An ancient writ to summon four lawful knights before the justices of assize, there to choose twelve others, with themselves to constitute the grand assise or great jury, to try the matter of right. The trial by grand assize was instituted by Henry II. in parliament, as an alternative to the duel in a writ of right Abolished by 3 & 4 Wm. IV. c. 27. Wharton.