Legal Definitions - de apostata capiendo

DE APOSTATA CAPIENDO

De apostata capiendo is a legal term that means "of the taking of an apostate." It refers to a writ that orders a sheriff to arrest and return to a monastery a person who had entered the monastery, taken religious vows, and then left without permission.

An example of de apostata capiendo would be if a person entered a monastery, became a monk, and then left without permission to wander around the country. The monastery could then request a writ of de apostata capiendo to have the person arrested and returned to the monastery.

Another example would be if a nun left her convent without permission and refused to return. The convent could then request a writ of de apostata capiendo to have the nun arrested and returned to the convent.

These examples illustrate how de apostata capiendo was used to enforce religious discipline and prevent members of religious orders from leaving without permission.