soke

American  

[sohk] / soʊk /

noun

Early English Law.

1. the privilege of holding court, usually connected with the feudal rights of lordship.

2. a district over which local jurisdiction was exercised.

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soke British  

/ səʊk /

noun

1. the right to hold a local court

2. the territory under the jurisdiction of a particular court

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Etymology

Origin of soke

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-Latin soca < Old English sōcn attack, right of prosecution, jurisdiction ( see soken); akin to sake ¹, seek

Example Sentences

But they are set apart as forming the soke, and this shows them clearly to be subjected to jurisdiction rather than anything else.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

Our present concern is that they are not simply arranged into the manor of Rothley as usual, but are distinguished as forming the soke of this manor.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

The old English Cnichtenagild surrendered their soke of Aldgate as a site for the new priory of the Holy Trinity.

From History of the English People, Volume I Early England, 449-1071; Foreign Kings, 1071-1204; The Charter, 1204-1216 by Green, John Richard

Ketch de bums down de rode first and den sen a relefe core to get me out of soke youres truly, Whistlen Dick. 

From Roads of Destiny by Henry, O.

I. given to the Deanery of York, w^th the soke thereof and all the chappells and tithes belonging.

From The Evolution of an English Town by Home, Gordon