Grand Assize

[L. Lat. magna assi Ba,'] In practice. A special or extraordinary kind of jury, introduced by king Henry II. for the trial of writs of right, the tenant or defendant being allowed the choice of this mode of trial instead of that by battel, which previously was the only method in use.

8 BU Com. 841, 851.

Olanv. lib.

2. cc. 6, 7.

It consisted of four knights, returned by the sheriff, who chose twelve others to be joined with them; the whole assise thus being composed of sixteen jurors, or recognitors, as they were otherwise called.

8 Bl. Com. 851.

Glanv, lib.

2. cc. 11, 12. 1 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 86.

See De magna assisa eligenda. This kind of assise and the manner of choosing it are very fully described by Glanville, who is supposed by Sir William Blackstone to have advised the measure itself.

8 BL Com. ub. sup.

The assise was called grand, according to Mr. Reeves, because the jurors were all knights, and were brought together also with more ceremony than those who composed the ordinary, minor or petit assise.

1 Reeves* ffist. Eng. Law, 86.

Spelman voc. As* sisa. It continued in use in England down to a recent period, being abolished by statute 8 & 4 Will. IV. c.

42, § 13.

A similar kind of jury was also formerly in use in the State of New-York, when writs of right were authorized forms of procedure.

1 Rev. Laws of 1813, 50.