Hollingshed’s Chronicles.

The foundation of old common law seems traceable to Martia, the widow of Guilliame, left regent of her husband’s kingdom, comprising a part of Britain. two hundred years prior to the Christian era. This queen directed her attention to framing a system of laws which acquired for her the surname of “Proba,” or “The just.” They were evidently one of the three parts under which the common law is divided, although under canon law the entire property of the wife became that of the husband upon marriage.