Editing Non compos mentis (section)

==Usage==
The status of ''non compos mentis'' applied to those who were not mad from birth, but became so later in life through no fault of their own. The property and interests of such a person could be committed to another party to conserve and administer them for the duration of their madness. Their criminal [[culpability]] was also limited except in cases of [[treason|high treason]]. This contrasted with "natural fools" who were mad from birth and whose property interests passed to the crown, and habitual drunkards, who could claim no defense of madness.<ref>{{cite book|last=Byrdall|first=John|year=1635|title=Non compos mentis}}</ref>