But Katheline would by no means leave the place where her friend was. And they must needs bring her to her house by force.
And all the people there assembled cried out:
“Justice, Monseigneur, justice!”
The constables of the commune having come up at the noise, the bailiff bade them remain, and he said to the lords and gentlemen:
“Messeigneurs and Messires, notwithstanding all privileges protecting the illustrious order of nobility in the country of Flanders I must needs, upon the accusations and especially upon that of witchcraft, laid against Messire Joos Damman, have his person apprehended until he be judged according to the laws and ordinances of the Empire. Give me your sword, Messire Joos.”
“Monseigneur Bailiff,” said Joos Damman, with the utmost hauteur and pride of nobility, “in apprehending my person you are transgressing the law of Flanders, for you are not yourself a judge. Now you are aware that it is permitted to arrest without a warrant from a judge only false coiners, robbers on public roads and highways; fire-raisers, ravishers of women; gendarmes deserting their captain; enchanters making use of poison to poison water springs; monks or nuns that have renounced their vows and banished men. And now, Messires and Messeigneurs, defend me!”
Some would have obeyed, but the bailiff said to them:
“Messeigneurs and Messires, as representing here our king, count, and overlord, to whom is reserved the decision of difficult cases, I command and order you, upon pain of being proclaimed rebels, to return your swords to their scabbards.”
The gentlemen having obeyed, and Messire Joos Damman still hesitating, the people cried out:
“Justice, Monseigneur, justice; let him give up his sword.”