Sandemand

[Carol Haagensen]

Does anyone know what a sandemand is?  My translating software doesn't have a clue, except to make it a "sand man" which I doubt is right    It's used as an occupation or salutation for Hans Christensen Piil, b. abt. 1648 at Bornholm.

[Ralph Rasmussen]

Molbech explains in his 1832 dictionary that eight Sandemænd used to be appointed at the Ting or periodic court sessions as a kind of grand jury to determine whether a death was accidental.  There has to be detail in Danske Lov of 1685.  And the practice is probalby much, much older.

[Carol Haagensen]

Thank you!  That gives me an entirely new avenue to research.  Thank you!