and Scotland being both prisoners in the tower of London at one time, first erected this order, A. D. 1350, (see infrà,) from the Countess of Salisbury's dropping her garter, in a dance before his majesty, which the king taking up, and seeing some of his nobles smile, he said, Honi soit qui mal y pense, interpreted, "Evil (or shame) be to him that evil thinketh;" which has ever since been the motto of the garter; declaring such veneration should be done to that silken tie, that the best of them should be proud of enjoying their honours that way.

Camden in his Britannia saith, that this order of knights received great ornament from King Edward IV. And King Charles I. as an addition to their splendour, ordered all the knights companions to wear on their upper garment, the cross encircled with the garter and motto. The honourable society of this order is a college or corporation, having a great seal, &c.

The site of the college is the royal castle of Windsor, with the chapel of St. George, and the chapter-house in the castle, for their solemnity on St. George's day, and at their feasts and installations.

At a chapter held 3d June, 1786, the number of knights was fixed at twenty-five, exclusive of the sovereign and the sons of his majesty and his successors, who had been or should be elected.

Besides the above number, and one extra knight, (Earl Grey,) most of the sovereigns of Europe belong to this order, which holds the highest rank among the British orders of knighthood, and is second to none in the world in dignity. Attached to the order are a dean and canons, &c. and twenty-six poor knights, that have no other subsistence but the allowance of this house, which is given them in respect of their daily prayer to the honour of God and St. George, and these are vulgarly called Poor Knights of Windsor. There are also certain officers belonging to the order, as prelate of the garter, which office is inherent to the Bishop of Winchester for the time being; the chancellor of the garter, the Bishop of Sarum; register, always Dean of Windsor; the principal king at arms, called garter, to manage and marshal their solemnities, and the usher of the garter, being likewise usher of the black rod.

A knight of the garter wears daily abroad, a blue garter, decked with gold, pearl, and precious stones, on the left leg; and in all places of assembly, upon his coat on the left side of his breast, a star of silver embroidery; and the picture of St. George enamelled upon gold, and beset with diamonds, at the end of a blue ribbon that crosses the body from the left shoulder; and when dressed in his robes, a mantle, collar of SS., &c.

KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM, [Milites Sancti Johannis Hierosolymitani.] Were an order of knighthood, that began about A. D. 1120, Honorius being pope. They had their denomination from John the charitable patriarch of Alexandria, though vowed to St. John the Baptist, their patron; Fern's Glory of Generosity, p. 127. They had their primary abode in Jerusalem, and then in the Isle of Rhodes, until they were expelled thence by the Turks, A. D. 1523. Their chief seat subsequently was in the Isle of Malta, where they performed great exploits against the Infidels, especially in the year 1595. They continued to hold the latter island until 1798, when they surrendered it to Buonaparte, then on his way to Egypt, from whom it was afterwards taken by this country. They lived after the order of Friars, under the rule of St. Augustine, of whom mention is made in the stats. 25 H. 8. c. 2; 26 H. S. c. 2. They had in England one general prior that had the government of the whole order within England and Scotland; Reg. Orig. fol. 20; and was the first prior in England, and sat in the House of Lords. But towards the end of Henry VIII.'s days they in England and Ireland, being found to adhere to the pope too much against the king,

were suppressed, and their lands and goods given to the king, by stat. 32 H. 8. c. 24. For the occasion and propagation of this order more especially described, see the treatise entitled The Book of Honour and Arms, lib. 5. c. 18. See also titles Hospitallers, Templars, and the succeeding articles. KNIGHTS OF MALTA. These knights took their name and original from the time of their expulsion from Rhodes, A.D. 1523. The island of Malta was then given them by the Emperor Charles V. whence they were therefore called Knights of Malta. See the preceding article.

KNIGHT MARSHALL, [Mareschallus Hospiti Regis.] An officer of the king's house, having jurisdiction and cognizance of transgressions within the king's house, and verge of it; as also of contracts made within the same house, whereto one of the house is a party. Reg. of Writs, fol. 185 a, and 191 b, and Spelm. Gloss. in voce Mareschallus. See Constable, Marshal.

KNIGHTS OF RHODES. The knights of St. John of Jerusalem, after they removed to Rhode island. See stat. 32 H. 8. c. 24. and ante, title Knights of the Order of St. John.

KNIGHTS OF THE SHIRE, [Milites Comitatus.] Otherwise called knights of parliament; two knights or gentlemen of worth, chosen on the king's writ, in pleno comitatu, by the freeholders of every county that can dispend 40s. a year; and these, when every man that had a knight's fee was customarily constrained to be a knight, were obliged to be milites gladio cincti, for so runs the writ at this day; but now notabiles armigeri may be chosen. Their expenses were formerly borne by the county, during their sitting in parliament, under stat. 35 H. 8. c. 11. They are to have 6001. per annum freehold estate, &c. See stat. 9 Ann. c. 5. By the Reform Act (2 W. 4. c. 45.) many counties have been divided into two districts for the return of knights of the shire, others have had an additional member given to them, and the constituencies of all have been greatly increased, and are no longer confined to freeholders, but are extended to copyholders and leaseholders. See further title Parliament. KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. See Templars, Hospitallers, and ante, Knights of St. John, &c.

KNIGHTS OF THE THISTLE. The most ancient Order of the Thistle was instituted by King Achias, was revived by King James II. in 1679, and was re-established by Queen Anne, 31st December, 1703. It is limited to the sovereign and eleven knights, but there is at present five extra knights. Its officers are a dean, Lord Lyon, king of arms, secretary, and gentleman usher of the green rod. The knights wear a green ribbon over their shoulders, and were otherwise honourably distinguished.

KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK. The most illustrious Order of St. Patrick was instituted by King George III. February, 1763. February, 1763. 'It consists of the sovereign, a grand master, (who is the lord lieutenant of Ireland for the time being,) and fourteen knights; besides which, there are at present six extra knights.

The officers of this order are a prelate, (the Archbishop of Armagh,) a chancellor, (the Archbishop of Dublin,) a registrar, (the Dean of St. Patrick,) with a secretary, genealogist, usher of the black rod, and Ulster king of arms attending the order.

These two last orders obtain no rank in England. See title Precedency.

KNIGHTS OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE. This order was instituted 27th April, 1818, for the United States of the Ionian Islands, and for the ancient sovereignty of Malta and its dependencies, under the name and title of the most distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. It consists of the sovereign, a grand master, (the Duke of Cambridge,) eight knights grand crosses, twelve knights commanders, and twenty-four knights, exclusive of British subjects, holding high and confidential employment in the

service of the said United States, and in the government of Malta and its dependencies. The officers are a prelate for the Ionian islands, a prelate for Malta, a king at arms, registrar, and secretary.

KNIGHTEN-GYLD. Was a gyld in London, consisting of nineteen knights, which King Edgar founded, giving them a portion of void ground lying without the walls of the city, now called Portsoken Ward. Stow's Annals, p. 151. This in Mon. Angl. par. 2, fol. 82, a, is written ennitene-geld. KNIGHTS COURT. A court baron, or honour court, held twice a year under the Bishop of Hereford, at his palace there; wherein those who are lords of manors, and their tenants, holding by knights service of the honour of that bishopric, are suitors; which court is mentioned in Butterfield's Surv. fol. 244. If the suitor appear not at it, he pays 2s. suit-silver for respite of homage. Cowell.

KNIGHTHOOD. See Knight.

KNIGHT SERVICE. See title Tenure, III. 2. KNIGHTS FEE, [Feodum militare.] Is so much inheritance, as is sufficient yearly to maintain a knight with convenient revenue; which in Henry III.'s days was 157. Camd, Brit. p. 111. In the time of Edward II. 201. See ante, title Knight. Sir Thomas Smith (in his Repub. Ang. lib. 1. c. 18.) rates it at 407. Stow, in his Annals, p. 285, says, there were found in England, at the time of the Conqueror, 60,211 knights fees, according to others 60,215;

Thus

whereof the religious houses before their suppression were possessed of 28,015-Octo carucate terra' faciunt feodum unius militis. Mon. Ang. p. 2, fol. 285 a. Of this see more in Selden's Titles of Honour, fol. 691; and Bracton, lib. 5, tract. 1, c. 2; also 1 Inst. 69 a. A knight's fee contained twelve plow-lands, 2 Inst. fol. 596; or 480 acres. Virgata terræ continet 24 acres, 4 virgatæ terræ make a hide, and five hides make a knight's fee, whose relief is five pounds. Cowell. Selden insists that a knight's fee was estimable neither by the value nor the quantity of the land, but by the services or numbers of the knights reserved. Tit. Hon. part 2, c. 5, § 26.

KNOPA. A knob, nob, bosse, or knot.

KNOW-MEN. The Lollards in England, called Here-, tics, for opposing the church of Rome before the Reformation, went commonly under the name of Knowmen, and just-fast-men; which titles were first given them in the diocese of Lincoln, by Bishop Smith, anno 1500.

KYDDIERS. Mentioned in stat. 13 Eliz. c. 35. See

Kidder.

KYLYW. Signifies some liquid thing, and in the north it is used for a kind of liquid victuals. It is mentioned as an exaction of foresters, &c. Mon. Ang. tom. 1. p. 722. KYSTE, [Sax.] A coffin or chest for burial of the dead. Ex. Reg. Episc. Lincoln. MS.

KYTH. ́ Kin or kindred. Cognatus.

LAB

AAS, [lacques, à lax, i. e. Fraus.] A net, gin, or snare, Lit. Dict.

LA

LABEL, [appendix lemniscus.] Is a narrow slip of paper or parchment, affixed to a deed, writing, or writ, hanging at or out of the same; and an appending seal is called a label. See Deed.

LABINA. Watery land: in qua facile labitur. Mon. Angl. tom. 2. p. 372. LABORARIIS. Is an ancient writ against persons refusing to serve and do labour, and who have no means of living; or against such as, having served in the winter, refuse to serve in the summer. Reg. Orig. 189.

LABOUR. Is the foundation of property.

Bodily labour, bestowed upon any subject which before lay in common to all men, is universally allowed to give the fairest and most reasonable title to an exclusive property therein. 2 Comm. 5.

LABOURERS. Justices of peace and stewards of leets, &c. have power to hear and determine complaints relating to non-payment of labourers' wages. 4 Edw. 4. c. 1. Labourers taking work by the great, and leaving the same unfinished, unless for non-payment of wages, or where they are employed in the King's service, &c. are to suffer one month's imprisonment, and forfeit 51. The wages of labourers are to be yearly assessed for every county by the sheriff, and justices of peace in the Easter sessions, and in corporation by the head officers, under penalties. 5 Eliz. c. 4. And the sheriff is to cause the rates and assessments of wages to be proclaimed. 1 Jac. 1. c. 6.

All persons fit for labour, shall be compelled to serve by the day in the time of hay or corn harvest; and labourers in the harvest time may go to other counties, having testimonials. From the middle of March to the middle of September, labourers are to work from five o'clock in the morning till seven or eight at night, being allowed two hours for breakfast and dinner, and half an hour for sleeping the three hot months; and all the rest of the year from twilight to twilight, except an hour and an half for breakfast and dinner, on pain of forfeiting 1d. for every hour absent. See

5 Eliz. C. 4.

So much of this stat. 5 Eliz. c. 4, and 1 Jac. 1. c. 6. as authorized magistrates to fix the price of wages, was repealed by 53 Geo. 3. c. 40; as was also a clause in the former, relating to assaults by servants on their masters, by the 9 Geo. 4. c. 31. Justices of peace may hear and determine disputes concerning the wages of servants and labourers, not exceeding 101. 20 Geo. 2. c. 19.-Extended to the tinners in the stannaries, by 27 Geo. 2. c. 6.-Justices may punish servants on complaint of the masters, 20 Geo. 2. c. 19. § 2.-The 20 Geo. 2. c. 19. shall extend to all servants employed in husbandry, though hired for less than a year, 31 Geo. 2. c. 11. § 3.

The 20 Geo. 2. c. 19. extends to labourers of all descriptions, and not merely those in the particular trades or business there enumerated, and therefore includes wages earned by a labourer who contracted to dig and stean a well, to be paid for by the foot, and who employed another to assist him

LÆSE

in the work, who is paid by the labourer originally contracted with. 8 East, 113.

The powers of 20 Geo. 2. c. 19. § 4. enabling magistrates to hear complaints of masters against their apprentices, and adjust the same, extends to a complaint in writing preferred by the master and certified by the oath of another person. 12 East, 248.-If under this stat. a magistrate sentence an offender for misconduct to be committed, he must also sentence him to be corrected and held to hard labour. 14 East, 605.

By 6 Geo. 3. c. 25. artificers, labourers, and other persons, absenting themselves from the service of their employers, before the expiration of the term contracted for, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one month, nor more than three. The court granted a mandamus to the justices of Kent, to hear an application of the journeymen millers, under 16 Car. 1. c. 4. § 2. praying the justices to make a rate of wages. 14 East, 395.

By the 6 Geo. 4. c. 129. the statutes relating to combinations by workmen were repealed. It contains, however, a variety of provisions to protect persons from being compelled to leave their employment by violence or intimidation. See further Apprentices, Combinations, Manufacturers, Servants.

LACE. Mills used solely for the manufacture of lace, are not within the factory act (3 & 4 W. 4. c. 103.) As to gold and silver lace, see Gold; and further Frames, Manufacturers.

LACERTA. A fathom. Domesday.

LACHES, [from the Fr. lascher, i. e. laxare; or lasche, ignarus.] Slackness or negligence; as it appears in Littleton, where laches of entry means a neglect in the heir to enter. And probably it may be an old English word; for when we say there is laches of entry, it is all one as if it were said, there is a lack of entry; and in this signification it is used. Lit. 136. See Infant, Heir, &c.

LACTA. A defect in the weight of money: whence is derived the word Lach. Du Fresne.

LADA. Hath divers significations; 1st, from the Saxon lathian, to convene or assemble, it is taken for a lath, or inferior court of justice. See Lathe, Trithing-rere. 2dly, It is used for purgation by trial, from ladain; and hence the lada simplex, and lada triplex or lada plena, among the Saxons, mentioned in the laws of King Ethelred and King Henry I. 3dly, Lada is applied to a lade or course of water; Camden uses water-lade or water-course: and Spelman says that lada is a canal to carry water from a wet ground; sometimes lada signifies a broad way. Spelm. Gloss. Mon. Ang, tom. 1. p. 854. LADE. Lode, i. e. The mouth of a river; from Sax. ladian, purgare, because the water is there clearer; from hence Cricklade, Lechlade, &c.

LADIES. For the order of trial of duchesses, countesses, and baronesses, for treason, when indicted thereof, see the ancient stat. 2 Hen. 4. c. 14., and tit. Peers, Treason.

LÆDORIUM. Reproach. Girald. Camb. c. 14.
LÆSÆ MAJESTÁTIS, CRIMEN, The crime of

high treason. So denominated by Glanvil, l. 1. c. 2. See Treason.

LÆSIONE FIDEI. Suits pro. The clergy, so early as the reign of King Stephen, attempted to turn their ecclesiastical courts into courts of equity, by entertaining suits pro læsione fidei, as a spiritual offence against conscience, in case of non-payment of debts, or any breach of civil contracts. But they were checked by the constitutions of Clarendon, 10. Hen. 2. c. 15. See Courts Ecclesiastical.

LÆTARE JERUSALEM. See Quadragesimalia. LAFORDSWICK, [Sax. hlaford, i. e. dominus, and swic, proditio; infidelitas erga dominum.] A betraying one's lord or master. This word is found in King Canute's laws, c. 61. And in the laws of King Hen. 1. Leg. 1. c. 13. LAGA, (lex). The law, Magna Charta. Hence we deduce Saxon-lage, Mercen-lage, Dane-lage, &c.

LAGAN. Goods sunk in the sea, [from Saxon liggan cubare.] When mariners in danger of shipwreck cast goods out of the ship, and because they know they are heavy and sink, fasten a buoy or cork to them, that they may find and have them again, if the ship be lost, these goods are called lagan; and so long as they continue upon the sea, belong to the lord admiral; but if they are cast away upon the land, they are then a wreck, and belong to the lord entitled to the same. 5 Co. Rep. 106. Lagan is used in old authorities to denote that right which the chief lord of the fee had to take goods cast on shore by the violence of the sea, &c. Bract. lib. 3. cap. 2. See Flotsam, Wreck.

LAGĖDAYUM, Laghday. A law-day, or time of open court. Cowell, edit. 1727.

LAGEMAN. [Legamannus; Legamannus, Spelm. Homo habens legem; homo legalis seu legitimus; such as we call now good men of the jury.] The word is frequently used in Domesday, and the laws of Edward the Confessor, c. 38. Sir Edw. Coke says, A Lageman was he who had socum et sacam super homines suos, i. e. a jurisdiction over their persons and estates; of which opinion were Somner and Lambard, and that it signifies the Thanes, called afterwards Barons, who sat as judges to determine rights in courts of justice. In senatus consult' de Monticolis Wallice, c. 3. it is said, let twelve laghmen, which Lambard renders men of law, viz. six English and six Welsh, do right and justice, &c. Blount.

LAGEN, [lagena, Fleta, lib. 2. c. 8, 9.] In ancient times. it was a measure of six sextarii. Hence perhaps our flagon. The lieutenant of the Tower has the privilege to take unam lagenam vini, ante malum et retro, of all wine ships that come up to the Thames. Sir Peter Leycester, in his Antiquities of Cheshire, interprets lagena vini, a bottle of wine.

LAGHDAY, or Lahday. See Lagedayum, Law-day: Laghman, see Lageman.

LAGHSLITE, LAGSLITE, LASHLITE. [Sax. lag. lex. et slite, ruptio.] A breaking or transgressing of the law; and sometimes the punishment inflicted for so doing. Leg. H. 1. c. 13.-Spelman, and tit. Overhernissa.

LAGON. See Lagan.

LAIA. A broad way in a wood; the same with lada, which see, Mon. Ang. tom. 1. p. 483.

LAIRWITE, LECHERWITE, LEGERGELDUM. [From Sax. legan, concumbere, and wite, mulcta.] Pœna vel mulcta offendentium in adulterio et fornicatione; and the privilege of punishing adultery and fornication did anciently belong to the lords of some manors, in reference to their tenants. Fleta, lib. 1. c. 47; 4 Inst. 206.

LAMMAS-DAY. The first of August, so called quasi lamb-mass; on which day the tenants that held land of the cathedral church of York (which is dedicated to St. Peter ad Vincula) were bound by their tenure to bring a live lamb into the church at high mass. It is otherwise said to come from the Sax. hlaffmæsse, viz. loaf-mass, as on that day the English made an offering of bread made with new wheat.

LAMPRAYS. See Fish.

LAMPS. None but British oil to be used for lamps in private houses, under penalty of 40s. 8 Ann. c. 9. § 18. See Candles. By 11 Geo. 3. c. 29. for paving and lighting London, the wilfully breaking or extinguishing any lamp incurs the penalty of 20s. for each lamp or light destroyed or extinguished. See London.

LANCASTER. Was erected into a county palatine, anno 50 Edw. III. and granted by the king to his son John for life, that he should have jura regalia, and a king-like power to pardon treasons, outlawries, &c. and make justices of peace and justices of assize within the said county, and all processes and indictments to be in his name. See Counties Palatine.

There is a seal for the county palatine and another for the duchy, i. e. such lands as lie out of the county palatine, and yet are part of the duchy for such there are, and the dukes of Lancaster hold them, but not as counties palatine, for they had not jura regalia over those lands. 2 Lutw. 1236; 3 Salk. 110, 111. See Chancellor of the Duchy. The stat. 37 Hen. 8. c. 16. annexed lands to the duchy of Lancaster, for the enlargement of it. Process against an outlawed person in the county palatine of Lancaster, is to be directed to the chancellor of the duchy, who shall thereupon issue like writs to sheriff, &c. 5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 26. The 17 Car. 2. concerning causes of replevin shall be of force in the Court of Common Pleas for the county palatine of Lancaster, 19 Car. 2. c. 5. By 17 Geo. 2. c. 7. the chancellor or vice-chancellor may by commission empower persons to take affidavits in any cause, &c. depending in the Chancery or Courts of Sessions, in any plea whatsoever, civil or criminal.-A quay to be made at Lancaster, 23 Geo. 2. c. 12. See 19 Geo. 3. c. 45; 27 Geo. 3. c. 34. enabling the chancellor and council of the duchy to sell fee-farm rents. By 34 Geo. 3. c. 46, the chancellor or vice-chancellor of the duchy and county may authorize persons to take special bail in actions depending in the Court of Common Pleas of the said county. The justices of the said court to make rules as to justifying bail, &c. By 34 Geo. 3. c. 58. to prevent the removal of suits from the inferior courts of the county into the said Court of Common Pleas, security is to be given by the defendants removing such suits for payment of the sum demanded, if recovered in the Court of Common Pleas.

By the 4 & 5 Wm. 4. c. 62. the practice of the Court of Common Pleas at Lancaster has been greatly improved, and the process for the commencement and prosecution of personal actions assimilated to that recently adopted in the superior courts.

By § 16. power is given to the parties in any action to state a special case without proceeding to trial.

§ 17. The judges of the said court may make rules for altering and regulating the mode of pleading and transcribing records, and touching the admission of documents in evidence.

§ 18. Writs of Inquiry under the 8 & 9 Wm. 3. c. 11. are to be executed before the sheriff, unless otherwise ordered. § 19. Every other writ of inquiry shall be made returnable on any day certain, to be named in the writ.

$20. In any action in which the sum sought to be recovered shall not exceed 201., the said court may direct the issue joined to be tried before the sheriff, or any judge of any court of record, for the recovery of debt in the county.

§ 23. The defendant in all personal actions, except for assault and battery, false imprisonment, libel, slander, malicious arrest or prosecution, criminal conversation, or debauching of plaintiff's daughter or servant, may pay money into court.

§ 24. The king, in right of his duchy and county palatine of Lancaster, may appoint all or any of the judges of the courts at Westminster, judges of the Court of Common Pleas at Lancaster.

§25. empowers the judges of the courts at Westminster to regulate the fees to be taken in the C. P. at Lancaster.

By § 26 rules for new trials may be moved for before any of the courts at Westminster; but by § 27. judgment and execution are not to be stayed, unless the party moving enters into recognizances with sureties. And by § 28. nothing therein contained shall prevent the Court of C. P. at Lancaster from granting any new trial, &c.

§ 29. Service of subpoenas on witnesses in any part of England and Wales shall be valid, to compel their appearance; but, § 30. they shall not be proceeded against for making default, unless their expenses were tendered at the time of serving the subpoenas.

§31. Where final judgment shall be obtained in the C. P. at Lancaster, and the person or effects cannot be found within the jurisdiction, any of the courts at Westminster may issue execution, &c.

And by § 32. if the rules of the Court of C. P. at Lancaster cannot be enforced, they may be made rules of one of the courts at Westminster.

$34. Rules made for the courts of Westminster may be adopted by the judges of the C. P. at Lancaster.

$35. The same costs for preparing pleadings in the C. P. at Lancaster are to be allowed as in the courts at Westminster. The king has the same privileges and immunities in respect of property held by him as duke of Lancaster as in respect of crown property. An immediate grant under the duchy seal, of property then under lease, the lease not being recited in the grant, was held void. Held also, that, as it appeared that the property had been in the crown temp. Car. I., a user from that time could not establish a prescription. Alcock v. Cooke, 5 Bingh. 340.

See further, Counties Palatine, Durham. LANCETI. Agricolæ quidam, sed ignota speciei. A sort of servile tenants under the ancient feudal system. See Spelm. in v. Larceta.

LAND [terra.] Signifies generally not only arable ground, meadow, pasture, woods, moors, waters, &c. but also messuages and houses; for in conveying the land, the buildings pass with it. Co. Lit. 4, 19. In a more restrained sense it is arable ground and the land of every man is said in the law to be inclosed from that of others, though it lie in the open field; so that for any trespass therein he shall have the quare clausum fregit, &c. Doct. & Stud. 8. In a grant land may extend to meadow, or pasture, &c. But in writs and pleadings it signifies arable only. 1 Vent. 260.

writ

Coke on Lit. lib. 1. cap. 2. sect. 14, says, Terra est nomen generalissimum & comprehendit omnes species terræ, but properly terra dicitur à terrendo, quia vomere teritur; and anciently it was written with a single r, and in that sense includes whatever may be ploughed. The earth hath in law a great extent upwards, for cujus est solum ejus est usque ad cœlum. Co. 9 Rep. Alured's case. See 2 Comm. cc. 1, 2: and Hereditaments. LANDA. A lawn or open field without wood. Cowell. LANDBOC [from the Saxon Land and Boc, Liber.] Was a charter or deed whereby land was held. Spelm. Gloss. LANDCHEAP [Saxon, Land-Ceap, from Ceapan, to buy and sell.] An ancient customary fine, paid at every alienation of land lying within some manor, or liberty of a borough. At Malden in Essex, there is to this day a custom called by the same name, that for certain houses and lands sold within that place, thirteen pence in every mark of the purchasemoney shall be paid to the town; and this custom of landcheap they claim (inter alia) by a grant from the Bishop of London, made anno 5 Hen. 4.

LANDEA. A ditch in marshy lands to carry water into the sea. Du-Cange.

LANDEFRICUS [Lanfricus.] The lord of the soil, or the landlord: from Saxon land, and riga rector. Leg. Ethelred, c. 6. LANDEGANDMAN. One of the inferior tenants of a manor. See Spelman.

VOL. II.

LAND-GABLE. A tax or rent issuing out of land, according to Domesday. Spelman says a penny for every house; the Welsh used pridgavel or landgavel.

This Landgavel or Landgabel, in the register of Domesday, was a quit-rent for the site of a house, or the land whereon it stood, the same with what we now call ground-rent. Domesday; in Lincoln.

LANDIMERS, Agrimensores. Measurers of land, so called of old; from the Sax. Gemæra, i. e. Terminus; and hence we say Meers.

LANDIRECTA. In the Saxon times the duties which were laid upon all that held land were termed Trinoda necessitas, viz. expedition, burghbote and brigbote: which duties the Saxons did not call servitia, because they were not feodal, arising from the condition of the owners, but landirecta, rights that charged the very land, whoever did possess it. Spelm. of Feuds. See Trinoda Necessitas.

LANDLORD. He of whom lands or tenements are holden; and a landlord may distrain on the lands of common right, for rent services, &c. Co. Lit. 57, 205. In London, if a tenant commit felony, &c. whereby his goods and chattels become forfeit; the landlord shall be paid his rent for two years, before all other debts, except to the King, out of the goods found in the house. Priv. Lond. 75. See London.

LANDLORD and TENANT. For the law relating to, see Distress, Ejectment, Lease, Rent, Replevin, &c. LAND-MAN, Terricola. The terre-tenant.

LAND-TAX. A tax imposed in Great Britain on lands and tenements (and on personal property,) by acts formerly passed annually for that purpose.

The assessment or valuation of estates hereafter mentioned, made in the year 1692, though by no means a perfect one, had this effect, that a supply of half a million sterling was equal to Is. in the pound of the value of the estates given in. And according to this valuation, from the year 1693 to 1798, the land-tax continued an annual charge upon the subject, above half the time at 4s. in the pound; sometimes at 3s.; sometimes at 2s.; twice at 1s. (A. D. 1732 and 3 ;) but without any total intermission.

By statute 38 Geo. 3. c. 60. this tax, as imposed by the last annual act, 38 Geo. 3. c. 5. on lands and tenements in Great Britain, is made perpetual; being fixed under that act at 4s. in the pound.-A duty of 4s. in the pound on pensions, offices, and personal estates, in England and Wales, has since that time been annually granted.

By the act 38 Geo. 3. c. 60. the land-tax, so by that act made perpetual, is also made subject to redemption or purchase, either by the owner of the land liable to the tax, or on failure of redemption by him within certain periods, then by any other person inclined to purchase: the sums paid for such redemption or purchase are made applicable to the decrease of the national debt: the purchase-money being in all cases so regulated by the price of the funds as to produce an interest one-eleventh part more than the amount of the landtax redeemed or purchased.-Two modes of sale are allowed, the one by which the land is actually exonerated from the tax, and the other by which the tax remains chargeable on the land, but becomes payable to the person purchasing: the first of these is therefore properly redemption: the latter purchase.

The act 38 Geo. 3. c. 60. was amended by several subsequent acts; and by 42 Geo. 3. c. 116. (and acts still subsequent, viz. 45 Geo. 3. c. 77; 46 Geo. 3. c. 133; 49 Geo. 3. c. 67; 50 Geo. 3. c. 58; 51 Geo. 3. c. 99; 52 Geo. 3. c. 80; 54 Geo. 3. c. 173; 57 Geo. 3. c. 100,) more effectual provisions are made for carrying the measure into effect. By all these several acts powers are given to corporations, tenants in tail, &c. to sell part of their estate for the purpose of exonerating the remainder from the land tax.-By 46 Geo. 3. c. 133. small livings and the lands of charitable institutions may be exonerated gratis.

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