Legal Definitions - francigena

Definition: A term derived from Law Latin, where "francus" means "French" and "genitus" means "born". It has two historical meanings:

1. A person born in France.
2. Any alien in England; a foreigner.

Examples:

• Marie was a francigena, born and raised in Paris.
• During the Middle Ages, many francigena traveled to England for trade and pilgrimage.

The first example illustrates the first meaning of francigena, where Marie is a person born in France. The second example illustrates the second meaning, where francigena refers to any foreigner in England.