Note 519 — Book XIV.
John Beames translation
Roberia, so called, says Lord Coke, because the goods are taken as it were de la robe, from the Robe, that is from the person. (Co. Litt. 288. a. and 3. Inst. 67.) Cowell deduces the term from the French robbe, vestis, and Spelman from raubas, meaning the same thing. The Saxons used their term reaferar in a similar sense, reaf signifying, vestis. For Travellers had in former times rarely any thing but their dress of which they could be robbed. (See Cowell and Spelm. Gloss.) Under the Laws of Ina the punishment of Robbery was to restore the thing purloined, and to pay a fine of 60 shillings. (LL. Inæ. c. 10.)