Force And Arms

[L. Fr. force et armes; L. Lat. vis et arma.] A phrase in the old law of trespass and disseisin, importing that the act was committed by multitude of people, with arms or weapons of offence. Otherwise expressed as force of arms, and force with arms, and sometimes armed force. Britt. c.

53.

Litt. sect.

240.

See Force. The word arms had, in this connexion, its full proper sense of military equipment. Thus Britton (ub. sup.) speaks of disseisin committed with banner displayed and horses arrayed, (a baner despleye, ou a chivaus covertz.) The phrase "with force and arms," (vi et armis,) was also anciently a necessary phrase in pleading, and is still used in declarations for trespass and in criminal indictments, though with little of its original significance.

2 Chitt. Pl. 846, 850.

Wharton's Prec. of Indict.

5, 9.

In indictments it is held to be no longer essential. Id. ibid.

See Vi et armis.