oll of the
manor of Brisingham in Norfolk, in 1254, it appears that there were then
ninety-four copyholders and six cottagers in villenage; the former
performing many, but determinate services of labour for the lord.
Blomefield's Norfolk, vol. i. p. 34.

[408] Littl. sect. 77. A copyholder without legal remedy may seem little
better than a tenant in mere villenage, except in name. But though, from
the relation between the lord and copyholder the latter might not be
permitted to sue his superior, yet it does not follow that he might not
bring his action against any person acting under the lord's direction,
in which the defendant could not set up an illegal authority; just as,
although no writ runs against the king, his ministers or officers are
not justified in acting under his command contrary to law. I wish this
note to be considered as correcting one in my first volume, p. 200,
where I have said that a similar law in France rendered the distinction
between a serf and a homme de poote little more than theoretical.

[409] See the rules of pleading and evidence in questions of villenage
fully stated in Mr. Hargrave's argument in the case of Somerset.
Howell's State Trials, vol. xx. p. 38.

[410] 1. v. c. v.

[411] Blomefleld's Norfolk, vol. i. p. 657. I know not how far this
privilege was supposed to be impaired by the statute 34 E. III. c. 11;
which however might, I should conceive, very well stand along with it.

[412] Stat. 23 E. III.

[413] [Note XV.]

[414] I have been more influenced by natural probabilities than
testimony in ascribing this effect to Wicliffe's innovations, because
the historians are prejudiced witnesses against him. Several of them
depose to the connexion between his opinions and the rebellion of 1382;
especially Walsingham, p. 288. This implies no reflection upon Wicliffe,
any more than the crimes of the anabaptists in Munster do upon Luther.
Every one knows the distich of John Ball, which comprehends the essence
of religious democracy:

"When Adam delved and Eve span,
Where was then the gentleman?"

The sermon of this priest, as related by Walsingham, p. 275, derives its
argument for equality from the common origin of the species. He is said
to have been a disciple of Wicliffe. Turner's Hist. of England, vol. ii.
p. 420.

[415] Stat. 1 R. II. c. 6; Rot. Parl. vol. iii. p. 21.

[416] 30 E. I., in Fitzherbert. Villenage, apud Lambard's Perambulation
of Kent, p. 632. Somner