Distress Act 1267 (c.2)

by the English Parliament

Statutes made at Marlborough, aliasMarleberge, 18 Novemb. Anno 52 HEN. III. and Anno Dom. 1267.

Distress Act, 1267

1267 (52 Hen. 3) C A P. II.

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 St. 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 Dissensions; for Reformation whereof Statutes and Laws be right necessary, whereby the Peace and Tranquillity of the People^[1] 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."

None but Suitors shall be distrained to come to a Court.

Moreover, none (of what Estate soever he be) shall distrain any to come to his Court, which is not of his Fee, or upon whom he hath no Jurisdiction, by reason of Hundred, or Bailiwick;

(2) nor shall take Distresses out of the Fee or Place^[2] where he hath no Bailiwick or Jurisdiction;

(3) And he that offendeth against this Statute, shall be punished in like manner, and that according to the Quantity and Quality of the Trespass.'

Note : this act is listed in the Chronological Table of Statutes as theDistress Act, 1267

1. For must be observed, read may be preserved.
2. For where he hath no Bailiwich, &c. readwhere he hath Bailiwick, &c. Fitz. Barre, 281. 2 Inst. 104.Enforced by 3 Ed. 1. c. 16. And see the References to theforegoing Chapter.