"Ha! thou didst—didst thou. Thou art learned in the law, it seems."
"It behooves an Englishman, beausire, to know the law by which to guard his liberty, seeing that it is the dearest thing he hath, under Heaven. But I am not learned; only I had good advice."
"So it seems. And you deny to be a villeyn, and claim to prove your liberty?"
"Before God, I do, and your worship."
"Summon my bailiff, Aradas; he is a justice of peace for the county, and will tell us what is needed. I will give you this benefit, Sir Foulke, though you are in no wise entitled to it. Because it is on my own ground, and on the person of my own man, you have made this seizure, I will allow it to stand good, as if made legally, in due form. Had it been made elsewhere, within the county, I would have held it null, and committed you for false imprisonment, and breach of the King's peace. But no man shall say I avenge my own private griefs by power of my office. Now, bailiff, art thou there?"
"So please you, Sir Yvo, I have been here all the evening, and am possessed of the whole case."
"Well, then, what needs this man Kenric?"
"A writ, my lord, de libertate probanda. I have it here, ready."
"Recite it to us then, in God's name, and make service of it; for I am waxing weary of this matter."
Thus exhorted, the bailiff lifted up his voice and read, pompously but distinctly, the following form; and then, bowing low, handed it to the sheriff, calling on two of the men-at-arms, whose names were subscribed, to witness the service: