Show Old English Law Based on Bible I Benefit of clergy was a privilege once enjoyed by the clergy of ot England England England Eng Eng- land whereby they were exempted empted from civil punishment The Time origin of this exemption Is unknown but the time custom was probably based on the text Touch not mine anointed an ando and do my prophets no harm I Chron lG 1622 22 Ps lOG Edward I In 1274 extended this privilege fe e to all nil laymen that could read rend Such a crImInal criminal criminal crim crIm- inal could not be put to death but butI I was to be branded on the left hand hanel I The first verse of Psalm GO 50 was chosen as the reading test and hence was known as the neck verse In lu 1691 this privilege was extended to lo women The privilege eventually became became became be be- came a dead letter It was variously restricted and finally In 1827 In the reign of George IVr IVY It was abolished Kansas altogether altogether Kansas City Star |