BLOOD-White, in ancient law writers, signifies blood, and a customary amercement paid as a composition for the shedding or drawing of blood. The word is also written blodwhite, blodwita, blodwita, blodwit, blodwit, blodwit, and bludwit. It is formed from the ancient Saxon blud, "blood," and wite or wite, "a fine or penalty." The word also denotes an exemption from this penalty.
Blood. penalty, granted by the king to certain persons and communities as a special favour. King Henry II. granted to all tenants within the honour of Wallingford—Ut quieti sint de hidagio et blodwite et bredwite.