What is a Constablewick?

Constablewick is a term used in the context of English law to refer to a type of legal document that was used in the past to appoint a constable, which is an officer of the court who is responsible for executing and enforcing the orders of the court.

A constablewick was essentially a written authorization or warrant issued by a court or other legal authority, appointing a specific person as a constable and granting them the power to carry out certain tasks or duties on behalf of the court. These tasks might include serving legal documents, seizing property, or arresting individuals who were in contempt of court orders.

The use of constablewicks dates back to medieval times, and they were commonly used in England and Wales until the 19th century. However, with the modernization of the legal system and the establishment of more formalized law enforcement agencies, the use of constablewicks has largely fallen out of practice. Today, the term is mostly of historical interest and is not commonly used in modern legal proceedings.