In medieval England, childwite (or childwit), was a fine levied by the feudal lord on the reputed father when an unmarried unfree woman gave birth to a child. The Oxford English Dictionary cites the following use of the term from 1672: "Within the Mannor of Writtle in Com. Essex, every reputed Father of a Bastard gotten there, pays to the Lord for a Fine three shillings four pence, and the custome is there also called Childwit."[1]

References

  1. ↑ "childwite". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved 20 November 2022. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)

See also

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