murdrum

[mur-druhm]

noun

Old English Law.

1. the killing of a human being in a secret manner.

2. the fine payable to the king by the hundred where such a killing occurred, unless the killer was produced or the victim proved to be a Saxon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of murdrum¹

< Medieval Latin < Old French murdre murder

Example Sentences

In the so-called "Laws of Edward the Confessor" it is stated that the murdrum fine originated in the reign of Canute.

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No fine if the defunct is English: "Pro Anglico vero et de quo constari possit quod Anglicus sit, non dabitur murdrum."

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Whoy," said Mr. Saddletree, delighted at having for once in his life seen his wife's attention arrested by a topic of legal discussion—"Whoy, there are two sorts of murdrum or murdragium, or what you populariter et vulgariser call murther.

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The answer to "Quod est murdrum" was a thrilling revelation of what the Norman Conquest was and was not.

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Also, the entire hundred was the ultimate surety for murder and would have to pay a "murdrum" fine.

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