Legal Definitions - cerage

Cerage refers to a historical payment, typically made to a church or religious institution, specifically for the provision of wax candles. These candles were essential for religious services, ceremonies, and for lighting altars and shrines. It was a customary due or obligation, often paid in wax itself or in money to purchase wax, particularly common during medieval periods.

• Example 1: Imagine a wealthy medieval baron who held his lands from the King. As part of his feudal obligations, he might have been required to deliver 50 pounds of beeswax annually to the nearby cathedral. This beeswax would then be used by the cathedral to make candles for its daily services and special feast days.

  Explanation: This payment of beeswax by the baron directly to the cathedral for candle production constitutes a cerage, as it fulfills the obligation to provide wax for religious lighting.

• Example 2: Consider a small farming village in the 14th century. Each household might have been expected to contribute a small sum of money, perhaps a few pennies, to the parish priest once a year. This collected money was then used by the priest to buy wax for the candles needed for Sunday mass, baptisms, and funerals.

  Explanation: The collective monetary contribution from the villagers, specifically earmarked for the purchase of wax candles for their church's services, is an example of cerage.

• Example 3: A monastic order in the 12th century might have owned several tenant farms. The lease agreements for these farms could have stipulated that, in addition to paying rent in crops or coin, the tenants were also obligated to supply a certain number of finished wax candles to the monastery each year for use in the monastic chapel.

  Explanation: The tenants' obligation to provide finished wax candles directly to the monastery for its religious observances represents a cerage, as it ensures the supply of wax-based lighting for sacred purposes.