Legal Definitions - henfare

Henfare is a historical legal term that refers to a specific type of fine. It was a penalty imposed upon an individual who fled or attempted to escape after being accused of murder. This fine was levied specifically because of the act of flight, not necessarily because the person was proven guilty of the murder itself. In historical legal systems, the act of fleeing from such a serious accusation was often seen as an indication of guilt or an obstruction of justice, warranting a separate financial penalty.

• Example 1: In a 14th-century English village, a local blacksmith, Robert, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Suspicion quickly falls upon Thomas, a rival craftsman with whom Robert had a public dispute. Before the local lord's reeve (an administrative officer) can formally question him, Thomas gathers his family and disappears from the village overnight, heading towards a distant county.

  Illustration: In this scenario, Thomas's flight from the accusation of murder would have historically subjected him to a "henfare." Even if he were later apprehended and, through some twist of fate, found innocent of the murder, the act of running away from the accusation itself would have incurred this specific fine, likely levied against his remaining property or family.

• Example 2: During the tumultuous Wars of the Roses, a powerful noble, Lord Beaumont, is accused by a rival faction of assassinating a key royal advisor. Rather than submit to a potentially biased trial, Lord Beaumont secretly arranges passage on a merchant ship bound for the continent, hoping to escape the political turmoil and save his life.

  Illustration: Lord Beaumont's attempt to flee the kingdom after being accused of murder (or a crime equivalent to murder against a royal official) would have historically triggered a "henfare." The fine would be imposed on his estate or family for his flight, separate from any potential punishment for the assassination itself, should he have been caught and convicted.

• Example 3: Consider a situation in a feudal society where a peasant woman, Agnes, is accused of poisoning her landlord's son. Fearing immediate and harsh judgment without a fair hearing, Agnes abandons her small cottage and attempts to hide in the vast, untamed forests bordering the estate, hoping to evade capture.

  Illustration: Agnes's decision to flee into the wilderness to avoid facing the accusation of murder (poisoning) would have historically made her liable for a "henfare." This fine would be imposed on her or her family, not for the act of poisoning itself, but specifically for her flight from the accusation, which was seen as an affront to justice.