English Law, like the English language, is an amalgam of diverse cultural influences. The legal system may fairly be seen as a composite of discrete elements from disparate sources. Several elements of historical Jewish legal practice have been integrated into the English Legal system. Notable among these is the written credit agreement- shear, or Starr, as it appears in English documents.The basis of the shear, or "Jewish Gage" was a lien on all property (including realty) that has been traced as a source of the modern mortgage.