Bribe

A bribe is a sum of money or valuables offered to a person in authority to expedite services or procure a favourable outcome. The practice of bribery or graft is generally considered immoral and corrupt. Nevertheless, it was common in period, such as the practice of granting indulgences by the Catholic Church.

Gifts from one noble to another, even up the chain of fealty, was not considered bribery because gift-giving was an essential part of the structure of medieval fealty. A certain amount of courtesy and subtlety was required when giving gifts, lest a noble suffer the stigma of dabbling in trade.

Bribery In the SCA

Bribery is considered very bad form, but it is rumoured to happen. Heralds in particular are susceptible to such rumours, but there generally is no proof to them.