Legal Definitions - de cibariis utendis

de cibariis utendis

This Latin phrase refers to a specific historical English statute enacted during the reign of King Edward III (specifically, Chapter 3 of the 10th year of his reign). The primary purpose of this law was to restrict excessive spending on entertainment and food, particularly at large gatherings and feasts. It was part of a broader legislative effort during that period to curb what was considered extravagant luxury and to promote economic prudence and social order.

• Example 1: A Baron's Wedding Celebration

  Imagine a powerful baron in 14th-century England planning a lavish wedding feast for his eldest son. Under the provisions of de cibariis utendis, the baron would have faced legal restrictions on the scale of his hospitality. For instance, the statute might have limited the number of courses served, the types of exotic foods offered, or the overall expenditure on food and drink for his guests. This demonstrates how the law aimed to prevent ostentatious displays of wealth through entertainment.

• Example 2: A Guild's Annual Banquet

  Consider a prosperous merchant guild in a medieval town holding its annual banquet to celebrate its members and conduct business. The guild masters would need to ensure their event complied with de cibariis utendis. This could mean setting a cap on the budget for the meal, dictating that only certain types of locally sourced provisions be used, or limiting the duration of the feasting. The statute would thus prevent the guild from engaging in excessive spending that might deplete its resources or create an unsustainable standard for future events.

• Example 3: Royal Officials on Progress

  When royal officials or members of the King's court traveled through the kingdom on "progress," they were often hosted by local nobility or wealthy citizens. The statute of de cibariis utendis would have influenced the expectations and obligations of these hosts. While they were expected to provide hospitality, the law would have discouraged them from bankrupting themselves or their communities by offering excessively opulent entertainment and food to their royal guests, thereby promoting a more sustainable and less burdensome form of official hospitality.