HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 233 



Britain, the king thought he had not remunerated 

 his people sufficiently with good laws, which ever 

 more was his retribution for treasure. And finding 

 by the insurrection in the north there was discontent 

 ment abroad, in respect of the subsidy, he thought 

 it good to give his subjects yet further contentment 

 and comfort in that kind. Certainly his times for 

 good commonwealth s laws did excel. So as he may 

 justly be celebrated for the best lawgiver to this 

 nation, after King Edward the First ; for his laws, 

 whoso marks them well, are deep, and not vulgar ; 

 not made upon the spur of a particular occasion for 

 the present, but out of providence of the future, to 

 make the estate of his people still more and more 

 happy ; after the manner of the legislators in ancient 

 and heroical times. 



First therefore, he made a law suitable to his own 

 acts and times : for as himself had in his person and 

 marriage made a final concord in the great suit and 

 title for the crown, so by this law he settled the like 

 peace and quiet in the private possessions of the sub 

 jects : ordaining, &quot; That fines thenceforth should be 

 &quot; final, to conclude all strangers rights ;&quot; and that 

 upon fines levied, and solemnly proclaimed, the sub 

 ject should have his time of watch for five years after 

 his title accrued , which if he forepassed, his right 

 should be bound for ever after ; with some exception 

 nevertheless of minors, married women, and such in 

 competent persons. 



This statute did in effect but restore an ancient 

 statute of the realm, which was itself also made but 



