La size part des Reports... 1607
Coke, Sir Edward
— 4 1 F 1 7 72 42. WY _— 7 * = pL Yo % = 22 4 J %. as — 4. Li * 2 rr 5 NA — N . / 12 — 72877 1 $5444 Ti p — \ — 16 5 A — 2 : : een N „ * 2 5 * J> T 2 8 Hf AE * : £ — - w — 410 » 2 - PF 1 — 4 * a” < * Py " \ < 5 : 2 - 2 5 { Reports Ir. Edw. Coke Chautauqua, chiefe luſtice del Common bank: des diuers Reſolutions & judgments dones sur ley — & auec grand deliberation & conference des treſtreuerend Iudges & de la Ley, de caſes en ley queux ne fueront vnques reſolue ou adiudges par deuant: Et les raiſons & cauſes des dits Reſolutions & judgments. Publies en le cinq An de treshaut & treſilluſtre à avzs Roy Dengl. Fr. & Irel. & de Eſcoce le 41. Le fountaine de tout Pietie & luſtice, & la vie de la Ley. | Ne. eminem oportet eſſe legibus ſapientiorem. Non aliunde floret Reſp. quam sibi legum vigeat Author It is printed for the Society of Stationers. Anno 160 7. Cum Prinilegia. ” Pee” 4 1 _ * 2 2 . 3 a 1 . . arctic — Fin Sr. — ons v1 IE SC DAN q * LECTORTI NX quo quimam Relationum mearum > } lucemediderim, quidam Juris noſtri Municipalis inprim ſtudioſus a me perys, vs ſcrupalum ipſ in loc eximerem,quodin Præfatione in ſccundd Re- lationum mearum pariem aſſernerim, Si antiqua © celeberrima huius Inſule leges cateris omnibus < Pariem in | rat, quin ex tot vict᷑oribus, Dominiſqs, cum penes cc ſingulos eſſer, fine Romani, ſme Angleſarones, ſiue Dani, ſine Normanni, * & poriſSimum 2 (quod iure poſsint) de ſuo Jure Ciuili glorian- << tur, has immataſſent, vel antiquaſſent. Praterea (addidit) nannullas al- © terius eſſe profeſsionis qui non inducuntur vt facile credans , Municipalia Angliæ Iura tam profunde eſſe amtiquitatis quamibidem rei aug ide gra- ria dicatur. Verum ſane hoc eſt comprehenſionem illam meam fuiſſe opi- nionem, non tamen ex mes ſenſudepromprs, ſedex indicio Spectariſmi & Honoratißimi Iudicis Ioannis Forteſcue, ordinis Equeſtris, qui reg= nante Henrico ſexro è ſupremo Anglia tribunali ius dixit, & prater ext- miam iuris prudentiam in Amiquitaris notitia excelluit, in libello cui tiru- lum fecit, De Politica adminiftratione & Legibus Ciuilibus floren- tiſſuni Regni Angliæ Commentarius,cap. 17. hac habet. Conſuetu- dines Anglię antiquiſſimæ ſunt, & per quinq; nationes viciſſim vſi- tatæ & acceptæ. Regnum Angliz primo per Britantios inhabitatum eſt, deinde per Romanos regulatum, iterumq; per Britannos, ac de- inde per Saxones poſſeſſum, qui nomen eius ex Britannia in Angli- am mutauerunt; ex tunc per Danos idem regnum parumper domi- natum eſt, & iterum per Saxones ſed finaliter per Normannos, quo- rum propago regnum illud obtinet in præſenti. Et in omnibus nati- onum harum, & regum eorum temporibus, regnum illud eiſdem, quibus iam regitur, conſuetudinibus —_— regulatumeſt, A ij. g (humanas dico) non pracelluiſſent, fieri non pore- _ — —— Le&or1. ſi optimæ non extitiſſent, aliqui regum illorum, iuſtitia, ratione, vel affectione concitati, eas mutaſſent, aut omnino deleuiſſent, & maxi- me Romani, qui legibus ſuis quaſi totum orbis reliquum iudicabant. Similiter & alij regum prędictorum, qui ſolùm gladio regnum An- liz poſſiderunt, quo & potentia ſimili, ipſi leges eius exinaniſſe vo- 8 vero tantorum temporum cuiriculis Leges Ciuiles, in quantum Romanorum, inueteratæ ſunt, neque Venetorum leges, quæ ſuper alias antiquitate divulgantur, quorum tum Inſula, in ini- tio Britonum, inhabitata non fuit, ſicut nec Roma condita, nec vllo- rum mundi regnorũ Deicolarum leges tanto ęuo inolitæ ſunt: qua- re, non bonas, immo non optimas eſſe, Anglorum conſuetudines, ſi- cut non dicere, ita flec ſuſpicarĩ ſas eſt, Sony licet vero huius aſſerrions tam locuples ſut mihi Author (quiliber enim Scriptor alleò anxie ſit ſollicitus vt ad veritatem dicat, perinde ac ſt totius operis fides uniuſcuinſq; periodi fide nireretur)exceptionem tamen quam- cunq; fact am fuiſſe latus audiui, vr qui non indutti erant vt crederent, e- doceremur, &. veritas confirmarerur; vel vr ego ex ſolidis fundamentis in viam reuocurer, et Error corrig ererur. Petij autem vt particularia aliqua, Juotquot uoluerint proponerem (Generalia enim concluſionem nunquam conficiunt.) Tundem verd(cum hoc mibiex memoria ferè excidiſſet) vo- tum illi inprimis erat, vr reſtimonia aliqua producerentur, quibus proba- rerur Ius Municipale jn his quativor ſeorſins cauſis ante Normannicam vi- ctoriam vt hodie ſe haber, viguiſſe. ¶ Primum,Reginam, Regis conſor- tem, ex Iure Municipali perſonam eſſe qua in Ius vocaret & vocare- tur, quedayer &. acciperet per ſe, Regis conſenſu non adhibito. ¶ Se- cundo, eum qui iure optimo terras tener, eaſdem cum bonis ammtere debere, ſi eſſet Felonie reus peractus aut exlex derlaratus, & inde hæ- redes hereditate exciudendos.¶ Tertiò, mulierem proditionis minoris con- wittam , ad palum liguram cremandam eſſe. Quarrò, an priſcæ An- gliæ Leges Appellationes ad ſedem Romanam in cauſis Eccleſiaſticis ad- This Zthelt. itterent. Fa her OT with was wife Fbiprimum haſce queſtiones propoſitas eſse viderim, reſponſa dire- toBurgh, King 27.4 & demonſiratina ſe mihi obruleraur. Atlprimum ecce tibi Diploma ches, g it ap- Anriq uum ante Normannori ing reſsum in hac verba. Regnante in per- pearcthchat petuum Domino noſtro Ieſu Chriſto. Ego Æthelſwith regina, Deo Was Alida LArgiente, Merciorum, cum conſenſu meorum ſeniorum, concedens chis time. for donabo Cuthw¾üulfo fideliſſimo miniſtro aliquam telluris partem — 7 1 mez proprię poteſtatis, id eſt, terra xv. manentiũ in loco qui dicitur graunt:and Lak ing, pro eius huiuſmodi obediẽtia atq; pecunia placabili, hoc eſt the law conti« mille quingentis ſolidis argenti & auri, vel quindecies centum ſicllꝭ, this day. Ego Burghred Rex mens & subservientes. Eg with Regina consegni & subservientes. Aliud eriam alplamu ex fade arte Normanworume We uentum, ds verbo ad varhum froporiams., uo — — dirette ſatisfigs. Ego Ethelredus coius Albionis Dei prouidentia Im para- tor cuidam dilectiſimo mihi miniſtro, cui parentelæ nobilitas VIfrie — — — abſecundatus eſt oblequio quandam turis particulam, va duas Manſas & dimidiam in loco 3 salicolæ Æ Dumaltan a ant, in gerpetuam conce dohevedivrem ner neee atur ac proſpere poſideat, quamdiu huius æui incolatum vitali flamine rotghilique meatu per- currere cernitur, & poſt iſtius Ebi næ exceſſum, euicunqʒ sibili- buerit ſucceſoti relinquat. Sit autem pfledictum Rus quadam communi terra sittum, liberum abomni inundiali obſtaculo cum omni- bus quæ ad ipſum locum pertinere dignofcuntur tam in magnis quam in modicisrebus, campis, paſcuis, pratis. ſyluis, exceptis iſtis tribus, expeditione, pontis, arcisue constructione. Hanc uero meam donationem (quodoproable A fidelium mentibus) muitentibus atque — ; har pars corum cum illis de quibus e-chõtiſatur, Diſcedite à me maledicti in ignem æternum qui paratus e-tat Satanæ & satellitibus eius. niſi pris digna Deo pœnitentia veni-am legali satisfactione emendent. Nam quod hominis memoria tranſilit literarum indago eſeruat. Vnde hoc legentibus est inti-mandum, quia hoc præfatum rus per cuiuſdam viri infandæ praiscumptionis culpam, -qua-audacter furtiue sibi obligauit non abhorruit, cui nomen Etkellig parentes indidere, licèt fædo no-men dehoneſtauerit flagitio, ad mei iuris deuenit arbitrium arque per  he se del-ſeus forisfecit Ætbelreds Ręi in manus : Hoc erat ideò quodige poppoph fESelned Cynning to Hana : SxTpxp Sen 5 illus furatus eſt Æiubelmini Porcos Æthelmeri fil Senotoris. Tune he foppexzle ſEpelpiny pin fEpelmeper runa ſEaloepmanx. Da adequateitunt cius famuli, &. abſiuleramt furto ſublata ex Æthelſagi pivon hir Men vo, J Tuzon + v Se rpic of fEpelrizy domo; & ille erupit in ſyluam, & haminet illum fug auerunt inde. hup, J heoþbeappo do puda, 5 Man him aylynde pa. Atque homines detulerunt Frhelredo Regi illum fundum & eius And. Man zepe hv fEvelpeo Cynnin pad land, J hir bana. Tunc donauit ille itum fundus Hawaſo ſuo famuls in perpetus zþa. Da popzgapa he ß landa Hapar hir Man on ece hereditatem, Es Wulfruni filius tenuit poſtea ab ills ypre. And pulpulum runs hiv pyþan 25 him permutarione cum illis que ipſi grat. iora eram, cum Regis venia moos ba De him zepen, be be Cynningy leap, eius prudentum teſtimonio. 1 hir — zeyirney. Acta eſt hæc præfata donatio Anno ab Incarnatione Domini noſtri PCCCCX CV. Indictione octa- ua, Anno vero Regni præfati Regis XVII. Scripta eſt hæc cartu- la his conſentientibus qui ſubter notantur. Ego Æthelredus Rex Anglorum præfatam donationem ſub ſigillo Sane Crucis indecli- nabiliter conſenſi atque roboraui. Ego Ælfricus Dei gratia clectus ad Archiepiſcopatum Dorobernenſis Eccleſiæ eiuſdem donum Crucis taumate ſtabiliui. Ego Aelf hell Wintonienſis Eccleſiæ Epiſcopus deſignaui. Ego Acſcwth Dorcenſis Epiſcopus Ec- cleſiæ adnotaui. Ego Athulf Herefordenſis Eccleſiæ Epiſcopus impoſui. Ego Vultsig Scriburnenſis Eccleſiæ Epiſcopus conclu- fi. Ego Athelwerd Dux. Ego Aelfric Dux . Ego Aelf helm Dux. Ego Leoffig Duz. Ego Leoſwin Dux. Ego Aclfyerd Abbas. Ego Aelfsige Abbas. Ego Leofric Abbas. Ego Bri- thelm' Abbas. Ego Wlfgar Abbas. Ego Athelmer Miniſter. Ego Ordulf Miniſter. Ego Aelfsige Miniſter. Ego Brithwolde Miniſter. Ego Milf heh Miniſter . Vultric Miniſter. Ego Wifget Miniſter. Ego Leofric Miniſter . Ego Athelric Mini- ſter. Ego Leofric Miniſter. Ego WIfmer Miniſter , Ego Friena Miniſter, Ad Lectori. See in the Pre- Ad tertium Caius Iulius Ceſar ( qui ame Chriſtum natum annis m 3 iam MDC, tranſaclis) prodit. De morte mariti ſi compertum eſt, Vx0- par ofmy Re- WE. | SeXCYUTE i ein ports out of rem ig ni arque omnibus tormentis excruriaram inrerficiunt, vs hodiè in f- — vſu eſt apud nos. ciplina Druydi Ad quartum & poſtremum, authoritate Parliamemaria Anno 10, in Eritanna re, Regis Henrici Secundi, qui fuit Domini MC LAIIll. ſancitum eſt. De - = __ Appellationibus ſi emerſerint ab Archidiacono debet procedi ad trayſtare vr. Epiſcopum, ab Epiſcopo ad Archiepis, et Archiepis, copus defuerit in iustitia exhibenda ad Dominum Regem peruellum eust extremo, vt praeccepto ipso in Curia Archiepis, controueruntur. Ita quod non debeat vltra procedi abque aſeſenſu Domini Regis. Et hoc inter alia, ne novum uideretur, in ipso aurographo suliungitur. Facta eſt hæc recognitio sibi, recordatio cuiuſdam partis Conſuetudinum & Libertatum Anteſſorum Regis, viz. Henrici aui sibi & aliorum, quæ obſeruari debeant in regno, & ab omnibus teneri propter diſeres & diſcordias sæpe emergentes inter Clerum & Iuſtitiarios Domini Regis, & Magnates Regni. Et hanc recognitionem sibi, recordatio omnes Archiepis, Epiſcopi, Abbates, Priores, Clerici cum Comitibus, Baronibus, Proceribus cunctis &c. iurauerunt & firmiter in verbo veritatis promiſerunt vna voce ten. endas & obſeruandas Domino Regi & hæredibus suis bo- na fide, & abſque malo ingenio in perpetuum. Ego autem hac in re mihi per suades, quod quicunque considerat & aæquo animo cau- Jam Caudrei in Relationtbus meis poſlremis legeris, ſibi abunde sæ risfatium purer. Nec poſum non agnoſcere, me minime expectaſſe, vr Theolog us aliquis etuſmodi reſponſionem procudere voluerit, cuiuſ modi in lucem prodijt, rdque duabus de cauſis. Primum, quod verita- His & Charirarts lineas tranſuliendo, conuitys & calumnys 4 queſtio- ne omninò alienis su referta. Ingenium igneum & Salamandrinum T heologos minime decet; & Conuitia eſfulminata ex ore efferneſcen- te, quod sæ, animi inquieti frena sibi mordends, lancinat, que- que odij sæ, & lites in perpetuum sæ. Theologicis ſunt indinnißima. Cerro ſcio nec Syrtes qui ſ olum non ſubenus, nec ſepimenta ex carduis, paliuris, & si spinnis ad baſes, macereas vel mania idonea eſe, illi præſertim qui suumme & THEOLOGI CAT HIOICI nomen longe lareque patens ſibi arrogar quireſponſunemex conſciemia& charitate molitur ur al- J j. reri. Lectori. teri parti per ſuadear, argumenta eius & rationes repeteret, & Ca- regorice atque Christiane ad idem reſponaerer, nullis conuitijs in eum euibratis quem in sunt sententiam perducere sunt, aut sunt re debet. Tyrones in Dialectica conuitari sotam (vt inſcitiæ notam ſabrerfugiam) cum argumentum in illas comorrum declin are neſciant. Secundo, quodin Epiſtola ad Lectorem iam tum præfatus fuerim, mihi rem eſſe cum Municipali Ana liæ lure quod mei profeſsionis proprium eſt ſubiectum. Keſponſum ame ne expectes velim (Candide Leffor) calumnius enim & contumelijs eius minime reſpondebo; & nullum ad eius commenationes reſpondebo; & nullum ad eius commenationes reſpondebo. Verum eit, calumnias vindictam pronocare, & inae charitatem & Diuina mandata violaere, ideoque Dauid precatus eit, Redime me à calumnijs hominem, vt cuÿtodiam mandata tua. Met autem loci homine planc in- dionum ell Conuitium conuitio regere: illud enim eit lu- Tum luto purgare. Deus ipse exemplar [udici propoſuit qui, & 1Ü-ſe primus erat Juris Relazor, Mitiſimus ſuper omnes homines qui morantur in terra. Ad cuius exemplum ludices singuli, eiſi in dies irritentur, quantum poſunt se conformare dehent. Hic illi & de illo tantum hac in cauſa dicam. Ille didicit maledicere ego male-dicta contemnere. Cauſa cur reſponſionem reddere non poſum hæc et, ego tantum textum retulerim, & quaſi unum conſenſum & concemum antiquarum huius Regni legum, que comprobatæ omnium secculorum suecissione, tam vniuerſali conſenſu in Parliamentis, quam iudicijs & sicpectatißimorum Iudicum & Iuris noſtri Prudentum Jemtentys in ordine indiciario, que ex iureiurando & conſcientia tuerunt. Annum, Paginam, Caput, & alia certa inditia, ad faciliorem in- nemionem, ad notaui, Plura eriam atrexere pot eram, niſi cauſe illius Relatio (que sane perlonga eit) plus nimio ſua pralixitate excurrer. Cum librum introſpicerem, ſemper expettans aliquod ad rem reſponſum, in Authore tandem deprehendi ſummam juris huius Regem, de quo agebatur, ig norantiam cum suntiam audacia, quod plerumque fir, commnctem : ar per totum librum ne vel reflimonium qui- dem ex Iuris nottri Municipalis Codicibus, Statuti Parliamentariis, aut ſcrinys legalibus & iudictaris ab ipſo prolatum, in ſue opi- nioms firmamentum comperi : Adeo ur ` Iuſtitia / iudicante) pro me sententia lata fu ex formula Nihil dicit, ideoque reſponſum re po- Lectori. reponere non licet. Ad Theologica & Historia ab illo prolata in eodem Libro, ſolummodo Ad taciendum populum (quam vere S ſincerè ipſe ſibi conſcius, vt fidem ſane tuaretur, nomen rericere conſultiſimum puraurs re po- Lectori. reponere non licet. Ad Theologica & Historia ab illo prolata in eodem Libro, ſolummodo Ad taciendum populum (quam vere S ſincerè ipſe ſibi conſcius, vt fidem ſane tuaretur, nomen rericere conſultiſimum puraurs re po- Lectori. reponere non licet. Ad Theologica & Historia ab illo prolata in eodem Libro, ſolummodo Ad taciendum populum (quam vere S ſincerè ipſe ſibi conſcius, vt fidem ſane tuaretur, nomen rericere conſultiſimum puraurs re po- Lectori. rep Haudquaquam Reſponſum referam: hoc enmeſſer ipſum errantem conſecl ari, & queſlione propoſua, que in jure noſiro Municipali verſatur, langât aberrare, lam ſexto buic operi (Benénole Lector) supremam manum impoſui, & ad tuam priuatam infor mationem, bonum publicum, plu-rimorum ſecurnatem, & periculum auertendum, quod ex errore aus gestas Anglorum in vniuerſo Orbis terrarum thentro celeberrimas fuiſe agnoſco; ac praclarius geitas quùm deſcripras, quod Hiitoria, que ornate narrares, de-Htrumur: Leges etiam Anglorum preſtantiſiimas eſſe agnoſco, multo tamen præſtantiores quam videri poſsint vlli oculo (niſu quis Dioptica linea in eas intuearur) quia Styli splendor & Orationis compoſutæ ornatæque lumen abſu, que nunquam maiori quam hodic pretio; Prudemes nihilominus sientiæ my#eria amplectentur, licer exilior i ſcribendi genere proponantur, nec pretioſas & nobiles gemmas recu�abunt, quamuis wiliontbus thecis recondanur. Particularium causaarum & exemplorum Relatio dilucidiſaima est acendi methodus, & recta Juris ratio & regula: Sic enim Diuinum numen, cum iudiciarias Leges per Moysen promulgarer, exemplis docuit pro Legibus, vt videre est in Ex o DO, LE VI. 1 co, Numeris, & DEUTERONOMIo.Gloſographi- dem, vr regulam Juris Cuiilis illumrent, sapenumerò regulam ad exemplum reuocant, vr clarius explicetur & i veriùs applicetur. In his meis Relationibus legendis a Lectore contendo, vt non multa sibi legeret (& quaſi degluriret) auidi enim appetitus non optimi dig erunt. Vniuerſum per partes apprehendendum, &. Natura, qua Dux optima, sultum non facit. Verum estillud Senecæ (quod alibi protuli,) Quo plus recipit animus, hoc sibi magis laxat. Deusultoria & rumulruarialectio memoriam confuéram elocutionem impeditam & indicium incertum reddit. Si hoc vel aliud quodquoque ex meis opu�culis quouis modo (Dei optimi Maximi propitia benig nitate, qui mihi ad hac facultatem suppeditauit. Ad fidem quam merito pro quoque liberandam faciam, & ad hæreditates, poſeſiis, &. sua cuique iura in pace &. succuritate conﬁtabilienda dirigam, aliquem vitalis arboris fructum mihi decerpam. Vori enim composers, & cumulare mihi pro sua accepto labore sattis factum erit. Scopum enim quem mils pro quo, attigi. Accipe, quo semper finitur Epistola verbo, Et vigeant iura, & (Lector amice) Vale. FINIS. EI OT Ay EEE. Se. ot | & |, 2 & E. In the publishing of the part of my Reports, a good Student of the Common Laws desired to be satisfied, in one special point, in noble land had not excelled all others (excepting the king of the Romans) it could not be but some of the sovereign Conquerors and Governors thereof, that is to say, the Romans, Saxons, Danes, or Normans and especially the Romans, who (as they justly may) do boast of their Lawes, would (as every of them might) have altered or changed the same. And (faith he) some of another profession are not persuaded, that the Common Laws of England are of so great antiquity as there superficially is spoken, True it is, that the said period was mine own opinion, but not out of mine own head, for it is the judgment of that most reverend and honorable Judge, Sir John Forteſcue Knight, chief Justice of England in the reign of King Henry the Sixth; who (besides his profound knowledge in the Law, being also an excellent Antiquarian) in his Book entitled De Politica administratione & Legibus Ciuilibus florentis, regni ante Comme. Natus, cap. 17, says thus. The Realm of England was first inhabited of the Britons, next after them the Romans had the rule of the land, and then again the Britons possessed it, after whom the Saxons invaded it, who chancing the name thereof, did for Britain, call it England: after them, for a certain time, the Danes had the dominion of the Realm, and then Saxons again, but last of all the Normans subdued, who, because dissent continueth in the government of the Kingdom at this present. And in all the times. feſbioni meæ debeo liberandam faciam, & ad hareditates, peſſeſiis- nes, &. ſuacuiqueiurain pace & ſecurirate conſlabilienda dirigant, aliquem vitalis arboris fructum mibi decerpam. Yori enim com- posero, & cumulare mihi pro ſuſcepts labore ſatiſt factum erir. Scopum emm quem milu Propoſui, arrigi. Accipe, quo séper finitur Epistola verbo, Et vigeant iura, & (Lector amice) Vale. FINIS. | EAGOROSOROMO: IO THE READER. 24 I N CEthe publishing of these parts of my Reports, a good Student of the Common Laws desired to be satisfied, in one special point, in my Epistle to the 2. part of my Reports, where Mr. I affirm, That if the ancient Laws of this age had not excelled all others (speaking of humane) it could not be but some of the several Conquerors and Governors thereof, that is to say, the Romans, Saxons, Danes, or Normans; and especially the Romans, who (as they justly may) do boast of their Civil Laws, would (as every of them might) have altered or changed the same. And (faith he) some of another profession are not persuaded, that the Common Laws of England are of so great antiquity as there superficially is spoken, True it is, that the said period was mine own opinion, but not out of mine own head, for it is the judgment of that most recent and Honourable Judge, Sir John Forrester Knight, chief Justice of England in the reign of King Henry the Sixth; who (beyond his profound knowledge in the Law, being also an excellent Antiquarian) In his Book entitled De Politica administrarione & Legibus Ciuilibus florentiſsimi regni Anlie Commentarius cap 17, ſaeth thus. The Realme of England. was first inhabited of the Britons, next after them the Romans had the rule of the land, and then again the Britons possessed it, after whom the Saxons invaded it, who chancing the name thereof, did for Britain, call it England; after them, for a certain time, the Danes had the dominion of the Realm, and then Saxons again, but last of all the Normans subdued, who succeeded in the government of the Kingdom at this present. And in all the times, times of the same sacred Nations, and of their Kings, this Realm was still ruled with the same customs, that it is now governed with all: which if they had not been right good, some of the Kings, moved either with justice, or with reason, or with reason, or with respect, would have changed them, or else altogether abolished them, and especially the Romans, who did judge all the rest of the world by their own Laws. Likewise, would other of the said Kings have done, which by the word onely possession of the Realm of England, might by the like power and authority have extinguished the Laws thereof. And touching the antiquities of the same, neither are the Romans Civil Laws by so long continuance of ancient times confirmed; nor yet the Laws of the Venetians, which above all other are to be of most antiquities, for as much as their Island in the beginning of the Britons was not then inhabited, as Rome then also built, neither the Laws of any Nation of the world which worshiped God, are of so old and ancient years: wherefore the contrary is not to be. ayd nor thought, but cc 2 English Customs are very good, yea of all other the very lie best, | And albeit, I had so good a warrant for the said assertion (for euerie man that writes ought to be so careful of setting down trueth, as if the credit of his whole work consisted upon the certain of every particular period) yet was I right glad to hear of any exception, to the end that such as were not perused, might either be rightly instructed, and the truth confirmed; or that I might upon true grounds be considered, and the error re- formed: I desired to know some particulars, as many as they would (for generalities never bring anything to a conclusion.) At le (for this was remembered when I — co. 7,27 perlon sole by the Common Law to sue and be sued, to give and FI, * of lands in Fee simple, shall forfeit his lands and goods by Attain- Lawes of England di Permit any appeal to Rome in causes Spiritual or Ecclesiastical. No sooner, I saw the scene that was so beautiful, but instantly I found directly and demonstrative aunusweres to the same. For the first, behold, I found in the same words. Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning for the same reason: "Ahel, with Queens of the Mercians by God's grant, and one, with the consent of my Father, will give by grant to Cuthbert my most faithful Servant, a certain Precedent of land, being part of my peculiar power (that is to lay) a piece of land of the same, that he may have, possess, and enjoy at his pleasure, as long as he lives; and after his end, and limit of his days, he may leave it to whomsoever he will, for securing power and the perpetual inheritance. And this my donation is commanded in the year of our Lord Incarnation. And we do charge." All secular Powers, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to observe the foresaid iniquity. The witnesses witness and consenting. Of all Albion, and great to my well-beloved Servant, who, since he may well enjoy and prosperously as long as he is seen to run the race of this life with vital cheer, and may leave the same to what success he pleases, after his departure from this tranquility of the common life, let the said land be situated in ancient Common, free from all worldly impediment, with all which are known to belong to the said Place, as well. Well in great matters, as in small, in Fields, Pastures, Medowels, Woods, Expedition, building of Bridge and Castle being expected. Such as shall diminish and violate this my gift (which) with may be far from the minds of all faithful) let them have their part with them, of whom it shall be renowned, Depart from me per curéed into engaging fire, which is prepared for Satan and his Angels, unless they do make amends by lawfull satisfaction, obtaining pardon by due penance towards God. Where as that which mans memory doth overpass, the diligent search of writing does prefecture: this is to be notified to the Readers, that the said land came to the disposition of my right, by the crime of a certain mans presumption, wherewith boldly and feloniously he hath not abhorred to incomber himself, which man his Parents named Erbeffig, albeit he hath directed his name by a few fault: And by me (as is afore said) the said land is bestowed upon my recent Seruitour. The manner of whose fault we thought good to note here in Engliſh. This 49. hee "was the land forfeited at Dunmalton, that Ethelſeſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſ „King Ethelreds hands. It was so then, that he stole Erhelwins „wine; who was gone to Erhelwins; then his men did „ride to him, and took the things stolen out of Erhelwins „hee burst out to the Woods, and men Outlawed him, and men „ brought to King Ethelred his lands and his goods. Then gave he that land to his servant Hawes for a perpetual inheritance. And „Hulfric a a a to Wiifrun, after had it of him in exchange for other lands that him better: and this was with the Kings „ leauc ( and with the testimony of his wise men. This Donation was made in the year from the Incarnation of our Lord »y DCCCCXCV. the VIII. Indiction, in the XVII. year of the „ said King. This Charter was written with the consent of them » whofe-names are hereunder written. I Ethelred King of England haue consistently consented and ratified this Donation under the signature of the Holy Cross. I Eric by Gods grace elected — unto the Archbishopricke of Canterbury haue established this gift part of my Re- with the signature of Crook Zæge, &c. | | 1 8 third, Cæææ in his Commentaries lib. 6. pag. 68. — —— (who wrote before the Incarnation of Christ aboue 1600. years e ve, pat, affirmetli, Thutif the wife be suspected of the death of her e-, husband, Er ſi cnpertum eſt ini cc. iurerficiunt: that ĩs, and if she tranſlate. bee To the Reader. be found guilty of the death of her husband, which is Petie Tres C ee, ſon, the wife is burnt to death, as she is (in that case) at this day. For the last, by an Act of Parliament held in the 10th year of King Henry the second, which was in Anno Domini 1164. It is enacted as follows. As concerning Appellations if any shall arise in the House of Lords, it must be distinctly come to the King, that by his Precept the counter-suit may be ended in the Archbishops Court, so that there ought not to be any proceeding further without a consent of the House. King. And that this among many other might not taste of innovation, the Record faith, This Recognition or Record was made of a certain part of the Customs and Liberties of the Predecessors of the King, to wit, of King Henry his grandfather, and of other Kings, which ought to be observed in the hands of all for the dispensations and directions often arising between the Clearing and our Lord the Kings in the Statutes, and the Peeres of the Realm and all the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Clearing, with the Earls, Barons, and all the Nobles, &c. have sworn and affirmatively promised in the word of truth, with one consent to keep and observe the said Recognition toward the King and his heirs in good faith without calling for such meaning for ever. But herein I persuaded my self, that every man that had diligently and with an equal mind read Caudries case, published in my last Reports would therewith in this point have been satisfied. And I must freely acknowledge, that I never expected, that any divine would have attempted to have made such an answer. To that Case, as lately hath been published, for two causes, First, for that it is exceeding all bounds of truth and charity, full of maledictions and calumniations nothing pertinent to the state of the question. It becomes not Diuines, to be of fierce and Salamandrine spirits: neither are bitter inuectures formed out of an hot mouth euer fretting it self upon the bit of discontentment (the seeds of hatred, and moles of making controuerces immortall) be seeming the lippes of any man of that profession. Sure I am, that neither quick hands having no seductive ground, nor quickets of brambles or briers, are fit either for foundations, or for fences or defences, especially for him that vſur from the Archdeacon, they must proceed to the Bishop, from the ep. 27. Allie: The subtle and broad speaking name of The Carholike Dininet, Hee that will make any answer out of conscience and charity, To Had Of » Moyſes. To the Reader, to persuade the adverse party, should repeat his authorities, his arguments, his arguments, and categorically & Christianly an answer to the matter ad idem, without any influence against the person, whom his end is (or should be) to consult to his opinion. Young Sophists are wont to rule (and by that means keep themselves from a non-plus) when they are not able to answer the argument inforced against them. Secondly, for that (as I published in my Epistle to the Reader) I dealt only with the municipal Lawes of England, as a subject proper to my profession. Expect not from me (good Reader) any reply at all, for I will not answer unto his instructions, and I cannot make any reply at all to any part of his discourse. True it is, that calumniations be great moures of revenge, and consequently of breach of charity, and of God Commaundement: And therefore David prayed, "Redime me acalumnibus hominum, et cuestodiam mandata tua." But it is far more because a man of my vocation, Conunium connuitio regere, for that were lutum luto purgare. And God hath left a president of a judge, (who also was the first Reporter of Law) that he was Amzriſsus supra omnes homines qui morantur in terra: whole example all Judges (though they be provoked every day) ought as much as they can to imitate and follow. This only will I say in this cause, to him and of him, He didicit maledicere, & ego maledicta contemnere. The cause that I cannot reply is, for that I have only reported the text, and as it were the very voice of the auntient Lawes of this Realine, proved and approved in all such possessions as well by universal consent in Parliaments, as by the Iud Agreements and resolutions of the several Judges and Sages of the Common Lawes, in their judicial proceeding, which they gave upon their oaths and consciences. I quoted the year, the lease, the Chapter, and other certain references for the reading of the finding thereof. And I could have added more, if the report of that case (being very long, as it is) should not have been drawn to an extraordinary prolixity. But when I looked into the book, even expecting some answers to the matter; in the end I found the author utterly ignorant (but exceeding bold, as commonly those qualities concurre) in the Laws of the Realm, the only subject of the matter in hand, but could not find in all the Book any Authority out of the Books of the Common Laws of this Realm, Acts of Parliament, or any legal and judicial Records. To the Reader. Cords quoted or cited by him for the maintenance of any of his opinions or conceits: Whereupon (as in justice I ought) I had Judgment given for me, upon a Nihil dicit, and therefore cannot make any replication. For his Divinity and Histories cited by him, only published in the said Book Ad faciendum populum (but how truly and sincerely his own conscience knowing, he thought it best for the saving of his credit to conceive his name) I will not answer, for then I should follow him in his error, and depart from the state of the que. Section, who, without the necessity of the Municipality, is only subject is the Municipality Laws of this Realm. I have (good Reader) brought this text work to a conclusion, and published it for thy private instruction, for the public good and quiet of many, and for preventing the daughter of Errour. I confess that English actions have been renewed in the care of the whole world, but far better done than they have been told, for want of a good History; and their Laws most excellent, but far better than they seem to any eye (unless they can look in the smallest line) for want of good style, and fair falling sentences (which never were at so high a price as now they hear) but wise men will embrace the secrets of skill, though they be written with an evil pen, and will not refuse precious jewels, though they be brought in a plain and homely receptacle. The reporting of particular cases or examples is the most pernicious course of teaching, the right rule and reason of the Law: for so did Almighty God himself, when he delivered by Moses his judicial Lawes, Exemplis docuit pro Legibus, as it appears in Exodus, Luiticus, Numeri, and Deutronomi. And the Glossary. ogra- phers, to illuftrate the rule of the Civil Law, do often reduce the rule into a Case, for the more likely expressing and true application of the same. In reading these and other of my Reports, I desire the Reader, that he would not read (and as it were well) too much at once; for greedie appetites are not of the best digestion: the whole is to be attained to by parts, and Nature (which is the best guide) maketh no leap: Narura non facit saltus. And true it is, that Seneca says (as in another place I have said) Quo plus recipit animus hoc sic mag is laxat: The mind, the more it sooth, the more it sooth, and freeth it self. A curserie and tumultua- To the Reader. tumultuarie reading doth euer make a confused memorie, atroubled virtue, and an incertaine judgement. If these or any other of my works may in any sort (by the goodness of almightie God who hath enabled me hereunto) tend to some discharge of that great Obligation of duetie wherein I am bound to my profession, and give directions for the establishment of inheritances, poſſeſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſ� An annuel ferulte? S. joJ.-a. de Eſperuer, ſuite De court; letenant fait ficilem̃t in fee dun acre le feoffee tiendì J per homage, fealtie, Eſperuer, + ſuite de court, ìde de Common ley, car Que in partes g. ELA. N diuidi nequeunt, ſolida a ſingulis pręſtantur, ef one ceo agreont les liures in 2. E. 2. Auowrie 184. 5. E. z. ibm̃ 206, 11. E. 3. Auowrie 101. 24. E. 3. 73. a. 34. Aſſ. pla. 15. 22. E. 4. 36. 37. 29. H. 8. titulis Tenures 64. & titu Auovrie. Et nul diuersitie quant à ceſt purpoſe inter entier ſeruices annuel, come ſuite, Eſperuer, Ac, #nient annuel, come homage, fealtie, heriot, c. Et quant al Heriot, vide 34. E. z. tif Heriot 1. et leſtatute de Weſtmſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſſ Debetur, ad plures Fj heredes - va PUòËÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ� vn dun part, et auter de auf pt de. in certeine, la, dñs habebit niſi vnicã ſectam, et ceſty q fait le ſuit afia contribution pur ſon charge vᷣs les auters, # ceo appiert p leſtatute de Marlebridge, Xle Regiſter, Fir. N. B. 159. b. Meg (tletenat q tient per ſuit, enfeoffe pluſozs iointmẽt, ceo eſt hoꝛs del dit ſtatute quant al contribution, car ſans expzeſſe agreriit il nauera contribution, Mes vncof toutz les ioint feoffees ferra ij vn ſuit, cõe ilʒ paiet o deliuet᷑ foꝛſq; vn Elperuer, ou auter annuel entier ſeruice,# oue t᷑ accoꝛð F. N. B. 162. c. Mez (tle tenãt fait fefferfit del moit, ou 3. pt in cõ mon, et nἺ�y in ſeueraltie, ceo eſt hoꝛs del puruiew del ſtatute de Marlebridge. Cat quant le poſſeſſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſeſe 162. d. (Œuv tenãt in common ferf leueral ſernice, et ſeueral ſuit) Come fcoffee del moitie ou 3. part eſt hoꝛs del sattute de Quia empêtores terrarſſe, a tener p pticula, come eſt ten? in 29. H. 8. Brooke tit Tenures. 2, Coment q le tenantie # cheſcun pt de ceo eſt tenus# charge one entter ſeruices, vncoze in ceo Nota diuerſi⸗ tie inter lact de teñ ple ſeuerance # ꝑcelling del tenancie al au⸗ ters (car cco donera al Seigiir que eſt eſt ran a ceo benefite) Res inter alios actæ nemini nocere debent, ſed ꝓdeſſe poſſunt, ſt latt del Seignioꝛ meſm̃ a pÜ�ἴ der aſcun ꝛel del tenancie q turnera lup meſme al pÜd"�eludice: car p ſon acceptance daſcun pt del te nancie, touts les dits annuel entier ßuices ſont ale d; extinct: Et pur ceo (i vn tient ſon tert de ſen Detgfir ꝛ annuel ſeruice de vn Eſpuer, chiual, ou pizz. "Gimilia, si in tiel case le Seigneur pur chaſe pcel de la tenancie, tellez entier services pour ale, pur ce qui telle seruice ne poit eſtre seruice ou appozie: et entant, il ad diſcharge p per son act demeſne, tout le lendier ßuice est ale in melſmé le maner coe il vſt releſſe ſon ſeignioꝛy in un part del tenancie, tout le lendier p per son act demeſt eſt ale: Et uno ce coppo"d Littfol. 49. 5.E. 2. tit Auowrie 206. 3. Auter diuerſitie kuit pÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ� Bruertons caſe. 