Page:Ruffhead - The Statutes at Large, 1763.djvu/203
to all other that hold xx Pound Land in our Realm, whether they hold of us in chief, or of other, that were appointed at a Day certain to pass over with us into Flanders, the Rancour and Evil-will born against us, and all other Offences that they have done against us, unto the making of this present Charter.
CAP. VI.
The Curse of the Church shall be pronounced against the Breakers of this Charter.
AND for the more Assurance of this Thing, we will and grant, That all Archbishops and Bishops for ever shall read this present Charter in their Cathedral Churches twice in the Year, and upon the reading thereof in every of their Parish Churches, shall openly denounce accursed all those that willingly do procure to be done any Thing contrary to the Tenor, Force, and Effect of this present Charter in any Point and Article. (2) In Witness of which Thing we have set our Seal to this present Charter, together with the Seals of the Archbishops, Bishops, &c. which voluntarily have sworn that, as much as in them is, they shall observe the Tenor of this present Charter in all Causes and Articles, and shall extend their faithful Aid to the keeping thereof, &c.
Ordinatio Forestæ, made Anno 34 Edw. I. Stat. 5. and Anno Dom. 1306.[1]
This chapter is not presented in modern English and the source document does not provide a translation.
REX omnibus ad quos &c. salutem. Dum imbecillitatis humane conspicimus imperfectum ac onera longe lateque diffusa nostris humeris incumbentia attenta consideratione pensamus intus nimirum puncturis diversis torquemur diversorum cogitatuum fluctibus agitati & vexamur frequenter noctes ducendo insompnes quid agendum quid tenendum quidve exequendum existat inter precordia hesitantes in eo tamen qui supra cuncta tenens in excelsis imperium qui dat esse rebus & dispensat prout vult munera gratiarum cum sapientie sue magnitudinem humani non capiant intellects virtutes resumimus sperantes quod in serviciis suis perficiat actus nostros & sue bonitatis dementia nostram misericordiam videat & suppleat imperfectum ut ipsius fulti presidio per viam mandatorum Domini dirigamur. Profecto inter omnia solicitudini nostre & cure inherentia circa illud precipue nostra non intermissive versatur intentio ut subditis nostris regni nostri incolis quietis & tranquillitatis dulcedinem preparemus in quorum quiete quiescimus & in eorum tranquillitate non sine suavitatis odore in floribus pacis desiderate interius confoveamur. Sane ex fidelium nostrorum relatibus & oppressorum crebris clamoribus de quibus nimia mentis commotione turbamur didicimus quod per ministros forestarum nostrarum populus ejusdem regni miserabiliter opprimitur depauperatur & diversis afficitur injuriis undique molestatus. Nonnunquam etenim frunt accusatores de Foresta & indictationes vulgariter sic appellate non per legitimas inquisitiones proborum & legalium hominum patrie precedentes ut justitia requirit set ad didtum unius vel forsan duorum de forestariis aut ad dictum unius vel forsan duorum de viridariis qui ex odio aut alias maliciose ut ab aliquo pecuniam extorqueant quenquam accusant vel indictant & exinde sequuntur attachiamenta gravia & punitur innocens quem nulla omnino culpa seu delictum constringit. Opprimitur etiam populus pre multitudine forestariorum & aliorum ministrorum quos cum non habeant unde aliunde vivant per patriam foreste adjacentem vivere oportebit eosdem et quod est deterius pro jure officii sui vendicant ut sic vivant isti nichilominus pro suis victualibus quibus egent boscum sue custodie aut sub suis custodiis deputatum & feras in eisdem existentes vendendo donando & multipliciter minuendo ac minui permittendo suscessivis dierum processibus destruunt & adnichilant ad nostrum & heredum nostrorum intolerabile detrimentum. Quid plura? dampna & gravamina que circa hec proveniunt ut accepimus difficile foret per singula enarrare. Cupientes itaque oppressionibus & gravaminibus hujusmodi que absque gravi scandalo diutius sub dissimulatione preterire nequimus modis & viis omnibus quibus possumus obviare ac regni nostri incolarum paci & tranquillitati pervigili studio providere.
- ↑ This is taken from the Secunda pars veterum statutorum by Mr. Pulton.
CAP.