Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A covert baron is a term used in old law to describe the status of a married woman. It means that the woman's legal existence is combined with her husband's, and she is under his protection and influence. During her marriage, she is called a feme-covert and her condition is known as her coverture. Essentially, it means that the woman's rights and identity are subsumed by her husband's.
Definition: Covert baron (pronounced kuh-vurt bar-uhn) is a term from Law French that refers to the legal status of a married woman under common law. During marriage, a woman's legal existence is suspended or combined with that of her husband. She is under his protection and influence and is called a feme-covert or covert-baron.
Example: According to William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, a married woman's condition during her marriage is called her coverture. This means that she is not considered a separate legal entity from her husband and is subject to his authority.
Explanation: The example illustrates how the term covert baron was used in the past to describe the legal status of married women. It shows that under common law, a woman's legal rights and identity were subsumed by her husband's. This meant that she could not own property, enter into contracts, or make legal decisions without her husband's permission.