Legal Definitions - simplex passagium

Simplex Passagium

Historically, simplex passagium was a legal term used to describe a simple, specific journey or passage that served as a legitimate excuse for an individual's absence from court or other legal obligations. Originating in medieval legal systems, particularly during the era of the Crusades, it referred to a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. However, the underlying principle could apply to any defined, limited journey undertaken for a specific, recognized purpose that temporarily excused someone from their legal duties.

• Example 1: The Knight's Vow

  Imagine a knight in 12th-century England who has been summoned to the local feudal court to answer a complaint regarding a land dispute. However, he had previously made a solemn vow to undertake a specific, limited pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral, a renowned holy site, during that very period. This journey, being a defined, non-military religious undertaking, would be considered a simplex passagium. It would provide him with a legally recognized reason to postpone his court appearance until his return, as the pilgrimage was a specific, time-bound commitment.

• Example 2: The Merchant's Trade Mission

  Consider a prominent merchant in a medieval town who is required to serve on a jury for a local trial. At the same time, he has been officially commissioned by his guild to undertake a crucial, short journey to a neighboring city to secure a rare and essential dye for the town's textile industry. This specific trade mission, vital for the local economy and limited in scope and duration, could be presented as a simplex passagium. It would serve as a valid excuse for his temporary absence from jury duty, as his journey was a recognized and necessary undertaking.

• Example 3: The Scholar's Research Trip

  Picture a scholar in a medieval university town who holds a minor administrative position that requires his attendance at certain council meetings. He receives a unique opportunity to travel for a brief, defined period to a distant monastery known for its extensive library, to consult a specific, rare manuscript vital for his ongoing academic research. This focused intellectual journey, being a specific and limited "passage" for a recognized scholarly purpose, could be argued as a simplex passagium, excusing him from his administrative duties for the duration of his research trip.