A Provision for the Day in Leap Year - 1256

Do you really need a law to deal with the ambiguity over how a leap year is counted, well in 1256 they did. This episode is my most tangent filled yet, with more side bars than  are usual in a 30 minute podcast.

This provision ( originally in Norman French) states:

The King unto his Justices of the Bench,  Know Ye That where within our Realm it doubted of the Year and Day that were wont to be assigned unto sick persons being impleaded, and from what Day of the Year going before unto another Day of the Year following, the Year and Day in a Leap-Year ought to be taken and reckoned. We therefore, willing that a Conformity be observed in this behalf every where within our Realm, and avoid all Danger from such as be in Plea, have provided, and by the Counsel of our faithful Subjects have ordained, That, to take away from henceforth all Ambiguity that might arise hereupon, the Day increasing in the Leap-Year shall be accounted so that because of that Day none shall be prejudiced that is impleaded, but it shall be taken and reckoned of the same Month wherein it growth; and that Day and the Day next going before, shall be accounted for one Day. And therefore We do command you, that from henceforth you do cause this to be published afore you, and to be observed.

Witness Myself
Henry by the Grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland. Duke of Normandy, Guyan, and Earl of Anjou.

Links

The Music is once again from the Conet Project
Hathi Trust can be found at the following link
Give Us Our Eleven Days by Ben Johnson link
Medieval manuscripts blog - The Leaping Saint: 29th February in the Middle Ages link