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Simple English definitions for legal terms
fledwite
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A quick definition of fledwite:
Fledwite: A fine that a person had to pay if they ran away from the law and then surrendered themselves to the king. It was also the right to hold court and take a fine for someone who beat or struck another person. Sometimes, people could pay the fledwite to be free from punishment for running away.
A more thorough explanation:
Fledwite (fled-wIt) is a historical term that refers to:
- A discharge from a fine for a fugitive who voluntarily surrenders to the monarch.
- The fine set on a fugitive as the price for obtaining freedom.
- The right to hold court and take a fine for the offenses of beating and striking.
It is also spelled as fleduite and flighwite.
For example, if a fugitive surrendered to the monarch, they could be granted a fledwite, which would discharge them from the fine they were supposed to pay for their offense.
Another example is when a fugitive paid a fine to obtain their freedom, which was called a fledwite.
The third example is when someone had the right to hold court and take a fine for the offenses of beating and striking, which was also known as fledwite.
These examples illustrate the different meanings of fledwite and how it was used in historical contexts.