LIBERA

Latin: (Feminine of liber, adj.) Free; at liberty; exempt; not subject to toll or charge. Libera batella. In old records. A free boat; the right of having a boat to fish in a certain water; a species of free fishery. Libera cbasea habenda. A judicial writ granted to a person for a free chase belonging to his manor after proof made by inquiry of a jury that the same of ‘right belongs to him. Wharton. Libera eleemosyna. In old English law. Free alms; frankalmoigne. Bract, fol. 27b. Libora falda. In old English law. Frank fold; free fold; free foldage. 1 Leon. U. Libera lex. In old English law. Free law; frank law: the law of the land. The law enjoyed by free and lawful men, as distinguished from such men as have lost the benefit and protection of the law in consequence of crime. Hence this term denoted the status of a man who stood guiltless before the law, and was free, in the sense of being entitled to its full protection and benefit. Amittere liberam legem (to lose one’s free law) was to fall from that status by crime or infamy. See Co. Litt. 945. Libera pise aria. In old English law. A free fishery. Co. litt 122a. Libera warvena. In old English law. Free warren, (q. v.)