- a system of dividing a community into tithings or groups of ten men, each member of which was responsible for the conduct of the other members of his group and for the assurance that a member charged with a breach of the law would be produced at court.
- a member of a tithing.
- the tithing itself.
Origin of frankpledge
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for frankpledge
Frankpledge was revived, now applying to the unfree and villeins.Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed.
S. A. Reilly
However, the principle of the frankpledge was still enforced.
Mr. Gammon swore by Frankpledge, who had been at school with him, and was a "rising man."
Mortmain belonged to the old school—Frankpledge steered by the new lights.
Mr. Frankpledge quoted so many cases, and went to the bottom of everything, and gave so much for his money—and was so civil!
- the corporate responsibility of members of a tithing for the good behaviour of each other
- a member of a tithing
- a tithing itself
C15: via Anglo-French from Old French franc free (see frank) + plege pledge