Onde conuiene al rey que a de tener e guardar ssus pueblos en paz e en iustiçia e en derecho, que ffaga leys e posturas por que los departimientos e las voluntades de los omnes sse acuerden todas en vno por derecho, por que los buenos biuan en paz e en iustiçia e los malos ssean castigados de sus maldades con pena de derecho.

—Espéculo, prólogo

Now it is appropriate for the king, who has to maintain and safeguard his people in peace, justice, and righteousness, to make laws and decisions so that men’s divergent wills may all come together in unity in the law, so that good men may live in peace and justice and the wicked may be punished for their evil deeds with the penalty of the law.