Note 197 — Book VII.
John Beames translation
Maritagium. This Term is explained by our Author more fully in the 18th chapter of the present Book. Lord Coke translates the word, marriage: but, to avoid a confusion of ideas, I have rendered it, marriage-hood. The term maritagium appears to have been employed by our ancient writers in three senses. 1. To designate marriage, in the modern sense of the Term. 2. To import Land given with a Woman in marriage; such maritagium being either liberum, or servitio obnoxium, as we shall presently see. 3. To mean the right which a Lord had of disposing of his ward in marriage. (Bracton 21. a. Spelm. Gloss. ad voc. 2 Bl. Comm. 69. Co. Litt. 21. b. 76. a. and Mag. Car. c. 7.)