Legal Definitions - holymote

Definition: Holymote is a term that is often used erroneously to refer to an ecclesiastical court. However, in its correct usage, it refers to a court baron, which is an annual court presided over by the lord of the manor to settle civil disputes between feudal tenants. The court is usually held in the manor's great hall. It can also refer to a trade-guild's commercial court, where guild members are tried for trade-related offenses against the guild. Additionally, it can refer to a convention of citizens in their public hall, also known as folkmote.

Examples:

• A lord of a manor holds a holymote to settle a dispute between two of his tenants over land ownership.
• A trade-guild holds a holymote to try a member who has violated the guild's rules and regulations.
• A town council holds a holymote to discuss and make decisions on important matters affecting the community.

These examples illustrate how holymote can refer to different types of courts or conventions, depending on the context. In each case, holymote is a gathering where disputes are settled or decisions are made, either by a lord of the manor, a trade-guild, or a town council.