The Statute of Marlborough 1267 [Distress]

IV Distresses shall not be driven out of the County. Distresses shall be reasonable.E+W

None from henceforth shall cause any Distress that he hath taken, to be driven out of the County where it was [taken]; and if one Neighbour do so to another of his own Authority, and without Judgment, he shall make Fine, as above is said, as for a Thing done against the Peace; nevertheless, if the Lord Presume so to do against his Tenant, he shall be grievously punished by Amerciament.

Moreover, Distresses shall be reasonable, and not too great; and he that taketh [X1great] and unreasonable Distresses, shall be grievously amerced for the Excess of such Distresses.

Editorial Information

X1Variant reading of the text noted in The Statutes of the Realm as follows: undue