Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/10

iv peers of the delinquent. It is neceſſary to obſerve in this place, that in England there are but two degrees or orders of men; viz. the peers of the realm and commoners. All dukes, marquiſſes, earls, viſcounts, and barons are not only peers of the realm, but peers amongſt themſelves; ſo that the moſt inferior baron is the peer of the greateſt duke. The reſt of the people are called the commoners, without diſtinction, by which the pooreſt labourer is the peer of every one under the degree of a baron. The peers of the realm from this noble privilege, eſtabliſhed or revived by King, are judged by thoſe of their own rank; that is, by the reſt of the lords; and the commoners by their equals alſo. The only difference between the lords and commons in this matter, is, that every peer has a right to give his voice at the trial of any culprit, of the former denomination; and that twelve men only, are to acquit or condemn any perſon that is claſſed amongſt the latter.

various revolutions, the ſeven kingdoms were reduced to one, the ſceptre of the Saxons paſſed into the hands of the Danes; and returned, in proceſs of time, into the poſſeſſion of the Saxons again.

theſe affairs the Engliſh conſtitution, from the beſt accounts, appears to have ſuffered no