18 



notwithstanding the exaggerated allegations of prejudice, and the 

 many obstacles which the people had to contend with, it is certain 

 that they were not more backward in civilization than those of most 

 of the other nations of Europe. The testimony of that distinguished 

 Chief Justice of England, Lord Coke, concerning the Irish people, 

 remains recorded in his Institutes, a triumphant refutal of previous and 

 subsequent misrepresentation. " I have been informed," says this great 

 and good man, "by many of them that have had judicial places 

 there, and partly of mine own knowledge, that there is no nation of 

 the Christian world that are greater lovers of justice than they 

 (the Irish) are, which virtue must of necessity be accompanied 

 by many others." — Can it be supposed that a declaration of 

 this kind would be made, and that by such a man, if the Irish 

 people were really what they had been represented by his country- 

 men and cotemporaries ? But his is not the only testimony. Sir 

 John Davis uses even stronger language, to the same effect. Every 

 remnant therefore which tends to illustrate the manners and cus- 

 toms of such a people must be interesting and valuable, not alone 

 iu a national point of view, but as a leading feature in the history 

 of mankind. These are the considerations which induced me 

 to undertake the task of preparing these ancient fragments for 

 inspection, and to deposit my humble mite in the treasury of public 

 information. 



that .£10 or iCSO a year were considered a competent estate for a gentleman. One possessing 

 £"150 yearly was esteemed rich, and Sir John Fortescue lays down £5 a year " as a fair living 

 for a yeoman." In 1414 the expence of a scholar at the University was but £5 annually. In 

 1476 Counsel's fees were lower than in our times. In the account of the church-warden of St. 

 Margaret, Westminster, we find, " Roger Fylpot, learned in the law, paid for his opipion given 

 Ss. 8d. with 4rf. for his dinner." In 1493 Sir William Drury, one of the richest men in Suffolk, 

 bequeathed fifty marks to each of his daughters. — The value of money then was about twenty- 

 four times more than at the present day. — See Henry's valuable History of England, whose ex- 

 cellent plan will yet, it is hoped, be extended to Ireland.— See also Fleetwood's Chronicon 

 Preciosum, 



