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SELECT HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS.

extent of one mark of gold for a hundred marks of silver promised to the king, two marks of gold for two hundred, and so on. la collecting these, moreover, the sheriff shall in all things observe the same rule which he observed with regard to the debts of the king, not, however, before, but after the latter have been collected. When, therefore, summonses are made out concerning debts to the king, a clerk of the queen, appointed for this, is present, and adds in the summons: "from such a one thou shalt have a hundred marks for such a cause, and one mark of gold for the queen." The amounts called for, moreover, are received separately at the exchequer by her officials constituted for this purpose. Know also that even though the king relinquish the half or the whole of the money promised to himself, or even put off sending a summons for it,—nevertheless, as to what pertains to the queen it shall be done in all things according as it seems good to her; so that, if she be unwilling, what is due to her may neither be remitted nor put off, but the amount of the summons shall be paid, and those who do not pay shall be coerced in the aforesaid manner.

D. Is anything due to the queen from sums under one hundred marks promised to the king?

M. To some it seems right that it should hold good for as low as ten marks—so, namely, that he who has promised 10 to the king is bounden to the queen for one ounce of gold;—to others, not unless for a hundred or more promised in the beginning. Concerning these things, therefore, wait with modesty for the present; for, the matter not being ended yet, the clearing up of it is suspended. On the part of the queen, indeed,mitigation concerning this is being carried on with the debtors, and as yet the case is in the hands of the judge. From the amercements of the Jews, moreover, and from the redemption of moneyers her portion is due to the queen in the aforesaid form, just as we have said that it is from voluntary offerings.

D. With regard to pecuniary fines, and voluntary offerings, does the same law coerce clergy and laymen without a difference?

M. With regard to voluntary offerings one law is ob-