Duodecima Manus
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Lat. [L. Fr. dozyme meyn.] The twelfth hand; twelve hands, or twelve-hand. The oath of twelve men, (including the party himself, though Britton makes it to be exclusive,) by whom a defendant was formerly allowed to make his law. Glanv. lib.
1, c. 9.
Bract. fol.
410.
Britt. c.
21. 3 Bl. Com. 343.
Il covint aver oue luy xi maynz de jurer oue luy, &c.; it behooves to have with him eleven hands to swear with him, &c. Dyversite des Courts, fol.
305.
Called hands, because the hand was always used in making oath, and generally by laying it on the gospels. See Manus, Hand, Compurgator, Wager of law.