Legal Definitions - baga

Baga is a historical legal term that refers to a bag or purse, specifically one used in medieval legal administration to hold and protect important official documents.

Historically, these bags were crucial for organizing and safeguarding critical legal paperwork, such as original writs issued by the Chancery court, or other significant legal instruments.

• Imagine a clerk in the medieval English Chancery court, responsible for issuing royal commands. After carefully drafting and sealing a new set of original writs—formal written orders from the King—the clerk would meticulously place them into a sturdy leather baga. This ensured the writs were protected from damage and kept secure before being dispatched to various sheriffs across the kingdom.

  This example illustrates the baga's primary historical function as a container for "original writs" by the "Chancery," highlighting its role in the secure handling of official legal directives.

• Consider a traveling legal scribe or a lawyer in the 14th century, journeying between manors to assist lords with their legal affairs. This individual would carry a durable baga containing parchment copies of land deeds, feudal contracts, and other vital agreements. The bag served to protect these irreplaceable documents from the elements and loss during transport, ensuring they arrived safely for review or presentation.

  Here, the baga demonstrates its use as a practical, protective carrier for a range of important legal papers beyond just court-issued writs, emphasizing its utility for legal professionals on the move.

• Picture a high-ranking court official preparing for a session of the King's Bench. Before the judges entered, the chief clerk would retrieve a designated baga from a secure chest. This particular bag would contain all the newly filed petitions, summonses, and other essential documents required for that day's proceedings, ensuring that every piece of evidence and every request was accounted for and readily accessible to the court.

  This scenario highlights the baga's role in the organized management of active legal documents within a court setting, underscoring its importance for the smooth functioning of judicial processes.