Legal Definitions - arrière-ban

Arrière-ban

Historically, the term arrière-ban refers to two related concepts within a feudal system:

• 1. A king's official proclamation or command summoning his vassals (feudal lords) to provide military service, typically in times of war or crisis.
• 2. The collective group of vassals and their retinues who responded to such a summons and assembled for military duty.

Here are some examples to illustrate the meaning of arrière-ban:

• Example 1 (Focus on the Proclamation):

  During the 12th century, if the Kingdom of Aquitaine faced an invasion from a rival power, its King would dispatch royal heralds across his territories. These heralds would carry sealed decrees to all the dukes, counts, and barons who held land directly from the crown. The decrees would command these lords to gather their knights, archers, and foot soldiers and report to a specific muster point by a certain date to defend the realm. This formal, royal summons for military service, issued to the feudal lords, would be considered an arrière-ban.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates the first meaning of arrière-ban, which is the official royal proclamation calling vassals to military duty. The King's decree is the direct command for his feudal subjects to mobilize their forces.

• Example 2 (Focus on the Assembled Group):

  After receiving the King's urgent summons, Duke Frederick arrived at the designated assembly field with his banner flying, leading his personal guard and the knights sworn to him. Shortly thereafter, Baroness Isabella appeared with her contingent of soldiers, followed by Count Roland and his men-at-arms. The entire body of these assembled feudal lords and their respective military forces, all gathered in response to the royal decree to form an army, collectively constituted the arrière-ban.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the second meaning of arrière-ban, referring to the actual group of vassals and their troops who have answered the king's call and are now assembled for military action. They represent the mobilized feudal army.