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Episcopus Puerorum

Defined in 3 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

It was an old custom that, upon certain feasts, some lay person should plait his hair, and put on the garments of a bishop, and in them pretend to exercise episcopal jurisdiction, and do several ludicrous actions, for which reason he was called "bishop of the boys;" and this custom obtained in England long after several constitutions were made to abolish it. Blount. Such an officer is mentioned in the statutes of some of the cathedrals of the old foundation in England. Wharton.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

It was an old custom that upon certain feasts some lay person should plait his hair, and put on the garments of a bishop, and in them pretend to exercise episcopal jurisdiction, and do several ludicrous actions, for which reason he was called "bishop of the boys;" and this custom obtained in England long after several constitutions were made to abolish it. Blount.

Defined under Episcopus in Black's Law Dictionary.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

It was an old custom that upon certain feasts some lay person should plait his hair, and pat on the garments of a bishop, and in them pretend to exercise episcopal jurisdiction, and do seycustom obtained in England long after several constitutions were made to abolish it. lount. Episcopus teneat placitum, in curia christianitatis, de lis que mere sunt spiritualia.. 12 Coke, 44. <A bishop may hold plea in a Court Christian of things merely spiritual.