 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Chaplain. A clergyman who conducts religious service in the private chapel of a sovereign, lord, or high official, of a castle, garrison, embassy, college, school, workhouse, prison, cemetery, or other institution, or in the household of a person of rank or quality.
Chattels. Movable possessions; any possession or piece of property other than real estate or a freehold.
Close. An enclosed place, an enclosure surrounded by fences or hedges. An enclosed field.
Compurgators. The 'oath-helpers' whom a person on trial was allowed to call in to swear that, to their belief, as neighbours of the accused and acquainted with his character, he was speaking truth in making oath.
Constable. An officer of the peace for a vill or parish.
Copyhold. A kind of tenure in England of ancient origin: tenure of lands being parcel of a manor, 'at the will of the lord according to the custom of the manor', by copy of the manorial court-roll. An estate held by this tenure; a copyhold estate.
Court baron. The assembly of the freehold tenants of a manor under the presidency of the lord or his steward. Such a court had a jurisdiction in civil actions arising within the manor, especially in such as related to freehold land. In most manors the customary court for customary tenants was included in the court baron.
Court leet, or tourn. A court of record held periodically in a lordship, or manor, before the lord or his steward, and attended by the residents of the district. It had jurisdiction over petty offences and the civil affairs of the district, and performed a number of administrative functions.
Curtilage. A small court, yard, garth, or piece of ground attached to a dwelling-house, and forming one enclosure with it, or so regarded by the law; the area attached to and containing a dwelling-house and its out-buildings.
Custom. An established usage which by long continuance has acquired the force of a law or right.
Customary. Liable, subject to, or under customs or dues of various kinds, as customary tenants, tenure, lands, etc. Customary service due by customary tenants to their lord; customary rent paid in kind or in money; any customary tax or tribute paid to a lord.