Legal Definitions - bredwite

Bredwite is a historical legal term referring to a penalty imposed for failing to comply with regulations concerning the weight or quantity of bread.

In simpler terms, it was a fine or punishment levied against bakers who did not produce or sell bread according to the established standards for its size or weight, often set by local authorities to ensure fair trade and prevent consumers from being cheated.

• Example 1: Underweight Loaves

  Imagine a medieval town where local ordinances stipulated that a standard loaf of bread must weigh exactly one pound. If a baker consistently sold loaves that, upon inspection, were found to weigh only 14 ounces, they would be subject to a bredwite. This penalty would be imposed because the baker failed to meet the regulated weight requirement for their product, directly illustrating non-compliance with bread weight standards.

• Example 2: Incorrect Quantity in a Batch

  Consider a baker who had a contractual obligation or a public duty to supply a certain number of standard-sized loaves to a community or institution each day. If, on a particular day, the baker delivered fewer loaves than required, or if the loaves themselves were smaller than the legally defined standard size for that price, they could face a bredwite. This illustrates the penalty for non-compliance with regulations regarding the quantity of bread provided, as the overall amount or individual unit size was not up to standard.