VEHMGERICHTE Meaning and
Definition
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Vehmgerichte, also known as Vehmgericht or Feme Courts, were medieval secret tribunals that operated primarily in Germany from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The name "Vehmgerichte" is derived from the Old High German word "Femida," meaning "judgement," and "Vehm," which could be translated as "secret" or "fear."
These clandestine courts were primarily established to combat lawlessness and maintain order, especially in regions where the rule of law was weak or nonexistent. Vehmgerichte operated outside the control of established legal authorities and were presided over by a powerful hierarchy of judges known as "Schöffen." They were composed of local knights, nobles, and freemen who held membership in the secret Vehm society. The jurisdiction of these courts extended over a wide range of crimes, from theft and assault to treason and heresy.
The proceedings of Vehmgerichte were conducted in strict secrecy, often held in forests or other secluded locations, to maintain the fear and mystique associated with the courts. The punishment delivered by the Vehmgerichte was often summary execution, where the convicted person would be immediately executed without appeal or chance for defense.
Over time, the power and influence of Vehmgerichte declined as the centralizing states and legal systems of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance emerged. By the 16th century, they had largely vanished, but they left an enduring legacy in folklore, literature, and regional history, for their reputation as shadowy and mysterious organizations charged with ensuring justice in dark times.
Common Misspellings for VEHMGERICHTE
- cehmgerichte
- behmgerichte
- gehmgerichte
- fehmgerichte
- vwhmgerichte
- vshmgerichte
- vdhmgerichte
- vrhmgerichte
- v4hmgerichte
- v3hmgerichte
- vegmgerichte
- vebmgerichte
- venmgerichte
- vejmgerichte
- veumgerichte
- veymgerichte
- vehngerichte
- vehkgerichte
- vehjgerichte
- vehmferichte
Etymology of VEHMGERICHTE
The word "Vehmgerichte" has a German origin and its etymology can be broken down as follows:
1. Vehm: The term "Vehm" comes from the Middle High German word "veim", which means "court" or "tribunal". It likely derives from the Old High German word "fehum", meaning "property" or "possession". In this context, "Vehm" signifies the jurisdiction and authority of a court.
2. Gerichte: The word "Gerichte" originates from the Middle High German word "gerehte", which translates to "judgment" or "decision". It is derived from the verb "gerīhten", meaning "to judge" or "to rule". In this context, "Gerichte" refers to the plural form of "court" or "tribunal".
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