King Edward now in the twelfth yeare of his reigne, hauing brought
[Sidenote: _Polydor_.]
the state of the realme quite from troubles of warre both by sea and
land, began to foresee as well for the welth of his subiects, as for
himselfe, being naturallie inclined to wish well to all men. He
therefore considered, how by the manifold lawes which had beene made by
Britaines, Englishmen and Danes within this land, occasion was ministred
to manie, which measured all things by respect of their owne priuate
gaine and profit, to peruert iustice, and to vse wrongfull dealing in
stead of right, clouding the same vnder some branch of the lawe
naughtilie misconstrued. Wherevpon to auoid that mischiefe, he picked
out a summe of that huge and vnmesurable masse and heape of lawes, such
as were thought most indifferent and necessarie, & therewith ordeined a
few, & those most wholesome, to be from thenceforth vsed; according to
whose prescript, men might liue in due forme and rightfull order of
[Sidenote: The lawes of S. Edward instituted.
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