Legal Definitions - soul scot

Definition: Soul scot is a type of mortuary, which is a place where dead bodies are prepared for burial or held before burial. In historical context, it also refers to a customary gift left by a deceased person to a parish church for past tithes owed.

Example: In medieval times, it was common for people to leave a soul scot to their local church as a way of ensuring their soul's salvation. This gift was usually a small amount of money or property that was given to the church in exchange for prayers and masses to be said for the deceased.

Explanation: The example illustrates how soul scot was a way for people to show their devotion to their faith and ensure their soul's salvation after death. It also shows how the gift was given to the church as a form of payment for past tithes owed, which was a common practice in medieval times.