Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Regalia refers to the special rights and privileges held by the Crown, which is the ruling monarch or government. These rights can be divided into two categories: the greater rights, which include the Crown's power and dignity, and the lesser rights, which include the Crown's rights to revenue. Regalia can also refer to the emblems of royal authority, such as a crown or scepter, given to the monarch at coronation. In a more general sense, regalia can also refer to fancy clothing or special dress, like the caps and gowns worn at academic ceremonies.
Regard means paying attention to something or someone, taking care of them, or considering their needs or feelings. In the past, it was also used to describe an official inspection of a forest to see if anyone had done something wrong. This inspection was done by a person appointed to the position of regard, which was also called the office of regard.
Regardant is a word used in history to describe something that is attached or connected to a particular manor. For example, a villein regardant was a person who was attached to a manor and subject to the lord who owned it, but was free in relation to all others. A villein was a type of serf, which means they were not free to leave the land they worked on without permission from their lord.
Definition: Regalia refers to the rights and privileges held by the Crown under feudal law. It can be divided into two types: regalia majora, which refers to the Crown's greater rights, power, and royal prerogatives, and regalia minora, which refers to the Crown's lesser rights, such as the rights of revenue. Regalia can also refer to emblems of royal authority, such as a crown or scepter, given to the monarch at coronation. In a more general sense, regalia can refer to special dress or finery, such as caps and gowns worn at academic ceremonies.
Example: At the coronation ceremony, the monarch is presented with regalia, including a crown and scepter, as symbols of their authority and power.
Explanation: This example illustrates the use of regalia to refer to emblems of royal authority, which are given to the monarch at a coronation ceremony.
Definition: Regard refers to attention, care, or consideration given to something or someone. In the past, it was also used to refer to an official inspection of a forest to determine whether any trespasses had been committed.
Example: The teacher showed great regard for her students' well-being, always taking the time to listen to their concerns and needs.
Explanation: This example illustrates the use of regard to refer to the attention and care given to someone, in this case, the teacher's students.
Definition: Regardant refers to something that is attached or annexed to a particular manor. In feudal times, it was used to describe a villein who was attached to a manor.
Example: The villein regardant was entirely subject to the lord of the manor and had no freedom in relation to anyone else.
Explanation: This example illustrates the use of regardant to describe a villein who was attached to a particular manor and had no freedom in relation to anyone else.
Definition: Villein refers to a person who was entirely subject to a lord or attached to a manor, but free in relation to all others. In feudal times, villeins were the most numerous element in the English population.
Example: At the time of the Domesday Inquest, about 40% of households were marked as belonging to villeins.
Explanation: This example illustrates the use of villein to describe a person who was entirely subject to a lord or attached to a manor, and how they were the most numerous element in the English population at the time of the Domesday Inquest.