Legal Definitions - criez la peez

Criez la peez is a historical legal phrase from medieval England, derived from Law French, meaning "proclaim the peace" or "rehearse the agreement." It was a formal declaration made aloud in court by a legal official to finalize and confirm the conveyance, or transfer, of land. This phrase was specifically associated with a legal procedure known as a "fine," which was a fictitious lawsuit designed to create an indisputable record of land ownership and transfer, thereby ensuring peace and stability regarding property rights.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of criez la peez:

• Imagine a wealthy merchant, Master Thomas, wishing to purchase a significant estate from a struggling nobleman, Lord Edward. To ensure the transaction was legally sound and could not be challenged by future heirs or claimants, they would initiate a "fine" in the King's court. After all the terms of the land transfer were agreed upon and formally recorded, a court official, such as a serjeant or countor, would publicly declare criez la peez. This declaration served as the final, solemn pronouncement that the land had been peacefully and legally transferred from Lord Edward to Master Thomas, solidifying the new ownership without dispute.

• Consider a situation where two brothers, John and Robert, inherited land from their father but had a disagreement over the exact boundaries and shares. To resolve their dispute amicably and prevent future conflict, they might agree to a formal settlement, which they would then bring before the court to be recorded as a "fine." Once the court had reviewed and accepted their agreed-upon division of the land, the official would utter criez la peez. This act publicly confirmed that the brothers had reached a peaceful resolution regarding their inheritance, and the new, agreed-upon land divisions were now legally binding and undisputed.

• Suppose a local monastery sought to acquire a small parcel of land adjacent to its existing property from a farmer, William, to expand its gardens. To guarantee the permanence of this acquisition and protect it from any future claims by William's family or other parties, the monastery would arrange for the transfer to be formalized through a "fine." After the payment was made and the agreement was documented, the court official would announce criez la peez. This declaration publicly affirmed that the land had been peacefully conveyed to the monastery, establishing its ownership with the full authority of the court and preventing any subsequent challenges.