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Simple English definitions for legal terms
contenement
Read a random definition: common-employment doctrine
A quick definition of contenement:
Contenement is a word that has two meanings. The first meaning is about land. It is a type of land that a person owns and uses to support themselves. This type of land was protected by a law called Magna Carta, which said that it could not be taken away from the owner. The second meaning of contenement is about a person's reputation or standing in the community. This meaning comes from the word "countenance" which means how people see and think about you. So, contenement can mean the good reputation that a person has because of their land ownership.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Contenement (kən-ten-ə-mənt) is a historical term that refers to freehold land held by a feudal tenant, especially land used to support the tenant. This property was exempted from seizure by Magna Carta.
Example: A farmer who rented land from a lord would also have a small piece of land that he owned outright. This land was his contenement and could not be taken away from him, even if he owed money to the lord.
Explanation: The example illustrates how contenement was a form of protection for tenants who relied on the land to support themselves. By owning a small piece of land, they had some security and could not be completely at the mercy of their landlord.
Definition: Contenement can also refer to a person's reputation or standing in the community, which may be rooted in the ownership of land.
Example: In medieval times, a knight's contenement would include not only his land but also his armor, weapons, and other possessions that contributed to his status and reputation.
Explanation: This example shows how a person's possessions and status were closely tied to their ownership of land. A knight's armor and weapons were not just practical tools but also symbols of his social standing and power.