Legal Definitions - legruita

Definition: Legruita is another term for lairwite, which was a fine paid to the lord of the manor for adultery or fornication. It was especially used for the lord's privilege of receiving a fine for fornication with the lord's female villeins.

Example: In medieval times, if a man had sexual relations with a female villein who belonged to the lord of the manor, he would have to pay a legruita or lairwite as a fine to the lord.

This example illustrates how legruita was a form of punishment for sexual misconduct and how it was used to maintain the lord's authority over his female villeins.