IDEOT.
IDeot, the words of the Statute be, Rex habebit custodiam ter••••rum fatuorum naturalium, by* 1.1 which it appeareth that he must be a fool na∣turall, that is a fool à nativitate, for if he were once wise, and became a fool by chance or mis∣fortune, the King shall not have the custody of him.
The King is Protector of all his Subjects, and of all their goods, Lands and Tenements, and there∣fore such as cannot govern themselves, nor or∣der* 1.2 their Lands and Tenements, his Grace (as a fa∣ther) must take upon him to provide for them, that they themselves, and their things may be pre∣served.
Ideot, is a Greek word, and properly signifieth a private man, which hath not any publick Of∣fice.* 1.3 Amongst the Latins it is taken for illitera∣••us, imperitus, amongst our Lawyers, for non com∣pos mentis, in our common English speech, called a natural fool. Fatuus à fando, quia inepta loqui∣tur. If one have so much understanding, as he can measure a yard of cloth, number twenty pence or rightly name the dayes in the week, or* 1.4 beget a child, son or daughter, he that can do so, shall not be accounted an Ideot or natural fool by the Law•• of the Realm.* 1.5
An Ideot naturall in an Action brought against him, shall appear in his proper person, but he who is become non compos mentis, shall appear