Striking in the King's Court

Striking in the King's Court

Striking in the King's Court was a crime in the Royal courts of Great Britain. As the King's palace was exempt from the jurisdiction of any civil or ecclesiastical court, it had its own laws. If one were to strike another and draw blood within the palace where the king or queen resides, or within 200 feet of its outer gate, one could be found guilty of this crime.

The punishment was designed to act as a strong deterrent for others, and so was carried out with solemnity and ceremony. The Serjeant of the King's Wood-Yard brings to the place of execution a square block and rope. The Yeoman of the Scullery lights a fire by the block, which is used to heat the searing-irons (brought by the chief farrier. The chief officers of the cellar and pantry bring the criminal a cup of red wine and a manchet respectively. The Serjeant of the Ewry brings linnen for the coming wound, and the Master Cook brings a sharp dresser-knife to cut the bandage.

The chief surgeon performs an amputation of the criminal's right hand, after which he or she is imprisoned for the rest of their life, fined and ransomed at the King's Will.

By 1740, although still law, nobody had been found guilty for many years [The State of Britain, 35th Edition, 1742] .

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Suppression of the Jesuits (1770-1773) —     Society of Jesus, History of the (1750 1773)     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Suppression of the Jesuits (1750 1773)     The Suppression is the most difficult part of the history of the Society. Having enjoyed very high favor among Catholic… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • The Oxford Movement (1833-1845) —     The Oxford Movement (1833 1845)     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Oxford Movement (1833 1845)     The Oxford Movement may be looked upon in two distinct lights. The conception which lay at its base, according to the Royal Commission on… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • The Byzantine Empire —     The Byzantine Empire     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Byzantine Empire     The ancient Roman Empire having been divided into two parts, an Eastern and a Western, the Eastern remained subject to successors of Constantine, whose capital was at …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • The United States of America —     The United States of America     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The United States of America     BOUNDARIES AND AREA     On the east the boundary is formed by the St. Croix River and an arbitrary line to the St. John, and on the north by the… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • King Arthur in various media — The Matter of Britain stories, focussing on King Arthur, are one of the most popular literary subjects of all time, and have been adapted numerous times in every form of media.Modern literature* Attanasio, A. A.: The Dragon and the Unicorn , The… …   Wikipedia

  • The Counter-Reformation —     The Counter Reformation     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Counter Reformation     The subject will be considered under the following heads:     I. Significance of the term II. Low ebb of Catholic fortunes III. St. Ignatius and the Jesuits,… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • The Books of Faerie — Cover of the first The Books of Faerie collected edition, showing Queen Titania Publication information Publisher DC Comics (Ve …   Wikipedia

  • The Shepherd's Paradise — was a Caroline era masque, written by Walter Montagu and designed by Inigo Jones. Acted in 1633 by Queen Henrietta Maria and her ladies in waiting, it was noteworthy as the first masque in which the Queen and her ladies filled speaking roles.… …   Wikipedia

  • Court martial of Breaker Morant — The court martial of six officers of the Bushveldt Carbineers (BVC), an irregular British force in the Boer War, was based on charges asserting that, between July and September 1901, a Lieutenant Harry Morant had incited the co accused, Lts… …   Wikipedia

  • The Thirty Years War —     The Thirty Years War     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Thirty Years War     The Thirty Years War (1618 48), though pre eminently a German war, was also of great importance for the history of the whole of Europe, not only because nearly all… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”