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Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: BER-BLA |
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BLACKMAIL , a term
special
medal
mail
tribute . (I) The primary meaning of " blackmail " was rent paid in labour, grain or baser metal (i.e. money other than sterling money), called reditus nigri, in contradistinction to rent paid in silver or white money (mailles blanches). (2) In the northern counties of England (Northumberland, Westmorland and the bishopric of Durham) it signified a tribute in money, corn, cattle or other consideration exacted from farmers and small owners by freebooters in return for immunity from robbers or moss
statute
felony without benefit of clergy to receive or pay such tribute, but the practice lingered until the union of England and Scotland in 1707. (3) The word now signifies extortion of money or property by threats' of libel, presecution, exposure, &c. See such headings as COERCION, CONSPIRACY, EXTORTION , and authorities quoted under CRIMINAL LAW.End of Article: BLACKMAIL If you wish, you can link directly to this article.
<a href="http://jcsm.org/StudyCenter/Encyclopedia/BER_BLA/BLACKMAIL.html"> BLACKMAIL </a> |
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