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Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England
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Historical SummaryAt some time during his reign, it is not known exactly when, William issued the following edict. By it the new method of trial, wager of battle, previously well known in Normandy but not used in England, was made legal; but at the same time trial by compurgation and by ordeal are both recognized. Englishmen are put on the same level as Normans; indeed, in this particular instance, apparently in a superior position.
THORPE, Ancient Laws and Institutes of England, Vol. I, p. 488. World History 58. Edict of William Concerning Wager of Battle
William by the grace of God king of the English, to all to whom this writing shall come greeting and friendship. We order and require this to be kept by the whole nation of England.
If an Englishman shall summon any Frenchman to battle for a theft or a homicide or any other matter for which battle ought to be waged or a plea made between the two men, he shall have full liberty to do this. And if the Englishman does not wish a battle, the Frenchman who is accused may defend himself by an oath against him, by his witnesses, according to the law of Normandy.
Likewise if a Frenchman shall summon an Englishman to battle concerning the same matters, the Englishman may with full liberty defend himself by battle, or by compurgation if that pleases him better. And if he is sickly and does not wish a battle, or is not competent, let him seek for himself a legal defender. If the Frenchman shall have been conquered, let him pay sixty shillings to the king. And if the Englishman does not wish to defend himself by battle, or by testimony, let him defend himself by the judgment of God.
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Chicago: "Edict of William Concerning Wager of Battle," Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England in Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England, ed. Edward Potts Cheyney (1861-1947) (Boston: Ginn, 1935, 1922), 105. Original Sources, accessed March 14, 2025, http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D1J5YLJH684LBM4.
MLA: . "Edict of William Concerning Wager of Battle." Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England, in Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England, edited by Edward Potts Cheyney (1861-1947), Boston, Ginn, 1935, 1922, page 105. Original Sources. 14 Mar. 2025. http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D1J5YLJH684LBM4.
Harvard: , 'Edict of William Concerning Wager of Battle' in Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England. cited in 1922, Readings in English History Drawn from the Original Sources: Intended to Illustrate a Short History of England, ed. , Ginn, 1935, Boston, pp.105. Original Sources, retrieved 14 March 2025, from http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D1J5YLJH684LBM4.
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