Legal Definitions - hadbote

Hadbote is a historical term that refers to compensation or profit, especially an allowance of wood. It can also mean a compensatory payment for causing an injury or an affront to a person in holy orders. Additionally, it can refer to a tenant's right to use wood from an estate for fuel, fences, and other agricultural operations, or the repair of bridges, highways, and public works.

• Housebote: An allowance of wood from an estate used to repair a house or burn in the fireplace.
• Plowbote: An allowance of wood for the construction and repair of farm equipment.
• Theftbote: The acceptance of a payment from a thief in exchange for an agreement not to prosecute.

These examples illustrate the different types of bote that existed historically. Housebote and plowbote were allowances of wood for specific purposes, while theftbote was a form of compounding a crime. These examples show how bote could be used in different contexts and for different purposes.