She shall not give anything
for her marriage portion, dower, or inheritance which she and her
husband held on the day of his death, and she may remain in her
husband's house for forty days after his death, within which time
her dower shall be assigned to her. IF THAT HOUSE IS A CASTLE AND
SHE LEAVES THE CASTLE, THEN A COMPETENT HOUSE SHALL FORTHWITH BE
PROVIDED FOR HER, IN WHICH SHE MAY HONESTLY DWELL UNTIL HER DOWER
IS ASSIGNED TO HER AS AFORESAID; AND IN THE MEANTIME HER
REASONABLE ESTOVERS OF THE COMMON [NECESSARIES OR SUPPLIES SUCH AS
WOOD], ETC.
No widow shall be compelled [by penalty of fine] to marry so long
as she has a mind to live without a husband, provided, however,
that she gives security that she will not marry without our
assent, if she holds of us, or that of the lord of whom she holds,
if she holds of another.
[VIII. HOW SURETIES SHALL BE CHARGED TO THE KING]
Neither we nor our bailiffs shall seize any land or rent for any
debt as long as the debtor's goods and chattels suffice to pay the
debt AND THE DEBTOR HIMSELF IS READY TO SATISFY THEREFORE. Nor
shall the debtor's sureties be distrained as long as the debtor is
able to pay the debt. If the debtor fails to pay, not having the
means to pay, OR WILL NOT PAY ALTHOUGH ABLE TO PAY, then the
sureties shall answer the debt. And, if they desire, they shall
hold the debtor's lands and rents until they have received
satisfaction of that which they had paid for him, unless the
debtor can show that he has discharged his obligation to them.
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