Comitatus

Lat. A county or shire. So called from the comes, or earl, who formerly had the government of it, as county is derived from the Fr. comte, count, denoting the same officer.

1 Bi. Com. 116, a»8. Co. Litt. 168 a.

Spelman^ voc.

Comdtes.

See Comes* An earldom.

Bract. Ibl. 84.

Still so called in Latin, although an earl has no territorial authority as u>rmerly.

Co, Litt. 83 b. 1 Ld. Baywk 13.

The county court, called among the Saxons scyre gemote; the mallum or placitusn of the early contuiental nations. Magna Charta, c.

36. Crabb's Hist. Eng. Law, 47, 146.

Anoiesily a court of great dignity, and called by S^elmdia forum pkheia justitice, et theatrum comitivce potestatis; the tribunal of common justice, and the seat of the power of the county. Spelman, voce. Comites, Comitatus.

3 Bl. Com. 36.

A train or body of companions, followers, or attendants; Ikerally a following, or attendance; a prince's court or household. Spehnan, ub. sup^ In the Roman law, the retinue of the governor of a province.

Adam's Eom, Ant. 171.

COM£CES« [pi. of comesi q. v.] Cornpamons, attendants or followers; retainers or adherents.

1 BL Com. 254. 1 Steph, Com, 161.

Spelman, voc.

Comites.

Esprit des Lois, liv.

30, c. 16.

Earls or counts. Magna, Char Uiy c.

14.

Bract, fol.

5 b.

See Comes.

See Comes.