Discreet he was and of greet reverence –
He semed swich, his wordes weren so wise.
Justice he was ful often in assise,
By patente and by pleyn commissioun.
For his science and for his heigh renoun,
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, General Prologue. The Man of Law is a successful lawyer with an excellent reputation and is very much in demand. He is often a judge in the court of assizes, there by royal appointment. Because of his knowledge and reputation he earns large fees.