Manumission

Manumission, the act of giving freedom to slaves. Among the Romans it was performed in three several ways: 1st, when with his master's consent a slave had his name entered in the census or public register of the citizens; 2nd, when the slave was led before the pr'tor, and that magistrate laid his wand (vindicta) on his head; 3rd, when the master, by his will, gave his slave freedom. A Mong us, in the time of the Conqueror, villeins were manumitted by their master delivering them by the right hand to the viscount or sheriff in full Court, showing them the door, giving them a lance and a sword, and proclaiming them free. Others were manumitted by charter. There was also an implied manumission, as when the lord made an obligation for payment of money to the bondman at a certain day, or sued him where he might enter without suit, and the like, Jac. LawDict.