Note 732 — MAGNA CARTA. (continued 4)

Such an attempt seems to have been made in 1207 by Walter de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, who set up in his Irish fief what is described as nova assisa, against which John protested. See Rot. Pat., I. 72, for writ dated 23rd May, 1207. In one case at least, exceptional it is true, John acquiesced in grand assizes being held in feudal courts. On 4th May, 1201, he granted licence to Hubert Walter (and his successors) to hold them for his tenants in gavelkind, a tenure peculiar to Kent. See New Rymer, I. 83.