Semayne's Case

This case decided, In 1604, that "every man's house [meaning his dwelling-house only] is his castle," and that an officer execnting civll process may not break open outer doors in general, but only inner doors, but that (after request made) he may break open even outer doors to find goods of another wrongfully in the house. Brown. It is reported in 5 Coke, 91.