What is "to swear the peace against one"

Swear \Swear\, v. t.

1. To utter or affirm with a solemn appeal to God for the truth of the declaration; to make (a promise, threat, or resolve) under oath.

   Swear unto me here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me.
   --Gen. xxi. 23.

   He swore consent to your succession.
   --Shak.

2. (Law) To put to an oath; to cause to take an oath; to administer an oath to; -- ofetn followed by in or into; as, to swear witnesses; to swear a jury; to swear in an officer; he was sworn into office.

3. To declare or charge upon oath; as, he swore treason against his friend.
   --Johnson.

4. To appeal to by an oath.

   Now, by Apollo, king, Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.
   --Shak.

   To swear the peace against one, to make oath that one is under the actual fear of death or bodily harm from the person, in which case the person must find sureties that he will keep the peace.