When the year came to 1540, the Middle Ages, which began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) and followed the Renaissance (1453 AD), also entered the late Middle Ages. As Henry VIII strengthened his control over northern society and the population, the legal system continued to improve, the magistrates strengthened their governance, and judicial duels independent of judicial decisions became less and less.

Decreasing does not mean disappearing completely. At least the people of the North, who are fierce, violent, and advocate the use of force to solve problems, are still using judicial duels or duels of honor, which have not yet become popular at this time, to exclude real justice.

Yesterday, Magistrate Sir Augustine had already made a pre-trial for his daughter's case of stealing livestock and had also prohibited anyone from bailing the two young thieves on his daughter's suggestion. Unexpectedly, at the next day's trial, the two young thieves expressed their disobedience to the judge's decision to ban bail. Immediately, a judicial duel was presented to the magistrate, Sir Augustine.

According to the legal officer's collation and record of the case materials, the suspect in this case of stealing livestock is not allowed to file a request for a judicial duel if the evidence is conclusive. However, the two young thieves, the second-degree principals, still insisted that they had no reason to kill Isabel and denied the judge's verdict.

Sir William Frederick, who had just been knighted this year and became the second county magistrate of Richmondshire, sat in Sir Augustine's room and quietly drank ale, "Sir, what now?" These two bastards have already made a request for a judicial duel against you. ”

"A judicial duel, this is simply a kind of murder! Wanting to achieve their desires in this way comes from their original sin. Sir Augustine stood up angrily, and walked up and down his judge's chamber with his hands behind his back.

Sir William frowned and glanced at the judge, "That's why we need to pray to God from time to time to forgive our original sin." Sir, it would be better for the relatives of these two bastards to pay some fines to repent of this duel. ”

"What if they don't have the money? Even if you have money, you don't think of stealing livestock. ”

"So, sir, what do you mean......"

Sir Augustine stopped walking and turned to look at his fellow judges: "I have decided to accept this judicial duel. ”

Sir William hurriedly put down his glass, "Sir, you and I are a family of in-laws, and I oppose your decision. I am also a judge and the right to bail must be exercised by my consensual consent with you. So... I decided... Grant bail. ”

"Sir William, you... Any idea what you're talking about? ”

"Sir, I have agreed to bail because I don't want to see you subjected to violence or lose your life as a result. Without the relief of your daughter Isabel and my family, I would not have escaped the rebellion of a few years ago. Nor will my second son be knighted and become your son-in-law. ”

Sir Augustine looked at the father of the husband of his second daughter, Euphemia, in silence, "Sir William, how do you guarantee that the two principal second-degree offenders who have been released on bail will be able to appear in court at the next trial?" ”

William looked at Sir Augustine's graying hair and beard for a moment, and suddenly laughed, "Sir, you are now an old man, you can find a dueling agent to settle this duel for you." ”

"Well, that's a way to do it. Sir, who do you want to duel in my place? ”

"Thor has a lot of elite knights under him, we can get him here and ask about it."

Saul Morrison, who had served as deputy to Governor of the Peace Francis Swift a few years ago, has now become the new Governor of the Security Army. When he heard the servant's words, he and his deputy, Ralph, immediately walked from inside the schoolyard to outside the judge's room.

Sir William gave him a general account of what had happened, and Thor smiled unconcernedly, "Your Excellency, don't worry, two judges, I can find an elite knight to duel in place of Sir Augustine right away." ”

"Thor, you have to be careful about choosing the right person. If these two second-degree offenders were allowed to win the duel, then Sir William and I would create new chaos for the peace of the county. Sir Augustine stood in front of Thor with his hands behind his back, looking very serious.

Thor looked at the judge squarely and blinked, "Your Excellency, are you saying that these two bastards will continue to steal livestock, property, or loot after they are released?" ”

"If you're a thief who has regained your freedom, what's the first thing you do when you get out of prison?"

"Steal a cow or a sheep, kill and eat it, and then go and grab some possessions and leave the county far away, and escape the punishment that should have been received?" Saul assumed he was a thief on bail and imagined a word.

"Thor, you're right."

"Your Excellency, I... I see. Saul pondered and then said to Sir Augustine: "Your Excellency, I will give you an answer that satisfies you after sunrise. ”

After Thor left the judge's room with his deputy, Ralph, the deputy, whispered to the side, "My lord, who are you going to find to replace the judge?" ”

"Ralph, you... Go to His Highness's castle and find His Excellency the Advisor and hear what she has to say. Thor thought of Isabel as he hesitated, and then gave an order to his deputy,

"Yes, sir."

This morning, Saturday, Isabelle Walton accompanied Duchess Mary Fitzroy to the stables of the Duke's Guard, after all her business had been taken care of. When Isabel brought a thoroughbred horse from the stable to her, Mary looked at the dark maroon horse with some surprise, "Isabel, is this an Arabian horse?" ”

"That's right. How's that, like? ”

Mary excitedly stepped forward to see the beauty of the Arabian horse: a short head, a long and graceful neck, a tall and plump armor, a short and powerful back, a long waist, a high tail base, well-developed tendons in the limbs, a smooth body, and not a single stray hair.

Staring at such a cute war horse with unique skeletal proportions, Mary was very happy, "Isabel, I just asked you to find a horse for me to ride." This horse is so beautiful that I can't bear to ride it. ”

"You're afraid it will hurt? Mary, you don't ride it to battle. ”

Mary reached out and gently stroked the horse's neck, "yes." However, such a beautiful horse, you should preserve its excellent pedigree. ”

Isabel, who was standing on the side, smiled: "Don't worry, this horse has already been bred, and its pedigree can be well preserved." ”