Four Seas

The seas surrounding England. These were divided into the western, including the Scotch and Irish; the northern, or North Sea; the eastern, being the German Ocean; the southern, being the British Channel. Selden, Mare Clausum, lib. 2, c. 1. "Within the four seas" means within the Jurisdiction of England. 4 Coke, 125; 2 Inst. 253. See "Beyond Sea." FOURCHER (Fr. to fork).

In English law. A method of delaying an action formerly practised by defendants. When an action was brought against two, who, being jointly concerned, were not bound to answer till both appeared, and they agreed not to appear both in one day, the appearance of one excused the other's default, who had a day given him to appear with the other. The defaulter, on the day appointed, appeared; but the first then made default. In this manner they forked each other, and practised this for delay. See 2 Inst. 250; Booth, Real Actions, 16.

The seas surrounding England. These were divided into the Western, including the Scotch and Irish; the Northern, or North sea; the Eastern, being the German ocean; the Southern, being the British channel.

[L. Fr. guater meres; Lat. quatuor maria.] In English law. A term applied to the seas formerly considered as encompassing either the whole island of Great Britain, or England only. According to Selden, the four seas surrounding the whole island of Great Britain were, 1. the Western, called Vergivian, including the Irish and Scottish seas: 2. the Northern, the Scottish or North sea: 3. the Eastern, the German Ocean: and 4. the Southern, or British Channel. Seld. Mare Clans, lib. 2, c. 1. But the extent of these seas has not been precisely limited. As to the four seas which encompassed England only, see Meadows' Obs. on the I>ominion of the Seas, 1 1, Seld. Mar. Claus. lib, 2, c. 31. Hargr. Co. Lilt. Note 116, lib. 2. Britton mentions three seas; the sea of France, of Ireland and of Scotland, (la meer de Fraunce, de Irland ou de Escoce.) Britt. c. 123. The term four seas is used in the books as a term of territorial limitation. Thus, a fine was said to bar all persons of fidl age, out of prison and of good memory, withid theybur seas the day it was levied. 4 Co. 125. Within the four seas is as much as to say, within the jurisdiction of the king of England. 2 ImI. 253.