Gunnison Valley News | 1925-10-29 | Page 3 | Old English Law Based on Bible

The first verse of Psalm 50 was chosen as the reading test, and hence was known as the "neck verse." In 1091, this privilege was extended to women. The privilege eventually became be-came a dead letter; it was variously restricted and finally in 1S27 in the reign of George IV, it was abolished altogether. Kansas City Star. Old English Law Based on Bible "Benefit of clergy" was a privilege once enjoyed by the clergy of England, Eng-land, whereby they were exempted from civil punishment. The origin of this exemption is unknown, but the custom was probably based on the text: "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (I Chron. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). Edward I in 1274 extended this privilege to all laymen that could read. Such a criminal crim-inal could not be put to death, but was to be branded on the left hand.