Note 300 — Chapter II · MESSENGERS, ITINERANT MERCHANTS AND PEDLARS

“A suit respecting civil matter was commenced in this reign (Ed. I), as in earlier or subsequent reigns, by the purchase of a writ and sometimes by bill. . . . The writs were committed to messengers who had to travel into the different parts of the kingdom and deliver them to the sheriffs or other proper officers to be served on the defendants.” Horwood, “Year-books of Edward I,” years 30–31, p. xxv. Against the purchase of the writs the Commons protested, claiming (35 Ed. III, year 1351–2) that this was contrary to Magna Charta, according to which the king “ne vendra ne deleiera droit à nulli.” The king refused to give up what he considered as a legitimate profit, but promised that the tariff would be lowered. “Rolls of Parliament,” ii., 241.