Vierschaar

Before the separation of lawmaking, law enforcement, and justice duties, the government of every town was administered by a senate (called a Wethouderschap) formed of two, three, or sometimes four burgomasters, and a certain number of sheriffs (called Schepenen), so that the number of sitting judges was generally seven.

The term Vierschaar means literally "foursquare", so called from the four-square dimensions of the benches in use by the sitting judges.

The Dutch expression "vierschaar spannen" refers to the tightening or raising of these ropes before the proceedings could begin.

(Accompanied by the question whether the sun is high enough, 'hoog genoeg op de dag', since the practice stems from the Middle Ages when these trials were held outdoors.)

The history of Holland and the Dutch nation: from the beginning of the tenth century to the end of the eighteenth, page 77, By Charles Maurice Davies, Volume 1, London, 1851