[001] this being proved, her action falls, unless she can replicate that this was done by [002] her husband whom she could not gainsay in his lifetime, or coerced by some one, [003] through force and fear; this may be determined by an inquest. [Or] that [she cannot [004] claim because] she is a neif, and let that be treated in the same way as above, or [005] she may show the contrary, that she was married to a free man, and in a free bed,1 [006] and endowed in a free fee, and this may likewise be determined by an inquest. [Or] [007] because she was satisfied [in another way], with which she held herself content; upon [008] proof of which she falls from her action. [Or] because she connived at the death of [009] her husband,2 or did something to the disinheritance of the heir against whom she [010] claims. [Or] that she cannot claim because of the custom of cities. [Or] because her [011] husband lost [the land] by judgment and the tenant recovered it as his right, or as [012] his villeinage. [Or] because her husband committed felony, for which he was hanged [013] or outlawed. [Or] because that land never fell to her husband in his lifetime so that [014] he could endow her.3 [Or] because at another time the tenant withdrew quit against [015] her in the same plea, by judgment or in some other way, before such justices. If she [016] cannot deny these allegations she will fall from her action, unless she can4 replicate [017] and answer the exception. To the allegation that the land was that of his first wife, [018] she may replicate that it was not his wife's but his own, through the causa of succession [019] or some other, which may be determined by an inquest. To the allegation [020] that she was satisfied [in another way], we must then see how, by an escambium of [021] other land, by some sum of money, or in some other way. If she replicates that she [022] never received the satisfaction agreed upon, she will still lose her dower; let her sue [023] on the agreement. To the allegation that she connived at the death of her husband, [024] she may replicate that though she was accused of this at another time, she withdrew [025] quit5 by judgment. To the allegation that she acted to the exheredation of the heir, [026] she may replicate that she did it to his advantage, which may be proved by an inquest. [027] To the allegation of the custom of cities, she may replicate that the custom [028] is other than that alleged, namely, such or such. Something must therefore be [029] said6 of the writ of dower which ought to be directed to the bailiffs of a city, which [030] differs [according to the custom of different] cities. The writ for justicing is this.
When an exception touching the custom of a city or borough is put forward against a woman, let a writ issue to the bailiffs of the city.
[032] The king to the sheriff of London (or to the mayor of some city) greeting. We order [033] you to justice A. that rightfully and without delay and in accordance with