Again, touching the same, if by reason of such seisin they have unjustly taken goods of deceased persons or of heirs into the hand of the lord the King, until they were redeemed by the same, and what, and how much they have so taken for such redemption and what they have retained thereof to their own use, and at what time.
Again, touching the same, who have taken gifts from any for executing or not executing their office, how much and from whom and at what time.
Again, touching the same, who have insufficiently extended[78] the lands of any man for favour to him or another to whom the wardship of those lands should be given, sold or granted, to the deception of the lord the King, and where and in what manner, and if they have taken anything therefor, and how much, and at what time.[79]
[69] Geoffrey Fitz Peter, justiciar of England, 1198-1213.
[70] It was to writs of this nature that the barons objected. Cf. Magna Carta, 34. "The writ called Precipe shall not hereafter be issued to any one touching any tenement, whereby a freeman may lose his court." It illustrates the method by which the King stole from the barons the administration of justice.
[71] Printed in Fœdera, I., ii., 517.
[72] The recovery of goods equivalent in value to goods wrongfully seized by way of distraint.
[73] For a curious instance of this liberty, see No. 22.
[74] Encroachments.
[75] A criminal who turns King's evidence.