In medieval law, to defend oneself against an accusation in court; to justify or prove one's case.
From Old French 'deresnier' (to defend). Related to 'arraign'. This legal term dates to medieval English law and refers to formal defense in trial proceedings.
Medieval courts had incredibly formal processes—deraign wasn't just about saying 'I didn't do it,' it meant you had to go through specific legal rituals and often trial by combat to prove your innocence!
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