frank·pledge (fr ngk pl j )n. 1. An Anglo-Saxon legal system in which units or tithings composed of ten households were formed, in each of which members were held responsible for one another's conduct. 2. A member of a unit in frankpledge. [Middle English frankplegge, from Anglo-Norman frauncpledge : Old French franc, free, frank; see frank1 + Old French plege, pledge; see pledge.] |
frankpledge [ˈfræŋkˌplɛdʒ]
n (in medieval England)
1. (Historical Terms) the corporate responsibility of members of a tithing for the good behaviour of each other
2. (Historical Terms) a member of a tithing
3. (Historical Terms) a tithing itself
[via Anglo-French from Old French franc free (see frank) + plege pledge]
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