Appeal is again made to the lawman Skapti,
who evidently does not at all like this growing
knowledge of the secrets of the law. " More
men are great lawyers now," he said, " than I



D,g,t,7P:hy Google



THE POET-LAWYEH HISTORIAN «7

thought. I must tell thee then that this is
such good law in all points that there is not
a woni to be said against it ; but still I
thought that I alone would know this now
that Nial was dead, for he was the only man
I ever knew who knew it."

Bereford, when a somewhat similar objec-
tion as to a majority of jurors being insufficient
is urged before him in a case in Y.B. Edw. II.,
remarks sarcastically, " Much good would it
do you if they were all here." Trial by jury
had not then hardened into its present form
of absolute unity.
A further technical defence, which was
more effective, is met with a charge by the
plaintiffs that the defendants were guilty of
contempt of the Thing by feeing a neighbour
for his legal assistance. The other side had
apparently done the same thing, but had not
brought their legal adviser into court, carrying
news of the objections to him and acting on
his advice on their return.
