Legal Definitions - attachiamenta bonorum

Attachiamenta bonorum is a historical legal term that refers to the seizure of a person's movable property by a legal official, such as a bailiff. This action was taken as a form of security to ensure that the individual would either pay a debt they owed or appear in court to respond to a lawsuit concerning that debt. Essentially, it was a method to compel a debtor to fulfill their financial obligations by temporarily taking possession of their personal assets.

• Example 1: Imagine a medieval farmer who owed a significant sum to a local lord for the use of land. If the farmer failed to make payments, the lord could obtain an order, and a bailiff might then carry out an attachiamenta bonorum by seizing some of the farmer's livestock, like a few sheep or a cow, or essential farming tools. These items would be held as security until the farmer either settled the debt or presented themselves in court to address the lord's claim.

  This illustrates the seizure of "goods and chattels" (livestock, tools) by an official (bailiff) to secure a "debt" (rent owed to the lord) and ensure the debtor's response to a legal action.

• Example 2: Consider a craftsman in a bustling historical town who borrowed money from a wealthy merchant to purchase raw materials for his workshop. If the craftsman defaulted on the loan, the merchant could seek legal recourse. A bailiff might then execute an attachiamenta bonorum by taking possession of some of the craftsman's finished products, such as carved wooden furniture or woven textiles, directly from his shop. These items would serve as collateral, pressuring the craftsman to repay the loan or appear before a judge.

  Here, the seizure of the craftsman's finished goods (movable property) by a bailiff acts as security for an unpaid "debt" (the loan from the merchant), compelling the craftsman to address the legal claim.

• Example 3: In a historical context, if a wealthy individual failed to pay a tailor for a custom-made wardrobe, the tailor could pursue legal action. A bailiff, acting on a court order, might perform an attachiamenta bonorum by seizing some of the individual's valuable household items, such as silver platters or fine tapestries. These possessions would be held until the individual paid the outstanding bill or appeared in court to contest the tailor's claim for payment.

  This example demonstrates the seizure of valuable personal "goods and chattels" (silverware, tapestries) by a legal official to ensure payment of a "debt" (the tailor's bill) and compel the debtor to participate in the legal process.