The punishment of Scandala magnatum to be inflicted upon them that misreport of him by the Statutes of W. 1. cap. 33. and of Anno 2 R. 2. ca. 5. He may weare in his apparel Velvet Satten and other Silks of any colour except purpuâ—â— and any manner of Furs except black Genets of what estate or degree soever he be by the stat of 24. of H. the 8. He must follow the Court and at all times be neer the King by the Statute called Articuli super Chartas Anno 28. E. pr. cap. 5. He may have three Chaplaines qualified whereof everâ— one may purchase dispensation to have two Benefices by the Statute de 21. H. 8. cap. 13. To sâ—ay him it is Treason declared by the Statute of 20 of Edw. the 3d. cap. 11. If he be a Baron or above hâ— shall sit in the Parlament on the left side of the Chamber on the higher part of the form on the same side above all Dukes except such as are soone Uncle Brother Nephew or Brothers or Sisters Sonne to the King and also above all Officers except the Vice-gerent And if he be no Baron he shall sit at the uppermost part of the Sacks in the midst of the Chamber and in such degree he shall siâ— in the Star-Chamber and in all other Assemblies and Conferences of Counsell by the Statute Anno 31 H. 3. cap. 10. He is a Conservor and Iustice of the peace throughout England by prescription He is the only Visitor of all Hospitalls and Free-Chappels which be of the foundation of the King or his Progenitors by prescription He is Prolocutor in the higher house of Parlament by prescription c. V. Places of his Judiciall Session viz. CHANCERY where he is the only Judge assisted by the Master of the Roâ—s and the Masters of the Chancery and heareth and determineth causes of Law and Conscience as Chancellor COUNSELL chamber where he is associated with others of the Privy Counsell and heareth and determineth causes of Estate as a Privy Counsellor STARRE Chamber where he is associated with the Lord Treasurer President of the Counsell and Privie Seale and associated with one Bishop one Temporall Lord of the counsell and two Justices and heareth and determineth perjuries causes penall and of Common peace by the Statutes of Anno 3 H. 7. cap. 1. and 21 H. 8. cap. 20. as a speciall Judge EXCHEQUER chamber where he is associated with the Treasurer and associated by the Justices and other Sage persons and examineth and reverseth or affirmeth judgments given in that Court by the Statute of 31 E. 3. cap. 12. as a special Judge VI HIS Authority and power which is of two sorts viz. As a Judge and that is either ORDINARY as in these Scire fac or execution upon a Statute Merchant taking acknowledgement of Recognizances Scire fac or execution upon a Recognizance knowledged in the Chancery Scire fac to repeale Patents which are void or faulty Monstrance de droit Petition de droit Traverse of Offices and Inquisitions Pleas and Enterpleas upon assignment of Dower Pleas and Enterpleas upon livery and ouster le maine Pleas and Enterpleas upon partition Attachments upon contempts in not executing of Writs and Proces by Officers or upon signification of untrue or insufficient causes thereof writs de Corodioâ— or Pencor habendo unto Abbots Priors and Bishops Andita querela sued upon sutes in the Chancery Prohibition to stay proceedings in the Court Christian or Admiralty and consulation to be granted thereupon Originalls or Bils by persons priviledged in the Chancery Originals or Bils against persons privileged there Writs of Privilege sued by persons privileged to remove sutes in other Courts into the Chancery AND DIVERS other of like soâ—t ABSOLUTE and by this power he ordereth and decreeth matters of Conscience and the pleadings are in English whereas in his ordinary power he holdeth plea of matters according to the form of Common Law and the pleadings are in Latine AS a MINISTER GRANTING of pardons of Common Grace GRANTING and sealing of Commissions OF patents and preservations c. MAKING of Originall Writs of Processe upon the Statute Staple c. CONSTITUTING of certaine Officers belonging to his Office GIVING of Oathes to Officers And such like FINIS 2 Sam. 8. 16. Pretor The Chancellor of France The Election of the Chancellor Hen Beakford 〈◊〉 The nature originall of the Chancery Parliam Kings Bench Common Pleas Exchequer Court of Wards Star-chamber Dutby Court Court of Requests Admiralls court Constable of England Marshalls court President of Wales the North parts Proces Cancella riae The Judge The Assistants The Master of the Rolls The Officers of the Chancery 9. E. 4. Potentia ordinatam Potentia absoluta Default Excom. veritatis 37. H. 6. Court of Record 8. E. 4. Statute proces Right Filz Natura brevium Term 4. E. 4. Adjournment 5. E 6. Common Law Originall Conscience 6. E. 6. Surmise English Bill Pleadings in French 39. H. 6. No remedy Good pleaders Privilege surmise false Secundum Conscientiam Secundum allegatum Default 9. E. 4. 21. H. 7. Estoppell Default Rot. Parliam br Parliam Remedy without Remedy Conscience Doctor Student without Remedy Conscience Wager of the Law False verdict Proofe Stat. 4. H. 4. Judgment Sta 4 H 4 Justices Chief Baron Temp. H. 6 Decrees Justices Serjeants 27 H. 6 37. H. 6. 7. E. 4. 22. E. 4. Exchequer Chamber Justices 27. H. 8. Chancery Magna Charta Doctor Stud. Stat. 5. E. 3 1â— E. 3. 5. Stat. 42. E. 3. Stat. 37. E. 3. 12. E. 3. Câ—â—â—â—â—n Puâ—sell Stat. 43. E. 3. Rot. Parl. 3. H. 6. Stat. 15. H. 6. 21. E. 3. Petition 39. E. 3. Judgment Reversall Counsell 33. H. 6. Obligation supersed Privilege 37. H. 6. Assise Decree Plea 37. H 6. Judgment Plea Decree Court of Record 37. H. 6. 9. E. 4. Commandement 22. E. 4. Injunction Judgment Forfeiture Subpoena Habeas Corpus 2. R. 3 Judgment Notice Imprisonment 2. R. 3. 9. 10. H. 7. Injunction Subpoena Forfeiture 27. H. 8. Decree Right Person Imprisonment 27. H. 8. Injunction Execution Obligation Brooke Heire Executor Fleta Consent 8. E. 4. Privilege Judge Temporall Conscience And the Debtor was discharged of the execution and prayed his damage against them both and the Master of the Rolls said although by the CommoÌ„ law damages shold be adjudged against them both Audita querela Damages Conscience Common Law 14. E. 4. Traverse of Office Mispleading 9. E. 4. Obligation longer day Incertainty the sum Notice the day certainty Mispleading 14. E. 4. Bill Answer Variance Amend 16 E. 4. Answer 16 E. 4. Answer 8 E. 4. Executors Answer 43 E. 31 Damages Wreck Damages Costs 17 R. 2 Damages Stat. 15. H. 6. Surety Damna Expenss 7 E 4. Bill â—nsuffic Costs Damages Bill untrue 7 E. 4. Grant to use costs 11 E. 4. Audit que Damages 2â—E 4. Injunction Kings Bench Iudgement Damages 21 E. 4. Common place Injunction Dismission 37. H.
time made in the Chancery and execution thereof by Scire fac out of the com pleas in the 20 Ed. 3. Sute in the Chancery by Petition to repeale a patent c. So may wee remember 15. 18 and 2. Edw. 3. for Petitions c. before this time and divers other cases In 20. of Edw. 3. an absolute power was by Statute given to the Chancellor joyntly with the Treasurer to punish divers offences therein mentioned according as Law and Reason required c. but whether this may be said to give them authority of extraordinary and absolute proceeding against theÌ„ I stand in some doubt how be it I do not think that the jurisdiction of the Chancery was thereby inlarged but it seemeth very probable that the Statute of 36. of the same King though it were not the foundation and erection of the Chancery did notwithstanding adde a great measure of jurisdiction unto the same for there it was agreed by Parliament that if any man were grieved contrary to the Articles in that Statute mentioned which were many and generall or others contained in divers Statutes he might come into the Chancery or any for him and thereof make his complaint where he should be relieved by force of the said Articles and Statutes without elsewhere pursuing to have remedy By which Law the Chancellouâ— was not onely made sole Judge in this Court but was inabled also to proceed in judgement there after his owne discretion for otherwise the wordâ— without other Sute were not beneficiall but saving correction I take the Statute of 17 Edw. 2 to be the especiall ground-work of the Chancellor his absolute power where authority is given him upon untrue suggestions to ordaine and award damages according to his discretion by expresse word c. after which time his power from time to time Vires accrevit eundo be enlarged by sundry Parliaments as by one to senâ— forth Proclamations of Rebellions c. against such as would not appeare and by others both to grant Commissions of divers kinds and to doâ— many other things whereof mention shall bee made in the cases set downe hereafter concerning his power absolute the which is intended the speciall but an object of this Treatise Now therefore in the meane time may we confidently cali the Chancery the Kings High Court of Conscience made especially to redresse private causes such as by extremity of Law cannot have agreeable end to equity by reason of circumstances hindering wherein it is to be noted that conscience is so regarded in this Court that the Lawes are not neglected but they must both meet and joyne in a third that is in a moderation of extremity It holdeth plea also of common or civill matters between the Prince and his Subjects so farre forth as the same hath to do with Petitions Traverses Monstrance de Droit and such like out of this Court as from the person of the Prince came all manner of originall Writs whereof some are Commissional or Commissary giving Authority to certaine Judges or Officers to heare and determine causes some are certificatory or Remotaries of Records Pleas or other Acts some doe command to proceed as Writs De Procedendo c. some inhibit or excuse as Prohibitions Protections or Graunties de jours and of Essoynes c. Some are deductory to summon and bring the party impleated into the Court to answer to the Plaintiffe Out of this Court come most commonly Commissions Patents Licenses Inquisitions c. of this Court is said Arâ—iculâ— super narrationes novas that it is Curia ordinaria pro brevibus originalibus emendis concedendis sed non pro placitis Communibus habuendis meant as it seemeth according to the course of the common Law and in the Treatise of Diversities of Courts It is noted that the Court of Chancery is a Court of high nature out of the which doth proceed Writs Originall as is aforesaid and there a man may traverse Offices and in the same Court the Kings Widdowes shall be sworne that they will not marry without the Kings leave before they be endowed and it is there said that the errour upon a Patent or Traverse there cannot be reversed anywhere else then in Parliament c. And in this Court a man shall have remedy for such things for therewith he shall not have remedy at the common Law c. ibid. In this Court of Chancery a man shall not bee prejudiced for his mispleading or for default of forme but according to the truth of the matter for that awards there are to be made according unto conscience and not Ex rigore Juris And further in Fleta are these words Fiant autem brevia inde audicialia in Cancellaria ea recognitionibus contractis habitis inde Rotulis Cancellariae irrotulatis Et ex Recordo Consellario Cloricis sibi assasiatus per hanc constitut concessae quia de hâ—s quae Recordata sunt coram Cancellario Dom. Regis ejus Justitiar qui recordum habent in rotulis eorum irrotulantur non debent fieri processus placiti per summonationem vel Attachiamenta Essonia visus terrae alios Solempnitaâ—is Curiae sicut fieri consuevit in contractibus commencionibus factis extra Curiam c. This Court is also by some called Oâ—ffic Juris Civilis Anglorum because out of this Court issue all manner of Proces which give the party his cause of action in other Courts The Proces in the Chancery is a Subpoena which is to call the party before the Chancellour upon paine of one hundred pounds c. and this is the way used to bring in the partie or else by the Serjeant as shall be said afterwards and how the paine is but in terrorem for thereof shall be no forfeiture but if the party come not in or comming in will not obey the order of the Court hee shall be imprisoned during the pleasure of the Lord Chancellour as will appeare in the severall handling of his absolute power where also will be remembred the Stat of 15. H. 6. that no Subpoena may be granted without Suerty to satisfie the Defend. for his damages and expences â—f the matter cannot be made good which is contained in the Bill c. The order of proceeding in the Chancery is by Injunctions Decrees and Orders the which how farre they binde the party and how hee is punished by imprisonment for resisting them shall be also shewed in the cases of the power absolute hereafter plaeed The Judge in this Court is the Lord Chancellour onely and he is Keeper also of the Great Seale the which is usually carryed with him wheresoever he goeth so he goe not beyond the Seas for then he is to leave it behinde him to such for whose fidelity he will answer As did John Stratford Chancellour and Embassadour in the time of Edw. 3. And so did Stephen Gardiner in the time
that in the 3 year of Rich. the 2. in a Parliament holden at London Dominus Richardus Scroope cessit officio Cancellariae c. Archiep. Cantuar. Magister Simon Sudbury contra gradum suae dignitat ut plurimi conclamabant illi Officio militaturus accessit sed si ipse illum procuraverit aut sponte susceperit novit Deus Sometimes were chosen to that place Archbishops and Cardinalls as John Thoresby Archbishop of York and Cardinall c. in the time of Edw. the 3. c. Sometimes Threasaurers of England were advanced to the honour of Chancellors as Henry de Burgh in the time of Edw. the 3. Sometimes to the Office of the Keeper of the Great Seale as John de Cheshall in the time of Henry the 3. and many other to either of the places Sometimes common Lawyers were called to be Chancellors as Robert â—erning Justice and Robert Thorpe Justice in the time of Edward the 3. Sir Thomas Moore in the time of Hen. the 8. and others Sometimes were trusted with the Keeping and exercise of the Seale as John Maunsell L. Chiefe Justice in the time of Edw. the 3. c. Sometimes the Lord Keeper of the Privie Seal was made Lord Chancellor as Edmund Stafford in the time of Henry the 4. and others Sometimes were made Keepers of the Seale men cunning in the Custome of the Chancery as was Sylvester de Eversden in the time of Hen. 3. Sometime men learned in the Civill and Common Lawes as William of Kilkenny in the time of the said King Sometimes the Master of the R oâ—â—s as Henry Cliffe in the time of Edw. 3. who was his Chancellor also and others Sometimes a Keeper of the Wardrobe hath been appointed to keep the Seale as John Drakensord to Edw. 1. Some have been twice Lo. Chancellors as John Hotham in the time of Rich. 2. Some thrice as John Stratford in the time of Edward 3. And sometimes there have been three Chancellors in one year as Rotheram Alcoch and Moreton in the 1. yeare of Htn. 7. and he that hath been the longest in office either of Chancellor or Keeper of the Seale is not remembred to have continued above 18. years Some with their Office of Chancellor have retained other places as William Velson after Bishop of Telâ—ard was at one time Chaplaine and Chancellour to William the Conquerour Rannlph Brittaine at one time Cancellarius Regis specialis as saith Matthew Paris and Treasurer of the Chamber But the mightiest of living by multiplicity of Offices that I may readily finde were John Maunsell in the time of Henry the 3. Simon Langham in the time of Edw. 3. John Stafford in the time of Hen. 6. Woolsey Cardinall in the time of Hen. the 8. And in honour and temporall Dignities the Lord Marquesse of Winchester who was Keeper of the Seal in the time of Edw. the 6. And thus much may suffice for the Originall Office Dignity and Election of the Lord Chancellor Now may something bee added of the Conrt of Chancery and Authority absolute of the Chancellor As the Chancellor is at this day Norma omnium jura Reddentium câ—â—â—mnes Magistrat honorun suorum fasces submittere not â—ndignentur And withall as Budeus calleth them Promus Condus clementiae benigniâ—atisque principalis and generally the mouth the eare the eye and the very heart of the Prince so is the Court whereof he hath the most particular administration the Oracle of equity the Store-house of the favor of Justice of the liberality Royall and of the right pretoriall which openeth the way to right giveth power and Commission to the Judges hath jurisdiction to correct the rigour of Law by the judgement and discretion of equity and grace It is the refuge of the poore and afflicted It is the Altar and sanctuary for such as against the might of rich men and the countenance of great men cannot maintaine the goodnesse of their cause and truth of their Title the entry and doore whereof ought Patere omni postulanti omnibus â—oris nulli tamen â—â—are which is meant not to gape after such men as bring rewards oâ— seek accesse to the help thereof by corruption and it is called Caria saith Valla a Cura for that care and heed is to be taken therein for the deciding of controversies but it seemeth rather to be called Curia an Assembly or the place of assembly c. like as the Kings Court was first called Curia for that the Court of Justice was there first holden For the originall of this speciall Court is to be considered that in the time of the Saxons and of the Danes the King by himselfe did hold a high Court of Justice wherein he sate in person and did judge not onely according to meer right and Law but also after equity and good conscience and this is confirmed by the Law of the Saxon King Edgar viz. Let no man seek to the King in matter of variance unlesse he cannot finde right at home but if the right be too heavy for him then let him seek to the King to have it lightned The like to this Law is also among the Lawes of Canutus the Dane and for the understanding of this right at home we may remember that in those days were certaine Jurisdictions over Leets Boroughs and Tythings c. and there by authority permitted to the Reeves or Judges of the lower roomes for the hearing of sutes of small importance and grant of greater power to the Sheriffes and Aldermen which had the charge of greater Assemblies all was retained and reserved to the King himselfe the decision of such matters as by just cause of appellation either for law or equity should be brought before him to be considered and resolved in the aforesaid high Court of the King out of which as were the former so were all the high Courts of Justice or Conscience at this day derived by the Ecclesiasticall Courts or Temporall And here I might take some fit occasion to touch by the way how in the Parliament Lawes not onely for civill and criminall causes but also for the matters of the Church are made abrogated or mitigated common wrongs not holden in other Courts are there amended and heard and difficult causes are there ended Attainders confirmed and annulled corruption of blood there restored errors committed in other Courts there corrected and all constitutions for the State are there confirmed c. How in the Kings Bench are properly all such causes onely to be handled which appertaine to the Crowne or wherein the King is a partie if they be not by Commission particularly assigned to some other Court How in the Court of Common Pleas are holden all Common Pleas between subject and subject of all matters of Common Law How in the Exchequer are the Queenes receipts and her yearly revenues recorded and kept how it is her common Treasury and a Court for Justice betweene
her Majesty and her Subjects c. How the Court of Wards and Liveries is the Court wherein the Queenes prerogative for Wards is maintained out of which are sued Liveries and therein their ages are proved which are in Ward to the King by reason of Tenure c. How the Court of Starre-Chamber is ordained to redresse certaine great offences provided by Statute and appointed to this Court How the Duchie Court of Lancaster is also the Queenes Court and of Record wherein are holden all Pleas reall and personall which concerne any the Tenants of the Duchy lands now in the hands of her Majesty and parcell of her Crowne but severed in Court and Jurisdiction How in the Court of Requests are holden by vertue of their Commission none other but sutes that are made to her Majesty by way of supplication which is called the poore mans Court because he should have right there without paying any money How the Admirall hath disseisin of Marine How the Constable and Marshall of England determineth the Contract touching Deeds of Armes out of the Realme and handleth matters concerning warres within the Realme and Combats Blazon and Armory c. may be tryed by the Lawes of the Land How the Marshall of the Kings House before the Stat. of Articuli super chartas had Authority to heare and determine the pleas of the Crowne within the verge and now hath the hearing of Trespasses Contracts and Covenants made within the verge c. How the Court of Presidents and Councels in the Marches of Wales and in the North parts are Courts of equity in their principall Jurisdiction although they doe withall exercise other powers by vertue of other severall Commissions that doe accompany the same c. I might further busie my selfe with the County Courts Leets Courts of Barons and Courts of Pyepowders c. the Assizes Quarter-Sessions Commissions of Oyer and Determiner and Justices in Eyre to search and set downe when by whom and upon what occasion all the aforesaid Courts were erected wherein they doe containe within their appointed limits and wherein they doe usurp Jurisdiction which was appropriated to some others c. but for that the matters to be moved therein would require a severall Treatise of every severall Court for the which I feele my selfe very insufficient I will forbeare at this time to mingle Jurisdictions and onely continue in the course of the Court of Chancery the which Court I cannot finde in the time of the Conquerour to be served from the Court of the King and appointed to be holden by the Chancellor although I read in that time and the time of his sonne Rufus the ordinary course of Justice was altered in forme but not in substance and whether the Collegium sâ—ribarum founded by the Conqueror whereof he appointed the Chancellour to be President might beare the name and title of a Chancery in very truth I have much doubted for I cannot gather thereout any jurisdiction to determine causes and moreover I read expresly that during the Reignes of both the Williams Hen. 1. Stephen and Hen. the 2. there continued still a Court belonging to the King which was the place of Soveraigne justice both for matters of Law and Conscience called Curia Domini Regis and Aula Regia for that the Prince himselfe did many times sit there in person and had Justices a latere suo sedente as saith Bracton namely his chief Justice Chancelor Constable Marshall and others and howbeit in the 9. year of Hen. 3. by the erection of the Common Pleas the Common Pleas were withdrawn from the Court which followed the King to a place and Jurisdiction certaine it seemeth that by the division of Jurisdiction made by Bracton in his Book which he compiled by the commandement of K. Edw. 1. in the beginning of his reigne and of the particular authorities delivered out by the King to his Justices Commâ—ssioners and Delegates that the Jurisdiction oâ— determining the causes now belonging to this Court did remaine to the exercise of himselfe and yet was not the Jurisdiction of the other Courts out of the King for Jurisdiction as saith Bracton Non potest a Rege delegare but the causes proper to this Court were managed and determined either by himself in person or in his absence by his Chancellour Councellours of State and Iustices of Law that continually attend upon him for that service namely the Justices to informe him of the Law and the Chancellor which was most usually a spirituall person to give advice according to equity and good conscience in which respect also he was visitor for the King and passed the presentations of Benefices so that such as sought for reliefe by equity were sutors to the King himselfe who being assisted with the Chancellor and his Councell did mitigate the severity of the Law in his owne person when it pleased him to be present and did in absence either referre it to the Chancellor alone or to him or some other of the Councell yet have I some good causes of conjecture that the Chancellor in those dayes was a Judge ordinary in the same Court to hold plea by Latin Bil In monstrance de Droit Pleas and Enterpleas of Livery and Ouster ie Maâ—nes of portions and such like as a Minister to make processe c. And therefore I cannot agree with the opinion of some men that this Court of Chancery was erected and first assigned to the Lord Chancellor in the 36. year of Edw. 3. as well for the Patentees afore set downe doe grant and confirme unto the said Nevill officium Cancellariae of the Chancery and not Caucâ—llarii which was in Hen. 3. time as also for that in divers Statutes long before this time and in Yeare Books there is mention made of the ordinary authority of the Chancellor the Register and the Clerks of the Chancery viz. in the Statute of Glouc. in Anno 6. Quo warranto c. of Acton Burnell in Anno 11. Processe upon Recognizance in Westm 2. cap. 24. concordand Cleris de novo brevi c. Ad cap. 49. Champertie c. and Statut. Marchante Brev. al. Viscount c. in Anno 13. Slat de consultat procedendo c. in Anno 24. Articuli super chartas cap. 5. follow the King c. 6. Seale c. in Anno 28. of Ed. 1. and in Ed. 3. his time Anno t. Stat. 2. cap. 15. writing by Dures c. Anno 14. cap. 8. chuse Escheators c. Anno 5. Stat. Carhal adymytt Attorneyes c. Anno 19. Sacrum Clericorum cancellar. c. Anno 20. cap. 3 Oath of Justices Chancery c. ad cap. 6. Chancellor and Treasurer c. Anno 25. cap. 2. Sley Chancellor Treason c. and ibid. cap. 4. writ to Mayors c. Anno 31. ca. 3 Fifty wives c. in the 29. of the Booke of Assizes wee may see partition before this
within the Shires and Places to them allotted And that no other person shall make these Writs but they by which Ordinance also the nomination and allowance of these Cursitors doth appertain to the Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seale for the time being as in the said Ordinances is declared together with all other Orders c. concerning the said company whereof is to be observed that although by the late Lord Keeper the writing of the aforesaid VVrits was particularly assigned to such particular Officers yet were there Cursitors before that time of the same name and of the same exercise The Serjeant of the Mace who carrieth the Mace before the Lord Chancellor and is to call any man before him at his commandement There is also mentioned in Record of Edw. 3â—Officium de portandi votulis ubi Curia se divertabat priusquam in loco certo tenebatur vocat Porâ—j concessum Adamo Marlyn c. The which is the same Office of Keeper of the Rolls at this day And this place in the 13th year of Edw. 3. was granted by the chancellor and Master of the Rolls the which Grant remaineth upon Record Other Officers there are for particular Functions in the Chancery granted by Patent from the Prince as of making the VVrit of Diem clausit extremum making of Subpoena's writing the Liecnse of Alienation of Protections and a great number of others of the like nature so are there also the Sealer the Chafe-wax c. Some are constituted by Parliament to be Ordained by the Kings Letters patents as the writer and inroller of confirmations of all such Licenses Dispensations c. as shall be brought into the Chancery under the Archbishop of Canterbury his Seal c. For the Oath to be taken by the Clerks of the Chancery may be seen the Statute of 18. Ed. 3. which is to be taken not by the six Clerks only but by all other Officers in the Chancery of the like quality and their servants also Moreover for the privilege of the Officers in the Chancery there is a record of Rich. the 2. Quod Clerici ibidem nec eorum servientes non câ—gantur respondere coram aliquibus Justiciarijs Judicibus secularibus praeter quam coram Cancellario Regis seu custoae magni sigilli Regis super aliquibus placitis seu demandis quae Dom. Regem non tanguut except placitis de libero tent felon Apellis Bâ—ev Regis Anno secundo R. 2 parte secunda Article 18. The forme of their privilege is set down in the Register of Writs and in the new Natura brevium The Masters of the Chancery have privilege to be exempted from beâ—ng Procurators of the Clergy But leave we the Officers to speak something more largely of the power of the aforesaid Judg which is the Chancellor c. wherin will fall out some further matter concerning the Chancery The absolute power of the Lord Chancellor THe power of the Lord Chancellor is divided into two parts the one Judiciall and the other Ministeriall the Judiciall is likewise of two distinct sorts viz. either absolute or else ordinary whereof intending to proceed to their particular discourse I have chosen the absolute power to be the first as well for that it proceedeth in Dignity being absolute without comptrollment other than in Parliament as also it spreadeth it self most largely being most infinite without any prescribed limitation intending to leave the rest to be hereafter severally handled with better opportunity In this present Treatise I have plainely and faithfully set down the Cases Opinions and Decrees in such sort as they may by the Reports of the Year-Books and by the ancientest sort of Records in the Chancery be best warranted and have thought fitter to set down the makers of the Statutes and the pronouncers of the Law to be heard as it were speaking in their own phrases and proper terms than that I should presumptuously wrest the same into any other curious method only I had regard unto two things the manner of proceeding and the matter of the subject unto the first I referred these Titles following viz. CHAP. 1. Of the Authority Judiciall of the Lord Chancellor and Court of Chancery in generall for praesenti Chap. 2. What matters he may absolutely hold Plea of in his absolute power Chap. 3. Whom he may call to be assistants Chap. 4. How the absolute power increased and of the Statutes concerning the same Chap. 5. Of what force the Decrees Injunctions Executions and Punishments of the Chancery be Chap. 6. Whether the Chancellor may intermixe his power absolute with the ordinary Chap. 7. The forme of pleadings Chap. 8. What costs and damages shall be awarded in the Chancery And under the second I have contrived these Titles CHAP. 1. Of Lands Chap. 2. Of Lands in use or in trust Chap. 3. Of Coppy-holds Chap. 4. Of Chatells reall Chap. 5. Of Chatells personall Chap. 6. Of Chatells intrust Chap. 7. Of Aliens and Strangers Chap. 8. Certaine speciall powers absolute given to the Lord Chancellor by severall Statutes Chap. 9. Certaine speciall powers absolute given to the Lord Chancellor joyntly with others by severall Statutes CHAP. I. Of the Authority Iudiciall of the Lord Chancellor and Court of Chancery in generall 1 THe Chancellor hath two manner of powers viz. Potentiam ordinatam and Potentiam absolutaÌ„ Ordinata potentia is where a certain order is observed and so it is used in positive Law But Potentia absoluta is lex naturae quae non habet certam ordinem but useth all meanes to know the verity Et ideo dicitur processus absolutus also in lege naturae requiritur that the parties be praesentes or that they be absentes per contumaciam which is when they are warned and make default and in both these there must be Excommunicatio veritatis per cancellar. 9. E. 4. 14. Subpoena 11. b. Conscientiae 26. b. jurisdict. 10. 2. The Chancery is no Court of Record in respect that it is a Court of Conscience and holdeth Plea upon Subpoena but as it tryeth matter upon Scir. fac and Debt and such like it is a Court of Record Per Prisc. Cap. Justic. in Com. Banco 37. H. 6. 14. 3. If a Statute do ordain processe at the Common Law the Chancery doth not follow the Form prescribed by the Statute but if a Statute doth give a title of right to any man then the Chancery doth obey the Statute per cancellar. 8. E. 4. 5. This is to be understood of generall Statutes in which the Court of Chancery is not expresly named 4. The Chancery may hold plea upon Scir. fac and other such Writs as appertain to that Court as well out of the Term as in the Term per Fitz Harbert in Natura Brevium b. jurisdict. 116. 5. When the Term is adjourned by reason of sicknesse or of any other cause yet the
Decree made in the Chancery by sub Poena the party may have a writ of error in the Parliament to recover the same if it be erroneous in such sort as he may have to reverse Judgements erroneously given in the Kings Bench per Chock Serjeant 37 H. 6. 3. Iurisd. 53. error 95. But note that Brook abridgeth the case that Prisot the chief Justice was of the contrary opinion which is not to be so collected by the book but by implication yet may it seem that no writ of error doth lie but a petition to the Parlament in the nature of a writ of error but Prisot said that Judgements in the Chancery upon scire facias to repeal Parents and pleas or persons priviledged are reversable by Parlament because they are Judgements but the decrees are not 2. Cholmly Serjeant said if a decree be made in the Chancery that the Chancellor hath not power to reverse that decree in the same Court but it must be redressed in the Parlament for Judgement given in the Kings Bench Common-place or Exchequer are not reversable in the same Court but in a higher Court But Knightley Serjeant said that a decree was but an Order taken by the Court for the time the which upon good causes shewed may be redressed in the same Court hut Devistall Serjeant said that if it might be so there would be an incessant confusion of all causes wherefore the Chancellor cannot reverse an absolute Decree but he may reverse a Decree which is made with a quousque for an absolute decree is much like a definitive sentence given in the spiritual Court which cannot be redressed in the same Court but by application into a higher Court and the Kings Secretary interrupted him to speak any further of the authority of the Chancery In Cancell 27 H. 8. 6. In a writ of error to reverse a Judgement of petition in Chancery the Defendant took exception that the Judgement given in the Chancery might not be reve sed in the Chancery being all one Court but in the Parlament Et non allocatur exception per Cur Cancell 42. asss. p. 22. b error 131. It seemeth that this was not properly a reversall of the petition but rather and is like to the case ensuing I the Lord Chancellor grant a patent of land and after make a patent to another of the same land the second patent is revocable in the Chancery by scire facias but not by writ of error for a Court may reform but not reverse their own Judgements 2 R 3. A statute Merchant was acknowledged in the Chancery the money payable Anno 16. and the party sued execution and his writ supposed the same to be payable Anno 14. and by this sute the Feoffee was put out of power and he sued a writ of error in the Kings Bench and it was awarded that he should be received to the sute 18 E. 3. 25. error p. 17. asss. p. 24. And Plowden reciting the case saith that if upon sutes in the Chancery according to the order of the common Law there be error that shall be reformed by a writ of error in the Kings Bench which is a higher Court 13 El. Com. 393. The Second Part of the Absolute Power CHAP. I. Of Lands IF two Copartners bring a Formidon and one of them by Covin between the Tenant and him will not joyn with the other in a true Declaration the other may compell her by such poeâ—a to joyn in the true Declaration for else the Action would abate per Mâ—â—le Iustice Ienâ—ey Serjeant in Co. Ba 6 E. 4. 10. b. consâ— 12. 2. If two men have a wood jointly and one of them felleth the wood and keepeth all the money to himself his fâ—llow hath â—o remedy by the Law for as when they took the wood joyntly they put each other in trust and were contented to occupy together so the Laâ— suffereth them to order the profitâ— thereof according to the trust that each did put in other and yet if one took all the profits he is bound in conscience to restore the half to his fellow for as the Law giveth him right onely to half the land so it giveth him right onely in conscience to the half profits and yet it cannot be said that the law is against conscience for the Law willeth not that one shall take all the profits but leaveth it to their conscience Lib. Doct Stud. cap. 19. 3. In many cases conscience shall be ruled after the Law as the eldest son shall have his fathers land by conscience as he shall in law and so he shall in law and so in Burgh English the youngest son shall enjoy the land both in law and conscience and in Gravel-kinde all the sons and daughters shall inherit together and there can be no other reason gives why it should be so in conscience but because law or custome is so lib. Doct. Stud. 2. c. 15. for divers good causes upon that ground 4. Tho. Parrick and Agnes his wife exhibited a bill conteining that one Beatrice whose heir Agnes is was seized and took to husband Thomas Bradley present in the Court and dyed Bradley continued as Tenant by the curtesie of England untill now of late he claimeth and publisheth that he hath fee-simple and withheld the Charters wherefore they prayed that he might he examined what estate he claimeth and to be recorded and to knowledge what Charters he hath to deliver them to the complainants defendant Dâ—smissum est à curia quietus sine die per consi cur co qd materia in hac supplicatione contenta non est sufficiens ad pâ—nendum ipsâ—m defend ad examinat super â—undem petition Pet. in Canc. 20 H. 6. the defendant hath authority by law to keep the Charters and although in words he claimeth fee-simple yet because it is not alleadged that he did not any act to the dis-inheritance of the complainants therefore it seemeth he was dismissed CHAP. II. Of Lands in use or trust LAnds in Lond. were devised to the devisors son and three others in fee and that one of them should have the profits during his life the devisor dyed the son and heir sued a sub p against the two others to compell them to release unto him because the use of the land ought to be in him after the death of the per â—or and it was thought reasonable per omnes Justic. in camera Scac. 3 H. 6. devise 22. 8 feofment al uses 49. So it is if the same had been done by Feofment 2. Onâ—â—made a Feofment upon confidence and afterwards declared his will to the Feoffee that one of the daughters should have the land after his decease and after that he came to the Feoffee and told him that his said daughter would not be
6. Decree Parlament Error Brook Petition Iudgement Record 27 H. 8 Decree tho same Court Parlament Order good cause absolute decree definitive appellation 2 R. 3. patent scirefacias error the same court reform Revocation 2 R. 3. patent scire facias error the same court reform 18 E. 3. Stat. Merchant Kings Bench 13 Eliz. common Law 6 E. 4. Coparceners Covin. Doct. Sâ—ud Iointenant all the profit Conscience Law Doct. Stnd. eldest son Gravel-kinde all children Law Custome Present in Sect. Tent curâ—efie claim fee-simple Charters Dismission 3 H. 9. Rem of use use for life Release 31 H. 6. Revocation of will Revocation of use quid pro quo fall into poverty Special cause Son born Felon after feofment Felon 15 Eliz. 3 H. 6 use after feofment Enfeoff a stranger second Feoffee Damages bona fide trust 33 H. 6 Enfeoff strangers bona fide second feofment refuse to infeoff 33 H. 6. pet. in law Outlawed Clerk attainted outlawed of treason next heir 37 H. 6. Refuse to infâ—off Imprisonment 37 H. 6. Will 2 Feoffees Notice commandment 37 H. 6. 37 H. 6. refuse to take Remainder Refusall by Tenant for life Testament Dissâ—izin in assize â— E. 4. Obligation refuse to take 5 E. 4. Youngest son 5 E. 4. Mothers side heir of the fathers side 5 E. 4. Remainder Tenant in tail declare Testament Common Law 5 E. 4. Husband and Wife no consiâ— use not expressed 4 E. 4. Half bloud Take profits Possessio fratris 4 E 6. estate for life for years 5 E. 4. Attainder Felony Escheat 5 E. 4. 7 E. 4. King use void 7 E. 4. Husband and Wife Receive money cui in vita Coverture Prison satisfact. Feoffee Notice 7 E. 4. Plead Actions câ—â—ts Dilatories 8 E. 4. Heâ—â— Parlament 9 E. 4. Payment Tender Refuse to re-infeoff 11 E. 4. 8. 13. consc. 17 14 E. 4. Heirs gavel kinde common voice Age Discent Next Cousin 14 E. 4. Heir Agree Lord Extinguishment Disclaimes 17 E. 4. Award Release Testament Coverture Fine 20 E. 4. Custome Infant Sale Custome Strict 21 E. 4. Burgh English youngest son Gavel-kinde 22 E. 4. Heir Discent President 7 H. 7 Notice Feoffee 5 H. 7. Infant Offices Account Fees Assâ—nt Defence Sutes Allowance 10 H. 7. Coverture Executrix Sale Fleet 10 H. 7. use for life Forfeiture Discontinuance Reformation 10 H. 7. Injunction Infeoff Refeoff Die seized 4 H. 7. â—Refâ—off 15 H. 7. Testament sell Specialtie named Debts Creditors Distributed Executors refuse Administration Ordinary Administrator Testamentory Executors Executors Heirs 14 H. 7. Testament Specialty named second Feoffees 14 H. 8. Pleas refuse Voucher Action de case without Heir within age attainted Eschete Lord 14 H. 8. Office without Heir within age Lord Dower Stat. Merchant Notice Particeps criminis consentientur fraus 27 H. 8. Burgh English Gavel-kinde 14 H. 8. Common Law Creation Relief Desire of Feoffer 14 H. 8. Sâ—igatory Escheats Recovery in value 19 H. 8. Executor Executor of Executor Refnse Administ Ch. Iustice Resignation Heir â—R 3. H. 8. H. 8. Testament Revoke use Expressed upon Livery 30 H. 8. Covenant Notice Springing use Sale Temps H. 8 Fundamentum legum imperpetuum 34 H. 6. Pet. in Canc. Sale Profits Executor 32 H. 6. Put out Lord 22 E. 4. Statute Merchant Payment Release Witnesses Record 7 H. 7. Statute Merchant Recovery Termor Falsifie Covin. 7 H. 7. Recovery Receipts Termor In Prison Beyond Sea 3 Mâ— Use Lease Stat. 3 H. 7. Fraud Creditors 37 H. 6. Debts Obligation Things in Action No remedy 39 H. 6 Treason Attainder King No remedy Detinue Forfeiture Seisure Record Court Possession Things in Action Inventory Fleet 8 E. 4. 3. Procurator Save harmless Notice Oath Court Christian Affiance Damage Promise Folly 8 E. 4. Executors Answer One Executor Abate Bill Notice Ignorance 9 E. 4. Obligation Forreign County Action Pleas 9 E. 4. Obligation Receive part Longer day Discharge Election Respite Sute Payment by one 16 E. 4 Defraud Gift Sanctuary Husband and Wife 16 E. 4. Surety Goods Double charged Injunction 22 E. 4. Statute Merchant Witnesses Record Obligation Acquittance Common course Presidents 22 E. 4. Recovery Payment Release Acquittance Record 4 H. 7. One Executor Release Testament Sine remedia Common Law Chancery Consoience Gods Law Restitution Willing Damned Joint power Pro salute animoe Mispend Argue 7 H. 7. Obligation Acquittance Bar 7 H. 7 Simple Contract Debt Executors 20 H. 6. Petic in Canc. Goods Trust Promise Sale Detinue Wager of Law Damages Doct. Stud. Obligation Payment Acquittance Stat. 27 E. 3. Stat. 31 H. 6. Robbery Spoil Sea-ports Subject 2 E. 4. Obligation Sue 4 E. 4. Money Obligation Administrators 7 E. 4. Goods Trespasse Appeal of Robbery Oath Combate 7 E. 4. Stat. Staple One releaseth Notice Covin. Fraud Deceit Discharge Goods Notice Sale Purchase Policy Payment to one Stat. 27 E. 3. Merchant Robbery Sea Proof 2 R. 3. Chancellor alone Stat. 27 E. 3. Staple Debate Stat. 31 H. 6. Sea-port Amity League Truce Safe Conduct Attachment Robbery Delivery Restitution Justice Possessioneâ— Costs Expences Execution 2 R. 3. Assistant 13 E. 4. Star-chamber Felony Safe Conduct Law of Nature De â—oram hora Statutes Juris Naturae Law Merchant Safe Conduct Enrolment E. 4. Statutes Notice Forfeiture 13 E. 4. Denisen Sutes Alien 13 E. 4. Safe Conduct Robbery Waive Pursue the Law King 〈◊〉 In corpore In bonis Covenant 19 E. 4. League Common Law Real Actions Enemy Safe Conduct Open War 2 R. 3. Star-chamber Robbery Sea Possessions 27 E. 3. League Kings obedience Enemy Restitution 1 H. 5. Additions Clerk Fine Stat. 2 H. 5. Murthers Fly Stat. 8 H. 6. Certificate 33 H. 6. This granted by Pet. in Canc. English Bill 33 H. 6. 1. part Stat. 4 H. 7. Justice of Peace Stat. 11 H. 7. Poor People Stat. 18 Eliz. Rochester Bridge St. 21 H. 8 St. 14 H 8 Merchant Strangers Search Stat. 33 H. 8. Faâ—se token or letter 37 H. 8. Tithes in London Stat. 31 E. 3. Fish Wines Stat. 19 H. 7. Corporations Ordinances Stat. 14. H. 8. Aliens Stat. 22 H. 8. Scavage or Chevage Stat. 25 H. 8. Prises of Books 28 H. 8. Prices of Wines Stat. 34 H. 8. Banckerupts