Fief: Difference between revisions

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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.
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.


Anything of value could be given "in fief", such as offices or the rights to exploit a particular resource, for example: hunting rights in a certain stream or the right to charge tolls on a given bridge.
Anything of value could be given "in fief", such as offices or the rights to exploit a particular resource, for example: 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 often be obliged to pay a [[fief-rent]] to his overlord.
Along with the privilege of (and material benefits to) holding a fief, the fief-holder would often be obliged to pay a [[fief-rent]] to his overlord.

Revision as of 11:27, 18 July 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.

Anything of value could be given "in fief", such as offices or the rights to exploit a particular resource, for example: 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 often be obliged to pay a fief-rent to his overlord.