Harvard Law School Library

Bracton Online -- English

Previous   Volume 4, Page 239  Next    

Go to Volume:      Page:    




[001] essoinable, and that by their oath you enquire diligently whether the said C.1 etc. (as
[002] above) since both the said D. and the said E. have put themselves upon that jury.
[003] And transmit to our justices etc. at such a term the inquest which you make thereon,
[004] plainly, clearly and openly, by your letters sealed with your seal and the seals of the
[005] aforesaid keepers of the pleas of our crown, and by four (or ‘two’) lawful and prudent
[006] men from among those by whose oath you make that inquest. And have there this
[007] writ and the names of those by whose oath you made that inquest. Witness etc.’

If the witnesses are resident in divers counties.


[009] If in fact the witnesses are resident in divers counties they must all come together
[010] before the sheriff to whom the holding of the inquest is entrusted. Then let an interlaced
[011] writ, as above,2 issue in this form: ‘The king to the sheriff of Essex, greeting. We
[012] order you to cause to come before you and the keepers of the pleas of our crown at a
[013] certain day and place, as you think most expedient [and] when you can attend to the
[014] matter, A., B. and C., witnesses named in a charter under E.'s name which D. produces
[015] in our court before our justices etc., and in addition eight (or ‘twelve’), knights
[016] as well as other free and lawful men [of your county] and to enquire diligently, by
[017] their oath and by the oath of F. and G., witnesses named in the same charter from the
[018] county of Sussex, and likewise by that of twelve, knights as well as others etc. of the
[019] same county, whom our sheriff of Sussex will cause to come before you, and also by the
[020] oath of H. and I., witnesses named in the same charter from the county of Surrey, and
[021] likewise by that of eight, knights as well as others etc. from the same county, whom
[022] our sheriff of Surrey will cause to come before you, whether the said E. etc. (as above).
[023] And make known to [our justices] the inquest you make thereon etc. (as above). We
[024] have ordered our aforesaid sheriffs of Sussex and Surrey to cause the said witnesses
[025] and recognitors to come before you at a day and place which you will make known to
[026] them. And have there this writ and the names of those etc. (as above).’ The writ
[027] which follows this writ will be drawn as follows.

If in the county court: an interlaced writ.


[029] ‘The king to the sheriff of Sussex (or ‘Surrey’), greeting. We order you,



Notes

1. ‘C’

2. Supra 235


Contact: specialc@law.harvard.edu
Page last reviewed April 2003.
© 2003 The President and Fellows of Harvard College