Semayne's Case
Defined in 2 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Black's (1910)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
This case decided, in 2 Jac. I., that "every man's house [meaning his dwelling-house only] is his castle," and that the defendant may not break open outer doors in general, but only inner doors, but that (after request made) he may break SEMBLE (Fr. it seems). A term frequently used before the statement oi a point of law which has not been directly settled, but about which the court have expressed an opinion, and intimated what a decision would be.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
This case decided, In 1604, that "every man's house [meaning his dwelling-house only] is his castle," and that an officer execnting civll process may not break open outer doors in general, but only inner doors, but that (after request made) he may break open even outer doors to find goods of another wrongfully in the house. Brown. It is reported in 5 Coke, 91.