Legal Definitions - clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum

The term clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum is a historical Latin legal phrase that translates to "a claim to be admitted at the eyre by an attorney." In medieval England, this was a specific type of royal writ or command issued by the king.

This writ was directed to the royal justices who traveled on judicial circuits, known as "eyres," throughout the country to hear cases. Its purpose was to grant special permission for an individual to have their legal claim presented and heard by an attorney, rather than requiring their personal appearance in court. This allowance was exclusively for persons who were actively engaged in the king's service, and whose official duties made it impossible for them to attend the court in person. Essentially, it was a royal dispensation that allowed a servant of the Crown to pursue justice through a representative while continuing to fulfill their obligations to the monarch.

Here are some examples illustrating how this historical legal term would have applied:

• A Royal Diplomat on Mission: Imagine Sir Geoffrey, a knight serving as a royal envoy, who is dispatched by the king on an urgent diplomatic mission to negotiate a crucial alliance with a foreign duke. While Sir Geoffrey is abroad, a dispute arises over the boundaries of his family's estate, and the matter is scheduled to be heard by the justices during their eyre in his home county. Because his diplomatic duties for the king prevent him from returning to England to attend court, a clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum would be issued. This writ would command the justices to permit Sir Geoffrey's chosen attorney to appear on his behalf, present his claim, and represent his interests in the land dispute, ensuring his legal rights are protected without disrupting his vital service to the Crown.

• A Commander Defending the Realm: Consider Lady Isolde, whose husband, Lord Arthur, is a seasoned military commander tasked with leading a garrison defending a strategically vital castle on the northern border against incursions. A claim arises concerning a debt owed to Lord Arthur by a neighboring baron, and the case is due to be heard by the royal justices during their eyre in the region. Lord Arthur's critical duty to the king, defending the realm, makes it impossible for him to leave his post to attend the court. In this situation, a clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum would be granted, allowing his legal representative (attorney) to appear before the traveling justices and present his claim for the debt, thereby ensuring justice is served without compromising national security.

• A Royal Administrator Managing Finances: Picture Master Elias, a highly skilled royal clerk who is indispensable to the king's treasury, meticulously auditing complex accounts and managing royal revenues in London. Master Elias has a personal claim regarding an inheritance from a distant relative that needs to be settled by the justices during their eyre in a far-off western county. His continuous and critical administrative work for the king's finances requires his constant presence at the treasury. A clamea admittenda in itinere per attornatum would allow Master Elias to appoint an attorney to travel to the western eyre and represent his inheritance claim, ensuring that his royal duties are not interrupted while his personal legal matters are addressed.