Legal Definitions - fledwite

Fledwite is a historical legal term from medieval English law, referring to several distinct concepts primarily related to fugitives and the imposition or remission of fines.

• One meaning of fledwite referred to the act of excusing a fugitive from a fine (known as an 'amercement') if they willingly surrendered to the monarch or a lord with judicial authority. It was a form of leniency granted for voluntary submission.
• Alternatively, fledwite could be the specific fine imposed on a fugitive as the cost to regain their freedom, often after being captured or after a period of hiding. This was the price paid to avoid harsher penalties.
• A third, distinct meaning of fledwite was the legal right held by a lord or a specific court to impose and collect fines for offenses involving physical assault, such as beating or striking, within their jurisdiction.

Here are some examples illustrating these historical applications:

• Example 1 (Discharge from fine for surrender): Imagine a medieval serf, accused of poaching a deer from the lord's forest, who flees his village to avoid punishment. After several months of hardship as a fugitive, he decides to return and confess to the local reeve. The reeve, acting on the lord's behalf, grants him a fledwite, meaning the usual heavy fine for poaching is waived because he surrendered voluntarily, though he might still face other forms of punishment or service.

  This illustrates fledwite as the discharge from a fine granted to a fugitive who willingly gives themselves up to authority.

• Example 2 (Fine for freedom): Consider a knight who deserted his post during a skirmish and was later apprehended by the king's men. To avoid a trial for treason and potential execution, he negotiates a substantial payment to the Crown. This payment, allowing him to live in exile rather than face severe punishment, would be considered a fledwite – the price for his freedom from a harsher judicial outcome.

  This demonstrates fledwite as the fine a fugitive pays to secure their freedom or a lesser penalty after being caught or surrendering under specific terms.

• Example 3 (Right to fine for assault): A powerful baron in the 12th century possessed ancient charters granting him specific legal powers over the surrounding lands and villages. Among these was the right of fledwite, which allowed his manorial court to hear cases of physical assault between tenants and impose fines on those found guilty of beating or striking others within his domain. This privilege ensured order and provided revenue to the baron.

  Here, fledwite refers to the specific legal authority or privilege held by an entity (the baron) to preside over a court and levy fines for particular violent offenses.