Category: W

Under Sts. 33 Hen. VIII. c. 8, and 1 Jac. I. c. 12, the offense ofwitchcraft, or supposed intercourse with evil spirits, was punishable with death. Theseacts were uot repealed till 1736.

In forest law. The old name of the court of attachments; otherwisecalled the “Forty-Days Court” Cowell; 3 Bl. Comm. 71.

In the English law of descent. A term applied to males,expressive of the preference given to them over females. See 2 Bl. Comm. 234- 240.

In common-law practice. A writ which issues after the plaintiff inan action has obtained a judgment by default, on an unliquidated claim,V directing the sheriff, with the. aid of a jury, to

In old English law. A weigh; a measure of cheese, salt, wool, etc., containing two hundred and fifty-six pounds avoirdupois. Cowell; Spelman.

The being a Welshman. Spelman.

In English law. The title of the governor or presiding officer of the Cinque Ports, (g. v.)

In old conveyancing. To warrant; to bind one’s self, by covenant ina deed of conveyance, to defend the grantee in his title and possession.Warrantizare est defendere et acqul- etare tenentem, qui warrantnm

To keep guard; to stand as sentinel; to be on guard at night, for thepreservation of the peace and good order.

A great dam or fence made across a river, or against water, formedof stakes interlaced by twigs of osier, aud accommodated for tlie taking of fish, or toconvey a stream to a

A purging from a crime by the oaths of several persons, according totlie degree and quality of the accused. Cowell.

A mode of punishment, by the infliction of stripes, occasionally used inEngland and in a few of the American states.

A place on the sea-shore or the bank of a river.

In England. 1. The statute 32 Hen. VIII. c. 1, passed in 1540, by whichpersons seised in fee-simple of lands holden in socage tenure were enabled to devisethe same at their will

Sax. A punishment, pain, penalty, mulct, or criminal fine. Cowell.

A court held twice in the year in the forest of Clun, inShropshire, for determining all matters of wood and agistments. Cowell.

A certain quantity of land so called in the manor of Kingsland,in Hereford. The tenants are called “worthies.” Wharton.

This Is thewrit of execution employed to enforce a judgment to recover the possession of land. Itcommands the sheriff to enter the land and give possession of it to the person entitledunder

In old English practice. To give security for the performance of a thing. Cowell.

In Saxon law. A servant, or any ministerial officer. Cowell.