outfangthief
nounUK /ˈaʊtfaŋθiːf/
Etymology From out- + fang + thief, formed—probably in Middle English [Term?]—after the model of infangthief, with the only Old English [Term?] attestation a spurious charter forged in the 1st half of the 12th century.
1
Law Historical, Rare A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon thieves (particularly their own tenants) captured outside their estates and to keep any chattels forfeited upon conviction.
- A grant of outfangthief imports the trial of those of his fee taken for felony in another precinct.1822, John Comyns, Anthony Hammond, A Digest of the Laws of England, Butterworth & Son, page 328:
- The addition of outfangandthef is much less usual [than infangthief]; it seems to have meant the right to try a man of the barony taken stealing outside the barony, if necessary repledging him to the barony court.1990, David Maxwell Walker, A Legal History of Scotland, volume II, page 640:
2
Law Historical, Rare A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon all thieves captured within their estates, regardless of their origin.
- But feudalism also contained another principle, and that was, that within his own territory each lord was absolute; his suzerain could not interfere with his jurisdiction; infangthief and outfangthief implied a very perfect and intelligible power of hanging and imprisoning as he pleased.1845, John Henry Newman, Lives of the English Saints, ST Freemantle, p. 19
3
Law Historical, Rare A thief so captured and tried.
- Related terms
- infangthief