Legal Definitions - meindre age

Meindre age is a historical legal term that refers to the state of being under the legal age of majority. In simpler terms, it meant being underage or a minor, not yet considered an adult in the eyes of the law. During periods when this term was used, individuals of "meindre age" typically lacked the full legal capacity to perform certain actions, such as entering into contracts, owning property independently, or making significant legal decisions without the consent or involvement of a guardian.

• Example 1: Inheritance and Guardianship

  In medieval England, if a landowner passed away, leaving an heir who was still of "meindre age," the heir's vast estates and personal care would often be placed under the management of a designated guardian, sometimes even the Crown. This arrangement would continue until the heir reached the legal age of majority, at which point they could assume full control.

  This example illustrates "meindre age" because the young heir, being underage, was legally deemed incapable of managing their own inheritance or estate, necessitating an adult guardian to oversee their affairs until they reached the legally recognized age of adulthood.

• Example 2: Legal Capacity for Contracts

  Historically, a person considered to be of "meindre age" could not independently enter into a legally binding contract, such as a significant business agreement or a property lease, without the explicit consent or co-signature of their parents or legal guardians. Any contract made solely by an individual of "meindre age" might be considered voidable or unenforceable.

  This demonstrates "meindre age" by showing that individuals who were underage lacked the full legal capacity to make significant contractual commitments on their own, highlighting their status as legal minors with limited autonomy in such matters.

• Example 3: Marriage Consent

  In many historical legal systems, an individual of "meindre age" was not permitted to marry without the formal consent of their parents or other legal guardians. Marriages entered into without such consent could be challenged or even annulled, reflecting the legal view that minors lacked the maturity and judgment for such a significant life decision.

  This scenario illustrates "meindre age" by showing that a person under the legal age of majority did not possess the full legal right to make a personal decision as profound as marriage without the approval of their legal protectors, underscoring their limited legal standing.