An obsolete word, which signifies a rod or staff, such as sheriffs, bailiffs, and constables carry, as a badge or ensign of their office. … [Read more...] about VIRGA
V
VINDICTIVE DAMAGES
See DAMAGES. … [Read more...] about VINDICTIVE DAMAGES
VIRGA TERRAE
In old English law. A yard-land; a measure of land of variable quantity, containing in some places twenty, in others twenty-four, in others thirty, and in others forty, acres. Cowell; Co. Litt. 5c. … [Read more...] about VIRGA TERRAE
VIEWERS
Persons who are appointed by a court to make an investigation of certain matters, or to examine a particular locality, (as, the proposed site of a new road,) and to report to the court the result of their inspection, with their opinion on the same. In old practice. Persons appointed under writs of view to testify the view. Rose Real Act. 253. … [Read more...] about VIEWERS
VILLEIN
A person attached to a manor, who was substantially in the condition of a slave, who performed the base and servile work upon the manor for the lord, and was, in most respects, a subject of property and belonging to him. Villein in gross. A villein who was annexed to the person of the lord, and transferable by deed from one owner to another. Villein regardant. A villein annexed … [Read more...] about VILLEIN