Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/331

 AGRICULTURAL LIFE 319 Occasionally the holding was confiscated, but the law recommended the lord ' not to be hard, and to allow sufficient time ; to be merciful to the poor in particular, unless they be obstinate and extravagant.' Usually the delinquent was allowed a reprieve. In the regulations of Kleinfrankenheim, in Lower Alsatia, we read : ' He who has not paid his rent in the sunlight and before the sun sets must give seven shillings, when the agent may, in the presence of two witnesses, deprive such a one of his land ; but he must be given three notices within fourteen days. The messenger who brings the notices shall receive two measures of wine. Should the dues not be paid at the end of the fourteen days, the poor man need not fear any jjrocess for a year, when the land belongs to the lord to dispose of as he pleases. But if, during the year, the tenant was not at home when the notices were served, or if the back charges are all paid, the agent shall reinstate the tenant.' Up to the last moment the dilatory tenant could remit his dues to the collector. The manor laws of Birgel, the property of St. Peter's manor of Mentz, decree that ' on St. Thomas's Day preceding Christmas each tenant shall pay his lord thirty pennies, and if he has not the money he may give security. If in the course of the day he does not give either money or security, the bailiff shall put the land into the hands of the lord. Should the agent coming to collect the tax meet the poor man bringing his dues before he reach the great door, then shall he remit him his debt.' In reference to the treatment of those who did not pay their dues, either in money or kind, the Chronicle of Bieber (in Hundsruck), in 1506, says : ' The bailiff himself shall not go to distrain. He shall seek the