Legal Term Dictionary

A portion of grain given to a mill-servant from tenants who were bound to grind their grain at such mill.

A portion of grain given to a mill-servant from tenants who were bound to grind their grain at such mill. Less...

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, Instituted by Richard I. and improved by Edward III. in 1344; next follows a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted More...

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, Instituted by Richard I. and improved by Edward III. in 1344; next follows a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a ceremony of bathing the night before their creation. The last order are knights bachelors, who, though the lowest, are yet the most ancient, order of knighthood; for we find that King Alfred conferred this order upon his son Athelstan. 1 Bl. Comm. 403. -Knighthood. The rank, order, character, or dignity of a knight.-Knigbt's foe. See FEE.-Knights bachelors. In English law. The most ancient, though lowest, order of knighthood. 1 Bl. Comm. 404.-Knights banneret. In English law. Those created by the sovereign in person on the field of battle. They rank, generally, after knights of the Garter. 1 Bl. Comm. 403.-Knights of St. Michael and St. George. An English order of knighthood, instituted in 1818.-Knigbts cf St. Patrick. Instituted in Ireland by George III.. A. D. 1763. They have no rank In England. -Knights of tbe Batb. An order instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I. They are so called from the ceremony formerly observed of bathing the night before -their creation.-Knigbts of tbe chamber. Those created in the sovereign's chamber in time of peace, not in the field. 2 Inst. 666.-Knigbts of tbe Garter. Otherwise called "Knights of the Order of St. George." This order was founded by Richard I., and improved bv Edward III.. A. D. 1344. They form the highest order of knights.-Knigbts of tbe post. A term for hireling witnesses.-Knigbts of tbe shire. In English law. Members of parliament representing counties or shires, in contradistinction to citizens or burgesses, who represent boroughs or corporations. A knight of the shire is so called, because, as the terms of the writ for election still require, it was formerly necessary that he should be a knight. This restriction was coeval with the tenure of knight-service, when every man who received a knight's fee immediately of the crown was constrained to be a knight: but at present any person may be chosen to fill the office who is not an alien. The money qualification is abolished by 21 Vict. c. 26. Wharton.-Knigbts of tbe Thistle. A Scottish order of knighthood. This order is said to have been instituted by Achaius, king of Scotland, A. D. 819. The better opinion, however, is that it was instituted by James V. in 1534, was revived by James VII. (James II. of England) in 1687, and reestablished by Queen Anne in 1703. They have no rank in England. Wharton. Less...

In English law. An officer in the royal household who has jurisdiction and cognizance of offenses committed within the household and verge, and of all contracts made therein, a member of the household being one of the parties. Wharton.

In English law. An officer in the royal household who has jurisdiction and cognizance of offenses committed within the household and verge, and of all contracts made therein, a member of the household being one of the parties. Wharton. Less...

A species of feudal tenure, which differed very slightly from a pure and perfect feud, being entirely of a military nature; and it was the flrst, most universal, and most honorable of the feudal tenures. To make a tenure by knight-service, a determinate quantity of land was necessary, which was More...

A species of feudal tenure, which differed very slightly from a pure and perfect feud, being entirely of a military nature; and it was the flrst, most universal, and most honorable of the feudal tenures. To make a tenure by knight-service, a determinate quantity of land was necessary, which was called a "knight's fee," (feodum militate,) the measure of which was estimated at 680 acres. Co. Litt. 69a; Brown. Less...

A court which used to be held twice a year by the bishop of Hereford, in England.

A court which used to be held twice a year by the bishop of Hereford, in England. Less...

An ancient guild or society formed by King Edgar.

An ancient guild or society formed by King Edgar. Less...

To assign to a bidder at an auction by a knock or blow of the hammer. Property Itf said to be "knocked down" when tbe auctioneer, by the fall of his hammer, or by any other audible or visible announcement, signifles to the bidder that he is entitled to the More...

To assign to a bidder at an auction by a knock or blow of the hammer. Property Itf said to be "knocked down" when tbe auctioneer, by the fall of his hammer, or by any other audible or visible announcement, signifles to the bidder that he is entitled to the property on 'paying the amount of his bid, according to the terms of the sale. "Knocked down" and "struck off" are synonymous terms. Sherwood v. Reade, 7 Hill (N. Y.) 439. Less...

In seamen's language, a "knot" Is a division, of the log-line serving to measure the rate of the vessel's motion. The number of knots which run off from the reel In half a minute shows the number of miles the vessel sails in an hour. Hence when a ship goes More...

In seamen's language, a "knot" Is a division, of the log-line serving to measure the rate of the vessel's motion. The number of knots which run off from the reel In half a minute shows the number of miles the vessel sails in an hour. Hence when a ship goes eight miles an hour she is said to go "eight knots." Webster. Less...

In conveyancing. A form of public address, of great antiquity, and with which many written instruments, such as bonds, letters of attorney, etc., still commence.

In conveyancing. A form of public address, of great antiquity, and with which many written instruments, such as bonds, letters of attorney, etc., still commence. Less...

With knowledge; consciously ; intelligently. The use of this word in an indictment is equivalent to an averment that the defendant knew what he was about to do, and, with such knowledge, proceeded to do the act charged. U. S. v. Clay-pool (D. C.) 14 Fed. 128.

With knowledge; consciously ; intelligently. The use of this word in an indictment is equivalent to an averment that the defendant knew what he was about to do, and, with such knowledge, proceeded to do the act charged. U. S. v. Clay-pool (D. C.) 14 Fed. 128. Less...