Hundred,

Hundred, in English law, an ancient subdivision of counties, the name of which probably arose from there being a hundred warriors, or perhaps a hundred families, or ten thithings, in each (see FEUDALISM). In ancient times, if a crime was committed, such as robbery, maiming of cattle, burning of stacks, &c., the hundred had to make it good. The old distinctions have, however, now less significance. But the characteristic of a hundred is still this, that it has a constable or bailiff, and when any damage is done by rioters feloniously destroying property the owner has his remedy by suing the hundred for the damage. In order to secure this remedy the party or his servant must, within seven days, go before a justice, and engage to prosecute the offenders, when apprehended. So, where there is no hundred, the county, or city, or town is liable in like manner. Exemption is levied on the treasurer of the county. In the northern counties a hundred was called a wapentake (Yorkshire) or a ward. See RIOT, COUNTY.—The townships in Delaware, U.S., are also called Hundreds. See Professor G. E. Howard's Introduction to the Local Constitutional History of the U.S. (Baltimore, 1889).—The Hundred Days is a name often given to the period between Napoleon's landing in France after his escape from Elba (1st March 1815) and the battle of Waterloo (18th June 1815). See FRANCE, NAPOLEON I.