Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: SUTHDURE
Definition: Suthdure is a word from the past that refers to the south door of a church. This was an important place where people would go to make complaints and have them resolved. It was also where certain religious ceremonies would take place.
Suthdure (suuth-door) is a term used in historical Ecclesiastical law. It refers to the south door of a church, where various acts were performed, such as purgations, and where complaints were heard and resolved.
During the medieval period, the suthdure was an important part of the church. It was where people went to seek justice and resolve disputes. For example, if someone was accused of a crime, they could go to the suthdure to undergo a purgation, which was a type of oath-taking that was believed to prove their innocence.
Another example of the use of the suthdure was in the resolution of disputes between members of the church. If there was a disagreement between two people, they could go to the suthdure to have their case heard and resolved by the church authorities.
These examples illustrate how the suthdure was an important part of the church during the medieval period. It was a place where people could seek justice and resolve disputes, and it played an important role in maintaining order and harmony within the church community.