A01115:502
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Divers laws were before in divers Countries of this land used: as, the Law first of Danwallo, Molunicius, with the laws of Mercia, called Mercinelega, then the laws of West-saxon kings: as, of Ive, Offa, Alfred, &c. which was called Westsaxonilega. The third were the laws of Canutus, and of Danes, called Danelega. Of all these laws, K. Edward compiled one universal, and common law,1 for all the people through his land, which were called King Edwards Laws, so just, and serving the public weal of all Estates, that the people did long after rebel against their heads, to have the same laws again, being taken from them, but could not obtain them. For though Duke William did swear to the maintenance of them, yet he forswore himself: and abrogating them, brought in much worse, & more obscure: yet was he compelled (through the clamour of the people) to take some of Edwards Laws,2 but omitted the most part, contrary to his oath at his coronation, placing the most of his own laws, in his own Language, to serve his purpose: and so they remain to this day.
Diuers lawes were before in diuers Countryes of this land vsed: as, the Law first of Danwallo, Molunicius, with the lawes of Mercia, called Mercinelega, then the lawes of West-saxon kings: as, of Iue, Offa, Alfrede, &c. which was called Westsaxonilega. The thirde were the lawes of Canutus, and of Danes, called Danelega. Of al these lawes, K. Edward compiled one vniuersal, and common law,1 for all ye people through his land, which were called King Edwards Lawes, so iust, and seruing the publike weale of all Estates, that the people did long after rebell against their heads, to haue the same lawes againe, being takē frō them, but could not obteine them. For though Duke William did sweare to the maintenance of them, yet he forsware himselfe: and abrogating them, brought in much worse, & more obscure: yet was he compelled (through the clamor of the people) to take some of Edwards Lawes,2 but omitted ye most part, contrarie to his oath at his coronation, placing ye most of his own lawes, in his owne Language, to serue his purpose: and so they remaine to this day.