"A controversy of land between parties was heard by the King, and sentence given, which was repealed for this, that it did belong to the common law: then the King said, that he thought the law was founded upon reason, and that he and others had reason, as well as the Judges: to which it was answered by me, that true it was, that God had endowed his Majesty with excellent science, and great endowments of nature; but His Majesty was not learned in the laws of his realm of England, and causes which concern the life, or inheritance, or goods, or fortunes of his subjects, are not to be decided by natural reason but by the artificial reason and judgment of law, which law is an act which requires long study and experience, before that a man can attain to the cognizance of it: and that the law was the golden met-wand and measure to try the causes of the subjects; and which protected his Majesty in safety and peace: with which the King was greatly offended, and said, that then he should be under the law, which was treason to affirm, as he said; to which I said, that Bracton saith, quod Rex non debet esse sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege [that the King should not be under man, but under God and the law]."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Anglicans from the United KingdomPoets from ScotlandPhilosophers from ScotlandMonarchs from EnglandMonarchs from Scotland
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Edward Coke, The Reports of Sir Edward Coke, Knt. Vol. VI. Parts XI—XII—XIII (1826), p. 282
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/James_I_of_England
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
James I of England
James VI of Scotland and I of England (Charles James Stuart) (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was a king who ruled over England, Scotland, and Ireland, and was the first Sovereign to reign in the three realms simultaneously.
27 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by James I of England →
Related Quotes
"No bishop, no king."
"The state of Monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth and sit …"
"If you aim at a Scottish presbytery, it agreeth as well with monarchy, as God and the devil. … No bishop, no King!"
"A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black, s…"
"Herein is not only a great vanity, but a great contempt of God's gifts, that the sweetness of man's breath, being a g…"
"I acknowledge the Roman Church to be our mother church, although defiled with some infirmities and corruptions...Let …"
"I commend unto your special care, as some of you of late have done very well, to blunt the sharp edge and vain popula…"
"The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth: for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth, and sit…"
"Keep you therefore all in your own bounds, and for my part, I desire you to give me no more right in my private prero…"
"I will make them conform themselves, or else I will harry them out of the land, or else do worse."