An officer of the central office of the English supreme court. Formerly he was an officer of the exchequer, and had important duties to perform in protecting the rights of the crown; e.g. by instituting proceedings for the recovery of land by writs of intrusion, (q. v.,) and for the recovery of legacy and succession duties; but of late years administrative changes have lessened … [Read more...]

A portion of grain given to a mill-servant from tenants who were bound to grind their grain at such mill. … [Read more...]

(verb) - To deprive of life; to destroy the life of an animal. The word "homicide" expresses the killing of a human being.(noun) - A Dutch word, signifying a channel or bed of the river, and hence the river or stream Itself. It is found used in this sense, in descriptions of land in old conveyances. … [Read more...]

The principal herald of England was of old designated "king of the heralds," a title which seems to have been exchanged for "king-at-arms" about the reign of Henry IV. The kings-at-arms at present existing in England are three, Garter, Clarenceux, and Norroy, besides Lath, who is not a member of the college. Scofe land is placed under an officer called "Lyon Klng-at-Arms," and … [Read more...]

In English law. The next personal dignity after the nobility. Of knights there are several orders and degrees. The first in rank are knights of the Garter, Instituted by Richard I. and improved by Edward III. in 1344; next follows a knight banneret; then come knights of the Bath, instituted by Henry IV., and revived by George I.; and they were so called from a ceremony of … [Read more...]