Legal Definitions - namare

Namare is a historical legal term that means to seize or take possession of someone's property, typically as a way to compel them to fulfill an obligation, such as paying a debt or performing a duty. This action, historically known as distraint, was a common self-help remedy in earlier legal systems, allowing a party to hold another's goods until a demand was met.

Here are some examples illustrating the historical application of "namare":

• Imagine a medieval landlord whose tenant had fallen significantly behind on rent payments. The landlord might historically namare the tenant's livestock or farming implements. By taking possession of these essential items, the landlord aimed to pressure the tenant into paying the overdue rent, as the tenant would be unable to farm or earn a living without their tools and animals.

  This example illustrates "namare" as the act of seizing property (livestock, implements) to compel the fulfillment of a financial obligation (unpaid rent).

• Consider a feudal lord who had granted land to a vassal in exchange for military service. If the vassal failed to provide the agreed-upon service during a time of conflict, the lord might historically namare a portion of the vassal's harvest or other valuable goods. This seizure would serve as a coercive measure, intended to force the vassal to honor their commitment to military duty.

  Here, "namare" demonstrates the historical practice of seizing property (harvest, goods) to compel the performance of a contractual or feudal obligation (military service).