Legal Definitions - comes

Definition: Comes (koh-meez) is a Latin term used in history to refer to:

1. A count or earl.
2. A person who is part of a high government official's retinue.

The plural form of comes is comites. See comitatus.

Comitatus (kom-uh-tay-tuhs) is another Latin term used in history to refer to:

1. A county or shire. See posse comitatus.
2. The territorialjurisdiction of a count or earl.
3. A county court.
4. The retinue accompanying a prince or high government official.

For example, in medieval times, a comes was a nobleman who held a high rank in society, similar to a count or earl. They were often part of a prince or king's comitatus, which was a group of trusted advisors and soldiers who accompanied the ruler wherever they went. The comitatus was responsible for protecting the ruler and enforcing their laws.

Another example of a comes is a member of a modern-day president's or prime minister's staff. These individuals are part of the leader's retinue and are responsible for advising them on important matters of state.

The term comitatus is also used in legal contexts to refer to the jurisdiction of a county court or the group of citizens who are summoned to serve on a jury.