Consuetudines Kanciae: A History of Gavelkind, and Other Remarkable Customs in the County of Kent

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J.R. Smith, 1851 - 352 pages

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Page 337 - An Act for the more effectual Abolition of Oaths and Affirmations taken and made in various Departments of the State, and to substitute Declarations in lieu thereof, and for the more entire suppression of voluntary and extra-judicial Oaths, and affidavits;' and to make other Provisions for the abolition of unnecessary Oaths.
Page 186 - ... the force and effect of leases or estates at will only, and shall not either in law or equity be deemed or taken to have any other or greater force or effect; any consideration for making any such parol leases or estates, or any former law or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding.
Page 236 - They greatly oppressed the wretched people by making them work at these castles, and when the castles were finished they filled them with devils and evil men. Then they took those whom they suspected to have any goods, by night and by day, seizing both men and women, and they put them in prison for their gold and silver and tortured them with pains unspeakable ; for never were any martyrs tortured as these were.
Page 237 - Then was corn dear, and flesh, and cheese, and butter, for there was none in the land — wretched men starved with hunger — some lived on alms who had been erewhile rich: some fled the country — never was there more misery, and never acted heathens worse than these.
Page 189 - I led her blushing like the Morn ; all Heaven, And happy constellations, on that hour Shed their selectest influence ; the earth Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill ; Joyous the birds ; fresh gales and gentle airs Whispered it to the woods, and from their wings Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub, Disporting, till the amorous bird of night Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star On his hill top to light the bridal lamp.
Page 234 - Smith very feelingly complains, " when he came to his own, after he was out of wardship, his woods decayed, houses fallen down, stock wasted and gone, lands let forth and ploughed to be barren...
Page 238 - ... away the Court of wards and liveries and tenures in capite, and by knights service, and purveyance, and for settling a revenue upon his Majesty in lieu thereof...

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