frankpledge

Alternative forms

 * frank-pledge
 * frankenpledge

Etymology
From Anglo-Latin franciplegium, a Latinization of Anglo-Norman frauncplege ("free pledge"), a mistranslation of Old English friðborh ("pledge of peace"), which had the corrupted form friborh, which led to the Modern English term friborg, as if it were *freoborh ("free pledge"). See also friborg, which refers to the predecessor of frankpledge.

Noun

 * 1)  A form of collective suretyship and punishment under English law among the members of a tithing.
 * 2) * 1806, Francis Bloomfield, An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk, Vol. IV, p. 517:
 * King granted to the prior and convent, in all their manors and lands, sac, soc, tol, and theam, infangenthef, and outfangenthef, with the ordeals or judgment by fire, water, and iron, and a common gallows in each manor; with a view of frankenpledge, and assize of bread and ale, of all their tenants...
 * 1) Any group so similarly answerable for the conduct of all its members and liable for collective punishment.
 * 2)  A decener: a member of a tithing bound in frankpledge.
 * 3)  The tithing itself.
 * 1)  The tithing itself.
 * 1)  The tithing itself.

Derived terms

 * view of frankpledge