perverted from its constitutional signification without any
statutable authority." The LIBERI HOMINES are so described in the
Doomsday Book. They were the only men of honor, faith, trust, and
reputation in the kingdom; and from among such of these as were not
barons, the knights did choose jurymen, served on juries
themselves, bare offices, and dispatched country business. Many of
the LIBERI HOMINES held of the king in capite, and several were
freeholders of other persons in military service. Their rights were
recognized and guarded by the 55th William I.; [Footnote: "LV.--De
Chartilari seu Feudorum jure et Ingenuorum immunitate. Volumus
etiam ac firmiter praecipimus et concedimus ut omnes LIBERI HOMINES
totius Monarchiae regni nostri praedicti habeant et teneant terras
suas et possessiones suas bene et in pace, liberi ab omni,
exactione iniusta et ab omni Tallagio: Ita quod nihil ab eis
exigatur vel capiatur nisi servicium suum liberum quod de iure
nobis facere debent et facere tenentur et prout statutum est eis et
illis a nobis datum et concessum iure haereditario imperpetuum per
commune consilium totius regni nostri praeicti."] it is entitled:

"CONCERNING CHEUTILAR OR FEUDAL RIGHTS, AND THE IMMUNITY OF
FREEMEN.

"We will also, and strictly, enjoin and concede that all FREEMEN
(LIBERI HOMINES} of our whole kingdom aforesaid, have and hold
their land and possessions well and in peace, free from every
unjust exaction and from Tallage, so that nothing be exacted or
taken from them except their free service, which of right they
ought to do to us and are bound to do, and according as it was
appointed (statutum) to them, and given to them by us, and conceded
by hereditary right for ever, by the common council (FOLC-GEMOT} of