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Simple English definitions for legal terms
green wax
Read a random definition: Larrison rule
A quick definition of green wax:
Green Wax: In the past, when someone had to pay a fine or penalty, the court would write it down on a special paper called an estreat. The court would then use green wax to seal the estreat to show that it was real. The court would give the estreat to a sheriff, who would collect the money from the person who had to pay. The estreat was called green wax because of the color of the wax used to seal it.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Green wax refers to an Exchequer order that directs a sheriff to collect fines and amercements (penalties) listed in the order. The name comes from the color of the wax used to certify the authenticity of the order.
Example: In medieval England, the Exchequer would issue green wax orders to sheriffs to collect fines and penalties from individuals who had broken the law. The sheriff would then use the order to demand payment from the offender.
This definition explains that green wax is a type of order used to collect fines and penalties. The example illustrates how the order was used in medieval England to enforce the law and collect payments from those who had broken it.