himself before the making of his Testament altho' he do not prove the Testator's Madness at the very time of the making of the Testament the Reason is It being proved that the Testator was once mad the Law presumeth him to continue still in that Case * Praesumptioni standum est nisi contrarium probetur D. 23. 3. 57. in fine D. 4. 2. 23. D. 12. 4. 6. 10. 2 Inst. 477. 10. Litt. 373 b. Bracton l. 1. c. 9. n. 4. Fleta l. 1. c. 6. unless the contrary be proved For like as the Law presumeth every Man to be an honest Man unless the contrary be proved and being proved then he which is evil to be evil still So concerning Furor the Law presumeth every Man to have the use of Reason and Understanding unless the contrary be proved which being proved accordingly then he is presumed in Law to continue still void of the use of Reason and Understanding unless the Testator were besides himself but for a short time and in some peculiar Actions and not continually for a long space as for a Month or more or unless the Testator fell into some Frenzy upon some accidental Cause which Cause is afterwards taken away or unless it be a long time since the Testator was assaulted with the Malady for in these Cases the Testator is not presumed to continue in his former Furor or Frenzy III. QUERY Furor or Madness whether hard to be proved And how it may be proved SOLUTION It is a hard and difficult Point to prove a Man not to have the use of Reason and therefore it is not sufficient Swinburn Part 2. § 3. f. 38. a. Edit 1590. for the Witnesses to depose that the Testator was mad or besides his Wits unless they yield a sufficient Reason to prove this their Deposition as that they did see him to do such Things or heard speak such Words as a Man having Wit or Reason would not have done or spoken namely they did see him throw Stones against the Windows or did see him usually to spit in Mens Faces or being asked a Question they did see him hiss like a Goose or bark like a Dog or play such other Parts as Mad-folks use to do This or the like Reason whereby the Judge may be induced to esteem the Testator not to be of sound Mind ought the Witnesses to yield altho' they be not interrogated of the Cause of their Knowledge IV. QUERY Madness whether it may be proved by singular Witnesses SOLUTION This Furor or Madness may be proved by singular Witness so that the Witnesses be not singular in Swinburn in his Treatise of Wills Part 2. § 3. f. 38. a b. time for if one Witness depose of the Madness of the Testator at one time and another Witness of his Madness at another time this doth not sufficiently prove that the Testator was mad But when the Witnesses agreeing in time one deposeth of one mad Prank another Witness of another mad Act at the same time these prove that the Testator was then mad tho' they do not both depose of one and the same mad Act But if some Witnesses do depose That the Testator was of perfect Mind and Memory and others depose the contrary their Testimony is to be preferred which depose he was of sound Memory as well for that their Testimony tendeth to the Favour and Validity of the Testament as for that the same is more agreeable to the Disposition of Nature for every Man is a Creature reasonable V. QUERY Whether the Grant of a Copyhold Estate made by the Lord of the Copyhold Mannor that is a Mad-man can be good in Law SOLUTION It is to be known That any Person who may be a Grantor in a Deed may be a good Grantor of a Copyhold Estate For this any Person Coke of Copyholds f. 89. 4 Co. f. 23. Clerk Penifather's Case Sheppard's Court-Keeper's Guide cap. 19. p. 108 109 4th Edit 1656. 8 Co. f. 63. b. Swain's Case Man or Woman that hath a lawful Estate in a Mannor for a time may be a good Lord to grant Copyholds take Surrenders make Estates and Admittances according to the Custom of the Mannor notwithstanding the Disability of his Person or Exility of his Estate and therefore 't is held that an Infant an Excommunicate Person a Person Outlawed in an Action Personal a Felon before his Attainder by Outlawry Verdict or Confession a Lunatick or a Man distracted being Lord of a Mannor may grant Copyhold Estates for any time according to the Custom of the Mannor as another Man may do and the Estates made by them are unavoidable VI. QUERY A Mad-man being seized of Land and granting a Rent-Charge out of this same Land dies his Heir entring and the Grantee distraining for Rent-Arrear whether the Heir may bring an Action of Trespass SOLUTION If a Man Non Sanae Memoriae being seized of a Carve of Land in Fee and die and his Heir enter and the P. 12 E. 4. 8 H. 39. H. 6. Perkins § 21. Tit. Grants Grantee distrein for the Rent behind the Heir shall have an Action of Trespass but if the Grantee had distreined in the Life of the Grantor for the Rent behind the Grantor should not have an Action of Trespass for he cannot avoid his own Deed by disabling of himself VII QUERY A Man of Sane Memorie seised of Land makes a Feoffment in Fee and after when he is besides himself or distracted makes a Letter of Attorney for Livery of Seizin which is executed accordingly the Feoffor dies whether the Heir may lawfully enter upon the Feoffee SOLUTION If a Letter of Attorney to make Livery of Seisin is made of certain Land by a Man of unsound Memory 17 Ass. Pl. 17. Perkins § 23. Tit. Grants and the Charter of Feoffment of the same Land was made before when he was of good Memory and then Livery of Seisin was made by force of the Letter of Attorney without other Assent of the Feoffor and the Feoffor die now his Heir may enter upon the Feoffee but the Feoffor himself cannot enter VIII QUERY Whether the Entry of the Heir of a Furor Man be lawful maugre a Descent had in the Life of his Ancestors SOLUTION If a Man that is bereft of his Wits hath cause to enter into his Lands and Tenements Littleton Sect. 405. which another hath in Fee c. and suffers a Discent during the time he was out of his Wits and after dies the Heir of Non Sane Memorie may well enter upon him that is in by Discent for the Heir in this case can well disable the Person of his Ancestors for his own Advantage because no Latches can be adjudged by the Law in him which hath no Discretion in such case And yet his Ancestors which had the same Title could not enter For he who was out of his Memory at the time of such Discent if he will enter after such a Discent
NON COMPOS MENTIS OR THE LAW RELATING TO NATURAL FOOLS MAD-FOLKS and LUNATICK PERSONS Inquisited and Explained for Common Benefit By IOHN BRYDALL Esq of LINCOLN'S-INN SENECA Lib. XIV Epistolarum Epist. 94. Siquis furioso praecepta det quomodo loqui debeat quomodo procedere quomodo in publico se gerere quomodo in privatoâ—…â—…it ipso quem monebit insanior LONDON Printed by the Assigns of Richard and Edward Atkins Esquires for Isaac Cleave at the Star next Serjeants-Inn in Chancery-Lane 1700. THE AUTHOR TO THE READER SEeing there have been exposed to Publick View a couple of Tracts the one entituled The Woman's Lawyer and the other stiled The Infant 's Lawyer I have been induced to 〈◊〉 a Publication of this perexiguous â—…iece and have named it The Law of Non Compos Mentis It being no other than a Collection methodically digested of such Laws with the Cases Opinions and Resolutions of our common Law Sages as do properly concern the Rights of all such as are wholly destitute of Reason Some whereof are become so by a perpetual Infirmity as Idiots or Fools Natural Some who were once of good and sound Memory but by the Visitation of God are deprived of it as Persons in a high Degree Distracted Some that have their lucid Intervals sometimes in their Wits sometimes out as Lunatick Persons And some who are made so by their own Default as Persons overcome with Drink who during the time of their Drunkenness are compared to Mad-Folks All which Sorts of Non Compos Mentis are the Subject Matter of the ensuing Sheets I shall no longer detain the Reader from the perusal of them than by tendering him the good Advice given by an ingenious Author touching Witless Persons which is as follows Take no Pleasure in the Folly of an Idiot nor in the Fancy of a Lunatick nor in the Frenzy of a Drunkard make them the Object of thy Pity not of thy Pastime When thou beholdest them behold how thou art beholding to Him that suffered thee not to be like them This wholsome Counsel of his to embrace will be look'd on as an Act of Prudence But to reject it will be such a piece of Folly as will undoubtedly bring him that shall be guilty of it under the hard Sentence of our old English Proverb Let him be begg'd for a Fool. A TABLE OF THE QUERIES RELATING First To IDIOTS 1. IF the King commit the Body or Estate of an Idiot to J. S. to do with him as he pleases whether this Grant be good 26 2. Whether the King shall have the Mean Profits from the time of the first Seisure of the Idiot or from the time of the Office found 27 3. At what time was the Prerogative in the Custody of Idiots Lands conferred on the Crown during the Life of an Idiot or Natural Fool 29 4. Whether the Ter-Tenant shall be allowed to Traverse an Office of Idiocy upon a Scire Facias brought against him by the King 32 5. Whether there be any Diversity in the Case of the King to answer either to the Tenure or the Possession 32 6. Whether an Idiot or Fool Natural can be bound by the Sale of his Goods in Market Overt 33 7. Whether a Stranger may tender Money in Performance of a Condition to save the Estate of an Idiot 33 8. If an Idiot should make his Testament wisely and reasonably to the Shew whether this Testament of his be good or not 34 9. If an Idiot above the Age of 21 Years makes a Feoffment in Fee of his Inheritance how and in what manner that Feoffment may be avoided during his Life 39 10. A Fine levied by an Idiot what it operates 40 11. A Fine levied by J. S. Uncle of an Idiot who was seised of an Inheritance the said J. S. dying in the Life of H. the Idiot whether this Fine so levied can bar the Grand-Child of J. S. 42 12. Whether the Custody of an Idiot holding by Copy of Court-Roll belongs to the King by his Prerogative or to the Lord of the Copyhold Mannor 44 13. Whether there be any Difference between an Estate made in Person or by Attorney as to an Idiot or any other Non Compos Mentis 45 14. A Man dies seised of Land his Heir being an Idiot and before Office he levies a Fine whether the King shall have the Custody of the Lands or not 47 15. Idiots in the Custody of the Prince whether such Custody can be devised by the Testator 47 16. Idiocy whether in any Case triable in the Ecclesiastical Court 48 17. An Executor having obtained Iudgment in an Accompt and having the Defendant in Execution for Arrearages and the Testament being afterwards annulled for Idiocy in the Testator whether the Testament being disapproved an Audita Querela will lie for the Defendant 49 18. Whether an Attornment made to a Grant by an Idiot or other Non Compos Mentis can be good in Law 50 19. Whether an Inquisition shall bind an Idiot without an Examination by the Council 51 20. No Possessions in Lands descending to an Idiot but only a Right whether the King can enter and have the Custody of it 51 Secondly To Persons Furious or Distracted 1. WHether Madness or Insanity of Mind ought to be proved by him that objecteth the same 66 2. Madness before the making of a Testament whether it can be presumed to continue 67 3. Furor or Madness whether hard to be proved 68 4. Madness whether it may be proved by singular Witness 69 5. Whether the Grant of a Copyhold Estate made by the Lord of the Copyhold Mannor that is a Mad-man can be good in Law 69 6. A Mad-man being seised of Land and granting a Rent-Charge out of this same Land dies his Heir entring and the Grantee distraining for Rent-Arrears whether the Heir may bring an Action of Trespass 70 7. A Man of Sane Memorie seised of Land makes a Feoffment and after when he is besides himself or distracted makes a Letter of Attorney for Livery of Seisin which is executed accordingly the Feoffor dies whether the Heir may lawfully enter upon the Feoffee 71 8. Whether the Entry of the Heir of a Furor Man be lawful maugre a Descent had in the Life of his Ancestors 71 9. What kind of Privies can disable him who was deprived of the Use of Reason and Understanding Or by whom and what Acts done by a Mad-man can â—…e avoided 72 10. Whether a Man Distracted or out of his Wits be relievable in a Court of Equity to avoid a Deed made by himself 73 11. Whether this Maxim That the Party cannot disable himself shall hold good in Criminal Causes as Felony Murther and Petit Treason 74 12. If a Man while he is Non Compos Mentis destroys himself whether he can be said to be Felo de se 78 13. Whether he that is Non Compos Mentis and totally deprived of all Compassings and Imaginations can commit High-Treason
Statute of Praerogativa Regis c. 9. saith Quod post mortem eorum reddet ea rectis Haeredibus That after the Death of such Idiots he shall render it to the right Heirs 17 E. 3. 11. 13 E. 3. Saver Default 37. 4 Co. f. 126. b. Beverley's Case Stamford Super Praerog c. 9. is of the same Opinion Tho' the King saith he has the possession during the Idiot's Life yet the King hath 1 H. 7. 15. not the Freehold thereby but only a bare Custody for the Freehold remains in the Heir XXV REMARK The King ought not to seize an Idiot's Lands until such time as he is found an Idiot by Office Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 9. XXVI REMARK The Office when a Person is found to be an Idiot shall have relation a Nativitate to avoid all mean Acts done by him that is to say Feoffments Releases or the like Fitzherbert and Stamford Super Praerog c. 9. XXVII REMARK Altho' the Statute of Praerogativa Regis c. 9. saith Custodiam Terrarum yet the King shall have as well the Custody of the Body and of the Goods and Chattels of Idiots as of their Consillo Opera Curatoris tueri debet non solum Patrimonium sed corpus salus furiosâ—…seu fatui D. 25. 10. 7. Lands and other Hereditaments as well those which they have by Purchase as those which they have as Heirs by the Common Law 4 Coke f. 127. a. Beverley's Case XXVIII REMARK The Person by the Statute ought to be an Idiot a Nativitate sc. Fatuus Naturalis and not by Accident or Infirmity For if he were once Wise and became a Fool by Misfortune the King shall not have the Custody of him 18 E. 3. Fitz. Tit. Scire Facias Pl. 10. Fitzherbert's Natura Brevium Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 9. f. 34. b. 4 Co. Beverley's Case XXIX REMARK No Feoffment Gift Lease or Release that an Idiot can make of his Inheritance but it may be avoided during his Life which is apparented by these words of the Prerogative Statute Ita quod nullatenus per eosdem fatuos alienentur nec quod eorum Hâ—…redes exhaeredentur So that such Idiots shall not alien nor their Heirs shall be disinherited 4 Co. 127. Beverley's Case Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 9. f. 35. b. Edit 1567. XXX REMARK The King is to take the Profits belonging to the Idiot to his own use finding him Necessaries and this is evidenced by the words of our Statute Capiendo necessaria sua Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 9. f. 34. b. The King says Wingate shall have to his own use all the Possessions of a Fool Natural during his Idiocy His Body of the Common Law of England c. 2. of Possessions Nu. 3. XXXI REMARK The King is bound to Reparations of the Idiot's Lands and Tenements for the words of the Statute are The King shall have the Custody of the Lands of Natural Fools taking the Profits of them without waste or destruction Stamford Super Praerog Regis cap. 9. f. 35. a. XXXII REMARK The King by the Statute of Praerogativa Regis is to be preferred in this Title of Idiocy before any other Lord which might claim the Idiot as his Ward and this is evidenced by the words of the said Statute De cujuscunque feodo Terrae illae fuerint Of whose Fee soever the Lands be holden Stamford Super Praerogativam Regis c. 9. f. 35. a. Edit 1567. XXXIII REMARK If one be found an Idiot by Office and before the King doth make a Seizure of the Lands the Idiot departs this Life yet the King shall seize the Lands because of these words of the Statute Post mortem eorum eam rectis Haeredibus After the Death of such Idiots he shall render it to the right Heirs Which the King cannot do but upon a Seizure Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 9. f. 34 a b. XXXIV REMARK When an Idiot doth sue or defend he shall not appear by Guardian or Prochein Idiota a nativitate non recipitur vel ad agendum vel defendendum in aliqua causa per Custodem vel proximum propinquum sed requiritur ut ipse semper praesens sit in propria persona Cowell's Institutes lib. 1. tit 23. sect 6. de Curatoribus Amy or Attorney but he must be ever in Person and whosoever will plead best for him shall be admitted 33 H. 6. 18. 21. F. N. B. 27. G. Co. Lit. f. 135 b. Stampford c. 9. 35. b. 36. a. 4 Co. 124. b. Beverley's Case Saunders Rep. 2 Part f. 335. Dennis v. Dennis But an Infant or a Minor shall sue by Prochein Amy and defend by Guardian 27 H. 8. 11. 40 E. 3. 16. 20 E. 4. 2. F. N. B. 27. H. Co. Litt. f. 135. b. Cro. Iac. f. 640 641. Simpson Simpson v. Iackson 4 Co. f. 124. b. Beverley's Case XXXV REMARK By the Statute of Westmin 2 c. 15. it is ordained That if an Infant be eloined he may sue by Prochein Amy but this same Statute extendeth not to an Idiot Co. Inst. f. 391. XXXVI REMARK A Descent shall not take away the Entry of an Idiot albeit the want of Understanding was perpetual for Cook in his Comment on Littleton sect 405. f. 247. a. Littleton sect 405. speaks generally of a Man of Non sane Memorie Vide Noy's Treatise of the Grounds of the Common Law Cap. 16. Of Descents XXXVII REMARK If an Idiot makes a Feoffment in Fee he shall in Pleading never avoid it by saying That he was an Idiot at the time of his Feoffment and so had been from his Nativity But upon an Office found for the King the King shall avoid the Feoffment for the benefit of the Idiot whose Custody the Law giveth to the King 39 H. 6. 42. b. F. N. B. 202. 5 E. 3. 70. Britton cap. 28. f. 66. a b. Coke in his Comment on Littleton sect 405. f. 247. a. Stamford in his Exposition of the Statute of 17 E. 2. cap. 9. XXXVIII REMARK A Copyholder of unsound Memory an Idiot or Lunatick cannot forfeit his Estate Sheppard in his Treatise entituled The Court-Keeper's Guide cap. 22. p. 172. Edit 1656. XXXIX REMARK A Grant or Surrender of copyhold-Copyhold-Land made by an Idiot is not valid in the Laws of England Sheppard's Court-Keeper's Guide Cap. 19. Page 117 118. XL. REMARK A Surrender or Grant of Copyhold-Land may be made to an Idiot or any other Man of unsound Memory and good in Law Sheppard Cap. 19. p. 118 119. XLI REMARK By the Statute of 32 H. 8. c. 46. the Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries by the Advice of the Attorney Receiver-General Note This Act of 32 H. 8. for the Erecting of the Court of Wards is taken away by the Statute of 12 Car. 2. c. 24. and Auditors or three of them had Authority to survey govern and order all and singular Idiots and Natural Fools now being in the King's Hands or
Lib. 8. f. 170. Thompson's Case â—…intly seized with his Elâ—…er Brother for Term of â—…eir Lives the Lessor did purchase the Estate of the Elâ—…er Brother and took the Body of the Idiot and all the Profits of the Lands and afterwards William Tourson was found Idiot from his Birth by Inquitision The Question was Whether the King shall have the mean Profits of the Moiety from the time of the first Seizin of â—…he Idiot or from the time of the Office And it was â—…esolved That the King should not have the Profits but after the Office and yet to some intent the Office shall have relation from the time of the Birth Scilicet to avoid all mean Acts done by the Idiot and therewith agreeth F. N. B. 202 E. and 18 E. 3. Scire Fac. 10. 32 E. 3. Scire Fac. 106. 50 Ass. Pl. 2. But for the mean Profits it shall not have relation but from the time of the Office found for the same appeareth of Record that the King hath Right to seize the Lands As if the King's Tenant commit Felony Anno 1 Iac. and afterwards Anno 3. he is attainted for the same Felony and afterwards Anno 4. all is found by Office Noâ—… this Office shall have relation to the time of the Felony tâ—… avoid all mean Alienations and Incumbrances but foâ—… the mean Profits it shall have relation to the time oâ—… the Attainder for then the King's Title appeareth of Record and there is a difference where the King shall havâ—… the Custody by reason of a Seigniory as in the Case oâ—… Wardship there the King after Office found shall havâ—… the mean Profits from the time of the Death of the Ancâ—…stor for the King hath Wardship by reason of his Seigniory and he loseth his Rent and Services in the mean time But the King hath the Custody of an Idiot noâ—… in respect of any Seigniory but in the Right of hiâ—… Royal Protection because that his Subject is not able to govern himself nor his Lands or Tenements which he hath and this Protection doth begin by the Office found And the Statute of Praerogativa Regis c. 9. saith The King shall have the Ward of Lands of Natural Fools taking the Profits c. to find them Necessaries c. By which it appeareth that the King shall take the Profits from the time that he is charged with the finding of the Idiot and his Family Necessaries c. and that is after the Office found so that when the King seizeth in the Right of his Regal Protection as in the Case at Bar or Nomine districtionis as in Case of Alienation of Lands in Capite without License or of Marriage of his Widow without License there after Office found the King shall not have any of the mean Profits before the Office as it is holden in 8 E. 4. 4. 40 Ass. Pl. 36. But when the King seizeth by reason of a form'd Right or Title there the King shall have the mean Profits from the time of his Right or Title first accrued as 18 Ass. Pl. 18. from the time of a Condition broken 41 E. 3. 21. from the time of the Alienation of his Tenant in Mortmain And if the Lands holden of others from the time the Title came to him 46 E. 3. Forfeiture 18. upon the â—…atute of West 2. c. 45. which giveth the Contra forâ—…am Collationis from the time of the Alienation for these Acts the King's Title and Right doth accrue â—…nd in the principal Case no Precedent can be found at the King was answered the mean Profits before the â—…ffice found but only after the Office and so the Quere Stamford's Praerogativa Regis 34. is well resolved III. QUERY â—…t what time was the Prerogative in the Custody of Idiots Lands conferred on the Crown during the Life of an Idiot or Natural Fool SOLUTION Sir Edward Cook tells us That at the making of the â—…atute of Magna Charta c. 4. Anno nono Henrici terâ—… the King had not any Prerogative in the Custody of 〈◊〉 Lands of Idiots during the Life of the Idiot For if 〈◊〉 had had this Act of Magna Charta would have proâ—…ded against Waste c. committed by the Committee 〈◊〉 Assignee of the King to be done in their Possessions 〈◊〉 well as in the Possessions of Wards but at this time â—…e Guardianship of Idiots c. was to the Lords and â—…thers according to the Course of the Common Law â—…nd Idiots from their Nativity were accounted alâ—…ays within Age and therefore the Custody of them â—…as perpetual so long as they lived for that their Imâ—…otency was perpetual And the Lord of whom the â—…and was holden had not a Tenant that was able to do â—…im Service and therefore within the Reason of a Custoâ—…y of a Minor or of an Heir within Age in Case of Wardship And this appeareth by Fleta who attesteth â—…hat anciently Idiots or Natural Fools were in the Cuâ—…tody of the Lords Solent says he Tutores terras Idioâ—…rum Stultorum cum Corporibus eorum Custodire suo perpetuo quod licitum 〈◊〉 Lib. 1. c. 11. nu 10. p. 6. Vide Bracton lib. 5. tract 5. c. 20. nu 1. f. 420. b. Cowell's Instit. lib. 1. tit 23. sect 1. de Curatoribus permissum eo quod sâ—… sos regere non noveruâ—… nam semper judicabaâ—… infra aetatem vel quâ—… verum quia plures per â—… jusmodi Custodiam Exhaeredationem compatiebantur â—… visum fuit communiter concessum quod Rex Corporâ—… Haereditatum hujusmodi Idiotarum Stultorumâ—… perpetuis Custodiam obtineret dum tamen a nativiâ—… fuerint Idiotae Stulti Secus autem si tarde a â—… cunque Domino tenuerunt ipsos maritaret ex oâ—… exhaeredatione salvaret hoc tamen adjecto quod Doâ—… nis Feodorum aliis quorum interfuerit ut in Serâ—… tiis Redditibus Custodiis usque ad legitimam aetaâ—… secundum Conditionem Feodorum releviis hujusmoâ—… nihil juris deperiret But then it is demanded When was this Prerogaâ—… given to the King Certain it is that the King had it â—… fore the Statute of 17 E. 2. de Praerogativa Regis â—… it appeareth in our Books that the King had this Preâ—… gative Anno 3 E 2. And before that it is maniâ—… that the King had it before Britton wrote in the Reigâ—… E. 1. as you may read in his Book Cap. 66. De Gardâ—… f. 167. b. And it is as clear that when Bracton wrote wâ—… wrote about the end of the Reign of H. 3. that the Kiâ—… had not then this Prerogative And therefore it folloâ—… eth that this Prerogative was given to King E. 1. befoâ—… that Britton wrote by some Act of Parliament which not now extant And it appeareth by the Mirror of Iâ—… stices agreeing with Fleta that this Prerogative wâ—… granted by Common Assent Vide Lib. 4. f. 125. Bevâ—… ley's Case Hitherto Coke And now let us see what
Anâ—…rew as of one from whom he claims but only as â—…awing his Descent from him by way of Pedigree and â—…ot by way of Title and therefore it was compared to â—…obbes Case Litt. fol. where the Father is attainted of â—…elony having Issue two Sons and the one of them â—…urchaseth Lands and dies without Issue it shall not bar â—…e other Son to claim as Heir to his Brother And the Corruption of Blood in the Father shall not hurt him â—…nd Berkley compared it to the Case 10 Eliz. Dyer â—…74 where there were two Brothers the Eldest hath good Cause del petition de droit the Youngest hath â—…ssue a Son and is attainted of Felony and executed The Eldest Son dieth without Issue the Issue of the Younger Brother is barred of the Petition because his Blood is corrupt and he cannot claim but by mentioning his Father and from him c. But here forasmuch as he doth not claim nor derive by him who levied the Fine they field he should not be barred by the Fine XII QUERY Whether the Custody of an Idiot holding by Copy of Couâ—… Roll belongs to the King by his Prerogative or to 〈◊〉 Lord of the Copy-hold Mannor SOLUTION The King say the Judgâ—… Co. Lib. 4. f. 127. b. in Beverley's Case shall 〈◊〉 have the Custody of the Lands of an Idiot holden by Câ—…py for the same is but an Estate at Will by the Coâ—…mon Law And if the King should have the Custoâ—… thereof it would be mischievous to the Lord of the Maâ—…nor but yet an Alienation made by an Idiot of 〈◊〉 copyhold-Copyhold-Land after Office found shall be avoideâ—… Vide 11 El. Dyer 302. It is a Rule in the Court of Wards That if an Idiâ—… has not any Goods or Châ—…tels or Lands but Copyhold-Lands Pasch. 13 Eliz. Iohn Roger's Case C. W. f. 74. held of a common Person the King shâ—… not have the Custody but the Lord of whom the Copy-hold is holden but if he has any other Land then thâ—… Copyhold-Land also In the Court of Wards it was clearly agreed by thâ—… Council of that Court That a Copyholder who 〈◊〉 13 14 El. Dyer 302. b. 303. a. 2 H. 7. 3. Noy 27. an Idiot ought not to bâ—… ordered in this Court foâ—… his Copyhold but shall be done in the Court of the Lorâ—… of the Mannor Sheppard in his Court-Keeper's Guide tells us That â—…e Lord shall retain the â—…opyhold-Land of the Idiâ—…t Cap. 19. p. 119. The Fourth Edit 1656. or Lunatick till he â—…ome to himself Note One Sir Edward Champernon being Committee 〈◊〉 a Ward who had a Mannor wherein were divers Copyâ—…olders amongst whom â—…e was Mutus Surdus Concerning such as are deaf and dumb See Bracton lib. 5. tract 5. cap. 20. n. 2. f. 421. a. Fleta l. 6. c. 40. nu 2. Instit. 2. 12. 3. D. 28. 1. 6. 1. Swinburn 2d Part § 10. Cod. 6. 22. 10. â—…ranted the Custody of that Copyhold-Land to another â—…ho entred the Prochein Amie of the Copyholder â—…ntred And which of â—…em should have the Custody Or If none of them â—…as the Question And it was resolved That the Lord â—…ould have the Custody for otherwise he should be â—…rejudiced in his Rents and Services and his Grant was Good Wherefore it was adjudged for the Grantee Cro. â—…ac f. 105. Eavers v. Skinner C. XIII QUERY Whether there be any Difference between an Estate made or conveyed in Person or by Attorney as to an Idiot or any other Non compos mentis SOLUTION There is a diversity taken in the Books of Law between an Estate made or conveyed in Person and by Co. l. 4. f. 125. Beverley's Case of Non compos mentis Attorney For if an Idiot or other Non compos mentis makes a Feoffment in Fee in propria persona and dieth his Heir within Age he shall not be in Ward or if he dieth without Heir the Land shall not Escheat but 〈◊〉 the Feoffment be made by Letter of Attorney altho' 〈◊〉 shall not avoid the same yet after his Death as to 〈◊〉 others in Judgment of Law the Estate was void anâ—… therefore in such Case if his Heir be within Age he shaâ—… be in Ward or if he dieth without Heir the Land shaâ—… Escheat And likewise in the Case of an Infant if 〈◊〉 maketh a Feoffment in Person if he dieth without Hâ—… the Land shall not Escheat but otherwise if it were maâ—… by Letter of Attorney but the Infant himself shall 〈◊〉 avoid it but others shall But things done by matter 〈◊〉 Record as Fines Recoveries Judgments Statutes Râ—… cognisances shall bind as well the Idiot as he who is Noâ—… compos mentis 31 E. 3. Saver Default 371. 1 Maâ—… Dum fuit infra aetatem 7. A Grant of an Infant saith Finch under the Age 〈◊〉 21 Years and one out 〈◊〉 his right Mind whom 〈◊〉 Lib. 2. c. 2. of Possessions p. 102 103. Edit 1627. call Non sane memorie 〈◊〉 Non compos mentis as 〈◊〉 Idiot may be avoided at any time by Entry Action c. or a Feoffment by Letter of Attorney c. if they deliver it with their Hands as in a Feoffment and themselves make Livery or a Gift of Goods and themselves deliver them but if they deliver not with their Hand as in a Grant of a Rent Advowson c. it is meerly void and nothing at all passeth so as they may have a Trespass or Assize and remain Tenant to the Lord and therefore shall be in Ward notwithstanding such Feoffment XIV QUERY A Man dies seised of Land his Heir being an Idiot or Sot Natural and before Office he levies a Fine whether the King shall have the Lands per Praerogativam Regis cap. 9. or not SOLUTION Home devie seisi de Terre son Heire esteant sotte natural avant Office il leva fine le Roy navera les terres per Praerogativam Regis Crompton fol. 117. a. tit Court de Gards Liveries Edit 1594. cap. 9. Car ne serra intende que fuit sotte Conuter le Fine Car ceo va encounter le credit del Iustice que prist le fine car serra intend que le Iustice ne voile prender fine de luy si ust este Ideot Englished thus A Man seized of Land his Heir being an Idiot and before any Office this Idiot levieth a Fine the King shall not have the Custody of the Lands by his Prerogative for that it shall not be intended or presumed that he was a Natural Fool against the Fine levied because this will impeach the Reputation or Credit of the Judge before whom the Caption of the Fine was For it shall be presumed that the Judge would not take the Fine if he had not been an Idiot XV. QUERY Idiots in the Custody of the Prince whether the Custody of an Idiot can be devised by the Testator SOLUTION Concerning Idiots such is the Prerogative of the Princes
and it shall be a good Plea or Exception to the Demandant or Plaintiff's Suit or Action Fleta lib. 2. cap. 54. numb 3. p. 116. and lib. 6. cap. 38. numb 1. p. 431. and cap. 40. numb 1. p. 434. Bracton lib. 5. tract 5. cap. 20. numb numb 1. f. 420. b. Mirror des Iustices cap. 2. sect 3. s. 117. XIII REMARK There is required in them who contract Matrimony a sound and whole Mind to consent for he that is either an Ideot or Madman without intermission of Fury cannot Marry The Womans Lawyer lib. 2. sect 10. p. 57. Edit 1632. This Consent saith Amesius must be voluntary and free else it 's not esteemed a humane consent and hence the consent of such as have not the use of Reason is no force to such a Contract Lib. 5. cap. 35. Qu. 4. XIV REMARK A Man that is Deaf and Dumb and yet hath Understanding may Attorn by signs but one that is Non compos mentis as an Idiot cannot attorn for that he hath no understanding cannot agree to the Grant Co. Lit. f. 315. a. 26 E 3. 63. 18 E. 3. 53. 6 Co. f. 69. a. Sir Moyle Finch's Case XV. REMARK Minoribus acquiruntur possessiones naturaliter fatuis furiosis per Tutores inde aliter vero minime eo quod intellectum recipiendi non habent nec retinendi Curatores autem sanum intellectum oportet habere quia si minorem fatuum a Nativitate vel furiosum miseris ut possideas nequaquam videris per eos possessionem apprehendisse quia intellectum non habent Fleta lib. 3. c. 15. nu 1 4. p. 203. VdeBracton lib. 2. c. 18. nu 6. f. 43. b. XVI REMARK It appears in the old Books of Law that it was expedient that Ideots should have a Curator or Tutor or one that should take the charge of their Persons Lands and Goods which Office since Bracton lib. 5. tract 5. c. 20. nu 1. f. 420. b. Fleta lib. 1. c. 11. nu 10. Cowel's Institutes lib. 1. tit 23. sect 1. de Curatoribus is devolved to the King and made parcel of his Prerogative 17 E. 2. cap. 9. As Fitzherbert very well saith in his Natura Brevium The King is the Protector of all his Subjects their Goods Lands and Tenements and therefore of such as cannot govern themselves Stamford Sur Praerog Regis cap. 9. Britton c. 66. f. 167. b. Sir Thomas Smith's Common-weath lib. 2. c. 4. p. 98. Eng. Edit 1640. XVII REMARK The King having the custody of the Persons and Estates of Idiots can let to Farm rendring Rent all the Possessions of a Fool natural but not that which he hath Title unto or Action And therefore upon an Office finding that the Idiot's Ancestors died seized of an Estate Tail it is sufficient to Traverse the dying seized for that only entituleth the King 31 E. 3. Saver de Fault 37. 1 H. 7. 24. Finch's Law lib. 2. c. 2. XVIII REMARK By the Common Law the King shall have as great protection of the Goods and Chattels of an Idiot as of his Lands and that as well the scattering of his Goods 4 Co. f. 128. Beverly's Case and Chattels as the Alienation of his Lands is to be remedied and redressed by the King to whom the Law hath given the Protection and Custody of him XIX REMARK As after Office found an Idiot cannot Alien Give c. So Alienations Gifts c. made before Office found shall be avoided after Office thereof found for no Latches shall be found in the King nor any prejudice thereby shall accrue to the Idiot for not suing the Office before the Feoffment of Gift 4 Co. f. 428. Beverley's Case XX. REMARK If the Idiot dies before Office found after his Death no Office can be found for the words of the Writ are Et ipsum viis modis quibus super statu suo melius poteritis informari circumspecte examinaretis c. which cannot be done when he is dead and without Office the King cannot be entituled 16 E. 3. Livery 30. 4 Co. f. 128. Beverley's Case XXI REMARK When the King is informed that one who hath Lands and Tenements and is a natural Fool from his Birth the King may award his Writ called Idiota inquirendo vel examinando which directed to the Escheator or Sheriff of any County where the King hath information or understanding that there is an Idiot naturally so Born so weak of Understanding that he cannot govern or manage his Inheritance to call before him the Party suspected of Idiocy and examine him and also to inquire by the Oaths of twelve Men whether he be sufficiently witted to disposâ—… 〈◊〉 his own Lands with discretion or not and to certifie accordingly into the Chancery for the King as hath been said before hath the Protection of his Subjects and by his Prerogative the Government of their Lands and Substance that are naturally defective in their own discretion Doctor Cowel's Interpreter Brevia de inquirendo de Idiota tit Idiota inquirendo c. Minshew's Guide to the Tongues 373. Note The several Forms of the Writs in Latine directed either to the Escheator or the Sheriff are to be seen in the Register Orig. f. 266. a. b. XXII REMARK When a Man is found an Idiot from his Birth by Office he who is so found Idiot falsely as he supposeth may come personally into The manner how he that is falsely found to be an Idiot shall avoid the Office Chancery before the Chancellor and pray that before him and the Justices and Sages of the Law which he shall call to him and are called the King's Council he may be examined if he be an Idiot or not or by his Friends he may sue forth a a The Writ De Idiota coram consilio ducendo ad examinandum Reg. Orig. f. 267. Writ out of the Chancery returnable in the Chancery ibidem coram nobis consilio nostro examinand And if he be found upon examination that he is no Idiot the Offic found thereof and all the Examinations which hath been made by force of the Writ or the King's Commission is utterly void without any Traverse or Monstrans de droit or other Suit as appeareth by the Register Orig. f. 267. and F. N. B. 233. vide 15 E. 3. in Fitz. Tit. Livery 306. 9 Co. f. 31. The Case of the Abbot of Strâ—…ta Marcella Stamford super Praerog c. 9. f. 34. a. 36â—… Edit 1567. XXIII REMARK If a Scire Facias be awarded against the Feoffee of an Idiot and the Feoffee appearing upon the Scire Facias may traverse the Idiocy as appears he did in the Book of 18 E. 3. XXIV REMARK The Law gave the King but the Custody of the Lands of-the Idiot and altho' the same continued during the Life of the Idiot yet having but the Custody the King hath not the Freehold or Fee but the Freehold is in the Idiot For the
that hereafter shall come and be in the King's Hands and to survey and order all the Mannors Lands Tenements and other Hereditaments whatsoever and also to let and set the same to the King's Use for the time of the King's Interest for such Rent and fined as by their Discretion shall be thought convenient the finding and keeping of the said Persons their Wives and Children and the Reparations of their Houses and Lands always to be considered in the doing thereof c. Note Tho' these Officers of the Court of Wards and Liveries had Power to let and set the Lands of Idiots and Natural Fools yet according to the Sentiment of Stamford they had no Power to grant the Custody of their Bodies XLII REMARK Regularly Conveyances or other Acts of Record acknowledged or made by one that is an Idiot are unavoidable by him or his Heirs in the Laws of England 4 Co. Beverley's Case XLIII REMARK If an Idiot or other Non Compos Mentis does levy a Fine and declare the use thereof this Declaration shall bind him as long as the Fine continues in force for inasmuch as he hath been admitted by the Judges as a Man that hath the use of Reason the Law as long as the Fine remains in force permits him to limit the use thereof 10 Co. 42. b. Mary Portington's Case 2 Co. f. 58. Beckwith's Case 12 Co. f. 123 124. Mansfield's Case XLIV REMARK There is a diversity taken between an Idiot and an Unthrift or Spendthrift as appears in the Case of one Brent of the County of Somerset who was presented for an Idiot but it was evidenced That he could write Letters and make Acquittances and such-like whereupon he was adjudged an Unthrift but no Idiot Br. 4. in Fine Note That as Minors have Curators and Governors so also mad Persons and Spendthrifts Unthrifts or prodigal Persons are appointed by the Civil Law of the Romans to have Governours for that they can no more govern their own State than the others can For they and such as know no time nor end of Spending but riot or lavish out their Estates without all Discretion and for their sakes I will here subjoyn the Sentiments that the old Roman Jurists have had of these Prodigals or Spendthrifts Note Cicero 3 de Officiis tells us That there was a Law made by Laetorius which provided that there should be appointed for those which were Distracted or did prodigally waste their Patrimony For as it appeareth by the common Adage used among the Romans Ad Agnatos Gentiles deducendus est They did account all Prodigals or Spendthrists Mad men they meaning no more by that than we do by our English Proverb Let him be begged for a Fool. The Reason of their Adage was because if any were distracted by the Roman Law his Wardship fell Ad Agnatos Gentiles i. e. to the next of the Kindred Goodwin's Roman Antiquities lib. 3. sect 4. c. 24. Qui Eversores aut insani sunt saith Caius omni tempore vitae suae sub Curatore esse jubentur Quia substantiam suam rationabiliter gubernare non possunt Lib. 2. Tit. 8. de Curationibus Lege 12 Tabularum says Ulpian Prodigo interdicitur bonorum suorum administratio Quod moribus quidem ab initio introductum est sed solent hodie praetores vel praesides si talem hominem invenerint qui neque tempus neque finem expensarum habet sed bona sua dilacerando dissipando profudit Curatorem ei dare exemplo furiosi Et tam diu erunt Ambo in Curatione quam diu vel furiosus sanitatem vel ille sanos mores receperit quod si evenerit ipso jure desinunt in potestate Curatorum D. 28. 10. 1. Divus pius saith the same Lawyer Ulpian matris querelam de filiis prodigis admisit ut Curatorem accipiant in haec verba Non est novum quosdam etsi mentis suae videbuntur ex sermonibus Compotes esse Tamen sic tractare bona ad se pertinentia ut nisi subveniatur his deducantur in Egestatem Eligendus itaque erit qui â—…os consilio regat Nam aequum est prospicere nos etiam eis â—…ui quod ad bona ipsorum pertinet furiosum faciunt exiâ—…um D. 25. 5. 12. 2. Furiosi saith Pomponius vel ejus cui bonis interdictus sit nulla voluntas est D. 50. 17. 40. Hence it is that Spendthrifts or Prodigals are forbidden to make their Testaments or to dispose of Is cui lege bonis interdictum est testamentum facere non potest si fecerit ipso jure non valet Ulpian their Lands or Goods any other ways Instit. 2. 12. 2. D. 28. 1. 18. Swinburn in his Tract of Testaments and Last Wills 2d Part sect 24. Ulpianus Tit. 20. de Testamentis Among the Grecians such as were Spendthrifts were branded with Infamy Decoctores paternae aut alterius cujusvis haereditatis ignominiosi sunto All wild Extravagants and Spend-thrifts who lavishly run out the Estates left them by their Fathers or others shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From the Remarks touching Idiots or Fools Natural we come to our Queries attended with Solutions relating to them SECT III. The Queries with their Solutions concerning Idiots or Natural Fools I. QUERY If the King commit the Body or Estate of an Idiâ—… 〈◊〉 J. S. to do with them as he pleases whether this Graâ—… be good SOLUTION THE Estate and Persons of Idiots and Lunatickâ—… are by Law intrusted with the Supreme Should thâ—… Sovereign Trustee commit the Body or Estate of either of them to I. S. to do with them as absolutely and inordinately as he pleases the Grant were void because Breach of Trust and the Committee punishable for any exorbitant Usage The Author of an Act entituâ—… led Defensio Legis Sect. 10. Par. 81. p. 139. Edit 1674. The Estates and Persons of Idiots and Lunaticks saith the Lord Chief Justice Hobart are by Law intrusted to the King if therefore the King should grant to one that intrudeth upon the Possessions of an Idiot or Lunatick or take their Persons unlawfully that he would not meddle with them but suffer them to do their pleasure these Grants were void For these are Acts of Justice and Offices of a King which he cannot put off Cessa regnare si non vis judicare And in these things the King is never supposed by Law ill affected but abused and deceived for Eadem praesumitur mens Regis â—…ae est Iuris Hobart's Princeps jura tueri praesumitur Princeps Custos legis c. 3. 28 35. D. 43. 8. 1. 10. â—…eports f. 155. Colt and â—…lover v. Bishop of Coâ—…ntry and Litchfield II. QUERY â—…hether the King shall have the mean Profits from the time of the first Seizure of the Idiot or from the time of the Office found SOLUTION William Tourson an Idiot from his Birth by force of Remainder after the Death of his Father was Co.
to cold and sedate Reasoning and then Reason being thus laid aside Fancy gets the Ascendent and Phaeton-like drives on furiously and inconsistently This Combustion of the Spirits happens sometimes by over-great Intention of the Mind in long and constant Study sometimes by a Fever which inflaming the Blood that communicates the Incendium to the Spirits which take the Original from it But most usually by the Rage and Violence of some of the Passions whether Irascible or Concupiscible as they are wont to be distinguished a Man setting his Heart vehemently upon some * Mad-men have always before their Eyes those Idea's and Shapes which work the Apprehension of their Fury and hold them in the Vision and inward View of that which most troubleth their diseased Brain French Academy c. 18. Of Intemperance Object or other the Spirits are set on fire by the Violence of their own Motion and in that Rage are not to be governed by Reason This we have sad Examples of in Love in Grief in Jealousie in Wrath and Vexation and indeed saith my Author Bethlehem is filled with the Instances II. REMARK By the Statute of Praerogativa Regis the King of England is to provide that 17 E. 2. e. 10. the Lands of the Furor Men be safely kept without waste and that they and their Families if they have any shall be maintained with the Profits thereof and that the Residue be kept for their use and delivered unto them when they come to be of right Mind So as their Land shall not be aliened neither shall the King have any Profit thereof to his own use But if they die in such Estate the Residue shall be distributed for their Souls by the Advice of the Ordinary III. REMARK The words of F. N. B. 232. That the King is bound of Right by his Laws to defend his Subjects and 4 Co. 128. Beverley's Case of Non compos mentis their Goods and Chattels Lands and Tenements extend as well to one Non compos Mentis as a Mad-man as to an Idiot a Nativitate but in Case of Non compos mentis the King shall not have Interest in a Mad-man that is wholly deprived of his Understanding as he hath in the Idiot because that a distracted Man may recover his Memory that he hath lost and therefore in the Case of the Idiot or Fool Natural the Law saith Rex habebit Custodiam but in the Case of a Mad-man or Non compos mentis Rex providebit And as to Alienation made by a Man distracted the words are all one as they are in the Case of the Idiot and therefore after Office found thereof the Alienation Gift c. of him who is by Accident deprived of his Wits are in equal Case with the Alienation or Gift of an Idiot a Nativitate And the said words of the Writ in the Register Quia accepimus quod J. de B. fatuus Idiota existit c. extend Register of Original and Judicial Writs f. 266. a. as well to another Non compos mentis as Idiota a nativitate a Fool Natural For afterwards in the same Writ it is said Diligenter inquiras si Idem fatuus Idiota sit necne si sit tum utrum a nativitate sua Register f. 2668. an ab alio tempore tunc a quo tempore qualiter quomodo si lucidis gaudeat intervallis si Idem J. in eodem statu existens terras aut Tenementa aliqua alienavit necne c. So that it appeareth that in Judgment of Law Fatuus Idiota include as well Non compos mentis as Idiota a Nativitate and therefore they are in the same Case as to the Alienation of their Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels IV. REMARK A Furor Man cannot appoint an Attorney as appears by Britton for he tells us Chescun ne puit mye faire attorne Car enfant dedens Cap. 126. f. 285. b. Age ne muet ne surd ne fol naistre ne homme arrage ou auterment sans discretion ne puit mye faire attornes V. REMARK There is required in them who contract Matrimony a sound and whole Mind to consent and therefore he that is mad or distracted without Furor says the Lawyer Gaius sponsalibus impedimento sit plus quam manifestum est D. 23. 1. 8. Furor contrahi Matrimonium non sinit quia consensu opus est says Paulus D. 23. 2. 16. 2. Furiosus Matrimonium contrahere non potest Decret Greg. l. 4. tit 1. c. 24. Innocentius 3. Versil Episcopa dilectus filius R. proposuit quod filiam suam cuidam Matrimonaliter copulavit Cum autem eadem mulier cum ipso viro qui continuo furore laborat morari non possit propter alienationem mentis non potuerit intervenire consensus man damus quatenus si rem noveris ita esse praefatas personas cures ab invicem separare Intermission of Fury cannot enter into the Bonds of Wedlock So says the Author of the Treatises entituled The Woman's Lawyer l. 2. sect 10. p. 57. And with him concurs Amesius in his Cases of Conscience The Consent of Wedlock saith he musâ—… be voluntary and free else it is not esteemed a Human Consent And hence the Consent of such as have not use of Reason as Mad-men is of no force to such a Contract Lib. 5. c. 35. Question 4. nu 24 25. p. 201. Engl. Edit 1643. Such one may not consent to Marriage and his Issue will not be legitimate Trin. 3 Iac. B. Regis Stiles VI. REMARK Tho' Furor or Madness hinders the contracting of Matrimony yet it shall not Furor impedit Matrimonium contrahendum sed non dirimit contractum take away that Marriage that is already contracted as appears by the Civil and Canon Laws D. 23. 1. 8. D. 23. 2. 16. 2. Instit. Iuris Canonici Lib. 2. Tit. 12. Arnoldus Corvinus in his Ius Canonicum Lib. 2. Tit. 13. de Nuptiis VII REMARK A Furor Man ought not to be a Witness in any Cause be it either Civil or Criminal Decret 2. a. Pars Furiosus aut mente Captus non potest esse Testis caus 3. Qu. 19. c. 14. Decret Greg. Lib. 3. Tit. 27. c. 3. de Successionibus ab intestato Corvinus in his Ius Canonicum lib. 3. tit 27. de Testibus Ulpianus tit 20. de Testamentis D. 28. 1. 20. 4. Swinburn in his Treatise of Wills Part 4. Sect. 21. f. 186. a. Edit 1590. VIII REMARK Children and Mad-men * Lex duodecïm Tabularum furiosum in curatione jubet esse Agnatorum Ulpian tit 12. de Curatoribus altho' they have not the next actual power of using things yet they have a radical power because they are Men Amesius in his Cases of Conscience lib. 5. c. 41. qu. 1. sect 6. And by the Law of Nations Children are then capable of inheriting †Plutarch de Fort. Alex. l. 2.
thus The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annotation on Ver. 15. of Matthew c. 17. coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Moon is directly parallel to the English Lunatick from Luna the Moon also the English word Lunacy and Lunatick is vulgarly taken to signifie a Mad-man and nothing else viz. That Species of Madness which comes on Ment at such a Set-time toward the Full of the Moon as ordinary it is observable in those that have any Intervals This Lunatick according to the Law of England is one that hath sometime his Intervalla haec furoris confinia furoris sanitatis dicuntur c. 5. 70. 6. c. 6. 22. 9. Understanding and sometime not Aliquando gaudâ—… lucidis intervallis and therefore he is called Non compos mentis so long as he hath not Understanding Coke in his Comment on Littleton sect 405. f. 247. a. The Judges in their Resolution in the Case of Beverley give this Description of a Lunatick Lunaticus qui 4 Co. f. 124. b. Case of Non compos mentis gaudet lucidis intervallis and sometimes is of sound Memory and sometimes is Non compos mentis Thus much for the Etymology and Description of a Lunatick Now for some Remarks relating to him SECT II. The Remarks concerning Lunaticks I. REMARK ILLI qui quarta Luna seu interlunio nascuntur huic morbo sunt obnoxii nam ex opinione Astrologorum si luna fuerit male collocata Interlunium dicitur id spatium temporis in quo nec amplius detus Luna apparet nec adhuc nova videtur aut spasticos aut Lunaticos aut Caducos facit Those that are born during the Interlune or Conjunction of the Sun and Moon are liable to the Disease of Lunacy For according to the Opinion of Star-Gazers if the Moon be ill set or placed it causeth Men to be subject either to Convulsions to Lunacy or to the Falling-sickness And concerning the last of these Physicians have a Rule viz. They who are Qui Comitialem morbum habent ne quidem diebus quibus motbo vacant sani dicuntur troubled with the Falling-sickness upon their good Days are not accounted whole II. REMARK The Roman Lawyers do distinguish every where betwixt him that is Furiosus and him who is Demens C. 5. 4. 25. C. 1. 4. 28. C. 5. 37. 28. For Furiosus est qui omni intellectu caret And therefore D. 50. 17. 5. Nihil utiliter agit nisi tempore dilucidi intervalli C. 5. 70. 6. Nam aliis hominibus continuum furoris infortunium accidit alios furoris morbus non sine laxamento aggreditur sed in quibusdam temporibus quaedam iis intermissio pervenit But with them Demens is he Qui est mentis Errore ductus ea Captus non usquequaque not continually D 2. Zouch's Elementa Iurisprud Pars 2. sect 4. de Valetudine Hominis III. REMARK The King of England by his Prerogative is Summus Regni Custos and hath the Cicero l. Tuseul 3. says Eum qui errore mentis affectus est vetari XII Tabulis rerum suarum Esse Dominum Custody of the Persons and Estates of such as for want of Reason and Understanding cannot govern themselves or manage their Estates so that the Persons and Estates of Lunaticks are as well in the Custody of the King as of Idiots but with this difference That of Idiots to his own use and that of Lunaticks to the use of the next Heir Statute of Praerogativa Regis c. 10. 4 Co. f. 128. Beverley's Case of Non compos mentis Stamford Super Praerog Regis c. 10. Cowell's Institutes Lib. 1. Tit. 23. n. 2. p. 43 44. Edit 1605. IV. REMARK Such as by Office are untruly found Lunaticks may have their Traverse to the same as appears by the Statute of 2 E. 6. c. 8. V. REMARK Those that are Parties to a Fine ought to be of good Memory as appears by the Statute de Finibus 18 E. 1. Vide 1 R. 3. c. 7. 4 H. 7. c. 24. Stat. 4. And therefore Lunaticks and such as are not of Sane Memorie may not be received to levy a Fine but if they be the Fine will be good and unavoidable Fieri non debet sed factum valet 4 Co. 124. Beverley's Case Sheppard's Practical Counsellor c. 2. VI. REMARK If the Parties to whom a Right or Title comes after a Fine levied be not of Sane Memorie a Lunatick being such he or his Heirs have time to pursue his or their Right or Title within five Years after such Imperfection removed So also has he in Case he had a Right of Title at the time of the Fine levied 1 R. 3. c. 7. 4 H. 7. c. 24. VII REMARK If Tenant in Tail levy a Fine the Issue in Tail tho'a Lunatick at the time of the Fine levied is barred for ever by the Fine so levied by the Tenant in Tail forasmuch as he is a Privy and out of all the Savings of 4 H. 7. c. 24. 3 Co. f. 91. The Case of Fines VIII REMARK It is enacted by the Statute of 34 35 H. 8. That the Will or Testament made of any Mannors Lands 34 35 H. 8. c. 5. Tenements or other Hereditaments by any Person De non sane Memorie shall not be taken to be good or Furiosus testamentum facere non potest quoniam mentem non habet ut testari de ea re possit Ulpian tit 20. de Testamentis effectual in the Law But a Lunatick in his Fits is a Person of Insanity of Mind and therefore his Will or Testament is not valid in Law IX REMARK If a Person that becomes of Non sane memorie by Accident be disseised and suffer a Discent altho' he return to his former right Understanding again yet he shall never avoid the Discent and so it is a Fortiori of one that hath Lucida Intervalla Co. Litt. 247. a. X. REMARK The Act of 23 El. c. 3. does not bar a Lunatick oâ—… other Non compos mentis of his Writ of Error for reversing a Fine so that he or his Heirs pursue such Writ within seven Years after such Imperfection removed and if it happen that he dies hanging the Suit his Heir may undertake it within one Year after the seven Years XI REMARK If a Man during his Lunacy make a Feoffment in Fee tho' he shall in Pleading never avoid it by saying that Co. Litt. 247. a. he was a Lunatick at the time of his Feoffment yet twelve Men upon their Oaths may find the Truth of the Matter and so the Feoffment may be avoided by the King for the Benefit of the Lunatick XII REMARK All Acts which a Man doth during his Lunacy are equivalent to Acts done by an Idiot or he who is utterly 4 Co. Beverley's Case Non compos mentis but Acts done by himself Inter lucida intervalla when he is of sound