increasing by their agency the amount of money annually due to him
from the various counties and hundreds. The custom was for the king to
get a fixed sum from the sheriff of each county, this being called the
_firma comitatus_, and for the sheriff to collect this as best he
could. Henceforward this amount must not be raised.
Chapters XXVI. and XXVII. were intended to protect the property of
deceased persons, and also to secure the full payment of debts due
therefrom to the crown. Other creditors were also protected, and the
property of an intestate must be distributed to his heirs under the
supervision of the church.