1. A writ allowing a presumptive heir to summon a jury of matrons to verify the pregnancy of a widow suspected of feigning the pregnancy to produce a supposed heir.
— Also termed ad ventrem inspiciendum. See venire facias tot matronas under VENIRE FACIAS.
“And this gives occasion to a proceeding at common law, where a widow is suspected to feign herself with child, in order to produce a supposititious heir to the estate: an attempt which the rigor of the Gothic constitutions esteemed equivalent to the most atrocious theft, and therefore punished with death. In this case with us the heir presumptive may have a writ de ventre inspiciendo to examine whether she be with child, or not … and, if the widow be upon due examination found not pregnant, any issue she may afterwards produce, though within nine months, will be bastard.” 1 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 444 (1765).
2. A writ providing a temporary stay of execution if a jury of matrons determines that a woman scheduled for execution and claiming pregnancy is “quick with child.” • The execution would be postponed until after the birth, but if the woman became pregnant a second time before execution, she had no remedy. — Sometimes shortened to ventre inspiciendo. — Also spelled de ventre in spiciendo.
