Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (4th ed, 1770, vol IV).djvu/219

Ch. 15. and of et purpoe, though done upon a udden occaion. Next, in order of time, is the tatute 37 Hen. VIII. c. 6. which directs, that if a man hall maliciouly and unlawfully cut off the ear of any of the king's ubjects, he hall not only forfeit treble damages to the party grieved, to be recovered by action of trepas at common law, as a civil atisfaction; but alo 10. l. by way of fine to the king, which was his criminal amercement. The lat tatute, but by far the mot evere and effectual of all, is that of 22 & 23 Car. II. c. 1. called the coventry act; being occaioned by an aault on ir John Coventry in the treet, and litting his noe, in revenge (as was uppoed) for ome obnoxious words uttered by him in parliament. By this tatute it is enacted, that if any peron hall of malice aforethought, and by lying in wait, unlawfully cut out or diable the tongue, put out an eye, lit the noe, cut off a noe or lip, or cut off or diable any limb or member of any other peron, with intent to maim or to disfigure him; uch peron, his counellors, aiders, and abettors, hall be guilty of felony without benefit of clergy. Rh