CHAP. XVI.
On the day fixed for the attendance of the twelve Knights to take the Recognition, whether the Tenant appear, or absent himself, the Recognition shall proceed without delay; nor shall any Essoin avail the Tenant, because as his presence is not requisite, the Recognition may proceed without him;[113] since, if he were present, he would, by having, when in Court, put himself upon the Grand Assise, be precluded from alleging any reason, why it should be deferred. It is different with respect to the absence of the Demandant. If he should essoin himself, the Assise shall, for that day, be deferred, and another day shall be given in Court; because though a Party may lose by his default, no one when absent shall gain anything.
CHAP. XVII.
When the Assise proceeds to make the Recognition, the right will be well known either to all the Jurors, or some may know it, and some not, or all may be alike ignorant concerning it. If none of them are acquainted with the truth of the matter, and this be testified upon their oaths in Court, recourse must be had to others, until such can be found who do know the truth of it. Should it, however, happen that some of them know the truth of the matter, and some not, the latter are to be rejected, and others summoned to Court, until twelve, at least, can be found who are unanimous.[114] But, if some of the Jurors should decide for one party, and some of them for the other, then, others must be added, until twelve, at least, can be obtained who agree in favor of one side. Each of the Knights summoned for this purpose ought to swear, that he will neither utter that which is false, nor knowingly conceal the truth. With respect to the knowledge requisite on the part of those sworn, they should be acquainted with the merits of the cause, either from what they have personally seen and heard, or from the declarations of their Fathers, and from other sources equally entitled to credit, as if falling within their own immediate knowledge.[115]