swainmote

plural swainmotes · alternative swanimote · alternative sweinmote

1. UKhistoricalobsoletelawA court held before the verderers of the forest as judges, by the steward of the court, three times a year, the swains or freeholders of the forest composing the jury.

   The court of sweinmote is to be holden before the verderors, as judges, by the steward of the sweinmote, thrice in every year, the sweins or freeholders within the forest composing the jury.

   1766, William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, page 71