frankpledge
Americannoun
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a system of dividing a community into tithings or groups of ten men, each member of which was responsible for the conduct of the other members of his group and for the assurance that a member charged with a breach of the law would be produced at court.
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a member of a tithing.
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the tithing itself.
noun
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the corporate responsibility of members of a tithing for the good behaviour of each other
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a member of a tithing
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a tithing itself
Etymology
Origin of frankpledge
1250–1300; Middle English fra ( u ) nkplegge < Anglo-French frauncplege. See frank 1, pledge
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A similar conclusion has been reached as to Canute's responsibility for the institution known as frankpledge.
From Canute the Great The Rise of Danish Imperialism during the Viking Age by Laurence Marcellus Larson
About this time these societies, each having its headman, were called frithborhs, or peace-borhs, and the Normans translated the Anglo-Saxon word by frankpledge.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various
Sir F. Palgrave has asserted that the view of frankpledge was unknown in that part of the country which had been included in the kingdom of Northumbria.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various
The hall was used for meals and meetings at which the lord received homages, recovered fees, and held the view of frankpledge.
From Our Legal Heritage by S. A. Reilly
Ultimately the laws of the 10th and 11th centuries show the beginnings of the frankpledge associations, which came to act so important a part in the local police and administration of the feudal age.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various
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