Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/159

A.D. 1315-1316] said Statutes, and the several parts of them, according to our mere will, and as to us shall seem expedient for the security of us and of our land aforesaid. In witness whereof our seal hath been affixed to these presents. Given at Rothelan on Sunday in Mid Lent in the twelfth year of our Reign.

A.D. 1315-1316]

The King to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that, whereas in our present parliament, called together at Lincoln, on behalf of our beloved and faithful men of the parts of West Wales and South Wales certain petitions had been presented to us, concerning the removal of certain grievances heretofore brought upon them, as they represent, by our officers of those parts, beyond our knowledge, and concerning the granting of certain favours by us.

We, being minded to do away with undue grievances, and in the desire to confer more ample favour upon our aforesaid lieges, for that we were born in the country of Wales, also because those whom their place of birth especially associates with loyalty to their king will render themselves more inclined and more ready to obey us the larger the favours with which we shall have approached them, have thought proper of our special grace, for their greater tranquility and convenience, that what is written below shall be granted to them.

To wit, that the custom which is called Amobragium henceforth be not exacted except within a year from the time of the offence in respect of which the said custom ought to be paid becoming known, but so that if within the year so mentioned it is demanded, though it be permitted to remain unpaid during that year, yet after the completion of that year it be paid in full, and henceforth only be levied in those cases in which in the time of the princes of Wales it was wont to be levied. And that the goods of freemen of those parts be not taxed by our officers where the goods of our own villeins and the goods of spadones and men of the Avowry are sufficient; but we will in the first place that the goods of our