Legal Definitions - arser in le main

Arser in le main

Arser in le main is a punishment that was used in the past. It involved burning or branding the left thumb of someone who falsely claimed to be a member of the clergy. This was done so that the person could not claim the benefits of being a member of the clergy again.

An example of arser in le main would be if someone who was not a member of the clergy claimed to be one in order to avoid punishment for a crime. If they were caught, they would be punished by having their left thumb burned or branded.