or COURT LEET (leta visus franci plegii), is a court of record, ordained for punishing offences against the crown; and is said to be the most ancient court of the land. It inquires of all offences under high treason; but those who are to be punished with loss of life or member, are only inquirable and presentable here, and to be certified over to the justices of assize, (Stat. i. Edw. III.). And this court is called the view of frank pledge, because the king is to be there certified by the view of the steward, how many people are within every leet, and have an account of their good manners and government; and every person of the age of 12 years, who hath remained there for a year and a day, may be sworn to be faithful to the king, and the people are to be kept in peace, &c. A leet is incident to a hundred, as a court baron to a manor: for by grant of a hundred, a leet paffhed; and a hundred cannot be without a leet.—The usual method of punishment in the court leet, is by fine and amercement; the former affixed by the steward, and the latter by the jury.