Note 264 — Book VII.
John Beames translation
Henry the 1st expressly promises, in his Charter, that he will take nothing for his consent, nor will he withhold it, unless it be proposed to unite the female to his enemy. (Anglo-Sax. LL. Ed. Wilkins p. 233.) He promises, also, on the death of his Barons, to marry their Daughters with the advice of the other Barons, and that he will not compel widows to marry again; and he enjoins his Barons, to act in a similar manner towards their Tenants. These regulations were but ill observed. From the text, it is perfectly clear, that the right of marriage extended to females only; but Lords subsequently enlarged their claim, and exercised it also over Male Heirs. This is supposed to have grown up in Henry the 3d’s time from a forced construction of those words of Mag. Car. Heredes maritentur sine disparagatione. (Sullivan’s Lectures, p. 130.)