Legal Definitions - apostata capiendo

Apostata capiendo is a legal term that comes from the Latin language. It refers to a writ that orders a sheriff to arrest and return to a monastery a person who had entered the monastery, professed the religious order, and then left and wandered around the country.

For example, if a person joined a monastery and then left without permission, the monastery could use apostata capiendo to have the person arrested and returned to the monastery.

This writ was used in medieval times when religious orders were more prevalent and leaving a monastery was considered a serious offense. The writ was a way for the religious order to maintain control over its members and prevent them from leaving without permission.