Legal Definitions - furta

FURTA

furta (fər-tə). Hist. A right or privilege granted by a monarch to try, condemn, and execute criminals within a specific jurisdiction.

One example of furta was the power given to the Lord High Steward of England to preside over the trial of peers in the House of Lords.

Another example was the power given to the Lord High Constable to preside over the trial of commoners accused of high treason.

Furta was a legal term used in medieval and early modern England to describe the power given to certain officials to try, condemn, and execute criminals within a specific jurisdiction. These officials were usually appointed by the monarch and held significant power and authority. The examples given illustrate how this power was granted to specific individuals, such as the Lord High Steward and Lord High Constable, to preside over trials of different types of criminals.