Select Writs - Beginning With Those Relating to Land.
 
 

Praecipe

De rectu

Novel disseisin

Mort d'Ancestor

Quare ejecit

 
 

 

  Praecipe in Capite

 Rex vicecomiti salutem. Praecipe X quod juste et sine dilatione reddat A unum mesuagium cum pertinentiis in Trumpingtone quod clamat esse jus et haereditatem suam et tenere de nobis in capite et unde queritur quod praedictus X ei injuste deforciat ut dicit. Et nisi fecerit, et praedictus A fecerit te securum de clamore suo prosequendo, tunc summone eum per bonos summonitores quod sit coram justiciariis nostris apud Westmonasterium [i.e., in the Court of Common Pleas] tali die ostensurus quare      non fecerit. Et habeas ibi summonitores et hoc breve

     [F.N.B. 51. Fitzherbert's Natura Brevium was published in 1534. (Fitzherbert ob. 1538.) When quoted F.N.B. without a date, the edition of 1553 is referred to. The translations added here and there for the assistance of the  student are taken from the English edition of 1794, which preserved the paging of the edition of 1553].

  The King to the sheriff greeting. Command X that justly and without delay he render to A one messuage (real property on land) with the appurtenances in Trumpington which he claims to be his right and inheritance, and to hold of us in chief and  whereof he complains that the aforesaid X unjustly deforces him. and unless he will do this, and (if) the aforesaid    A shall give you security to prosecute his claim, then summon by good summoners the aforesaid X that he be  before our justices at Westminster [on such a day] to show wherefore he hath not done it. And have there the  summoners and this writ.

 

 

 

     

Breve de recto

     Rex K [a bishop, baron or other lord of manor] salutem. Praecipimus tibi quod sine dilatione plenum rectum  teneas A de uno mesuagio cum pertinentiis in Trumpingtone quod clamat tenere de te per liberum servitium [unius denarii per annum] pro omni servitio, et quod X ei deforciat. Et nisi feceris, vicecomes de  Cantabrigia faciat, ne amplius inde clamorem audiamus pro defectu recti [Bracton fol. 328a. F.N.B. 1G].

     The King to K greeting. We command you that without delay you do full right to A of one messuage with the  appurtenances in Trumpington which he claims to hold of you by free service of [so much] per annum for all    service, of which X deforces him. And unless you will do this, let the sheriff of Cambridge do it that we may hear  no more clamor thereupon for want of right.

 

 

Assisa Novae Disseisinae

     Rex vicecomiti salutem. Questus est nobis A quod X injuste et sine judicio disseisivit eum de libero  tenemento suo in Trumpingtone post ultimum reditum domini regis de Brittannia in Angliam (or other
     period of limitation). Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod, si praedictus A fecerit te securum de clamore suo  prosequendo, tunc facias tenementum illud reseisiri de catallis quae in ipso capta fuerint et ipsum  tenementum cum catallis esse in pace usque ad primam assisam cum justiciarii nostri ad partes illas  venerint. Et interim facias xii liberos et legales homines de visneto illo videre tenementum illud et nomina  illorum imbreviari. Et summoneas eos per bonos summonitores quod sint ad primam assisam coram   prefatis justiciariis nostris, parati inde facere recognitionem. Et pone per vadium et salvos plegios praedictum X vel ballivum suum, si ipse inventus non fuerit, quod tunc sit ibi auditurus recognitionem
     illam. Et habeas ibi summonitorum nomina, plegios et hoc breve [Bracton fol. 179a. F.N.B. 1534, 69, where   the wording has become slightly different].

     The King to the sheriff greeting. A has complained unto us that X unjustly and without judgment hath disseised him of his freehold in Trumpington after the last return of our lord the king from Brittany into England. And therefore we command you that, if the aforesaid A shall make you secure to prosecute his claim, then cause that  tenement to be reseised and the chattels which were taken in it and the same tenement with the chattels to be in peace until the first assize when our justices shall come into those parts. And in the mean time you shall cause  twelve free and lawful men of that venue to view that tenement and their names to be put into the writ. And summon them by good summoners that they be before the justices aforesaid at the assize aforesaid, ready to make recognizance thereupon. And put by gages and safe pledges the aforesaid X or, if he shall not be found, his bailiff,  that he be then there to hear that recognizance. And have there the (names of the) summoners, the pledges, and this writ [F.N.B. 177E].

 

Assisa de Morte Antecessoris

     Rex vicecomiti salutem. Si A fecerit te securum de clamore suo prose quendo tunc summoneas per bonos summonitores xij liberos et legales homines de visneto de Trumpingtone quod sint coram [It might be
     "apud Westmonasterium" or coram dilectis et fidelibus nostris O. et P. (special commissioners)] justiciariis nostris ad primam assisam cum in partes illas venerint, parati sacramento recognoscere si B pater, (mater,
     frater, soror, avunculus, amita) [Beyond these "degrees" writs of aiel bezaiel and cosinage introduced by  William Raleigh were used. For their forms see F.N.B. 220, 221] praedicti A fuit seisitus in dominico suo ut
     de feodo de uno mesuagio cum pertinentiis in Trumpingtone die quo obiit, et si obiit post [period of  limitation], et si idem A ejus haeres propinquior sit. Et interim praedictum mesuagium videant et nomina
     eorum inbreviari facias. Et summone per bonos summonitores X qui mesuagium praedictum tenet quod  tunc sit ibi auditurus illam recognitionem. Et habeas ibi summonitores et hoc breve [Bracton, fo. 253b].

    The King to the sheriff greeting. If A shall make you secure, &c. then summon, &c. twelve free and lawful men of  the neighborhood of Trumpington that they be before our justices at the first assize when they shall come into  those parts, ready to recognize by oath if B father [mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt,] of the aforesaid A was   seised in his demesne as of fee, of one messuage with the appurtenances in Trumpington the day whereon he died,  and if he died after [the period of limitation] and if the same A be his next heir: and in the mean time let them view the messuage, and cause their names to be put in the writ, and summon by good summoners X who now holds the  aforesaid messuage, that he may be there to hear that recognizance; and have there the summoners and this writ
     [F.N.B. 195E].

 

 

 

Brevia de Ingressu

     Rex vicecomiti salutem. Praecipe X quod juste et sine dilatione reddat A unum mesuagium cum pertinentiis in Trumpingtone quod clamat esse jus et haereditatem suam et in quod praedictus X non  habuit ingressum nisi---      a. per W qui illud ei dimisit qui inde injuste et sine judicio disseisivit eundem A [or B patrem ejusdem A   cujus haeres ipse est] post [time of limitation].  b. per W cui V illud dimisit qui inde injuste etc., as above.      c. post disseisinam quam T inde injuste et sine judicio fecit B patri ejusdem A cujus haeres ipse est post [time of limitation] et unde queritur.      d. per K quondam virum ipsius A qui illud ei dimisit, cui ipsa in vita sua contradicere non potuit, ut dicit.      e. per W cui K quondam vir ipsius A qui illud ei dimisit, cui ipsa in vita sua contradicere non potuit, ut dicit.      f. post dimissionem quam K quondam vir ipsius A, cui ipsa in vita sua contradicere non potuit, inde fecit T      ut dicit et unde queritur. g. per W cui praedictus A illus dimisit dum non fuit compos mentis.
h. per W cui praedictus A illud dimisit dum fuit infra aetatem. i. per W cui B pater praedicti A cujus haeres ipse est illud dimisit ad terminum qui praeterut.      Et nisi fecerit summone eum per bonos summonitores quod sit coram justiciariis nostris apud  Westmonasterium tali die ostensurus quare non fecerit. Et habeas ibi nomina summonitorum et hoc breve.

 

  

  De Libertate Probanda

     Rex vic. sal. Monstravit nobis A quod cum ipse liber homo sit et paratus libertatem suam probare, X  clamans eum nativum suum vexat eum injuste. Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod si praedictus A fecerit te securum de libertate sua probanda, tunc ponas loquelam illam coram justiciariis nostris ad primam      assisam cum in partes illas venerint quia hujusmodi probatio non pertinet ad te capienda. Et interim idem A pacem inde habere facias. Et dic praedicto X quod sit ibi loquelam suam versus praedictum A inde  perfecturus si voluerit. Et habeas ibi hoc breve.

 

 The King to the sheriff greeting. A hath showed unto us that whereas he is a free man and ready to prove his  liberty, X claiming him to be his nief [or nativus or villein] unjustly vexes him; and therefore we command you,  that if the aforesaid A shall make you secure touching the proving of his liberty, then put that plea before our  justices at the first assizes, when they shall come into those parts, because proof of this kind pertains not to you to take; and in the mean time cause the said A to have peace thereupon, and tell the aforesaid X that he may be there, if he will, to prosecute his plea thereof against the aforesaid A. And have there this writ [F.N.B. 77F].

    

Rex vic. sal. &c. as in Trespass ostensurus: quare [here set out the matter complained of e.g.:___] in aqua de Plim, per quam inter Humber et Gaunt navium et batellorum communis est transitus, ex transverso aquae  pilos defixit, per quod quaedam navis cum triginta quarteriis brasii ipsius A submersa fuit, et viginti quarteria brasii precii centum s. deperierunt. Et alia enormia &c. as in Trespass. The King to the sheriff &c. as in Trespass to show: wherefore (e.g.:___) he fixed piles across the water of Plim along which, between the Humber and Gaunt, there is a common passage for ships and boats, whereby a certain  ship, with thirty quarters of malt of him the said A, was sunk under water, and twenty quarters of the malt of the price of one hundred shillings perished; and other wrongs &c. as in trespass.

Trespass on the Case in Assumpsit

     Rex vic. sal. &c. as in Trespass ostensurus: quare [e.g.: for misfeasance] cum idem X ad dextrum oculum ipsius A casualiter laesum bene et     competenter curandum apud Trumpingtone pro quadam pecuniae summa prae manibus soluta assumpsisset, idem X curam suam circa oculum praedictum tam negligenter et improvide apposuit, quod idem A defectu ipsius X visum oculi praedicti totaliter amisit, ad damnum ipsius A viginti librarum ut dicit.      Et habeas ibi &c.      quare [e.g.: for non-feasance] cum idem X tres currus pro victualibus ipsius A ad partes transmarinas      ducendis pro certa pecuniae summa prae manibus soluta infra certum terminum inter eos concordatum      facere et fabricare apud Trumpingtone assumpsisset, idem X currus praedictos infra terminum praedictum facere et fabricare non curavit per quod A diversa bona et catalla sua ad valentiam centum marcarum, quae in curribus praedictus duci debuissent, pro defectu curruum praedictorum totaliter amisit ad grave damnum ipsius A ut dicit et habeas &c.

The King to the sheriff greeting &c. as in Trespass to show:

     wherefore whereas he the Said X undertook well and competently to cure the right eye of the Said A, which was  accidentally injured, for a certain sum of money beforehand received, he the same X so negligently and carelessly  applied his cure to the said eye, that the said A by the fault of him the said X totally lost the sight of the said eye, to the damage of him the said A of twenty pounds, as he saith, and have there &c.  wherefore whereas he the said X undertook to make and build three carriages for conveying victuals of him the said A to parts beyond the sea for a certain sum of money beforehand received, within a certain term between      them agreed; he the said X did not take care to make and build the carriages aforesaid within the term aforesaid, by which he the said A hath wholly lost divers his goods and chattels, to the value of one hundred marks, which ought to have been conveyed in the carriages aforesaid, for want thereof to the great damage of him the said A as it is said: and have there &c.

Trespass quare clausum fregit

     Rex vic. sal. Si A fecerit etc. tunc pone per vadium et salvos plegios X quod sit etc. ostensurus quare vi et armis clausum ipsius A apud X Trumpingtone fregit [et blada sua ibidem crescentia falcavit etc. etc.] et
     alia enormia ei intulit ad grave damnum ipsius A et contra pacem nostram. Et habeas ibi nomina plegiorum et hoc breve.

 

Quare ejecit infra terminum

     Rex vicecomiti salutem. Si A fecerit te securum de clamore suo prosequendo tunc summoneas etc. X quod     sit coram justiciariis etc. ostensurus quare deforciat praefato A unum mesuagium cum pertinentiis in Trumpingtone, quod M ei dimisit ad terminum qui nondum praeteriit, infra quem terminum idem M praefato X illud mesuagium vendidit occasione cujus venditionis idem X praefatum A de messuagio praedicto ejecit ut dicit. Et habeas ibi etc.

 

De ejectione firmae

     Rex vic. sal. Si A fecerit te securum etc. tunc pone etc. X quod sit coram etc. ostensurus quare vi et armis unum mesuagium apud Trumpingtone, quod M praefato A dimisit ad terminum qui nondum praeterint, intravit et ipsum a firma sua praedicta ejecit et alia enormia ei intulit ad grave damnum ipsius A et contra pacem nostram. Et habeas ibi etc.

 

Trespass vi et armis

     Rex vic. sal. Si A fecerit te securum de clamore suo prosequendo tunc pone per vadium et salvos plegios X quod sit coram justiciariis nostris [Or coram nobis tali die ubicumque fuerimus tunc in Angliae if the writ be in the King's Bench] &c. tali die ostensurus (assault and battery) quare vi et armis in ipsum A apud Trumpingtone insultum fecit et ipsum  verberavit vulneravit et male tractavit, ita quod de vita ejus desperabatur  (false imprisonment) quare vi et armis in ipsum A apud Trumpingtone insultum fecit et ipsum  vulneravit imprisonavit et male tractavit

 

 

       Note. The writs of entry given here are but a few out of great numbers of writs framed to cover almost every conceivable case of a flaw in the tenant's title. Amongst the writs recorded in Fitzherbert are (1) writs super   disseisinam, or as they are sometimes called writs de quibus; where the flaw was a disseisin (of these a, b and c above are examples): (2) writs ad communem legem, in casu proviso and in consimili casu where the flaw was  an alienation in excess of powers by a doweress or a tenant by the curtesy, for life or in tail: (3) writs cui in vita,   on alienation by a husband (examples d, e and f above) and (4) writs cui ante divortium, the same where thc  marriage has been dissolved (a strangely modern sound this has): (5) writs of dum non compos mentis (example  g above) and (6) of dum fuit infra aetatem (example h above) on alienation by an idiot and an infant respectively: (7) writs of entry ad terminum cui praeteriit (example i above) where the flaw is the holding over of a lease: (8) writs of intrusion, where the flaw is similar to the wrong aimed at by the assize of Mort d'Ancestor  and (9) the writ sine assensu capituli where the flaw is an alienation by an abbot &c. without his chapter's  consent. Each of these writs may be in either of the thre forms within the "degrees" in the per (as a), in the per  and cui (as b) and, outside the "degrees", by virtue of the statute of Marlborough, in the post (as c in the above  writs).

 Source.

     F. W. Maitland: Equity also, The forms of action at common law: two courses of lectures, Edited by A. H.
     Chaytor and W. J. Whittaker, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1910)

     Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Cal. State Fullerton. The text has been modernized by Prof. Arkenberg.
 
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     © Paul Halsall, October 1998
     halsall@fordham.edu