Note 277 — Book VII.
John Beames translation
The Ancient Romans punished Usury with more severity, than they did Theft. (Cato de re Rusticâ Proem.) The Norman code imposes a forfeiture of all the offender’s property, provided he had been guilty of Usury, within a year and a day before his death. (Grand Custum. de Norm. c. 20.)
By a Law of Edward the Confessor, Usurers were banished the kingdom, and a person convicted of the crime forfeited all his substance, and was to be treated as an outlaw. If the Reader feel any desire to penetrate into the motives that dictated this Law, these are the concluding words of it. Hoc autem asserebat ipse Rex se audiisse in Curia Regis Francorum, dum ibidem moraretur, quod Usura radix omnium vitiorum esset. (LL. Ed. Conf. c. 37.) The doctrine, as laid down by the Mirror, is, that the goods and Chattels of Usurers should remain, as Escheats to the Lords of the Fee. (Mirror c. 1. s. 3.) The Reader will find some curious disquisitions on the subject of Usury in the Ancient Dialog. de Scaccario. (L. 2. s. 10.)