Legal Definitions - homines

Homines

In historical feudal systems, homines referred to tenants who were legally bound to their lord's jurisdiction. This meant that any legal disputes, grievances, or other matters concerning them had to be heard and resolved exclusively within their lord's court, rather than by a royal or external court. They were essentially subject to the local justice system administered by their lord.

• Example 1 (Property Dispute): Sir Reginald's manor included several villages. When two farmers, both homines of Sir Reginald, had a disagreement over the exact boundary between their fields, they could not take their case to the King's court. Instead, their dispute would be brought before Sir Reginald's manorial court, where his steward or appointed officials would hear the arguments and deliver a judgment. This illustrates how their legal matters were confined to their lord's jurisdiction.

• Example 2 (Minor Offense): A miller, who was a homo (singular of homines) of Baroness Eleanor, was accused of short-changing customers by using an inaccurate scale. The villagers, also homines of Baroness Eleanor, would report this grievance directly to the Baroness's court. The Baroness, through her court, would investigate the accusation and impose a suitable penalty, such as a fine or public shaming, reinforcing that her tenants' legal issues were her exclusive domain.

• Example 3 (Inheritance): When a blacksmith, a homo of Lord Alaric, passed away without a clear will, his two adult children began to dispute who should inherit the right to work his forge and land. They did not have the option to seek resolution from a distant royal judge. Instead, they presented their claims to Lord Alaric's court, which would decide the rightful heir according to the customs of the manor, demonstrating the lord's authority over the legal affairs of his tenants.