HEALFANG, HEALSPANG, or HALSPANG, in our ancient customs, signifies collisfrgium or the punishment of the pillory. The word is compounded of two Saxon words; halp, neck, and þang, "to contain." Pena 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 falsam testimonium dedit, reddat regi vel terrae domino healfang.