Fredum

Freda, Fredus. L. Lat. [from Sax. fred, fride, peace.] In old European law. A sum or price paid to the magistrate, as a recompense for the protection which he afforded against the right of revenge.

1 Bobertsons Charles V. Appendix, Note xxiii.

Esprit des Lois, liv.

30, c. 20.

This was in addition to the composition paid to the injured party, or his relatives as a satisfaction for the injury committed, and it was usually equal to the third part of the composition. Id. ibid. See Composition. Spelman considers it to have been a fine paid for violation of the public peace, {propter pacem violatam,) or as the price of obtaining peace, {ob impetrandam pacem;) but this idea is combated by Dr. Robertson, who follows the opinion of Montesquieu. See supra. The fredum is supposed by Spelman to be the origin of the fines or amercements imposed upon parties to actions under the old English practice.