Legal Definitions - festum

The term festum, originating from Latin, refers to a designated day of celebration, a public holiday, or a festival. In a legal context, especially historically, these days often held significance for determining legal deadlines, court schedules, or the performance of contractual obligations, as they were recognized periods of rest or communal observance.

• Example 1: Court Adjournment
  Imagine a historical court record stating that "all judicial proceedings shall be adjourned on any designated festum of the realm." This means that on official public holidays or significant religious festivals recognized by the state, the courts would legally cease operations, and no cases would be heard or judgments rendered. This ensures that legal processes respect periods of communal observance.

• Example 2: Contractual Deadlines
  Consider an ancient land deed that specifies a tenant must deliver a portion of their harvest to the landlord "on the festum of Saint Martin." This clause legally establishes a precise deadline for the tenant's obligation, tying it directly to a specific religious festival (Martinmas) rather than a generic calendar date. Failure to deliver on this particular festival day would constitute a breach of contract.

• Example 3: Public Works and Labor Laws
  A medieval guild charter might contain a rule stating that "no master or apprentice shall be compelled to labor on a principal festum of the city." This legally protected workers from being forced to perform their craft on major civic holidays or religious festivals, recognizing these days as periods of rest and celebration when labor was prohibited or discouraged by custom and law.