Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/243

This page has been validated.
MAGNA CHARTA.
197

judgment, according as the concern may be greater or leſs.

A freeman ſhall not be amerced for a little offence, but according to the manner of his offence; and for a great offence he ſhall be amerced according to the greatneſs of his offence, ſaving his contenement; and ſo a merchant ſaving his merchandize; and a villain in like manner ſhall be amerced ſaving his wainage, if he fall into our mercy: and none of the ſaid amercements ſhall be affeered, but by, oath of good and lawful men of the vicinage.

An earl and a baron ſhall not be amerced but by their peers, and according to the manner of their offence.

No clerk ſhall be amerced but according to his lay-fee, and in like manner as others aforeſaid, and not according to the quantity of his church-living.

No ville nor any man ſhall be diſtrained to make bridges over rivers, but where they antiently have, and of right, ought to make them.

No