Murdrum
Defined in 7 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Stimson (1881), Abbott (1879)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In old English law. During the times of the Danes, and afterwards till the reign of Edward III., mujrdrum was the killing of a man in a secret manner, and in that it differed from simple homicide. When a man was thus killed, and he was unknown, by the laws of Canute he was presumed to be a Dane, and the vill was compelled to pay forty marks for his death. After the Conquest, a similar law was made in favor of Frenchmen, which was abolished by 3 Edw. III. The fine formerly imposed in England upon a person who had committed homicide per infortunium or se defendendo. Prin. Pen. Law 219, note (r).
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
During the times of the Danes, and afterwards till the reign of Edward III., murdrum was the killing of a man in a secret manner; and in that it differed from simple homicide. When a man was thus killed, and he was unknown,' by the laws of Canute he was presumed to be a Dane, and the Till was compelled to pay forty marks to the king for his death. After the conquest, a similar law was made in favor of Normans, which was abolished by 3 Edw. III. See Pbovinq the Enolisheby. The fine formerly imposed in England upon a person who had committed homicide per infortunium or ae defendendo. Prln. Pen. Law 219, note.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
In old English law. The killing of a man in a secret manner,
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
/. Murder. A fine imposed on a hundred where a person was found slain, Englecery not being proved.
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
In early English criminal law, the killing of a person in a secret manner was distinguished from other homicides by this name. It also signified the fine or amercement imposed in cases of homicide.