A Legend of Montrose Page 28

  Note I.--FIDES ET FIDUCIA SUNT RELATIVA.

  The military men of the times agreed upon dependencies of honour, asthey called them, with all the metaphysical argumentation of civilians,or school divines.

  The English officer, to whom Sir James Turner was prisoner after therout at Uttoxeter, demanded his parole of honour not to go beyond thewall of Hull without liberty. "He brought me the message himself,--Itold him I was ready to do so, provided he removed his guards fromme, for FIDES ET FIDUCIA SUNT RELATIVA; and, if he took my word for myfidelity, he was obliged to trust it, otherwise, it was needless for himto seek it, either to give trust to my word, which I would not break, orhis own guards, who I supposed would not deceive him. In this manner Idealt with him, because I knew him to be a scholar."--TURNER'S MEMOIRS,p. 80. The English officer allowed the strength of the reasoning; butthat concise reasoner, Cromwell, soon put an end to the dilemma: "SirJames Turner must give his parole, or be laid in irons."