Firdwite
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Ferdwite.
Sax. [from fird, military service, and wite, a mulct or fine.] In old English law. A fine for refusing military service, (mulcta detrectantis militiam.) Spelman. A fine imposed for murder committed in the army; an acquittance of such fine. Fleta, lib.
1, c. 47. Chart. 11 Hen. III. m. 33, cited in Cowell.