Ethelstan, Council of Greatanleage, § 13 And we ordain that every burh be repaired xiv days over Rogation Days. King's § 70. This then is the alleviation which Oppression it is my will to secure to all the people of checked. that which they before this were too much oppressed with. That then is first: that I command all my reeves that they justly provide on my own, and maintain me therewith; and that no man need give them anything as feorm-fultum, unless he himself be willing. And if anyone after that demand a wite, let him be liable in his wer to the King. of reeves to property secured § 71. And if anyone depart this life intes- Succession tate, be it through his neglect, be it through to family. sudden death; then let not the lord draw more from his property than his lawful heriot. And, according to his direction, let the property be distributed very justly to the wife and children and relations; to every one according to the degree that belongs to him. § 72. And let the heriots be as it is fitting to the degree. An eorl's such as thereto belongs, that is: eight horses, four saddled and four unsaddled, and four helmets, and four coats of mail, and eight spears, and as many shields, and four swords and two hundred mancuses of gold. And after that a King's thane's, of those who are nearest to him four horses, two saddled and two unsaddled, and two swords and four spears and as many shields and a helmet and a coat of mail and fifty mancuses of gold. C Amount paid to each class liable lord as heriot by for the payment. Hunting rights secured. Road to gemot safeguarded. And of the medial thanes a horse and his And if he King: two horses, one saddled and the other unsaddled, and one sword and two spears and two shields and fifty mancuses of gold; and he who is of less means, two pounds. § 81. And I will that every man be entitled to his hunting, in wood and in field, on his own possession. And let everyone forego my hunting; take notice where I will have it untrespassed on, under penalty of the full wite. § 83. And I will that every man be entitled to grith to the gemot and from the gemot: except he be a notorious thief. II CHARTERS OF LIBERTY The Coronation Charter of Henry I. (1100) A NNO Incarnationis Dominicae, M.C.I. obitum fratris sui Willelmi Dei gratia rex Church of free dom from exac tions. 1. Sciatis me Dei misericordia et com- Grant to the muni consilio baronum baronum regni regni Angliae ejusdem regni regem coronatum esse; et quia regnum oppressum erat injustis exactionibus, ego, Dei respectu et amore quem erga vos omnes habeo, sanctam Dei ecclesiam imprimis liberam facio, ita quod nec vendam nec ad firmam ponam, nec mortuo archiepiscopo sive episcopo sive abbate aliquid accipiam de dominico ecclesiae vel de hominibus ejus donec successor in eam ingrediatur. Et omnes malas consuetudines The quibus regnum Angliae injuste opprimebatur abolished. inde aufero; quas malas consuetudines ex parte hic pono: evil following customs 2. Si quis baronum meorum, comitum sive aliorum qui de me tenent, mortuus fuerit, haeres suus non redimet terram suam sicut faciebat tempore fratris mei, sed justa et legitima relevatione relevabit eam. Similiter et homines baronum meorum justa et legitima relevatione relevabunt terras suas de dominis suis. 3. Et si quis baronum vel aliorum hominum meorum filiam suam nuptum tradere voluerit, sive sororem, sive neptim, sive cognatam, mecum inde loquatur; sed neque ego aliquid de suo pro hac licentia accipiam neque defendam ei quin eam det, excepto si eam vellet jungere inimico meo. Et si, mortuo barone sive alio homine meo, filia haeres remanserit, illam dabo consilio baronum meorum cum terra sua. Et si, mortuo marito, uxor ejus remanserit et sine liberis fuerit, dotem suam et maritationem habebit; et eam non dabo marito, nisi secundum velle suum. 4. Si vero uxor cum liberis remanserit, dotem quidem et maritationem suam habebit dum corpus suum legitime servaverit, et eam non dabo nisi secundum velle suum. Et terrae et liberorum custos erit sive uxor sive alius propinquorum qui justius esse debebit. Et praecipio quod barones mei similiter se contineant erga filios et filias vel uxores hominum suorum. 5. Monetagium commune quod capiebatur per civitates et comitatus quod non fuit tempore regis Edwardi, hoc ne amodo fiat omnino defendo. Si quis captus fuerit sive monetarius sive alius cum falsa moneta, justitia recta inde fiat. Unlawful exac 6. Omnia placita et omnia debita quae tions of various fratri meo debebantur condono, exceptis kinds. rectis firmis meis, et exceptis illis quae pacta erant pro aliorum haereditatibus, vel pro eis rebus quae justius aliis contingebant. Et si quis pro haereditate sua aliquid pepigerat, illud condono, et omnes relevationes quae pro rectis haereditatibus pactae fuerant. Interference with disposition baron's money. 7. Et si quis baronum vel hominum meorum infirmabitur, sicut ipse dabit vel of dare disponet pecuniam suam, ita datam esse concedo. Quod si ipse, praeventus vel armis vel infirmitate, pecuniam suam non dederit nec dare disposuerit, uxor sua sive liberi aut parentes aut legitimi homines ejus, eam pro anima ejus dividant, sicut eis melius visum fuerit. 8. Si quis baronum vel hominum meorum forisfecerit, non dabit vadium in misericordia pecuniae suae, sicut faciebat tempore patris mei vel fratris mei, sed secundum modum forisfacti, ita emendabit sicut emendasset retro a tempore patris mei, in tempore aliorum antecessorum meorum. Quod si perfidiae vel sceleris convictus fuerit, sicut justum fuerit, sic emendet. qua in 9. Murdra etiam retro ab illa die regem coronatus fui omnia condono : et ea quae amodo facta fuerint, juste emendentur secundum lagam regis Edwardi. Bail to be in accordance with the measure of the offence. Pardon for past murders: punishment of future murders. 10. Forestas communi consensu baronum Forests. meorum in manu mea retinui, sicut pater meus eas habuit. |