In old English law, a capite (from Latin caput, head) was a tenure in subinfeudation, by which either person or land was held immediately of the king, or of his crown, either by knight-service or socage. A holder of a capite is termed a tenant-in-chief.
Tenures in capite were abolished by the Tenures Abolition Act 1660.
References
- Davies, John, ed. (1762). A Report of Cases and Matters of Law, Resolved and Adjudged in the King's Courts in Ireland. Dublin: Printed for Sarah Cotter. p. 160.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chambers, Ephraim, ed. (1728). "Capite". Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). James and John Knapton, et al. p. 154.
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