Backberend and Handhabend

In Saxon law, backberend (also spelled backberende or back-berande) was a term applied to a thief who was found having the stolen goods in his possession.[1] The term is derived from "bearing upon the back" and was customarily used with handhabend.[2][3] Handhabend (also spelled hand-habend or hand-habende) was a term applied to a thief who was found having the stolen goods in his possession; the thief himself was a hontfongenethef. "Handhabend" is derived from "having [a thing] in his hand".[2][3]

By extension, the term also means the jurisdiction to try a thief caught with the property in question.[2] A thief so caught could be given a trial of a more summary nature.[4] Almost any theft could be a felony, and the death penalty might be applied.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Bracton de Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliæ 1, 3, tr. 2, c. 32.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Henry C. Black, Black's Law Dictionary, rev. 4th ed. 1968; see also 7th ed.
  3. 1 2 John Bouvier, A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, J.B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, 15th ed., 1883.
  4. ↑ See Laws of Henry I, chap. 59; Laws of Aethelstane, § 6; Fleta, lib. 1, chap. 38, § 1; Britton p. 72; DuCange, Handhabenda.

See also

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