Middle English Dictionary Entry
leir-wīte n.
Entry Info
| Forms | leir-wīte n. Also leirewite & (early) leirwithe, leitherwite, lerwite, letherwit, leverwit, lierwite & (Latinized) legerwita. |
| Etymology | OE leger-wīte |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A fine for adultery or fornication; in later legal glossaries: a fine for intercourse with a bond woman; (b) fig. punishment in hell for breaking a vow of virginity.
Associated quotations
a
- c1120(OE) Leges Hen.I in Liebermann Gesetze 1561 : Si quis blodwitam, fightwitam, legerwitam..forisfaciat..placitum domini sui est.
- (1199) Chart.St.Paul in RHS ser.3.5837 : De teþingpeni & hengwite & flemmeneswite & leyrwite.
- 1232(1199) Chart.R.PRO147 : Leirwithe.
- ?1241 Legal Gloss.St.Paul's (StP 11)60a : Lierwite: Les amendes de celi qi ad purni vostre naine.
- (1275) Cart.Ramsey in RS 79.361 : Pro leuerwit de filiabus..duos solidos vel minus.
- (1297) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.68162 : Et de 6 d. de Isabella Lomb pro letherwyt.
- (1297) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.68205 : Et de 2 s. de leerwyto, Margarete filie Roberti.
- (1297) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.68225 : Et de 5 s. 1 d. de Stephano, seruiente Ade Haym, pro leytherwyte.
- (1322) RParl.1.387a : La dite Comunalte prie qe les Leyrwitz ne soient mie demaundez..fors qe la ou la feme est defamee.
- (1397) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.106 : [53 s. 4 d. yearly farm of] leyrwyte.
- c1400 Legal Gloss.Trev.Higd.(Add 24194)2.97 : Leyrewite [StJ-C: Leyrwe, amendes for liggynge by a bond womman; Higd.(1): Leyrwyte, vr. Lethirwite; Higd.(2): Leirwite].
- a1475 Legal Gloss.Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)22/1 : Leyr-wyte is amendis for defowlynge of a bonde womman.
b
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)40/696 : Þu prokest me to..forgan..þe crune..of meidenes mede, & willes & waldes warpe me..i þi leirwite.