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In What cases the Lorde is bounde
to fight wth his Vassall.

Ca. 12.

It hathe bene alredie declared at lardge in
what sorte the vassall sholde proceede againste his lorde
chardginge him wth infidelitie. It resteth nowe to vndrstand
in what order the saide vassall shall behave him selfe when
his lorde shall vse towardes him enie other outrage to his repu:
tacion besides the saide infidelitie. And whether the lorde be
bounde to answere his vassall yf he sholde challenge him. In
wch case it is resolued that he ought not at the firste come to
combat, but the vassall shall goe to somme lorde or Prince, yt
is Superior to his lorde, and make his complainte, and so dis:
chardge somme parte of his case, and yf no such superior be, or
that he denieth iustice in case of honnor, then may he come to
combat, but first he shall geve defiaunce. And yf his
lorde refuzeth the Combat, he ought then appeale to the
iudgemt of men of warre and common iudges, and wth this
exception the sworde shall cease. But yf in them the
vassalle finde no iustice, nor yet his lorde will by anie
meanes come to combat in the cases aforsaid. It shall be lawe:
full for the vassall(yf he be a powre sufficiente) to spoyle
the contries of his lorde. And yf the saide vassall be
a gentleman & in this sorte challengeth his lorde, he
oughte of right not to refuze him, though not in proper person
yet shall he doe it by Champion of equall degree, as is
written in the booke of Champions. And yf the lorde al:
leageth superioritie, the vassall maye answere that in the
vse of armes all gent be equall for defence of their honnor
and in that case lordshipp is laide aside as hereafter we have
written at lardge, when we entreate of Battle emonge
Noble men.