English law. The estate which base tenants had in their lands. Base tenants were a degree above villeins, the latter being compelled to perform all the commands of their lords; the former did not hold their lands by the performance of such commands. … [Read more...] about BASE ESTATE
B
BASTARDIZE
To declare one a bastard, as a court does. To give evidence to prove one a bastard. A mother (married) cannot bastardize her child. Bastardns nnllius est filius, ant Alius pop nil. A bastard is nobody's son, or the son of the people. Bastardns non potest habere hseredem nisi de corpore suo legitime procreatnm. A bastard can have no heir unless it be one lawfully begotten of his … [Read more...] about BASTARDIZE
BAWD
One who procures opportunities for persons of opposite sexes to cohabit in an illicit manner; who may be, while exercising the trade of a bawd, perfectly innocent of committing in his or her own proper person the crime either of adultery or of fornication. See Dyer v. Morris, 4 Mo. 216. … [Read more...] about BAWD
BASE FEE
English law. A tenure in fee at the will of the lord. This was distinguished from socage free tenure. … [Read more...] about BASE FEE
BASTARDY
(A) crim. law. The offence of begetting a bastard child. (B) persons. The state or condition of a bastard. The law presumes every child legitimate, when born of a woman in a state of wedlock, and casts the onus probandi on the party wlio affirms the bastardy. … [Read more...] about BASTARDY