Legal Definitions - legem vadiare

legem vadiare

In history, legem vadiare meant to offer a sworn defense to an action for debt by presenting 11 neighbors as character witnesses. This was known as compurgation.

During the medieval period, if someone owed money to another person, they could legem vadiare or wage law. This meant that they could offer to make a sworn defense to the action for debt and present 11 neighbors as character witnesses to prove their innocence.

For example, if John owed money to Peter, he could legem vadiare and present 11 neighbors who would testify that John was an honest and trustworthy person who would never default on his debts. If the court found the witnesses credible, John would be cleared of the debt.

Another example is if Mary was accused of owing money to Sarah. Mary could legem vadiare and present 11 neighbors who would testify that she had already paid the debt in full. If the court found the witnesses credible, Mary would not have to pay the debt again.