Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: GERSUMARIUS
Definition: Gersumarius is an old word that means someone who could be fined by their feudal lord. If a villein gave his daughter in marriage, he was considered gersumarius and had to pay a fine to the lord.
Definition: Gersumarius (jər-sə-mair-ee-əs) is an adjective used in historical contexts to describe someone who is finable or liable to be fined at the discretion of a feudal superior. For example, a villein who gave his daughter in marriage was considered gersumarius and was required to pay a fine to the lord.
Example: In medieval England, a villein who wanted to marry off his daughter had to pay a fine to the lord. This fine was known as a gersuma, and the villein was considered gersumarius until he paid it.
Explanation: The example illustrates how gersumarius was used in medieval England to describe someone who was liable to be fined. In this case, the villein was required to pay a fine to the lord for giving his daughter in marriage. Until he paid the fine, he was considered gersumarius.