STATUTE OF MARLBOROUGH (1267), 52
Hen 3
[only certain parts of the statute are still in
force, including the preamble and chapters 1, 4, 15, and 23]
[original Latin above; translation below]
[I have tried to spell out abbreviations
contained in the original text as best I could]
PREAMBLE
Anno gratie MCCLX septimo, regni autem Domini H. Regis nlii Regis
Johannis quinquagesimo secundo, in Octabus Sanci Martini, providente
ipso Domino Rege, ad regni sui Anglie meliorationem et exhibitionem
justicie prout regalis officii exposcit utilitas meliorem, convocatis
discretioribus ejusdem regni tam ex majoribus quam minoribus; provisum
est & statutum ac concorditur ordinatum, ut cuum regnum Anglie
multis tribulationibus et dissensionum incomodis nuper deperssum,
reformatione legum et Jurium, quibus pax et transquillitas incolarum
conservetur, indigeat, at quod remedium salubre per ipsem Regem et suos
fideles oportuit, adhiberi, provisiones, ordinationes et statuta
subsrcipta, ab omnibus regni ipsius incolis tam majoribus quam
minoribus firmiter ac inviolabiliter temporibus perpetuis observentur.
c. 23 Item firmares tempore firmarum suarum vastum, vendicionem
seu exilium non faciant, in domibus, biscis, hominibus, nec de
aliquibus ad tenementa quae ad firmam habent spectantibus [?]
concessionem [per scripturam] [sive conventionis mencionem] quod hoc
facere possint. Et si fecerint et sup hoc convincantur dampna
plene refundent, et graviter per minam puniantr.
PREAMBLE (modern translation from Halsbury's Statutes)
In the year of grace, one thousand two hundred sixty-seven, the two and
fiftieth year of the reign of King Henry, son of King John, in the utas
of Saint Martin, the said King our lord providing for the better estate
of his realm of England, and for the more speedy ministration of
justice, as belongeth to the office of a King, the more discreet men of
the realm being called together, as well of the higher as of the lower
estate: [It was provided, agreed, and ordained, that whereas the realm
of England of late had been disquieted with manifold troubles and
dissentions; for the reformation whereof statutes and laws be right
necessary, whereby the peace and tranquility of the people must be
observed; wherein the King, intending to devise convenient remedy, hath
made these acts, ordinances, and statutes underwritten, which he
willeth to be observed for ever firmly and inviolably of all his
subjects as well high as low.]
c. 23 ...fermers, during their terms, shall not make waste, sale,
nor exile of [house] woods, and men, nor of anything belonging to the
tenements that they have to ferm, without special licence had by
writing of covenant, making mention that they may do it; which thing if
they do, and thereof be convict, they shall yield full damages, and
shall be punished my amerciament grievously.