1. The area within 12 miles of the place where the king held his court and within which the king’s peace was enforced. • This area was commonly referred to as being in the verge. The verge got its name from the staff (called a “verge”) that the marshal bore.
2. The compass of the royal court, within which the lord steward and marshal of the king’s household had special jurisdiction. — Also termed Court of Verge.
3. The neighborhood of Whitehall, the section of London in which British government offices have traditionally been located.
4. An uncertain quantity of land from 15 to 30 acres.
5. A stick or rod by which a person, after holding the stick and swearing fealty, is admitted as a tenant to a copyhold estate. — Also spelled virge. For tenant by the verge, see COPYHOLDER.
