Legal Definitions - forathe

Definition: In forest law, a forathe (for-ayth) is someone who can make an oath or bear witness for another.

Example: In medieval England, forest law was used to regulate hunting and protect the king's game. If someone was accused of breaking the law, they could bring a forathe to vouch for their innocence. The forathe would swear an oath that the accused was telling the truth, and this would help to clear their name.

Explanation: A forathe was an important figure in forest law because they could provide evidence to support someone's claim. This was especially useful in cases where there were no other witnesses or evidence available. By swearing an oath, the forathe was putting their own reputation on the line, so it was important that they were trustworthy and respected in the community.