“In case of divorce a mensa et thoro, the law allows alimony to the wife which is that allowance, which is made to a woman for her support out of her husband’s estate; being settled at the discretion of the ecclesiastical judge, on consideration of all the circumstances of the case. This is sometimes called her estovers for which, if he refuses payment, there is; (besides the ordinary process of excommunication) a writ at common law de estoveriis habendis, in order to recover it …. It is generally proportioned to the rank and quality of the parties. But in case of elopement, and living with an adulterer, the law allows her no alimony.” 1 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 429 (1765).
de estoveriis habendis
de estoveriis habendis (dee es-t[schwa]-veer-ee-is h[schwa]-ben-dis), n. [Law Latin “for having estovers”] Hist. A writ allowing a wife divorced a mensa et thoro (“from bed and board”) to recover alimony or estovers. — Often shortened to estoveriis habendis.
