ROGER OF AVENDO VER. [A.D. 1100. which more justly concerned other people. And if any one had made any bargain for his inheritance, I forgive it, together with all reliefs, which were agreed on for their true inheritances. And if any of my barons or vassals shall be rich, in whatever way he may dispose of his money, it shall be confirmed by me ; but if, prevented by the casualties of Avar, or sickness, he shall not have given aAvay or disposed of his money, his Avife, children, or parents, and lawful vassals, shall divide it for the good of his soul, as to them shall seem best. If any one of my barons or vassals shall commit forfeiture, he shall not give bail in mercy for his money, as he Avould have done in the time of my father or brother, but according to the degree of his forfeiture, nor shall he atone for it as he would have done in the time of my father or brother ; but if he shall be convicted of perfidy or a crime, according to the crime, so shall be the atonement. All past murders, up to the day of my coronation, are hereby forgiven; and those Avhich shall in future be committed shall be justly atoned for, according to the laAV of king Eadward. I retain the forests in my OAvn hands, by the consent of all my barons, in the same way as my father held them. I concede to all knights who defend their own lands by arms, to hold all the lands of their domains free from all gelds and gifts to myself, that, being relieved from their great burden, they may acquire experience in horses and arms, and be ready for my service and for the defence of the whole kingdom. I establish peace throughout all my dominions, and I command it henceforth to ' be observed. I restore to you the laAV of king EadAvard, Avith those improvements, by which my father with the consent of the barons amended it. If any one has taken anything of men or of another's since the death of my brother king William, let the whole be speedily restored Avitbout alteration ; and if any one shall keep back any part thereof, he, on whom it is found, shall make heavy atonement to me for it. Witness the folloAving, Maurice bishop of London, William elect of Winchester, Girard bishop of Hereford, earl Henry, earl Simon, earl Walter Gifford, Robert de Montford, Roger Rigod, and many others. There Avere a3 many of these charters made, as there are counties in England, and by the king's orders, they were placed in the abbeys of each county for a memorial.