[484] This must, I think, be the meaning; but it is hard to extract it from the words 'Formula Principis Militum Comitivae.'
[485] 'Comitem Militiae Vestrae.'
[486] 'Nec istud leve credatis beneficium, ut cum vos scitis obsequium, vobis occurrat electio cognitorum.' For Cognitores, see [vii. 3]. These Cognitores had virtually the decision of all 'issues of fact,' and consequently their nomination was a very important matter. I think the meaning of this passage is: 'I, the King, appoint the Comes (= Judex), and graciously inform you of my decision. But you (the Officium) have the privilege—and it is no small one—of electing the Cognitores.'
[487] 'Principem nostrum cardinalem' (observe this use of the word).
[488] 'Compendium et dispendium' (from pendere, to weigh).
[489] 'Spectandam,' an allusion to the derivation of spectabilis.
[490] 'Tuitio nostri nominis.'
[491] 'Validissimam turrem contra inciviles impetus et conventionalia detrimenta.'
[492] 'Praesentis beneficii jussione adversus Gothis illa, adversus Romanos illa, facile te fides et diligentia custodiet' ('custodivit' is surely an error).
[493] 'Ut in foro competenti ea quae in his causis reverenda legum dictat Antiquitas solenniter actitentur.'