Essoin Definition:

In Calendar, J. M. Rigg, Barrister-at-law, wrote:

"Essoin (is) a valid excuse for non-appearance before the Court, the essoiner, or person tendering the excuse on behalf of the absent party (essoinee) pledging his faith for the appearance of the essoinee on a subsequent day to warrant the excuse by oath.

"The principal (sic) essoins were misadventure (suden sickness) on the journey, absence overseas, pilgrimage to the Hly Land, confinement to bed by sickness (certified by Four Knights) (and) the King's service.

"Save in exceptional circumstances, essoinment was restrained within certain limits, i.e. for misadventure on the journey, fifteen days; for absence overseas, forty days ...; for pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a year and a day...."

REFERENCES:

• Rigg, J. M., Calendar of the Public Rolls of the Exchequer of the Jews (London: MacMillan & Co., 1905).