That the division of the property, mentioned in the text, did not long
survive the time of Glanville, is most probable. (See Somner on Gavelk.
p. 98.) Swinburne seems strangely to have blundered in thinking, that
our author took part of his text from Magna Carta, (Swinburne on
Wills, part 3. section 16.) The passing of which was an event clearly
_posterior_ in time to Glanville.]
CHAP. VI.
The Testament ought to be made in the presence of two or more lawful
Men, either clergy or lay, and such as can be proper witnesses of it.
The Executors of a Testament should be such persons, as the Testator
has chosen for that purpose, and to whom he has committed the charge.
But, if he should not nominate any person for this purpose, the
nearest of Kin and Relatives of the deceased may take upon them the
charge; and this, so effectually, that should they find the Heir or any
other person detaining the Effects of the deceased, they shall have the
King’s Writ directed to the Sheriff in these words——
CHAP. VII.
“The King to the Sheriff, Health.[243] I command you that, justly and
without delay, you cause to stand the reasonable division of _N._ as it
can be reasonably shewn that he made it, and that it ought to stand.
Witness, &c.”
[Footnote 243: Vide F.N.B. 270.]
CHAP. VIII.
When a party, summoned by authority of this Writ, alleges any thing
against the Testament itself; either that it was not reasonably made,
or that the thing claimed was not as asserted left by it, then,
the Plea ought to be heard and determined in the Court Christian;
because Pleas concerning Testaments ought to be agitated before the
Ecclesiastical Judge, and decided according to the course of Law, on
the Testimony of those who were present at the time of the making of
the Will. But if the person, who intends to make a will, should be
overburthened with Debts, he cannot (beyond the payment of his Debts)
make any disposition of his Effects, without the consent of his Heir.
Should it, however, happen, after payment of the Debts, that any thing
remains, then it is divided into three parts in the manner before
stated; and he may, as observed, make a Testament of a third part of
it. If, however, the Effects of the deceased are insufficient to pay
his Debts, then his Heir is bound to make up the deficiency out of his
own; I mean, if he is of Age.[244]
[Footnote 244: “If the goods of the defunct are not sufficient for
payment of his Debts, by the Law, his Heir should pay the same of his
own proper goods.” (Reg. Maj. L. 2. c. 39.) This Rule was soon altered.
_Quatenus_, says Bracton, _ad ipsum pervenerit, scilicet, de hereditate
defuncti et non ultra, nisi velit de gratia, et si nihil multo
fortius._ (See Bracton 61. a. Fleta L. 2. c. 57. s. 10.) _Notandum est,
quod nullus de antecessoris debito tenetur respondere ultra valorem
quod de ejus hereditate dignoscitur possidere._ (Le Grand Cust. de
Norm. c. 88.)]
CHAP. IX.[245]
[Footnote 245: Hereon generally, see Bracton 86. b.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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