
"hasdisseisedhimofhisCommonofPasture,insuch
"aVill,whichbelongstohisFreehold,insuchViU,.
"orinthatotherYill,sincemylastYoyageinta
"Normandy.And,therefore,Icommandyou,that
"iftheaforesaidN.,hasmadeyousecureofprose
"cutinghisclaim,then,youcausetwelvefree,&c.to
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"viewthatPastureandTenement,andtheirnames,,
"&c."
CHAP.XXXYIIL
InthisspeciesofEecognitionnoEssoinisper
mitted.^
For,onthefirstday,andthatwhethertheparty
1VideF.N.B.399.
*ButoneEssoin,andledefaultallowedbytheNormaa
Code!(GrandCustuni.c.94.)
275
committingtheDisseisinshouldappearornot,theRec
ognitionshallproceed,^becauseitsparesnoperson,
neitheroneoffullage,noraMinor,norwillawait
evenaWarrantor.But,ifapartyshouldacknowledge
suchDisseisininCourt,naming,atthesametime,a
"Warrantor,theEecognitionshalltherebycease,and
thepersonwhohassoacknowledgedshallbeamerced
totheKing.
TheWarrantorshallbeafterwardssummoned,'ând
thePleaproceedbetweenhimandthepersonwhohas,
onthisoccasion,nominatedhimasWarrantor.
Yet,shoulditbeobserved,thattheunsuccessful
party,whethertheAppellorortheappealed,^shallin
1TheNormanCodedescribesthewholeproceedingatlength.
ThenamesoftheJurorshavingbeencalledoverinopenCourt,
thePartiesareatlibertytotakeanyLegalExceptionstothem.
TheJurorsarethenindividuallysworntospeakthetruth.After
this,nopersonshallbeallowedtoholdanyprivatecommunica
tionwiththem,unlessitbetheJudge.TheJudgeshallinthe
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nextplacesolemnlychargethemtoreturnatrueverdict,briefly
statingtothemtheobjectfortheirconsideration.TlieJurors
shallthenconsultupontheirverdict,and,intheTneantime,
shallbestrictlyguarded,leasttheybecorrupted.Havingcon
sideredoftheirverdict,iftheyallagree,oneofthemshallde
liveritintotheJudgeinopenCourt.(LeGrandCustum.de
Norm.c.96.)
2TheNormanCode,acting,inthisinstance,uponamorepure
andrefinedprincipleoflegislation,allowednoWarrantortobe
vouchedtojustifyanovelDisseisinViolentumenimestetnulla
modosustinendum,&c.(GrandCust.deNorm.c.94.)
3Appellanssiveappellatus.Thesetermsaregenerallyusedin
acriminalsense.Theirapplicationinthepresentinstancemay
beaccountedforbyreflecting,thataDisseisin,beingintheeye
ofthelawaccompaniedbyforceandaviolationanddisturbance
ofthepeace,wastoacertaindegreeacriminaloffence.See
Mirror,c.3.s.23.
276
everyinstancebeamercedtotheKing,onaccountof
theviolentDisseisin.Inaddition,iftheAppellor
shouldnotkeephisday,then,also,hisPledgesareto
beamercedtotheKing.ThesameEuleprevails,
withrespecttothepersonoftheotherparty,should
heabsenthimselfattheappointedday.ThePenalty
inflictedbythisConstitutionismerelyanAmercement
totheKing.
But,inthisRecognition,thepartywhohasproved
theNovelDisseisin,mayobtain,thattheSheriff
shouldbedirectedtodeliverhimtheChattelsandthe
Fruits,whichhave,bytheauthorityoftheKing's
"Writ,orthatofhisJustices,beeninthemeantime
seised.ÎnnootherRecognitiondoestheJudgment
oftheCourtusuallymakeanymentionconcerningthe
ChattelsorFruits;and,unlesstheSheriffhastaken
stepstosatisfy,himoutoftheChattelsorFruits,then,
thepartywhocomplainsofit,shallobtainthefollow
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ingWrit
CHAP.XXXIX.
"you,thatyoucompelN.,justlyandwithoutdelay,
^"And,moreover,thePursuer,whohasprovedtheEjectment
"mayeflfectuallydesire.thatcommandshallbegiventotheSher
"ifftodelivertohimsomuchofthemoveableGoodspertaining
"totheDefender,orofthefruitsoftheLandwhichwasarrest
"edbytheKing'sprecept,asextendstothesumoftenMarks."
(EegiamMajestatem,L.3.c.36.)TheReadermustnotstartat
themoderntermEjectment.ItisonlythelanguageofSkene,
theTranslator.^Thesamewritistobefound,L.13.c.18.
277
"torendertoE.hisChattels,sincehecomplainsthat
"hetookthem,unjustlyandwithoutaJudgment,from
"hisFreeTenement,insuchaYill,sincetheDisseisin
"hedidtohim,sincemyAssise,ofwhichhewillre
"covertheSeisinbeforemyJustices,byaRecognition
"ofNovelDisseisin,ashecanreasonablyshewthathe
"oughttohavethem,leastmore,&c.Witness,&c."^
1InquittingthisBook,whichtreatssolargelyofAssises,I
shallmakenoapologytotheReaderforextractingthefollowing
observationsfromMr.Reeves'shighlyvaluablework."Itmust
"beobservedoftheseAssises(forsotheyaresometimescalled
"byGrlanville,butmorecommonlyRecognitions)thattheyare
"notallofthesamekind;thatdemorteantecessorisbeingevi
"dentlyanoriginalproceeding,independentofanyother;the
"rest(notexceptingthatdeultimapresentatione,andthat
"utmmlaicumfeodumvelecclesiasticum)beingmerelyforthe
"decisionoffactswhicharoseinsomeoriginalactionorproceed
"ing.ThusthewritsforsummoningRecognitionsofthelatter
"kindweresimplewritsofSummons:theymentionedthata
"PleawasdependinginCourtbytheking'swrit;andthey
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"weregrantedattheprayerofeitherparty:sothatthey
"seemedtoberesortedto,bytheassentofpartiesforsettlingan
"incidentalquestior,onwhichtheyputthedisputebetween
"them.Ontheotherhand,thewritdemorteantecessorishas
"alltheappearanceofanoriginalcommencementofasuit.It
"issuedonlyuponconditiontheDemandantgavesecurityto
"prosecuteit,SiQ.flliusT.fecerittesecurumdeclamoresua
"prosequendo,tuncsummone,andmadenomentionofaplea
"depending.Ofthesamekindwasthewritdenovddesseisind."
(Reeves'sHist.Eng.Law,188.)
278
iMftIJf.
CONCERNINGCRIMINALPLEASWHICHBELONGTO
THECROWN.
CHAP.I.
HavingthusfartreatedofthoseCivilPleaswhich
arediscussedinCourt,itremainsforustospeakcon
cerningCriminalPleas.When,therefore,anyoneis
chargedwiththeKing'sdeath,orwithhavingpro
motedaseditionintheEealraorArmy,ieitheracer
tainAccuserappears,ornot.IfnocertainAccuser
shouldappear,butthepublicvoicealoneaccuseshim,^
1Whenanyone,saysBracton,speakingofthecrimeofIsese
majesty,knowsanothertobeguilty,heisinstantlytoapprise
theking,oroneofhisministers.Heshouldnotabideinone
placefortwonightsnortwodays;butdisregardingeveryother
affair,howeverurgent,heshouldhastentotheking,scarcely
daringtowaittolookbehindhim.(Bracton118.b.Seealso
FletaL.1.c.31.23.andMirrorc.8.s.1.)InthelatterAutlior,
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wefindthefollowingdespoticallycomprehensivedefinition.
"Treasoniseverymischiefwhichamanknowinglydoesorpro
"curestobedonetooneheisindutyboundtobeafriendto."
2ThisisamostsingularpartoftheCodeoftheagewhen
Glanvillelived.Theobligationuponamantodefendhimself,
whenanotherstartsforwardtoaccusehim,seemsthenecessary
resultofmenlivingtogetherinastateofsociety,and,ascoeval
withsocietyitself,isstronglyenforcedbythemunicipalLaws
ofeveryNation.Tliisseemstohavebeentheobjectofthe
punishmentpeineforteetdure.Thatsingularinstitutionshewed
279
then,fromthefirst,theaccusedshallbesafelyat
tached,eitherbyproperPledges,orimprisonment.^
Thetruthofthefactshall,then,beinquiredinto,by
meansofmanyandvariousinquisitionsandinterroga
tions,madeinthepresenceoftheJustices,andthat,
bytakingintoconsiderationtheprobablecircumstances
ofthefacts,andweighingeachconjecturethattends
dnfavoroftheaccused,ormakesagainsthim;because
hemustpurgehimselfbytheOrdeal,ôrentirelyab
astrong,butrough,handintheLegislature,morecapableof
directingitslawstoagoodandwiseend,thanniceorhappyin
selectingthemeans.Theproceedingwasnaturallyabolished
astheLawbecamemorerefinedmorehumanized.Astothe
passageofourAuthor'stextnowbeforeus,itreceivessome
lightfromBractonasuggestion,forwhichIamindebtedto
Mr.Reeves'svaluablework.BractonspeaksofanIndictment
perfamampatrioe,which,inallprobability,wasthesamepro
ceedingourAuthoralludesto.Thefoundationofthatproceed
ingwasapresumptionentertainedbygoodandgravemenwho
deservedcredit,andnottheflyingreportofcommonconversa
tion.(143.a.)Butthesubjectreceivesadditionalelucidation
fromtheNormanCode.Incriminalibustamenmanifestisseu
motoriismaliciisquosfamdpublicdseufidedignorumtesiimo
niumnuncianteulpabiles,nonexpectatoJurisordinedebentar
restarietcarceribusmancipari.(GrandOust.c.4.and68.)In
Mr.Kelham'stranslationofBritton'sPleasoftheCrown,(page
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18.Note15.)theReaderwillfindthevaluablerecordofanIn
dictmentonsuspicion.TheReadermayalsobereferredto
Bracton143.LL.Hen.1.c.45.Mirrorc.3.s.23.andFletaL.
1.c.31.
1"AttheCommonLawamanaccusedorindictedofHigh
"Treason,orofanyfelonywhatsoever,wasbailable,upongood
"security:forattheCommonLawtheGaolwashispledgeor
"securitythatcouldfindnone."(2Inst.189.)Thisservesto
elucidatethetext,whichisobscurefromitsbrevity.Asimilar
explanationisgivenintheprogressofthepresentchapter,but
isqualified,withtheexceptionofthepleaofHomicide.
2Perlegemapparentem.Alludingtothepassagenowbefore
us.SirHenrySpelmanobserves,"Idonotthinkitshouldbeun
280
solvehimselffromtheCrimeimputedtohim.Butif
onthetrialbytheOrdeal,apersonisconvictedofa
CapitalCrime,thentheJudgmentisoflifeandmem
berswhichareattheKing'smercy,âsinotherPleas
concerningFelony.
Should,however,acertainaccuserappearinthe
firstinstance,heshallbeattachedbyPledges,ifhe
canproduceanysuch,toprosecutehisSuit.But,if
heisunabletoadduceanyPledges,itisusualtotrust
tohissolemnpromise,âsinallPleasconcerning
Felony.Yetisitcustomaryinthesecasestoconfide
inapromise,leastbyexactingtoohardasecuritj'^,
othersmightbedeterredfrommakingasimilaraccu
sation.^SecurityhavingbeentakenfromtheAccuser
toprosecutehisPlea,then,thepartyaccused,is,as
wehaveobserved,usuallyattachedbysafeandsecure
Pledges;Or,ifhecannotproduceanypledges,heshall
"derstoodoftheDuel,buttheOrdeal."Thisconjectureis
countenancedbythe87thChapteroftheGrandNormanCustu
mary,howevertrueitmaybe,thatthelexapparenswas,inthe
generalsenseoftheexpression,appliedtotheDuel.(Spelm.
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Gloss,advoo.lexandhisEeliq.p.80.)
1Exregicedispensationisbeneficio,tamvitce,quammembrorurn
suorumejuspendetjudiciumistheoriginalpassage.Ihave
availedmyselfoftheTranslationoftheRegiamMajestatem.
"And,ifanymaniscondemnedofthatcrime,hisjudgment
"andpunishmentofhislifeandlimbsdependonlyuponthe
"king'sbenefitandgoodwill,asinallotherpleasoffelonyand
"seditionagainsttherealm."(L.4.c.1.)
2Fideisuaereligionis"hisfaithfulpromiseissufficient,"
saystheRegiamMajestatem.(L.4.c.1.)Intheopinionof
thecanoniststhe_^deiijiferposiiiowasequallybindingwithan
oath.(Lyndwood'sProvinc.271.)
"Bractongivesthesamereason.(118.b.)
281
becastintoPrison.But,inallPleasofFelony,the
Accusedisgenerallydismissedonpledges,êxceptin
aPleaofHomicide,where,forthesalceofstriking
terror,itisotherwiseenacted.Thenextstepusually
resortedto,istoappointadaytotheparties,pending
which,theusualEssoinsareallowedtobecast.
Atlength,theAccusershouldproposehischarge:
thathehadseen,orbysomeotherproofinCourt^
thatheperfectlywellknew,thattheAccusedhad
conspiredordonesomethingagainsttheKing'slife;
ortomoveaseditionintheKealmorArmy;orto
haveconsented,orgivenCounsel,ordelegatedan
authority,towardseffectingsuchobject;andtheAc
cusershouldallege,thathewaspreparedtoprovehis
charge,accordingtothedirectionoftheCourt.^
Shouldtheaccused,ontheotherhand,deny,indue
mannerînCourt,everythingtheotherhadasserted,
itisusualtodecidethePleabytheDuel.Andhere
itshouldbeobserved,thatfromthemomenttheDuel
iswaged,inPleasofthekindwearenowtreatingof,
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neitherofthepartiescanaddnordiminishanything
fromthewordsemployedinwagingtheDuel,or,in
anyothermeasuredeclineorrecedefromhisunder
taking,withoutbeingheldasconquered,andliableto
thepenalconsequences.
1ButthistheMirrortermsanabuse,(c.5.)
2SeeBracton119.a.FletaL.1.c.21.s.2.
'Seriatim,deverbaadverbum.(FletaL.1.o.21.s.2.)Sufficit
sicommuniterxedefenderitdumtOTnendecausa:(Ibid.)a
greaterstrictnessinpleadingbeingrequiredonthepartofthe
accuserthantheaccused.
282
Norcanthepartiesbeafterwardsreconciledtoeach
other,byanyothermode,thantheKing'sLicense,or
thatofhisJustices.E^tiftheAppellorbeconquered,
heshallbeamercedtotheKing,thenatureofwhich
hasbeensuiEcientlyexplainedinaformerpartofthis
Tvork.
Whatpenaltiesalsoandinfamyheshallincur,if
conquered,havebeensufficientlydetailed.IftheAc
cusedbeconquered,theJudgmentthatawaitshimhas
beenmentionedjustbefore,towhichmaybeadded,the
confiscationofallhisChattels,andtheperpetualDis
inherisonofhisHeirs.^
EveryfreeManoffullageisadmissibleasanAc
cuser,inaprosecutionofthiskind.Should,however,
aMinorbringanAppeal,heshallbeattached,inthe
mannerwehavebeforestated.ARusticîsalsoad
missible;buta"Womanshallnotbereceivedtomake
anaccusationinanypleaofFelony,unlessinsome
particularinstances,concerningwhichweshallpres
entlyspeak.ButtheAccusermay,inPleasofthe
kindwearediscussing,declinetheDuel,eitheron
accountofhisage,orbyreasonofhisbeingadjudged
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tohavereceivedaMayhem.^
1Sogreat,indeed,isthecrime,saysBracton,thatscarcelyis
itpermittedtotheHeirstliattheysliouldlive.(118.)Inspeak
ingofTreason,Bractonwarmswithhissubject;andthegrave
LawyerstartsintotheanimatedOrator.
'ÂHusbandman,saysSkene.(Reg.Maj.)Itranslatethe
wordliterally,andrefertheBeadertothelastpassageofthe
presentchapter.VideMirrorc.2.s.38.
sMahemiumissaidtobederivedfromtheoldFrenchword,
mehaigne.(Co.Litt.126.a.288.a.CowellandSpelm.Gloss.)
283
Buttheageoftheparty,insuchacase,oughttobe
sixtyyearsorupwards.Mayhemsignifiesthebrealc
ingofanybone,orinjuringthehead,eitherby
woundingorabrasion.Insuchcase,theAccusedis
obligedtopurgehimselfbytheOrdeal,thatis,bythe
hotIron,ifhebeafreeManbywater,ifhebea
Eustic.^
1ThetrialbyOrdeal,thefavoriteoffspringofSuperstition,
hasbeenbyFleury,LeBrun,andothers,supposedtobederived
fromtheAncients,becausePliny(L.8.c.2.)mentionsafamily
inTuscany,uponwhomthesacredfire,madeinhonorofApollo,
hadnoeffect.ButM.Houard,withmuchmoreappearanceof
Teason,imagines,thatitoriginatedfromtheMiraclesattributed
bytheChristianstotheirSaints.(Traitessurlescoutumes
AngloNormand.Tom.1.p,577.)Howeverthatmaybe,this
modeofTrialexistedheresoearlyastheReignofIna;and
Williamthefirstfounditinuseinthiscountry,whenhemounted
i;hethrone.HisNormans,attachedbyearlyhabittotheTrial
byDuel,rejectedamodeofdecision,wliichappearedtothem
asasuperstitiousformality,thoughitwasstillsufferedtobe
resortedtobyoldandmaimedmen,andbywomen.According
totheLawsofIna,theaccusedhadthechoiceoftheTrialby
fire,orthatbywater.Ifhepreferredtheformer,anIronwas
preparedthatweighedthreepoundsatthemost.Noperson,
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exceptthePriest,whosedutyitwastopresideontheoccasion,
enteredtheTemple,afterthefiredestinedtoheattheIronwas
kindled.TheIronbeingplacedupontheflre,twomenposted
themselvesoneachsideoftheIron,todetermineuponthede
greeofheatitoughttopossess.Assoonastheywereagreed
uponthispoint,thesamenumberofmenwereintroducedab
utroquelatere,andtheyalsoplacedthemselvesatthetwoex
tremitiesoftheIron.AllthesewitnessespassedthenigJit
fasting,&c.
.Atdaybreak,thePriest,aftersprinklingthemwiththeholy
water,andmakingthemdrink,presentedthemwiththeBookof
theEvangeliststokiss,andthencrossedthem.TheMassthen
began.Fromthatmoment,thefirewasnomoreincreased:
fouttheIronwasleftontheembers,untilthelastCollect.That
finished,theIronwasraised,andthemostprofoundsilencewas
observed,inprayingtheDeitytomanifestthetruth.Attins
284
CHAP.11.
APlea,concerningthefraudulentconcealmentof
TreasureTrove,isusuallymanaged,inthemannerand
orderabovestated,whereacertainAccuserappears.^
But,ifaManisaccusedofthiscrimebythepublic
voiceonly,itisnotusual,accordingtotheLawofthe
Land,forhimtopurgehimselfbytheOrdeal,^
althoughbytheAssiseadifferentcoursemaybere
sortedto,unlesshehasbeenfirstconvicted,orhas
confessedinCourt,thathohasfoundandtakensome
instant,theaccusedtooktheIronintohishand,andcarriedit
tothedistanceofninefeet,juxtamensurampedumejus.TJie
Trialbeingended,thehandoftheaccusedwasboundup,and
thebandagesealed;and,threedaysafter,thehandwasex
amined,toascertainwhetheritwasornotimpure,whichM.
Houard,thusexplains:cequidoit,jecrois,faireentendreque
Vonn'etoitpascoupahle,quandlamainconservoitdesmarques
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debruluremaisseulementlorsquelabr'dluretomboitensiipura
tion.(uhisupra.)But,iftheaccusedelectedtheTrialby
Water,then,theWaterwasplacedinaVessel,andheatedto
thehighestdegree.ForinferiorCrimes,theaccusedplunged
hisarmuptothewrist:forcrimesofdeeperdye,heplungedit
uptotlieElbow.Ineveryotherpartoftheceremony,thetwo
speciesofTrialbywaterandfireagreed.(LL.Insec.77.)The
MirrorcoincideswiththetextofGlanville,(c.3.s.23.)and
LordHaleinformsus,"thatinallthetimeofKingJohnthe
"purgationjpe?'ignrmetaquam,ortheTrialbyOrdeal,contin
"ued,asappearsbyfrequentEntriesupontheRolls;but,it
"seemstohaveendedwiththisking,forIdonotfinditinuse
"inanytimeafter."(Hist.Com.Law.152.)
1VideBracton119.b.Brittonc.17.s.1.Dial,deScacc.L.2.
s.10.ThemodernFrenchCodegivesthetreasuretotheperson
whofindsit,iftheowneroftheEstate:ifnot,halftohim,and.
theotherhalftotheowneroftheEstate.(CodeNaisoleon.)
2YetseeLL.Hen.1.c.63.Ed.Wilkins.
285
kindofMetalintheplaceinquestion.^But,ifupon
thisfactthepartybeconvicted,thepresumptionbe
ingagainsthim,heshallbeobligedtopurgehimself
hytheOrdeal,thathehadnotfoundortakenany
morefromtheplaceinquestion.Inotherrespects,
theproceedingsareasbeforestated.
CHAP.III.
"WhekanyoneisaccusedofIlomicide,^theJudg
mentisregulatedby,andproceedson,thedistinction
beforelaiddown.Itshould,however,beobserved,
thatitisnotusualtodismissuponpledgesaperson
accusedofthisCrime,unlessincompliancewiththe
King'spleasure.ButtherearetwospeciesofHomi
cide.ThefirstiscalledMurderwhichissecretlyper
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petratednooneseeingnooneknowingofit,^save
1AtthetimeofBracton,aprobablepresumptionofaman's
havingpossessedhimselfoftreasuretrove,arisingfromhissud
dendressingorlivinginaIiigherstylethanhehadbeenaccus
tomedto,washeldasufficientgroundtocommitthepartyto
Gaol.(120.a.)
2VideFletaL.1.c.33.Bracton.120.b.134.a.
^"Thenameofmurder(asacrime)viâsancientlyappliedto
"thesecretkillingofanotherwhichthewordmoerdasignifies
"intheTeutonicLanguage."(4Bl.Comm.194.)Insupportof
thisposition,thelearnedJudgecitesthepresentpassageofour
author'stext.Otherauthoritiesmaybeadded.Murtre,est
quanthomeesttuedenuitoudereposdehorsoudedansvill.
(AssisesdeJerusalem,c.85.)Porromurdrumpropriedicatur,
morsalicujusoccultacujusinterfectorignoratur.(Dialog,de
Scacc.L.1.s.10.SeealsoBracton121.Fleta34.s.6.Britton
c.6.s.1.andc.23.RegiamMajestatemL.4.c.5.)
286
thepersoncommittingit,andhisAccomplices,so
thatHueandCry^cannotbepresentlymadeafterthe
Offenders,asordainedbytheStatuteûponthissubject.
Toprosecuteanaccusationofthiskindnooneis
admissible,unlesshebeofthebloodofthedeceased,,
andundersuchrestrictionsisthisruleadheredto,
thatthenearerHeirshallexcludethemoreremote
fromtheAppeal.^
ThereisalsoanotherspeciesofHomicide,asap
pearsfromthegeneralTerm,whichiscalledsimple
Homicide.
Inthissuitalsonooneisadmissibletoprovethe
Accusation,unlesshebealliedinbloodtothede
ceased,*orbeconnectedwithhimbythetieofHom
age,orDominion,sothathecanspeakofthedeath,
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uponthetestimonyofhisownsight.Itshouldalsa
beadded,thata"Womanîsheardinthissuit,accus
1Clamorpopularisistheexpression,which,ontheauthority
ofLordCoke,IhaverenderedHueandCry.LordCokeinforms
us,itwasknownbeforetheconquest.(3Inst.171.172.)Itdoea
notappeartohavebeenpeculiartothiscountry,asasimilar
institutionseemsancientlytohaveexistedinsomepartsof
France.(Beaumanoirc.67.)
2"ThisStatuteisnotnowextant,"saysLordCoke.(2Inst'
171.)
5Demultro(murder)velHomicidiopropinquioringenere
sequelamfaciendiretinetpotestatem:Siautempropinquiorin
non(Etatefueritvelcetatemtransegerit,aliusproptnquiorinte
ressepoteritinsequela,velaliusdegenereinquernconsenserit
omnisparentela.(LeGrandCustum.deNorm.c.69.Seealsa
Brittonc.1.s.11.)*VideCo.Litt.25.a.
'"Andyetnotofallthewives,butofheronlywholiethbe
"tweenhisarms,whichisasmuchastosay,inwhoseseisin
287
inganyoneofherHusband'sdeath,*ifshespeakas
beinganEyewitness^tothefact,becauseHusband
andWifeareoneflesh.AndaWomanisgenerally
admittedtobeheard,accusinganyoneofhaving
committedaninjuryuponherperson,aswillbepres
entlyshewn.Itisattheelectionoftheaccusedeither
toabidebytheWoman'sproof,ortopurgehimself
bytheOrdeal,fromthecrimeimputedtohim.A
personaccusedofHomicideissometimescompelled
toundergothelegalPurgation,ifhewâstakenin
"hewasmurdered;forifhehadmanywives,andallwere
"aliveatthetimeofhismurder,neverthelesssheonlyisad
"mittedtobringthe'appealofalltherest,whomhelasttook
"towife;andthereasonthereofis,becauseitbelongethnotto
'theTemporalCourttotrywhowashiswifeofright,and
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"which,infact,andtheappealsofallothersaretobesus
"pended,pendantthesameappealbrought"(Mirrorc.2.s.7.
SeealsoBracton135.a.FletaL.1.c.35.and2Inst.316.)
1LordCoke,intwoinstances,citesthepresentchapterof
Glanvilleasoneoftheauthoritiesonwhichhefoundshisasser
tion,thatpreviouslytotheGreatCharterawoman,aswellasa
man,mighthavehadanappealofthedeathofanyofherAn
cestors.(Co.Litt.25.b.and2Inst.68.)Itisimpossibleto
conceivehowGlanvillecorroboratesthisboldposition.Heis
averystrongauthorityforthecontrarydoctrine,andexcludes
expresslyinthischapterandbyrelationinthefirstchapterof
thepresentBook,awoman'srightofappealineveryinstance,
exceptthatofthedeathofherHusband,andthatofapersonal
injury.BractonalsoInthemostdecidedlanguageconfinesa.
woman'srightofappealtothesetwoinstances,(fo.125,and
148.)GreatasLordCokeis,hisdeductionsandcitationsfrom
themoreancientwritersarenotbyanymeansimplicitlytobe
reliedupon.Hisnamehasthrownalustreovermanyanerror.
Nothingwouldbemoreeasythantoadduceinnumerablein
stancesinsupportofthetruthofthisassertion.
*Foritwasagoodgroundofdefence,thatthePlaintiffwaa
notpresentatthetimewhenthemortalblowwasgiven.fVide
2Inst.316.)
288
rflightbyaCrowdpursuinghim,andthisberegularly
provedinCourtbyaJuryoftheCounty.
CHAP.lY.
TheCrimeofBurningîsproceededupon,discussed
andterminated,undertheformandorderwehave
described.
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CHAP.Y.
TheCrimeofEobbery^mayalsobepassedover,as
thesuithasnothingtodistinguishitfromtheothers.
CHAP.YI.8
TheCrimeofEapeîsthatwithwhicha"Woman
chargesaManwhenshealleges,thathecommitteda
1"Burnersarethose,"saystheMirror,"whoburnaCity,
"Town,House,Men,Beasts,orotherChattels,feloniouslyin
"timeofpeaceforhatredorrevenge."(Mirrorc.1.s.8.See
alsoBrittonchap.19.)
*Rdberia,socalled,saysLordCoke,becausethe'goods_are
takenasitweredelarobe,fromtheRobe,thatisfromtheper
son.(Co.Litt.288.a.and3.Inst.67.)Cowelldeducesthe
termfromtheFrenchrobbe,vestis,andSpelmanfromravbas,
meaningthesamething.TheSaxonsusedtheirtermreaferar
inasimilarsense,reafsignifying,vestis.ForTravellershadin
formertimesrarel}'anythingbuttheirdressofwhichthey
couldberobbed.(SeeCowellandSpelm.Gloss.)Underthe
LawsofInathepunishmentofRobberywastorestorethething
purloined,andtopayafineof60shillings.(LL.Inse.c.10.)
*ForobviousreasonsIhavetranslatedthepresentChapterin
ageneralmanner.*VideMirrorc.1.s.13.andBracton147.a.
289
violenceonherperson,whilstintheKing'speace.^
AWoman,havingsufferedanysuchviolence,isbound
immediately,whilstthecrimeisrecent,togotothe
nearestvillage,andtherestatetheinjurytorespect
ableMen,andshewtheexternalmarksofviolence.^
Sheshould,inthenextplace,dothesamethingto
theChiefOfficeroftheHundred;and,lastly,she
shouldpubliclycomplainofherinjuryinthenext
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CountyCourt.Anaccusationofthiskindbeingmade,
theJudgmentisasbeforelaiddown.A"Woman,ac
cusinganyoneofsuchaCrime,isheardinthesame
manner,asisusualconcerninganyotherpersonalin
jurywhichhasbeenofferedher.Butitshouldbe
understood,thaitisattheElectionoftheAccused
insuchaCase,eithertosubmittotheburthenof
makingPurgation,ortosustainthewoman'sproof
againsthim.Itshouldlikewiseberemarked,thatif
anyonebeconvictedinasuitofthiskind,theJudg
mentwillbesimilartothatintheforegoingsuits.
ISTorwillitsuffice,afterJudgment,iftheMalefactor
wishtotaketheWomanhehasinjuredtoWife.For
thusitwouldfrequentlyhappen,thatMenofservile
conditionwould,byreasonofonepollution,bring
perpetualdisgraceuponWomenofnoblebirth,orthat
Menofhighrankwouldbedisgracedbyinferior
Women,andthusdishonortheirfairlineage.But,
1VideLL.Gul.Conq.c.19.and2.Inst.180.181.
2VisioautemvirginisdefloratcBperseptemmuUeresviduas
velmaritatasfidedignasdebetfieri,perquas,sinecessefuerit,de
deflorationeVeritasrecordetur.(GrandCustum.deNorm.c.
7.SeealsoBrittonc.1.s.30.&c.)
19
290
previouslytoJudgment,itiscustomaryfortheWoman
andtheaccusedtobereconciled,bymeansofamar
riagebetweenthem;butthisstepisauthorisedby
theLicenseofthePrince,orthatofhisJustices,and
theconsentoftheParents.
CHAP.YII.
ThecrimeofFalsifying,înageneralsense,com
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prisesunderitmanyparticularspecies.As,forex
ample,falseChartersfalseMeasuresfalseMoney
andothersofasimilardescription,whichcontainsuch
afalsifying,onwhichapersonoughttobeaccused
and,ifconvicted,condemned.Themannerandorder
ofprosecutingthesedifferentspeciesofthecrimemay
besufficientlj''collected,fromwhathasgonebefore.
Onething,however,shouldbeobserved,thatifaper
sonbeconvictedoffalsifyingacharter,itbecomes
necessarytodistinguish,whetheritbearoyalôra
privatecharter;becauseintheformercase,theparty^
whenconvictedofthisoffence,shallbecondemned,as
inthecrimeoflassemajesty.But,ifthecharterbea
privateone,then,thepersonconvictedistobedealt
withinamildermanner,asinotherinferiorcrimesof
1SeeBrittonc.4.Braoton119.b.andFletaL.1.c.32.
2Oftheking'sCharters,saysBracton,neithertheJusticesnor
privateIndividualscandispute,norinterpretthem,ifadoubt
arise;butrecoursemustbehadtothekinghimself;andifthe
Chartersbedefective,throughrasure,orfromafalsesealbeing
attachedtothem,itisbetterandsafertodecidethematterin.
theking'spresence.(Bractonfo.34.a.)
291
Falsifying,whicharepunishedbythelossofmembers
only,accordingtothewillandbeneficenceofthe
princelydisposition,asweformerlyobserved.
CHAP.yiii.
AstoTheftsandotherPleaswhichfallwithinthe
JurisdictionoftheSheriff,âstheyareconductedand
decidedaccordingtothevariouscustomsofdifferent
Counties,theyfallnotwithinthescopeofmypresent
plan,whichissolelyconfinedtothesubjectofthe
ChiefCourt.
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TheBookoftheLawsofEnglandisfinished.
1Havingalreadyobserved,thatthispartoftheSheriff'sJuris
dictionwastakenawaybyMagnaCai'ta,Ishallconcludethese
NoteswithextractingapassagefromtheNormanCode,from
whichwemaycollectmostofthevariousbranchesoftheSher
iff'sJurisdictionandhisduty,intheopinionoftheLawyersof
Normandy.OfflciumautemVinecomitisestplacitatenere:vias
antiquasetsemitasetlimitesaperire:aquasverotransmotasad
cursumdebitumreducers,etdemalefactoribusetseditiosismulie
ribusetarsionibusetdeflorationibusvirginumviolentisetceteris
actibuscriminosisdiligenteretsecreteinquirere.(LeGrand
Custum.deNorm.c.4.)
INDEX.
PAGE
AbbotscannotwithoutKing'sconsentalien123
ofCanonsEegularmayappearfortheirOrder229
AbsenceofLords65
ofParties30
.ofSummoners38
ofTenant27
.ofDemandant28
Accusations278
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Accuser,certainoruncertain278,279
AdmeasurementofDowerWritof112
Administration,whoentitledto137
Advocatio(Note1.)69
Advowsonsgeneraldoctrineof,beginsat69
j^snecia(Note1.)127
Afforciament(Note1.)53
Age,Writtoascertain261
Aids(Note1.)190
Aisiamenta(Note1.)239
Allegiance177,178
Amercements202
inCountyCourtsbelongtoSheriff193
AppealofFelony141
Appellans(Note3.)275
Appeals,whomayprosecute282
Arbelastarius(Note1.)232
Arrha(Note4.)216
Assisa(Note1.)36
293
294INDEX.
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PAGE
AssiseGrand(seeGrandAssise)44
Assises,generaldoctrineof,beginsat246
Assiseofdarreinpresentment263
mortd'auncestor246
noveldisseisin270
whenitliesnotforburgagetenure255
Attachment(Note1.)66
Attomatofaciendo"Writde326
Attorniesgeneraldoctrineconcerning,beginsat223
AttorneymaycastEssoinsforhimself326
mayberemoved228
Avunculus(Note1.)125
B.
Bailiffcannot,assuch,appearasAttorney225
Ballivus(Note1.)225
Banco,Justiciiin(Note3.)41
Baro(Note3.)173
Bastardscannotinherit147
formerlyinheritedinWales(Note1.)148
whosucceedto150
Bastardy,whenbartoanAssise254
Writtoinquireconcerning148
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BishopscannotwithoutKing'sconsentalien133
donotwhenconsecratedperformHomage180
dowhenconsecratedperformFealty180
Bladum(Note3.)33
Boscus(Note3.)339
Breve(Note4.)4
BurgageTenurenotentitlesKingtoCustody142
whenitbarsanAssise255
C.
Ca?)ipio(Note2.)36
CapitalMessuagenotallottedinDower108
INDEX.295
PAGE
Cellarii(Note1.)229
Cliampion,whenhired,inadmissible38
ifformerlyaVillein,objectionable89
whenconqueredhowpunished39
coUusivelyvouched(Note2.)219
Charters,proofof214
falsifying290
Chattelswhenforfeited152,156
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ofIntestate151
ofUsurer151
notdistrainedfornonappearance199
ChiefManornotallottedinDower109
Chirograph168
Clamat(Note1.)5
Clamorpopularis286
Coinfalse290
Commodatum(Note2.)214
Concord,whycalledFinal166
breachof,howpunished167
Concords,generaldoctrineof,beginsat161
Conditions206
Conductum(Note1.)221
Confiscation282
Consanguinityinquestionsoffreedom85
inquestionsofIntestacy137
bartoAssiseofMortd'auneestor255
Constitution(Note1.)49
Consuetudines(Note4.)165
Consuetudinibusetservitiis'Wiitde192
ContemptofCourt30,66,&c.
ContemptusBrevium(Note4.)4
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Contenement(Note3.)190
Contractsprivate221
Counts,whentheyvaryfromWrit,effectof2M
CourtsinferiorwhenallowedRecords170,173
296INDEX.
PAGE
Courts,CountydifferintheirCustoms^Â
ofLordsdifferintheirCustoms334
Crimenfalsi(Note2.)2,390
Croftum(Note3.)164
CurtesyofEngland(Note1.)158
CustodyofHeirs139
dischargesReliefwhen184
Customs128,133
Custum(Note1.)39
D.
DarrienpresentmentWritof263
DebtWritof198
DebtsPleasconcerning198
howproved213
Default,howpunished1&
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Deposit199
Descents,generalCanonsof124
amongstGrecians,Normans,Lombardi,&c.
(Note3.)125
Desponsatio(Note1.)94
Disseisins270
Distresses103,179,191,199,238,&c.
Divisa(Note1.)133
DivorceforIncontinencebarsDower110
forRelationshipbarsDower110
Dominium(Note1.),123
Dower,generaldoctrineof,beginsat93
inwhatsensesused93
adOstiumEcclesioe94
ExassensuPatrisIll
admeasurementof95
howdemanded101
notoflandalreadyinDower109
itsassignmentnotpostponedforHeir'sInfancy10ft
INDEX.297
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PAGE.
Dower,barredbyDivorceforIncontinenceorRelationship.110
WritofRightof99
Duel,Trialby33
itsriseanddecline(Note1.)34
reasonof(Note1.)35
notallowedinquestionsofVillenage88
notwagedbyVilleinbornthoughKnighted8&
CourtsnotboundtodefendtheirRecordsby171
CourtsboundtodefendtheirJudgmentsby171
inCriminal"matters283
whenonlycompromisedbyLicense282
DuodeeimaManu(Note2.)8
E.
Earnest216
EcclesiasticalCourtholdsnotpleaofDebtwhen212
whenithasJurisdictiongenerally...245
ElectionofKnightsonGrandAfsise48
Enfranchisementmodesofeffecting88
underSaxons(Note1.)88
Escambium(Note1.)61
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wlienBractoiiwrote(Note1.)61
EscheatforwantofHeir154
forincontinenceoffemaleHeir1.'34
forfelony154
forconvictionofTheft156
forOutlawry155
Essoins,principalkindsof(Note1.).^6
generaldoctrineofbeginsat6
notallowedbyoneoffullageagainstMinor256
norinNovelDisseisins251
.maybecastbyAttorneyforhimself226
EssoinersmayappointEssoiners18
"WrittotakeasDefaulters13
298INDEX.
PAGE
Essonium(Note1.)6
ExceptionstoJurors50
Exchequer143
Executorswho136
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FailureofJusticeinLord'sCourt284
J'aZdce(Note2.)165
FaZdcesecto(Note2.)..165
FalsifyingJudgments173
Falseclaim,punishable30
Famapvblica(Note2.)378
Fealty139,157
Fee,howlost179
Felonyappealof141
forfeitsLand154
Females,Custodyof143
FemesolemaymakeaTestament134
covertcannotwithoutHusband'sconsent184
Feodum(Note3.)103
Fideiinterpositio(Note2.)280
FinalConcordformsof163,163
FinebartoAssiseofMortd'auncestor254
Finesgeneraldoctrineofbeginsat161
Forfeitures154,155,156,179,283,&c.,&o.
Forgeries390
Forinseca(Note1.)165
Forisfacio(Note3.)146
Forisfamiliatus(Note1.)131
Fossatum(Note4.)273
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Francalmoigne114
Freedom,howproved85
nottobepurchasedwithVillein'sownmoney...89
meansofacquiring,88
Frussetum(Note2.)164
INDEX.299
G.
PAGB
<JiftsofLandhowfarallowed114
defectivewithoutseisin114
GrandAssise44
barsto43
theEssoinsitallows49
concerningwhatthings51
Gylda(Note4.)90
H.
HeirshowfarboundbyAncestors'Gifts134
howdivided124
whendisinherited(seeForfeiture,Escheat,&c.)
inrightlinepreferredtotransverseline124,129
Heresremotior(Note4.)117
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Ultimus,aMan'sLord153
Hiring231
Homage,differencebetweenandFealty(Note1.)138
performedbyHusbandofEldestDaughter138
generaldoctrineof,beginsat175
mustbereceivedbyLord,when177
performedtoseveralLordsfordifferentFees177
liege,whendue177
formof177
effectof..'178
notperformedbyWomen176
notbyconsecratedBishops180
forwhatdue181
towhom183
Homicide,itsspecies285
properlysocalled'.386
notbailable381,285
HueandCry286
HusbandstheirpowerovertheirWives'Inheritance129
performHomageforWives'Land177
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300INDEX.
I.
PAGE
Impetitio(Note1.)26a
Imprisonment279,281
Incendiaries288
IncontinenceinfemaleHeirshowpunished146
divorcefor,bartodower110
Infamy56
Institution(Note1.)49
InterrogationsinPleasofCrown27&
Intestacy136,151
J.
JudgmentsinferiorCourtsboundtodefendbyDuel171
falsifying172
inCapitalOffences280
JudiciumDei282
Jurata46,194
JurisUtrum(Note1.)266
Jurors50,194
JusticesItinerant(Note2.)151
Justicia(Note3.)141
333/344
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Justiciare(Note1.)192.
JusticiiinBanco(Note2.)41
K.
King'sDeath,crimeof2,27S
Peace3,27,30,&c.
WritofWarranty8
Chartersfalsifying290
Knight'sHeirincustodyofLord140
KnightssummonedasJurorsonGrandAssise48
Knight'sFee,reliefof185
Knight,ifformerlyVillein,objectionableasChampion....90
INDEX.301
L.
PASE
Languor(Note3.),15
Law,lossof39
LaeseMajestyg278
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Legacy137
LexApparens(Note3.)279
Libertateprobanda,writde84
LimitationofMortd'Aunoestor247
ofNovelDisseisin272
LoansI99
Locatum(Note1.)321
LordsmaydistraintheirTenants179
M.
MagnaAssisaEligenda,writof48
Mahemium(Note3.)282
ManorchiefnottobeallottedinDower109
Maritagium(Note1.)113
MarriageoffemaleHeirsLordsconsultedon144
Marriagehood,freeornot156
Mayhemprotectsfromduel382
what382
Measuresfalse290
MedletumorMelletum(Note1.)3
Messuagecapital109,137
Metaldiscovering384
Minorwhenboundtoanswergenerally260
mustanswerMinorinhiscustody140
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noEssoinagainst,byoneoffullage317
MinorityofHeirofaKnight139
ofaSockman139
ofaBurgess139
Misericordia(Note1.)38
Mortd'Auncestor,Assiseof357
302INDEX.
PAGE:
Mortd'Auncestor,barsto354
writof247,&c.
Mortgage284
whenusurious209
MuUer{l<fote1.)97
Mulieratusfllius(Note2.)116
Mutuum(Note1.)204
Murder285
notbailable3,385
N.
Nativus(Note3.)8a
Neinjustevexes,writof237
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Nihilhabet,writof106
Nonplevin(Note1.)14
NovelDisseisin,assiseof270
meaningofTerm(Note1.)270
allowsnoEssoin350,374
allowsofvouchingwarrantor275
Nuisances194,273,274
O.
Ordeal(Note1.)283
Outlawry154
Oxland(Note2.)163
P.
Parage(Note3.)181
Parentela(Note8.)110
Pares(Note1.)180
Pasture,admeasurementof238
disseisinof274
Perjury55
Persona(Note2.)69
INDEX.303
p\ae
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Pleas,howdivided1
criminalappertainingtoCrown3,378
criminalappertainingtoSheriff3
civildiscussedinKing'sCourt3
civildiscussedinSherifif'sCourt.'4,33C
Pledges37,200
incriminalcases6,7,271)
ofEssoiners,writtosummon13
Pone,writoflOO
Possession,writstodeliver14,40,&c.
Prcecipequodreddat,writof5
Precarice(Note3.)165
Presentation,whendevolvingonTenantinDower109
Proclamo(Note1.)86
Prohibition,writsof46,83,&c.
Purchase216
Purgationbyordeal283
Purpresture,orPropresture193
Putagium(Note3.)147
Qucestus,orQuestus(Note3.)95
Quitclaim354
R.
Rape2,289
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RationdbiliparteBonorum,writof137,240
Rationabilibusdivisis,writof197,339
Recognitiones(Note2.),4
Recognitions,generaldoctrineof346
Record,courtsof170
Records,ofinferiorcourtsnotconclusive170
whenallowedtoinferiorcourts170
nocourtboundtodefendbyDuel171
304INDEX.
PA6E
Eecreantisa(Note3.)39
Jiectatus(Note2.)27
Reliefs184
BeliefofKnight'sFee185
ofSocageLands185
ofBaronies185
oncepaidnotagaindue184
whennotdue(Note2.)184
Replegiare(Note1.)73
Beplegiaredeaveriis,writof288
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Reseantisa(Note1.)10
Respectus(Note1.)22
Responsalis(Note1.)223
Eight,writsof231,233,&c.
Robbery288
JJo6ma(Note2.)288
RusticmaybringanAppeal282
triedbywaterordeal283
S.
Sale216
Seals213
Sedition2,278
Seisina(Note2.)7
Seneschallus(Note2.)225
Sequela(Note1.)238
Serjeanties186
Servientes(Note1.)20
DominiRegis(Note1.)20
Sextarii(Note1.)47
Sheriffs,theirjurisdiction2,4,236,&c.
entitledtoAmercementsincountycourts193
Socagium(Note3.)118
SocageLands,howdescendible126
howlongpartible(Note2.)126
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INDEX.305
PAGE
SocageLands,Reliefof185
Sockman'sHeirinwhosecustody143
Stagnum(Note1.)373
Stewardcannot,assuch,actasAttorney335
Stika,orStica(Note2.)47
Succession,Rulesof124
Suits,howremovedfromLord'stoCountyCourt235
Summons,docti'ineof,beginsat5
writsof5,48,&o.
Suretyship301
T.
Tales53
Terminus(Note3.)33
Testaments134
Theft3,156,&c.
cognisablebySheriffs3
Toft(Note3.)163
TreasureTrove.'2,284
341/344
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Treason3,378,&c.
Turbaria(Note4.)164
U.
Ultimapresentatio,Assiseof263
UltimusHeres,aMan'sLord153
Vtlagatus(Note3.)154
Usury,whenMortgageamountsto309
punishmentof151
Usurers,notconvictedwhilstliving151
V.
Vassal178
Vicinetum(Note1.)32
View31
20
306INDEX.
PAGE
View,writdirecting32
Villaprivilegiata(Note3.)90
Villeinsborn91
Villenage,generaldoctrineof,beginsat83
pleaof,notheldbySheriff84
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whenbartoanAssise254
Villenagium(Note1.),83
W.
Wardship139,258,&c.
WarrantiaDid,writof8
Warrantor,writtocompelhimtoappear63
Warrantus(Note2.)59
Warranty,generaldoctrineof,beginsat59
writof62,103
vendorsboundin218
WasteofFelon'sLands155
WidowsmustaskLord'sconsenttomarry145
notliabletocustody147
donotforfeitforIncontinence147
Wifecannot,inHusband'slife,sellherdower97
herhusbandmaysellherDower97
mayappointHusbandherAttorney227
WillofLandsnotallowed115,136
ofpeisonal,howfarallowed134
witnessesto136
underEcclesiasticalcognizance137
WomencandonoHomage176
inwhatcasestheycanprosecuteAppeals286,287
343/344
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Writs,Errorsintheeffectof244
formsof5,8,12,13,14,15,25,32,40,&c.,&c.
FINIS.
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