court jurisdiction westphalia accused secret proceedings FEHMIC
COURTS (PEIIIIGERICITTE OrVEHMGERICHTE), celebrated secret
tribunals which flourished in Germany from the end of the 12th
century to the middle of the 16th, and which, from the extent of
their organization and the mystery which surrounded their
proceedings, inspired a feeling of dread in all who came within
their jurisdiction. Their origin is uncertain. The traditional
account is that they were instituted by Charlemagne and Pope Leo
III. to prevent the Saxons from relapsing into paganism. It is
more probable that they arose from the relics of the ancient
Teutonic free courts. Their immediate cause, however, is to be
found in the utter lawlessness and disregard of authority then
prevailing in Germany, which obliged the weak and the peace-
loving to band themselves together as protection against the
outrages of the princes and nobles. The birthplace of the Fehmic
courts was Westphalia, where they appeared shortly after the
deposition of Henry the Li