A letter from Margaret of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders (1256, October 13).

“However, customs will be observed by our merchants of Flanders in Holland and Zeeland, namely these: That if any merchant of Flanders, passing through the land of the county of Holland, namely through Holland or Zeeland, will have been impeded by anyone over a debt, if he will have denied that debt and having denied it, remains, so that he not suffer delay in his ship, he will be able to clear himself by swearing an oath concerning this with single hand to the one impeding; but if the one detaining will have refused to accept it, he should follow that merchant into the villa or town where he resides and there the case between them must be decided by the judgment of the aldermen of that town or villa; and if by chance contrary to this a merchant of Flanders passing through will have been impeded and on account of this will have incurred loss, the count of Holland or the lord of the land will repay to the merchant the entire loss. Also if any of our merchants from Flanders will have been robbed in Holland, namely, or Zeeland, the lord of the land itself in which the plundering of this sort was done, will compel the inhabitants of the land itself where the robber will have remained to compensate the booty, otherwise he himself (i.e. the robber) will pay.”