FEUDAL TENURE Meaning and
Definition
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Feudal tenure refers to a system of land tenure prevalent in medieval Europe, characterized by a hierarchical social structure and the granting of land in exchange for various services and obligations. In this system, which emerged around the 9th and 10th centuries, land was considered to be owned by the monarch or a noble lord who held ultimate authority over it. The land was then divided among vassals or tenants, who were granted use of the land in return for their loyalty, military service, and other obligations to the lord.
Under feudal tenure, the relationship between the lord (or "liege") and the vassal was formalized through a ceremony known as "homage," during which the vassal would pledge his allegiance to the lord and receive a grant of land or a "fief." The vassal would then owe certain duties and payments, such as providing military support and rendering fealty or loyalty to the lord.
The system of feudal tenure was intricate and hierarchical, as vassals could also hold their own fiefs and have their own vassals, creating a pyramid-like structure. The lord was expected to protect the vassal and provide justice, and in return, the vassal owed the lord various services and tribute, including military support during times of conflict.
Feudal tenure played a significant role in shaping medieval society, as land ownership and control were closely tied to societal status and wealth. The system began to decline from the 12th century onwards with the growth of centralized monarchies and the emergence of alternative systems of land ownership, such as freehold tenure.
Common Misspellings for FEUDAL TENURE
- deudal tenure
- ceudal tenure
- veudal tenure
- geudal tenure
- teudal tenure
- reudal tenure
- fwudal tenure
- fsudal tenure
- fdudal tenure
- frudal tenure
- f4udal tenure
- f3udal tenure
- feydal tenure
- fehdal tenure
- fejdal tenure
- feidal tenure
- fe8dal tenure
- fe7dal tenure
- feusal tenure
- feuxal tenure
Etymology of FEUDAL TENURE
The word "feudal" comes from the Latin word "feudum", meaning "fief" or "land held under the feudal system". "Tenure", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "tenere", meaning "to hold". When combined, "feudal tenure" refers to the system of landholding and obligations in medieval Europe, where land was granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for services and loyalty.
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