Our Legal Heritage by S. A. Reilly
page 265 of 410 (64%)
page 265 of 410 (64%)
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coming to shore could not be declared Wreck, but were to be
delivered to the merchant after he proves ownership in court by his marks on the goods or by good and lawful merchants. All stakes and obstacles set up in rivers impeding the passage of boats shall be removed. Imported cloth shall be inspected by the King's officials for non-standard measurements or defects [despite town franchises]. No one shall leave the nation except at designated ports, on pain of one year's imprisonment. English merchants may carry their merchandise in foreign ships if there are no English ships available. Social distinctions by attire were mandated by statute of 1363. A servant, his wife, son, or daughter, shall only wear cloth worth no more than 27s. and shall not have more than one dish of meat or fish a day. Carters, ploughmen, drivers of the plough, oxherds, cowherds, shepherds, and all other people owning less than 40s. of goods and chattels shall only wear blanket and russet worth no more than 12d. and girdles of linen according to their estate. Craftsmen and free peasants shall only wear cloth worth no more than 40s. Esquires and gentlemen below the rank of knight with no land nor rent over 2,000s. a year shall only wear cloth worth no more than 60s., no gold, silver, stone, fur, or the color purple. Esquires with land up to 2,667s. per year may wear 67s. cloth, cloth of silk and silver, miniver [grey] fur and stones, except head stones. Merchants, citizens, burgesses, |
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