Id ancient English law. A renunciation of one’s country, a species of self imposed banishment, under an oath never to return to the kingdom unless by permission. This was formerly allowed to criminals, as a means of saving their lives, when -they had confessed their crimes, and fled to sanctuary. See 4 Bl. Comm. 332; Avery v. Everett, 110 N. Y. 317, 18 N. E. 148, 1 L B. A. 264, 6 Am. St. Rep. 368.