Middle English Dictionary Entry
wither-nām n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wither-nām n. Also withername. |
| Etymology | Ult. ON: cp. OI viðr-nām; also cp. AF withernam, withername. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Law (a) The distraining of a deforcer’s personal goods in order to force restoration of that which he has illegally taken; also, a writ authorizing this action;
(b) a distress authorized by one civic group or municipality against the members of another for the purpose of recovering a debt owed by one member of the latter group.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1250) Bracton Note Bk.(Add 12269)2.278 : (Boves et equi) deliberati fuerunt per speciale breue Dom. Regis et per withernam per quod vicecomes eum ad hoc distrinxit.
- (1453) Deed Dunkenhalgh in Chet.n.s.8036 : After the said Sir Edmond and his feleshyppe…haue takyn wrongouslie diuers tymes the cattel of the said beseker…and dryffen theyme away oute of the shire, that no replevyn myght be hade, and when the said beseker hade getyn a wythername, the baillys in the warante durste not execute hit for drede of dethe.
b
- (1314-15) Let.Bk.Lond.E (Gldh LetBk E)42 : [The sum of 40 s…had been taken by way of] Withernam [from] Thomas de Grantham de Dyvelyn.
- (1319) Let.Bk.Lond.E (Gldh LetBk E)33 : [They are reminded that, according to the custom of the City in matters of this kind, the Mayor and Commonalty could take] withernam [of the goods of such peers and commoners…as were found in the City].
- (1461-83) Doc.in Bateson B.Cust.1 ()125 : If the lorde of the fee…distreyne her [read: hem] agaynste her wyll, the…bayle and jurates may take a wythername agaynst all his tenauntes.