The Brotherhood of Laburdi. The Brotherhood, as a military institution of popular origin, dates back to 1396. It was organized by the people of Laburdi in imitation of the brotherhoods of the peninsula. This Brotherhood received royal approval in 1400 and 1403. They joined together by reciprocal oath to fight against evildoers, rebels, and instigators of war, whether or not they were gentlemen. The Brotherhood judged, whether or not the bailiff, who carried out the sentence, was present. The statutes were directly inspired, in substance and vocabulary, by the ordinances of the southern brotherhoods. This Brotherhood was approved by John of Gaunt, Duke of Aquitaine, and in 1403 by Henry IV, King of England.The Brotherhood was born from the commitment of the Laburdins. Every new bailiff, before taking office, had to swear before the parish delegates that they would govern according to the ordinances, and only then did they swear obedience. If the bailiff refused to swear, the Laburdins would not accept them as such. The principles of the Brotherhood were as follows:
1). This acted against all wrongdoers and accomplices of any condition;
2) The Brotherhood persecuted and judged anyone who committed a crime, whether he was a gentleman or not.
3) The Brotherhood will pursue the wrongdoer who takes refuge in the strong house of a gentleman, even going so far as to force the house if there is opposition.
4) If the bailiff or his lieutenant were required, they should act, however the Brotherhood could act without their collaboration even against gentlemen.
5) There was solidarity and responsibility the parishes, since two probi homines had to report the wrongdoer to the parish and to the other parishes.
6) The bailiff had to gather three times a year two probi homines per parish, who, after taking an oath, would take care of uting the regulations of the Brotherhood: this seems to be the origin of the Brotherhood tribunal and even of the regular meetings of the Biltzar.
7) At this annual meeting, the probi homines or mayors swore to govern well and also received the oath of the bailiff. They also had police powers in their respective parishes.
8) No one may release a foreigner under penalty of 5 escudos
9) Any crime committed must be reported by the victim to the parish mayor. If he did not administer justice, then the assembly of the Brotherhood
10) There is a list of crimes and penalties
11) Judicial guarantees, such as bail, were taken into account.
12) All Labordinians had to swear the Brotherhood from the age of 14.