Legal Definitions - chevage

Chevage is a historical legal term referring to an annual payment made by a villein (a type of serf or unfree peasant) to their feudal lord. This payment served as an acknowledgment of the villein's subservient status and was often exacted in exchange for specific permissions or rights granted by the lord, which might otherwise be restricted.

• Example 1: Permission to Reside Off-Manor

  Imagine a villein named Thomas, who lives and works on Lord Blackwood's estate. Thomas's elderly sister, who lives in a neighboring village not under Lord Blackwood's direct control, falls ill and needs constant care. Thomas wishes to temporarily move to his sister's village for a year to look after her, with the understanding that he would return to Lord Blackwood's manor afterward.

  Explanation: Lord Blackwood might demand chevage from Thomas for the permission to temporarily reside off the manor. This payment would acknowledge Lord Blackwood's continuing authority over Thomas, even while Thomas is physically elsewhere, and compensate the lord for the temporary absence of Thomas's full labor on the estate.

• Example 2: Managing an Outside Inheritance

  A villein named Elara discovers that a distant, childless relative who lived on a different lord's land has passed away, leaving Elara a small, inherited plot of land. To claim and manage this inheritance, Elara would need her own lord's approval, as her personal and economic activities were typically subject to his control.

  Explanation: Elara's lord could demand chevage in exchange for granting her the right to claim and manage this inherited property. This annual payment would signify the lord's ultimate authority over Elara's possessions and her ability to engage in activities beyond her direct service on his manor.

• Example 3: Operating a Small Trade

  John, a villein on a medieval estate, possesses a unique skill in crafting leather goods. He wishes to set up a small stall in the village market, which is part of his lord's domain, to sell his wares to other villagers and travelers, supplementing his income from farming.

  Explanation: The lord might require John to pay chevage annually for the privilege of operating his leather craft business. This payment would acknowledge the lord's right to control economic activities on his land and ensure that any additional income generated by his villeins was recognized and, in part, compensated to him.