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Simple English definitions for legal terms
wite
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A quick definition of wite:
Term: WITE
Definition: Wite, also spelled wyte, is a type of punishment that was given by the Crown or other authorities for serious crimes like murder. It was a fine that had to be paid by the person who committed the crime as a form of punishment.
A more thorough explanation:
Wite (pronounced "wIt") is a historical term that refers to a fine imposed by the Crown or other authority as a punishment for a serious crime, such as murder. It was a way for the government to collect money from criminals as a form of punishment.
- In Anglo-Saxon England, a person who committed murder would have to pay a wite to the king as a punishment.
- During the Middle Ages, a person who was caught stealing could be fined a wite by the lord of the manor.
These examples illustrate how wite was used as a form of punishment for serious crimes. The amount of the fine would depend on the severity of the crime and the authority imposing it. It was a way for the government to collect money from criminals and deter others from committing similar crimes.