MAINPRIZE. See False IMPRISONMENT.
The writ of mainprize, manucaption, is a writ directed to the sheriff (either generally, when any man is imprisoned for a bailable offence, and bail hath been refused; or specially, when the offence or cause of commitment.
Maintenon. Maintenon commitment is not properly bailable below), commanding him to take sureties for the prisoner's appearance, usually called mainpernels, and to set him at large. Mainpernels differ from bail, in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender him up before the stipulated day of appearance; mainpernels can do neither, but are barely sureties for his appearance at the day: bail are only sureties that the parties be answerable for the special matter for which they stipulate; mainpernels are bound to produce him to answer all charges whatever. See HABEAS CORPUS.