Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Wapentake: A word from old English times that means a division of land in some parts of England. It's like a neighborhood or community. In the past, it had its own court and a person called a bailiff who worked there. It's similar to what we call a hundred or ward in other parts of England.
A wapentake is a historical division in some English counties. It is similar to a hundred or ward in other counties. It was called wapentake because it was a place where people would touch their weapons to show that they were ready to fight for their community.
There was also a court within the wapentake where legal matters were handled. A bailiff worked in this court to help with the legal proceedings.
These examples show how wapentakes were used in English counties to help with governance and legal matters.