Page:The statutes of Wales (1908).djvu/416

284 Blodwyte, an amercement for bloodshed: a customary fine as an atonement for shedding or drawing of blood.

Brenning, burning.

C

Cantref, a division of land in Wales, comprising a number of commotes (see "The Welsh People," by Brynmor-Jones and Rhys, Appendix A.).

Capias, a writ directing the Sheriff to take the body of the defendant.

Capias ad Satisfaciendum, a writ to the Sheriff, commanding him to take the body of the defendant, to make the plaintiff satisfaction for his demand, or remain in custody until he does.

Chensers, or censers, an obsolete word signifying persons who paid taxes or tributes.

Clause of Easter (Clausum Paschiæ), the end of Easter, the Sunday after Easter Day.

Cockets, sealed labels given to the master of an outward-going ship certifying that the vessel has been duly cleared by the officers.

Common Place, common pleas.

Commorth, see Cymhortha.

Commote, a political division of land included in a cantref. Also a great seigniory or lordship and may include one or divers manors.

Conuzee, or cognizee, the person to whom the fine of lands or tenements was acknowledged.

Corse present, a mortuary present which became due on the death of a man; the best or second best beast was, according to custom, offered or presented to the priest and carried with the corpse.

Coverture, the legal condition of a woman during marriage when she is under the cover, influence, and protection of her husband.

Custos rotulorum, the keeper of the records or rolls of a county.

Cymhortha, customary contributions or payments; also used to describe a gathering of the people for neighbourly aid, by labour or otherwise.

D

Deforciant, the person against whom the fictitious action of fine was brought.

Deodand, the rule of law that any animate or inanimate thing which caused the death of a human being should be forfeited to the King and devoted to pious uses for the appeasing of God's wrath. Abolished in 1846.

Distringas, a writ addressed to the Sheriff issued to effect various purposes.

Dower, the right which a woman has to a part of the lands and tenements of which her husband dies possessed.

Dowry, the marriage goods which the wife brings to her husband on marriage.

E

Embracery, an attempt to influence a jury corruptly in favour of one party in a trial.