Legal Definitions - hinefare

Hinefare is a historical legal term originating from England. It refers to the event of a servant leaving or being lost from their master's service. This departure could occur for various reasons, such as the servant running away, being dismissed, or completing their agreed-upon term of service.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of hinefare:

• Imagine a medieval English manor where a young stable hand, bound by a year-long contract, decides to leave the estate without permission before their term is complete, hoping to find work in a larger town. This unauthorized departure of the stable hand from the lord's service would be considered a hinefare, representing the loss of a servant to the master.

• Consider a wealthy merchant in 16th-century London who employs several household staff. One of his scullery maids is caught stealing food from the pantry and is immediately discharged from her duties. Her dismissal and subsequent departure from the merchant's household constitutes a hinefare, as the master has lost her service.

• Picture a master carpenter in a bustling English village during the 18th century who has an apprentice. After seven years of diligent training, the apprentice successfully completes his apprenticeship and is now free to establish his own workshop. His formal departure from the master carpenter's service, even though expected and amicable, would also be categorized as a hinefare, as the master no longer retains his labor.