THE TOUCHSTONE OF Precedents Relating to JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AT Common Law By G. F. of Grayes-Inn Esquire In magnis voluisse sat est Hor. LONDON Printed for Awnsham Churchill at the Black Swan at the lower end of Paternoster-Row near Amen-Corner 1682. TO THE READER NOtwithstanding the present Age hath so plentifully abounded with Books of Pleading in Publick yet certainly there hath been as manifest a Deficiency of some good Directions for the Understanding them tho' perhaps one Reason hath been for that Pleading is esteemed by the Learned the most difficult part of the Study of the Law and therefore Collections of this Kind more liable to the Censure of the Over-critical 'T is true there are two Tracts extant upon this Subject but it happens so unluckily that one is but the particular Observations of a single Person in part of his Time at the Bar and the other as Antique or Obsolete as the Language it is writ in and much wanting the finishing hand of the Designer Such hath been our misfortune as to this Subject and we may well deplore our ill fate that none of the Learned Gentlemen of the Long Robe hath yet given us their Rules and Methods on a Subject so Excellent as the Incomparable Littleton doth Characterize it viz. And know my Son that it is one of the most honourable laudable and profitable things in our Law to have the Science of good Pleading in Actions Real and Personal and therefore I counsel thee especially to employ thy Courage and Care to learn it The Reader will here find most Excellent Directions to guide him in his Practice through the Difficulties of the several Parts of Pleading wherein the Nature of Writs Counts Barrs Pleas Replications Rejoinders Issues as also Disclaimers Discontinuances Estoppels Conclusions Departures Double Pleas c. are Succinctly and Methodically handled from Authorities in the Law both Ancient and Modern far more useful and beneficial than any Collection hitherto Published as will sufficiently appear to any intelligible Person upon a strict and serious perusal of the Book it self Abatement of Writ or Count. IN Debt by two Executors one was summoned and severed and dyed and it was adjudged that it should not abate the Writ Co. 10. Read and Redman's Case If there be two Joynt-Tenants and the one is summoned and severed and dyes the Writ shall abate but in a Stire facias the death of one after Summons and Severance shall not abate the Writ Co. ib. Where note the difference between a Writ Original and a Judicial Writ Two Coparceners one is summoned and severed and hath Issue and dyes there the writ shall abate for that his Issue hath Title to the Moiety Co. ibid. But if one of the Coparceners takes husband the writ shall not abate In all Actions personal or mixt where the intire thing is to be recovered as in Quarâ— Impedit Detinue of writings and the like there after summons and severans the death of one shall not abate the Writ Also the death of one after Judgment in personal Actions shall not abate the writ although there be no severans Co. ib. Where the Writ goes in discharge as an Audita Querela and the one is summoned and severed and dies the Writ shall not abate Co. ib. Note In all personal Actions where no severans lyes there the death of one of the parties shall abate the Writ but not if it be a Judicial Writ after Judgment Co. ubi supra In Formedon against divers some plead Non tenure and others take the Tenancy upon them intirely the writ shall not abate and those who plead Non tenure shall not have Judgment 22 E. 4. 4. 4 E. 4. 33 a. Stat. 25 E. 3. 13. Misnosmer in a Scire facias shall abate the writ 9 E. 4. 35. a. If a Praecipe be brought of a Mannor and 20 s. Rent it is a good Plea to say that the Rent is parcel of the Mannor So in Formedon for Land it is a good plea to say that the Demandant hath brought another Formedon of 20 s. Rent issuing out of the same Land 3 H. 7. 3. A Writ was brought against A. Rector of B. de placito debiti 100 s. The Defendant pleaded That die impetrationis predicti brevis he was commorant at C. in another County but the Court would not allow the Plea because a Rector is always supposed to be resident upon his Benefice quod nota So a man that hath two Benefices shall be intended to dwell upon them both although he doth not deny that he is Parson 10 H. 6. 8. Co. 11. Magdel Colledg Case In a Writ of Right of Advowson against A. B. Dean of C. he pleaded That by Authority of Parliament the Corporation was defeated and avoided and it was held by Brian to be a good Plea 4 H. 7. 7. Rast Entr. 101 182. In Assise it is a good plea to the Writ to say that the Plaintiff was seised of the Freehold of the Lands in the Plaint but in a Forcible Entry it is no plea to say that he was seised the day that the Writ was purchased 5 H. 7. 41. Death or Coverture at the time of purchasing the writ shall abate the writ de facto but Coverture afterwards makes it but abateable 32 H. 6. 11. 3. Br. 138. Co. Entr. 173. Rast Entr. 107 108 126 161. It is no Plea to the Writ to say that the Summons were of other Lands for the Defendant may wage his Law de non Sum. 37 H. 6. 26. A Quare Impedit was brought and the Plaintiff made his Title to the Advowson as appendant The Defendant said that a Moiety was in Gross and it was doubted whether this Plea should go to the Writ or to the Action 32 H. 6. 10 11 12. A Quare Impedit is brought against the Incumbent without naming the Patron he being alive this makes the Writ only abateable and is not good upon a Writ of Error In a Writ of Quare Impedit or other Original Writs the death of the King before Judgment shall abate the Writ de facto but it is otherwise where the Defendant dies But in an Information for the King or for the King and the Informer upon the death of the King before Judgment the whole Proceedings are discontinued but the Information it self shall stand good and Process shall be awarded against the party de novo So of Indictments that are not for Felony or Treason for after Trial they are within the Statute of 1 E. 6. ca. 7. When the Original bears Teste before the cause of Action accrues the Writ shall abate de facto propter defectum Anderson 1. 241. a. 96. Rast Entr. 459. Co. Entr. 624. Brown's Entries 1. Part Tit. Abatement The death of the Plaintiff of Plaintiffs or of one or more of the Plaintiffs where there be many shall abate the writ Rast Entr. 416. Fitz. N. Br. 35. B. Where it appears by the plaintiffs own shewing that he had
not an Action for the whole or for part the Writ shall abate de facto as in Quare Impedit if it appears by the plaintiff's shewing that the Church is full by his own Presentation the Writ shall abate de facto Some Pleas abate the Writ in the whole and some but in part As In Trespass against two one appears and pleads that the other was dead die impetrationis brevis or that there was no such person in rerum natura there the whole Writ shall abate But it is otherwise where one of the Defendants dyes after purchasing the Writ 18 E. 4. 1. 2 H. 7. 16. Rast Entr. 126. Trespass against husband and wife after Verdict and before the day in Bank the husband dyes in Cro. Caroli 509. it is doubted if the writ shall abate but it is agreed there That if the wife dyes it shall not abate against the husband But in case for Slander by the wife the writ shall abate after Verdict Heb. 129. Account against two one dyes after the first Judgment the Writ shall abate only against him In Right of Advowson the Defendant pleads that the Plaintiff was seised of the sixth part die impetrationis brevis this shall abate the whole Writ 5 H. 7. 7. In Debt upon an Obligation the defendant pleads That after the writ purchased the plaintiff had received parcel and shews an Acquittance the whole writ shall abate and yet it is a good plea in barr for that part 5 H. 7. 41. a. Rast Entr. 160. 7 E. 4. 19. 15 H. 7. 10. 3 H. 7. 3. Quere if in Debt upon simple Contract the plaintiff receives part pendente brevi if it shall abate the writ In Debt upon an Obligation with Condition to deliver 20 Quarters of Barley the defendant pleads in Abatement that pendente billa the plaintiff had accepted 15 parcel of the said 20 and adjudged to be an ill Plea because it is collateral and not parcel of the Sum contained in the Obligation 3 Cro. 253. Where the defendant pleads matter that entitles the plaintiff or demandant to a better writ it shall abate the other as in a Writ of Ayel Seisin of the Father So in Mortd ' ancestor his own Seisin c. But in Formedon or Writ of Right darrein Seisin is no Plea for in Formedon the Gift and not the Seisin is the Title and it is not within the Statute of 32 H 8. of Limitations to be brought within 50 years 12 Eliz. Dyer 290. 4 E. 4. 32. b. If the Tenant brings a Writ of Mesne of two Acres and depending the writ he alieneth one of them the writ shall abate The same Law in an Action of Wast brought of two acres if the plaintiff aliens the Reversion of one of them the writ shall abate Where it appears that the writ was never good in part it shall abate in the whole As in Trespass against 3 if one be dead after the writ purchased the writ shall abate in the whole per 7 E. 4. The same Law if Trespass be brought against three and one saith that there is no such Name in Rerum Natura as the third person's name Judicium de Brevi if it be found the Writ shall abate in the whole because that I have joyned with me such a person who hath no colour or cause of affirmance my affirmance shall abate Where the writ is good for part and for part shall abate As in Debt upon Obligation against two they both deny the deed and it is found the deed of one of them and not of the other yet the Plaintiff shall recover against him whose deed it is 40 E. 3. Praecipe quod reddat against Tenant for life the Reversion descends to him depending the writ the writ shall not abate Misnomer in Trespass shall not abate the writ but only against him who pleads the Plea 5 E. 4 2. 13. 2 H. 7. 16. 33 H. 6. 23. A Praecipe is brought by three joyntly several Tenancy in parcel or in the whole is pleaded by one of the Tenants it shall abate the whole Writ and against all Rast Entr. 248. 270 1 2 3. 364 5. 282. In Right of Advowson against two as Jointenants the death of one shall abate the writ but secus in Assise of Novel disseisin or Mortd ancestor for there it sufficeth if there be any Tenant to the Freehold Cro. Car. 574 583 Rast Entr. 107. In an Appeal against two no such person in Rerum Natura as to one shall abate the whole writ but it is otherwise of the death of one as it seems 29 H. 7. 21. 2 H. 7. 8. But it is otherwise in an Assise or Writ of Dower as in Pollard's Case Com' 89. b. In Trespass in F. and H. the defendant said that there is not any such Vill or Hamlet in the said County and the better Opinion was That this Plea shall abate the whole Writ 4 E. 4. 33. a. Co. Lit. 155. b. Rast Entr. 108 298. Co. Entr. 121. But Quaere how it should have been tryed for it seems by a Jury of the Visne or Neighbourhood of F. Debt against two Executors one said That whereas he is nam'd of S. that he was of D. the day of the Writ purchas'd and prayes Judgment of the Writ and agreed That if the Plea was found for him that the Writ should abate against both and yet the other shall answer but the other plea shall be first tryed 21 H. 6. 4. Rast Entr. 108 295 298 299. 160. In Trespass against two one pleads that the place in question is within his Fee and demands Judgment of this writ quare vi et armis the writ shall abate against him only So where the one is Feme covert Jointenancy in the Demandant or Coparcener shall be pleaded in Abatement 22. E. 4. 4. 2 H. 7. 16. Cro. Eliz. 554. Rast Entr. 615. In a Quare Impedit against two one pleads that there was no such Church as was named in the Writ the other pleaded that there was no such Bishop of Lincoln as was there named and Issue was joyned upon the first Plea but to the second Plea the Plaintiffs demurred and the first being found for the Defendant the whole Writ did abate Hobart 250. In a Writ of Error the death of one of the Plaintiffs shall abate the whole writ Some Pleas in Abatement go only to the person of the plaintiff or defendant others to the Writ or Action As Excommunication in the Plaintiff or Demandant may be pleaded in disability of his person but every Excommunication shall not disable As if a Major or Bailiffs and Communalty or any other Body aggregate of many bring their Action Excommunication in the Major or Bailiffs shall not disable them because they sue and answer by Attorney but it is otherwise of a sole Corporation So if Executors or Administrators be Excommunicated they may be disabled for every one that hath to do with aâ—person Excommunicated either by commerce
or conversation are also Excommunicated Co. Lit. 134. If a Bishop be defendant an Excommunication by the same Bishop shall not disable the plaintiff and if no other matter be shewn it shall be intended for the same cause Co. Lit. ib. The Writ shall not abate for Excommunication in the Plaintiff or Demandant But the Judgment shall be that the Tenant or Defendant shall go quit without day because when the Demandant or Plaintiff hath purchased Letters of Absolution and they are shewed to the Court he may have a Resummons or Reattachment upon his Original according to the nature of his Writ Lit. lib. 2. ca. 11. Sect. 42. If an Alien brings an Action personal or mixt in his own right the Defendant may plead it in Abatement in disability of his person or in bar to the Action with this difference that in Actions personal or Trespass for breaking his house the defendant ought to aver that the plaintiff is an Alien born at such a place under the Allegiance of such a Prince who is Enemy to our Soveraign Lord the King for an Alien Friend as he may Traffick and have a House for a habitation so he may have an Action personal and Trespass for breaking his house as he may have a Writ of Error for necessity And the Opinion of the Lord Coke in his Commentary upon Littleton is That if an Alien Friend brings an Action it ought to be pleaded in disability of his person and not in barr to the Writ or Action but if he be an Alien Enemy the Defendant may conclude to the Action And therefore Mr. Theloal in his Digest of Writs well observeth That an Exception taken to a Writ propter defectum Nationis vel potius defectum subjectionis vel Ligeancie is peremptory and that the Action cannot be revived by Peace or League subsequent and that the King may grant Licence to Aliens to implead and likewise that such Aliens as come into the Realm by the Kings Licence or Safe Conduct may use personal actions by Writ though they be not made Denizens and that Denizens lawfully made by the Kings Grant and such Aliens born as are within the express words of the Statute of 25 E. 3. may use actions real by Original Writ Co. Lit. 129. a. b. 130. b. Co. 7. 1. Theloal Digest de Breifs Lib. 1. ca. 6. 32 H. 6. 23. An Alien may be Administrator and have Leases for years as well as personal Chattels and Debts Cro. Eliz. 683. Cro. Car. 8. 9. One brings an Action as Executor Utlary in the plaintiff is no Plea because he sues in auter droit but it is otherwise of Excommunication 21 E. 4. 49. 34 H. 6. 14. 14 H. 6. 14. If the defendant plead that the plaintiff is an Alien born and conclude to the person yet it seems he may demand the View 3 H. 6. 55. For the Pleading of Matters of Record in Abatement observe That in Formedon for a Mannor another Formedon depending for 20 s. Rent out of that Mannor is a good Plea 3 H. 7. 3. That where in Trespass the defendant pleaded that the plaintiff had brought Replevin against the Mayor and Commonalty of A. for the same cause and that he was one of the Commonalty die Captionis c. Necnon die impetrationis Brevis and it was there agreed That in Trespass a Replevin depending for the same Cause is a good Plea if there be not more Defendants in the Replevin than in the Trespass 8 H. 7. 27. A Quare Impedit is brought against the Bishop and another as Incumbent the Defendants plead that the plaintiff hath brought another Quare Impedit against the said Bishop for the same Presentation which was then depending undetermined and demands Judgment of the Writ and it was adjudged a good Plea But the plaintiff might have brought divers Quare Impedits against divers Defendants Hobart 138. 9. So in an Assise of Darrein Presentment it is a good Plea to say That there is a Quare Impedit depending for the same Presentation Hobart 184. But where an Assise is brought of Lands in one County an Assise for the same Lands in another County and Judgment thereupon cannot be pleaded So of a Recovery in Ancient Demesne because it cannot be intended that the Lands recovered in the Assise or in Ancient Demesne are the same Lands 4 H. 6. 24. Rast Entr. 65. In Formedon in le Diseender it is no Plea to say that the Plaintiff at another time brought a Formedon in the Remainder of the same Lands except both the Counts be of one and the same Gift 40 E. 3. 31. Where the Heir brought two several Formedons upon one and the same Gift although the last did vary from the first Gift yet it is no Plea in Abatement for he might claim by two Ancestors sub dono 4 E. 3 8. If the Defendant in a personal Action pleads another Action depending at the time of the purchasing the last Writ he ought not to say that it is yet depending for the last Writ is abated in Law notwithstanding he is afterwards non-suited in the first Writ Co. 6. Ferrers Case Where Note the diversity when the writ is general as Covenant Detinue Assise c. and the Certainty is in the Declaration for there if the Plaintiff is nonsuited in the first before he counts or declares the last shall not abate and when the writ is special and the thing demanded is specified therein as in Praecipe quod reddat c. What persons shall be admitted to plead in Abatement and what not Note One Defendant may plead the death of the other before the Writ purchased or that there is no such person in rerum natura 20 H. 6. 30. b. But in Replevin if the Defendant avow upon an Estranger the Plaintiff in the Replevin cannot plead in Abatement of the Avowry 22 E. 4. 35. b. If the Cognizee of a Statute sue execution against one Terretenant only without the other he cannot plead in Abatement but is put to his Audita Quaerela against the other because that the Cognizee is not bound to take Notice of all the Terretenants 16 Eliz. Dyer 331. a. Nota That after a Continuance the Defendant shall not be admitted to plead that the Plaintiff was made Bishop or that the Woman Plaintiff took Husband depending the Writ except that he pleads it after the last continuance but it is otherwise of the death or Coverture of the Plaintiff at the time of the Writ purchased because these Pleas do abate the Writ de Facto 32 H. 6. 10. 11. In a Replevin where the Plaintiff admits the Avowry the Priee shall not plead in Abatement but as Amicus Curiae and not then except it be apparantly known per totam Curiam 34 H. 6 8. In a Praecipe against I. S. the Son of W. Edmond at the retorn of the Grand Cape the Defendant said that his Father was named Esmond and by Thorpe it is a good
Plea in Abatement of the Writ before the default saved 40 E. 3. 2. In a Writ of Aiel Besaiel and Cosinage one shall not plead to the points of the Writ after he hath pleaded in Barr but it is otherwise in an Assise of Mortd ' ancestor as it seems 40 E. 3. 19. Where the Writ abates in part by the Act of the Court and where it is abated by the Parties own Confession As if an Executor brings an Action de clauso fracto de bonis asportatis in this case the Writ shall abate for part and as to the rest it shall be effectual But where the Writ is abated by the Plaintiff it is reason although that it be of his own Conusans that if it abate that the whole shall abate In Assise against two the one pleads in Barr as to a moiety the other pleads jointenancy with a third person the Plaintiff may choose him who pleads in Barr for his Tenant and confess that his writ is false for the other part In Assise against two the one is Tenant the other is Disseisor which Disseisor makes default the other accepts his Companion Tenant with him and pleads in Barr the Plaintiff dissables the Tenant and doth not answer to the Barr for in this case he hath accepted a Tenant which is not Tenant As if Praecipe quòd reddat be brought by two where one is a Bastard or by two persons as Heirs where one of them in truth is not Heir in these cases the whole Writ shallabate because that that is meerly false whichis supposed to be true Two Executors bring an Action of Trespass of Goods carried away in the life-time of the Testator and also of Trees cut down here the Writ is good notwithstanding that the Executors cannot have the Writ for the Trees cut down and if they pray to have an other Writ for the Trees cut down then the whole Writ shall abate quod nota A Defendant or Tenant cannot abate a Writ by his Act but the Act of the Plaintiff or Demandant and the Act of God and also the Act of an Estranger may abate the Writ In a writ of Ravishment de gard by the death of the Infant the writ shall not abate Tenant by Statute-Merchant is disseised the disseisor lets for life the Tenant by the Statute brings an Assise the Lessee dyes the writ shall not abate because he shall recover all in damages But it is otherwise where he is to recover the Freehold because in that case he cannot have the effect of his Judgment A Writ of Admesurement of Common is brought by one against three depending the writ the Plaintiff and one of the Defendants exchange their Lands to which the common is appendant if the writ shall abate it seems not because that notwithstanding the exchange the Plaintiff may have the effect of his Suit which is that the Common may be admesured and at all times pending the writ the Plaintiff and the Defendant who made the exchange were Tenants and the Writ of Admesurement granted between them by reason of their Tenure for there was no mean-time between the parting from the Free-hold in one Acre and the taking the Free-hold in the other Acre and that very instant that the Freehold of the one Acre was parted from the other was vested so that there was cause of Admesurement between them as well after the exchange as there was before A Writ of Admesurement is brought against three one hath nothing in the Common so that the Writ ought to abate because that non-tenure is a good Plea in this Action yet if he that hath nothing before any exception be taken to the Writ purchaseth an Acre of Land by which he ought to have Common in the same Land the Writ is made good As in Praecipe quod reddat brought against him that hath nothing and pending the Writ he purchaseth the same Lands the writ is good So it seems the writ is good notwithstanding no time between the exchange ergo à forciori when there is no mean instant But by the better opinion it seems that the writ shall abate notwithstanding that the party may have the effect of his Suit for that ground is not obsolutely general as Praecipe quòd reddat is brought against me and I have nothing in the Land and pending the writ the Land descends the writ shall abate I bring an Action of wast by reason of the reversion or a Quid juris clamat depending the writ I alien the same Reversion and after purchase the Reversion again yet the writ is abated If a writ of Partition or Nuper obiit be brought and pending the writ the demandant aliens and retakes the Estate to him yet the writ shall abate And yet in all these cases the Plaintiff may have the effect of his Suit But that which causeth the writ to abate is the Act of the Plaintiff for the writ depending he hath aliened that which gives him his cause of Action and therefore the writ shall abate as in the cases aforesaid for as to the Plaintaiff's part his own Act shall abate the writ and not the Act of God nor of the Law except in some cases and as for the Defendants or the Tenants part his own Act shall not abate the writ but the Act of God or of the Law may for if the Tenant aliens depending the writ yet the writ shall not abate but the Demandant shall recover and he that comes in by the Tenant shall be bound by that Recovery And if an exchange had been made by the Plaintiff with a stranger who had nothing in the Common the writ should have been abated without question So for that Acr◠which he had when the writ was brought he cannot maintain his writ for put the case that the day the writ was purchas'd the Plaintiff had not any Land by which he ought to have common and afterwards pending the writ he purchas'd an Acre of Land to which the Common is appendant this shall not make the writ good which was nought from the beginning When the writ is made abatable by the Act of the Plaintiff or Demandant Videlicet by his aliening of that thing which gives to him the cause of Action if he pending the writ doth purchase the same again it shall not revive the writ nor make it good WHere the Grant shall be good ab initio although it was incertainat the commencement Note If a Parson will Grant to me all the Wooll which he shall have for Tithe the next year to come this Grant is good and yet the quantity of the Wool is incertain at the time of the Grant But because it may be reduced to a certainty after the Grant it was held good enough 21 H. 6. 43. And so if a man will Grant to me the Perquisits of his Court this incertain Grant is good causâ quâ suprà 21 H. 6. 43. The same Law is where a Feoffment is
1. B. R. Sti 4. Debt upon an Obligation he pleads that he pay'd at such a day the Jury find he did not pay at that day the Truth was theâ—e were two dayes of payment and he payd one part the one day and the other at the other day the Court seemed he is condemned by the Verdict and his own Plea P 24. Car 1. B. R. Sti. 93 94. Debt upon Obligation to perform Articles the Defendant pleads Covenants performed Issue and Verdict for the Plaintiff who moved for a new Tryal to prevent Error because no Issue joyned but the Court said it was a good issue but ill plea whereon he might have demurred and ruled the Defendant shews Cause why a Replication should not be Weights Case M 24. Car 1. B. R. Sti. 139 140. In Debt upon a single Bill the Defendant pleads he had paid and the other accepted part since the Action brought ruled a good Plea in Abatement of the Writ not in Barr of the Action as here 't is Hillingworth versus Whetstone P. 1649. B. R. Sti. 112 163 Co. 9 Jnst 303. 2 Cro. 304. 959. H. 10. H. 7. Pl 3. M. 21. E. 4. Pl. 38. Debt for 40. l. against an Executor he pleads that he received but 10 l. and 40 l. was due to him the Plaintiff replies that he is Executor de tort and has more goods Et hoc parat c. where it should be Et hoc petit c. ill and that discontinues the whole Plea Alexander versus Lane In Debt for Rent Lessee pleads that Lessor nil habet c. he replyes quod habet 't is ill not shewing what estate but cured by Verdict if Issue be joyned and found quod habet Hill versus Glassey Yel 227. 2 Cro. 312. Debt upon two Bonds whereof one is not due the Defendant pleads a Release of that and another Plea to the other both found against him and this shewed in Arrest of Judgment yet shall not be stayed for by his pretending a false Release he passed over that Advantage So in Debt by an Executor the Defendant pleads he has a Co-Executor who has released to him and found against him the Plaintiff has Judgment Friths Case 3 Cro. 68 69. 4041. 110. 111. In Debt on an Obligation the Defendant pleads al jour and issue of it puis darr contin he pleads that the money was attached in his hands in London Pel versus Pel 2. Cro. 101. Debt upon two Bonds the Defendant demands Oyer of the Condition one of which was to pay c. after performance of a Will the other was to pay c. within two years after the Devisor's death and performance c. and pleads that the Will was that he should make a Release and alledges the death to be at such a day which is within two years and that he required the Defendant to make a Release and he refused Issue of the death and all found for the Plaintiff moved in Arrest c. one day is not come and damages intire so no Judgment to be but per Cur. 't is only the Allegation of the Defendant that he dyed at such a day which if true the Defendant would have rested on it and not have pleaded a false Plea whereon the Issue is taken and found against him Thurbettle versus Reeve and Tye 3 Cro. 110. 111. 40. 41. 68 69. Debt upon an Obligation the Defendant pleads non est factum 't is found that he Sealed c. and the Seal was torn off after the Plea pleaded but on atthe time of the Plea 't is against the Plaintiff Mirral versus Scebrith 3 Cro. 120 Co. 5 Rep 119. b. Debt for Rent against an Executor he pleads Levy per distress and sans Detinet void find no Levy by distress but that an assignment was made by the Testator and the Rent paid by the Assignee and adjudged for the Defendant for the substance is on the new Detinet and the rest but circumstance S. Tho. Cecil versus Harriot 3 Cro. 140. Debt on a Bond conditioned to save harmless against another Bond of Fifty two pounds And so he saved him harmless but because that he shews not that he was not damnified before ill Denis versus Thomas 3 Cro. 156. In Debt on a Bond by A. and B. the Defendant pleads the Obligation was made to them and B. And that all three have an Action depending against him Judgment is got but because the Bond to three cannot be intended And that the Plea goes in Abatement and he has concluded in Barr ill Isumet Priscot versus Hitchcot 3 Cro. 102. Debt on Obligation conditioned If such Lands be four miles distant c. the Defendant pleads that 't is four thousand paces distant the plea Ruled good for a thousand paces is a mile So it tantamounts the Condition but how a mile or the spaces shall be reckoned per communem viam or strait as a Bird could Fly qu. Mirige versus Eat 3 Cro. 212. 267. Debt super Obligation conditioned to pay 35 l. at Michaelmas and 33 at Lady-day he pleads payment of the 70 l. secundum formam Conditionis good though objected he should have pleaded several payments for the several Conditions do implye it Lox versus Lee 3. Cro 256. In Debt a good plea in Barr replication ill Judgment by nil dicit because the Defendant never rejoyned shall not be reversed for that ill till all be made up herewith agrees Co 5. Rep. 55. a Princ. Boyer versus Jennings 3 Cro. 284. Debt against an Executor the Defendant pleads that pending the Action another brought an Action for a true Debt of the Testator which he confessed and that he has nothing wherewith to satisfie the Judgment the Plaintiff protestando that was a true Debt pro placito replyes that the Recovery was by Covin to deceive him Defendant demurrs and adjudged against him for the Covin is not Issuable but reversed in Error nor could the Recovery be by Covin if the Debt true Greene versus Wilcox 3. Cro 462 463. Obligation conditioned to appear in the Kings-Bench the Defendant pleads that the Court was adjourned to Hartford and that he appeared there ill not saying prout â—atet per Recordum Corbet versus Cooke 3 Cro 466. Debt super Obligation covenanted to appear in the Kings-Bench such a day and there elect two Arbitrators who with two more to be elected by the Plaintiff shall Award c. the Defendant pleads that he appeared there at the day and there elected two the Plaintiff was not there time enough for the Award to be made nor that he had his Arbitrators there Edwards versus Marks 3 Cro 549. Debt upon Obligation conditioned that if he upon request deliver the Plaintiff all the Tallow that shall be made before Michaelmas of all Beasts killed by him or his servants then c. the Defendant pleads generally prout in Condition the plaintiff demurred supposing he ought to set out particularly
was their fault to take such a joint Estate or that the Obligor was bound to them jointly 35 H. 6. 23. a. In Replevin Verdict is given for the Avowant and the plea is discontinued afterwards by the death of the King or otherwise and the Avowant sues a Scire facias against the Plaintiff in this case the plaintiff may plead a Release of the Avowant after Verdict of all Actions or he may plead other matter to discharge himself 5 E. 4. 19. In Trespass the Defendant pleads two pleas and the Plaintiff demurrs to one and doth not plead over to the other it is a discontinuance as it appears by two Presidents in the Books of Entries and Holcrofts Case Co Lib 4. where it is pleaded accordingly In Precipe quòd reddat the Tenant disclaims the Judgment shall be that the Demandant nihil capiat per breve and if the Tenant will make a Feoffment in Fee the Demandant may enter upon him and if the Tenant will discontinue the Demandant may say that he hath nothing in the Land but by disseisin which he made to I. S. and put him from the disclaimer because that by the disclaimer he hath nothing but his Right and the Entry of the disseisee is lawful upon him because that he hath nothing until by that discontinuance he perfects the Recovery In Replevin the Defendant makes Conusans as Bailiff to an Abbot upon an Estranger as upon his very Tenant The Plaintiff prays aid of this Stranger because he let for years they join in aid and process is continued until his Term at which time the Term ends they both disclaim to hold of the Abbot the Court awarded that the Plaintiff sue forth a Writ of Inquiry of Damages 29 H. 6. No man can disclaim against a Termor because that if his Lessor will not bring his Writ of Right upon disclaimer he hath no Remedy 9 E. 4. Husband and Wife cannot disclaim in Avowry for if they do the Lands of the Wife shall be lost by it 10 E. 4. per Cur ' In Replevin the Defendant avows upon Plaintiff and he disclaims to it he shall not be received for you have made a Feoffment of the Lands so that we cannot have a Writ of Right Sur disclaimer held a good plea To which the Plaintiff saith that he was seised of those Lands in Fee without that that he hath made a demise In a Writ of Entry in le quibus of the disseisin of the Demandant or his Ancestor against two one would disclaim and could not because he was in of his own wrong Distress vide Trespass IF a man distrain Household-Goods That will take hurt by wet or weather he ought to impound them in an House within three miles within the same County where they were taken But if he put them in an open place were they perish the distreynor shall not answer for them If a man distreyn a Horse and the Horse leaps out of the Pound and after the distreynor Retakes him and tyes him to a Post and in strugling the Horse strangles himself the Distreyner shall be punished inan Action of Trespass So if a man distrain a Cow he ought not to milk her although it be for the good of the Cow for you must not do good in such a Case without the Owners consent For Peradventure the Owner might come in time and milk her himself and if the Cow perish for want of milking The Distrayner may distrayn again and so be at no damage An Officer of the Sheriff cannot justifie the breaking open of doors to distrayn for the Kings Rent much less a Landlord A man shall not use things distreyned because he hath them but as Pledges in the Law No man shall drive a distress out of the Hundred it was taken in or to any Pound above the space of three miles or into several Pounds whereby the party shall be driven to take out several Replevins None shall drive a distress out of the County Nor shall distrain in the High-way None shall drive distress into a Castle or Hold to withhold them from the Owner upon his Replevin If a man come to distrain and the party seeing his purpose drives the Cattle off the Land or put the goods out of the house to the intent he shall not take them upon the ground for a distress Then I may lawfully pursue and if I take the same upon the High-way or upon the ground the taking is lawful as if I had taken it upon the ground or house out of which the rent issues to whomsoever the property of the goods or Cattel do belong A man cannot distrain for an amerciament in a Court-Baron but for an amerciament in a Court-Leet he may If a man grants a Lease to B. rendring Rent to be paid at four several Quarters and if it be behind and lawfully demanded That then it shall be lawful for the Lessor to distrain c If a man comes to distrain and the Tenant inclose the ground or shuts the doors of the house That the Landlord cannot distrain for his Rent it 's a disseisin For the Landlord may not break the doors or Fences to come at the Distress Also Forstallment That is lying in wait or threatning a Landlord whereby he is disturbed and hindred of the means to come by his Rent is a disseisin of the Rent viz. to hinder the taking of his Rent A man brought Yarn to the house of his Neighbour on Horse-back to the intent to weigh the same by his Neighbours Beam the Landlord comes and distrains the Horse and Yarn for Rent due out of the house to which the Yarn was brought and by the whole Court adjudged an unlawful distress A man cannot distrain for Rent but on the Land or House out of which it becomes due and there he may take what he finds to whom soever the same belongs If a man distrains Beasts without cause and impounds them in a Pound overt it 's not lawful for the Owner to break the Pound but must bring his Replevin If Beasts dye or goods distrained for Rent perish the Landlord may distrain again for the same Rent and the loss of such Beasts so dying shall be loss of the Tenant if it be in a Pound overt If the Landlord be in view of Cattel he intends to distrain for Rent and the Tenant to avoid the Distress drives the Cattel out of the Landlords Fee Yet the Landlord may take them in or out of his Fee And it seems the same Reason if a man comes to a house to distrain for Rent and be in the house and have â—ight of the Goods and the Tenant to hinder the distress shuts up the Roomes The Landlord may force open the doors if the Tenant will not open them upon request If I grant a Rent to I. S. and his Heirs out of my Mannor of D. Et obligo Manerium et omniabona et Catalla mea super Manerium predict existentia
and discharged Three are bound in one Bond and every of them joyntly in the whole the Obligee afterwards gets Judgment against one of them and brings his Action against the other This Recovery is no Barr for it is no Satisfaction of the Debt but an Execution is a good plea in this Matter Obligation dated 8th of December 78. and doth not say the Year of our Lord God nor the Year of the King's Reign the Date is void and the Obligation good without Date and the Plaintiff may count how the Bond was delivered to him any day when he pleases Reg. 1. Acts and Statutes in pleading need not be recited wholly only the particular Branch that concerns the Matter in Hand because every Branch is an Act of it self Secus of a Record for that is grounded upon an Original and Judgment and ought therefore to be entirely recited when pleaded in Bar. If Tenant in Tail of a Manor whereunto a Villain is Reguardant discontinue and die and the Right of the Intail descend to the Villain himself who brings Formedon and the Discontinuee pleadeth Villanage This is no Plea because the Devesting of the Manor which is the Intention of the Suit doth include this plea because it determineth the Villanage Reg. 2. Pleadings must be certain that the Adverse Party may know whereunto to answer or else he were at a Mischief which Mischief is remedied by Demurrer If tenant in Ancient Demeasne be disseized by the Lord whereby the Seigniory is suspended and the Disseizee bringeth his Assize in the Court of the Lord. Frank Fee is no plea because the Suit is brought to undo the Disseison and so to revive the Seigniory in Ancient Demesne If a Man be Attainted and Executed and the Heir bring a Writ of Error upon the Attainder and the Corruption of Blood by the same Attainder be pleaded to interupt the conveying in of the same Writ This is nâ— plea for then he were without Remedy ever to reverse the Attainder If Tenant in Tayl discontinue for Life rendring a Rent and the Issue brings a Formedon and the Warranty of his Ancestor with Assets be pleaded against him and the Assetts is laid to be no other but his Reversion with the Rent This is no plea because the Formedon which is brought to undo the Discontinuance doth inclusively undo this new Reversion in Fee with the Rent thereunto annexed If a Man be attainted of two several Attainders and there is Error in them both there is no reason but that there should be a Remedy open for the Heir to reverse those Attainders being Erroneous as well if there were twenty as one And therefore if in a Writ of Error brought by the Heir of one of them the Attainder should be a plea peremptorily And so again if in a Writ of Error brought of the other the former should be a plea these were to exclude him utterly of his Right and therefore it should be a good Replication to say That he hath a Writ of Error depending of that also And so the Court shall proceed but no Judgment shall be given until both Pleas be dismissed and if either Plea be found without Error there shall be no Reversal either of the one or the other and if he discontinue either Writ then shall it be no longer a plea And so of several Outlawries in a Personal Action If Tenant in Tayl of two Acres make two several Discontinuances to several persons for Life rendring Rent and bringeth a Formedon of both and in the Formedon brought of W. Acre the Reversion and Rent reserved upon B. Acre and so contrary it seems to be a good Replication that he hath a Formedon also upon that depending whereunto the Tenant hath pleaded the Descent of the Reversion of W. Acre and so neither shall be a Barr And yet there is no doubt but if in a Formedon the Warranty of Tenant in Tayl with Assetts be pleaded it is no Replication for the Issue to say that a Precipe dependeth by J. S. to evict the Assetts An Attorney may plead not informed to an Action if his Client doth not give him order to plead otherwise For this will save the Attorney Damages in a Writ of Deceit if it should be brought against him In an Action of the Case if the Defendant plead to issue upon one part and Demurrer to the other part the Demurrer ought to be argued first because the Jury at the Tryal may give Intire Damages for the whole Scire Facias against Manucaptor ' they plead that after Judgment against the Principal viz. 6th die anno the Principal brought a Writ of Error whereby the Record was removed into the Exchequer and that pendente br ' de Errore the Principal rendred himself to the Marshal and there died and this he is ready to prove c. This Plea is nought because the Rendition ought to be tried by the Record Secondly The plea is double and imports two Issues the one the Rendring and the other the Death 3. The bringing the Writ of Error is a Supersedeas to the Execution and the Execution being suspended during the Error undetermined and depending the Bail was not sufficient Authority to bring them in So that his Rendition is in vain and nothing worth and the Death is only answerable which if true is a Discharge of the Bail Reg. 3. In all Imperfections of Pleading whether it be in Ambiguity of Words and double Intendments or want of Certainty and Averments the plea shall be strictly and strongly taken against him that pleads it For Ambiguity of Words If in a Writ of Entry upon Disseisin the Tenant pleads Joynt-Tenancy with J. S. of the Guift and Feoffment of J. D. Judgment del brief the Demandant says That long before J. D. any thing had the Defendant himself was seized in Fee Quousque predict ' id super possessionem ejus intravit and made a joynt Feoffment whereupon he the Demandant re-enter'd and was seized until by the Defendant alone he was disseized This is no Plea because the word intravit may be understood either of a Lawful Entry or of a tortious and the hardest against him shall be taken which is that it was a lawful Entry therefore he should have alleadged precisely that J. D. disseisivit Reg. 4. So upon Ambiguities that grow by References if an Action of Debt be brought against J. F. and J. B. Sheriffs of London upon an Escape and the Plaintiff doth declare upon an Execution by Force of a Recovery in the Prison of Ludgate sub Custodia J. S. and J. D. then Sheriffs in 1 H. 8. and that he so continued sub Custodia J. B. and J. G. in 2 H. 8. and so continued in Custodia J. F. and J. P. in 3 H. 8. and then was suffered to escape J. F. and J. P. plead that before the Escape at such a day Anno superius in narratione specificat ' the said J. S. and J. D.