Fief: Difference between revisions

From Cunnan
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (Add cat)
mNo edit summary
 
(4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''fief''' or '''fiefdom''' is the land controlled by a [[Lord]] in a [[feudal]] society.
A '''fief''' (also '''feoff''' or '''fee''') is the land controlled by a [[Lord]] in a [[feudal]] society by grant of [[suzerain|a greater lord]], often a [[King]]. A fief would be given with explicit instructions as to the obligations of both fief-giver and fief-holder.

Although land grants were most common in [[period]], anything of value could be given as an '''enfeoffment'''. Examples include holding a particular office or the rights to exploit a particular resource, such as hunting rights in a certain stream or the right to charge tolls on a given bridge, or merely revenues from a particular industry.

Along with the privilege of (and material benefits to) holding a fief, the fief-holder would be obliged to give [[leal service]] and pay [[fief-rent]] to his [[suzerain]].





Latest revision as of 02:05, 12 August 2008

A fief (also feoff or fee) is the land controlled by a Lord in a feudal society by grant of a greater lord, often a King. A fief would be given with explicit instructions as to the obligations of both fief-giver and fief-holder.

Although land grants were most common in period, anything of value could be given as an enfeoffment. Examples include holding a particular office or the rights to exploit a particular resource, such as hunting rights in a certain stream or the right to charge tolls on a given bridge, or merely revenues from a particular industry.

Along with the privilege of (and material benefits to) holding a fief, the fief-holder would be obliged to give leal service and pay fief-rent to his suzerain.