“Quare clausum fregit” is a Latin term that means “why he broke the close”. It is a legal phrase commonly used in English common law to refer to the writ issued to a sheriff. The writ orders the sheriff to inquire why a defendant broke the close (enclosure) of the plaintiff. The phrase typically refers to a trespass action where the plaintiff alleges that the defendant unlawfully entered their land or property. This term has significant historical importance in the development of property and trespass laws.