In old English law, a capite (from Latin caput, head) was a tenure, abolished by Act 12 Chas. II, xxiv., (Tenures Abolition Act 1660) by which either person or land was held immediately of the king, or of his crown, either by knight-service or socage.[1] A holder of a capite is termed a Tenant-in-chief.
This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.