Waif. (1) Goods found but claimed by nobody. (2) Goods stolen and waived, or thrown away by the thief in his flight for fear of being apprehended. These are given to the Crown.
Walkers, foresters who have the care of a certain space of ground.
Warrant of Attorney, a written authority to an attorney to act for the principal.
Welsherie. In many lordships in Wales there was a part where Welsh laws and customs were observed. This was termed the Welsherie.
Westva, or gwestva, food-rents payable to the King, originally paid in kind for the entertainment of the King and his retinue on his progress.
Wharfage, money paid for landing goods at a wharf, or for shipping and taking goods into a boat or barge thence.
Withernam, reprisals.
Writ of Dedimus potestatem, a writ or commission to persons to speed some act appertaining to a Judge or the Court; also used, on renewing the commission of the Peace, by justices to take the oath of the new Justice.
Writ of Elegit, a judicial writ of execution, by which it became in the election of a party having recovered judgment, either to have a writ of fieri facias on lands and goods, or else one-half of the land of the judgment debtor in specie until judgment satisfied.
Writ of Entry in the Post, an abolished writ; given by the Statute of Marlbridge 52 Hen. 3, c. 30, which provided that when the number of alienations or descents exceeded the usual degrees a new writ should be allowed.
Writ of Error, a judicial process for correcting errors made by inferior tribunals.
Writ of Good Abearing, a writ to ensure good behaviour.
Writ of Pone, an obsolete writ, removing the plaint in a County Court into the King's Bench or Common Pleas.
Writ of Supersedeas, a writ issued in many cases, on good cause shown, to stay some ordinary proceedings which ought otherwise to proceed.
