Although by and large a jealous guardian of English traditions in law, in matters of evidence Coke tended to adopt Continental concepts, since English law had virtually nothing to say on the subject. His classification of the grades of evidence, much quoted later, is that of medieval Roman law: “Bracton saith, there is a probatio duplex, viz. viva, as by witnesses viva voce, and mortua, as by deeds, writings and instruments. And many times juries, together with other matter, are much induced by presumptions; whereof there be three sorts, viz. violent, probable and light or temerary. Violenta
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