s also an appellation given to a kind of faction or troop of banditti, who rose in Guienne about the beginning of the fourteenth century, and joining with some English parties, ravaged the country, and set fire to the towns.

BASTARDY is a defect of birth objected to one born out of wedlock. In relation to its trial in law, bastardy is distinguished into general and special. General bastardy is a certificate from the bishop of the diocese to the king's justices, after inquiry made whether the party is a bastard or not, upon some question of inheritance. Bastardy special is a suit commenced in the king's courts against a person who calls another a bastard.