Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tuberville Against Savage (1669) 86 ER 684
Tuberville Against Savage (1669) 86 ER 684
If a man lay his hand upon his sword and say, " If it were not assize-time, I would not
take such language," this is no assault.—S. C. 2 Keb. 545. S. C. 1 Vent. 256.
2 Eo. Ab. 547. 6 Mod. 149. 10 Mod. 187. 1 Lev. 282. 1 Bac. Ab. 154. Gilb.
Law of Evid. 256. 1 Com. Dig. 591. Bull. N. P. 15. 1 Hawk. P. C. 263.
Action of assault, battery, and wounding. The evidence to prove a provocation was,
that the plaintiff put his hand upon his sword and said, " If it were not assize-time, I
would not take such language from you."—The question was, If that were an assault 1—
The Court agreed that it was n o t ; for the declaration of the plaintiff was, that he
would not assault him, the Judges being in town ; and the intention as well as the act
makes an assault. Therefore if one strike another upon the hand, or arm, or breast
in discourse, it is no assault, there being no intention to assault; but if one, intending
to assault, strike at another and miss him, this is an assault: so if he hold up his hand
against another in a threatening manner and say nothing, it is an assault.—In the
principal case the plaintiff had judgment.