“Words spoken in derogation of a peer, a judge, or other great officer of the realm, which are called scandalum magnatum, are held to be still more heinous; and, though they be such as would not be actionable in the case of a common person, yet when spoken in disgrace of such high and respectable characters, they amount to an atrocious injury: which is redressed by an action on the case founded on many ancient statutes; as well on behalf of the crown, to inflict the punishment of imprisonment on the slanderer, as on behalf of the party, to recover damages for the injury sustained.” 3 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 123–24 (1768).
scandalum magnatum
scandalum magnatum (skan-d[schwa]-l[schwa]m mag-nay-t[schwa]m). [Law Latin] Hist. Actionable slander of powerful people; specif., defamatory comments regarding persons of high rank, such as peers, judges, or state officials.
