DOTALITIUM

dotalitium (doh-t<<schwa>>-lish-ee-<<schwa>>m), n.[Law Latin] Hist. Dower.

“[S]ome  have ascribed the introduction of dower to the  Normans, as a branch of their local

tenures; though we cannot expect any feodal reason for its invention, since it was not a part of the

pure, primitive, simple  law  of  feuds, but  was  first of  all  introduced  into  that  system  (wherein  it

was  called  …dotalitium)  by  the  emperor  Frederick  the  second; who  was  contemporary  with  our

king Henry III. It is possible therefore that it might be with us the relic of a Danish custom: since,

according  to  the  historians  of  that  country,  dower  was  introduced  into  Denmark  by  Swein,  the

father  of  our Canute the great,  out of  gratitude to the Danish ladies, who sold all their jewels to

ransom  him  when taken  prisoner  by  the  Vandals.”  2  William  Blackstone,  Commentaries  on  the

Laws of England 129–30 (1766). [Blacks Law 8th]