James I often intimidated the justices to see things
his way.
The oath of a justice was: "Well and and truly ye shall serve the
King and his people. And ye shall take no fee or livery of none
but the King, nor gift or reward of none that hath a do before you
except it shall be meat or drink of small value, as long as the
plea hangs before you. And ye shall do equal law and execution of
Right to all the King's subjects rich and poor, without regard to
any person. Ye shall counsel our Sovereign Lord the King in his
need. And ye shall not delay any person of common right for the
letters of the King or of any person or for any other cause ... So
help you God."
The courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas, and the Chancery all
met simultaneously in Westminster Hall. Throngs passed up and down
the middle aisles between the courts, including booksellers,
stationers, scriveners, and vendors of bread and hot meat. The
hall was so cold that people kept on their coats and hats.
The last court case concerning villeinage was in 1618.
- - - Chapter 15 - - -
- The Times: 1625-1642 -
The entourage of Charles I came to be called "Cavaliers". They
were named by their opponents for the Spanish caballero who was a
Catholic who prosecuted Protestants. Their hair had long, curled,
and flowing locks. They wore a broad-rimmed decorated hat.
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