There had been
many abuses, the most common of which was extortion by sheriffs,
who gaoled people without cause to make them pay to be released.
The 1275 prohibition of maintenance of a quarrel of a party in
court by a non-party was extended in 1327 to all persons,
including the king's councilors and ministers, and great men, e.g.
by sending letters. In 1346, this prohibition specifically
included prelates, earls, barons taking in hand quarrels other
than their own, or maintaining them for gift, promise, amity,
favor, doubt, or fear, in disturbance of law and hindrance of
right. The reason given was that there had been persons
disinherited, delayed or disturbed in their rights, and not guilty
persons convicted or otherwise oppressed. All great men were
required to put out of their service all maintainers who had been
retained, and void their fees and robes, without giving them aid,
favor, or comfort. This law was not obeyed.
The king reserved to himself and his council in its judicial
capacity the correction of all breaches of the law which the lower
courts had failed to remedy, whether from weakness, partiality,
corruption, or jury timidity, and especially when the powerful
barons defied the courts. The Chancery also sought to address
causes which were impeded in their regular course, which often
involved assaults, batteries, and forcible dispossessions.
Disputes within the royal household were administered by the
King's steward.
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