Legal Definitions - a me

A me is a Latin phrase that translates to "from me." In historical legal contexts, particularly within the feudal system, this term was used in grants and charters to indicate that a specific grant of land, rights, or privileges originated directly from the grantor (the person making the grant) to the recipient. It emphasized a direct relationship of tenure or authority, meaning the recipient held the grant immediately from the grantor, rather than through an intermediate lord or superior.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a powerful medieval monarch, King Arthur, who wishes to reward a particularly loyal and effective knight, Sir Lancelot, for his valiant service. King Arthur issues a royal charter directly granting Sir Lancelot a vast estate, complete with its villages and resources. This grant would be considered "a me" because the land and its associated rights are bestowed directly "from me" (King Arthur) to Sir Lancelot, establishing a direct feudal relationship between the two for that specific tenure, bypassing any dukes or earls who might otherwise be intermediaries.

• Consider a scenario where a high-ranking ecclesiastical leader, such as an Archbishop, holds significant lands and authority directly from the Crown. The Archbishop decides to establish a new monastery on a portion of his domain and issues a formal document granting the monastery specific lands, the right to collect tithes from local farmers, and certain exemptions from secular law. This grant would be "a me" because the authority and privileges for the monastery originate directly "from me" (the Archbishop) to the monastic community, rather than being passed down through a bishop or abbot who might be a subordinate.