HEALFANG, HEALSEANG, or HALSEANG, in our ancient customs, signifies collistrigium or the punishment of the pillory. The word is compounded of two Saxon words; hulp, "neck," and pangen, "to contain." Pœna scilicet qua alicui collum stringatur. The healfang, however, cannot signify a pillory in the charter of Canutus, De Forestis, cap. xiv. Et pro culpa solvat regi duos solidos, quos Dani vocant halfehang.
HEALFANG is also taken for a pecuniary punishment or mulct to commute for standing in the pillory; and is to be paid either to the king or the chief lord. Qui falsum testimonium dedit, reddat regi vel terræ domino healfang.