'Durance' definitions:

Definition of 'durance'

noun

Imprisonment (especially for a long time)

From: GCIDE

Durance \Dur"ance\, n. [OF. durance duration, fr. L. durans, -antis, p. pr. durare to endure, last. See Dure, and cf. Durant.]
1. Continuance; duration. See Endurance. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]
Of how short durance was this new-made state! --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. Imprisonment; restraint of the person; custody by a jailer; duress. Shak. "Durance vile." --Burns. [1913 Webster]
In durance, exile, Bedlam or the mint. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. (a) A stout cloth stuff, formerly made in imitation of buff leather and used for garments; a sort of tammy or everlasting. [1913 Webster]
Where didst thou buy this buff? let me not live but I will give thee a good suit of durance. --J. Webster. (b) In modern manufacture, a worsted of one color used for window blinds and similar purposes. [1913 Webster]