Legal Definitions - childwit

CHILDWIT

Childwit is a historical term used to describe a fine that a master would impose on a servant who became pregnant without the master's consent.

For example, if a female servant became pregnant while working for a master without his permission, the master could impose a childwit fine on her. The amount of the fine would depend on the master's discretion and could be a significant amount of money.

Another example would be if a male servant impregnated a female servant without the master's consent. In this case, both servants could be fined for their actions.

The examples illustrate how childwit was used as a means of controlling the behavior of servants in the past. It was a way for masters to discourage their servants from engaging in sexual activity without their permission, and to punish them if they did. The fines imposed were often significant, and could have a significant impact on the financial well-being of the servants involved.