Legal Definitions - malveilles

Malveilles is a historical legal term, originating from French, that broadly referred to acts stemming from ill will, malice, or a general disposition of hostility. It encompassed minor offenses, malicious conduct, or even a pervasive sense of animosity directed towards individuals or a community.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of malveilles:

• Example 1: Feuding Neighbors

  Imagine a historical village where two neighbors, Mr. Davies and Mr. Evans, have a long-standing personal dispute. Driven by malveilles, Mr. Davies might repeatedly engage in minor acts of harassment, such as allowing his livestock to graze on a small, unfenced portion of Mr. Evans's land, or subtly diverting a small stream that flows into Mr. Evans's garden, causing minor inconvenience. While these actions might not be major crimes, they are clearly motivated by ill will and a desire to cause annoyance.

  This illustrates malveilles as the underlying malicious intent and the resulting minor, persistent acts of wrongdoing.

• Example 2: Disgruntled Employee

  Consider a historical scenario where a craftsman, feeling unjustly dismissed by his guild master, harbors significant malveilles. In retaliation, he might subtly spread false rumors about the quality of the master's work among potential clients, or intentionally cause minor damage to tools or materials left unattended in the workshop. These actions, born out of a malicious disposition, aim to harm the master's reputation or business without committing a major felony.

  Here, malveilles refers to the ill will and the malicious acts that constitute minor offenses or harmful conduct.

• Example 3: Political Antagonism

  In a historical court record, one might find an accusation that a local baron acted "out of malveilles" towards a rival lord. This could manifest as the baron subtly obstructing the rival's tenants from using a common road, or imposing minor, unfair tolls on goods passing through his territory that belong to the rival's merchants. These actions, while not outright warfare, are designed to cause economic or social disadvantage, driven by a deep-seated hostility.

  This example demonstrates malveilles as the pervasive animosity and the resulting "misdemeanors" or malicious acts intended to undermine an opponent.