Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Chivage, also spelled chevage or chiefage, was a payment made by a villein to their lord in medieval times. Villeins were people who were tied to the land they worked on and were not free to leave without their lord's permission. They had to pay chivage to their lord for permission to marry or work outside of their lord's land. It was a way for lords to acknowledge their power over their villeins.
Definition: Chivage is a historical term that refers to an annual tribute payment made by a villein to a lord. It was commonly paid by villeins for permission to marry or work outside a lord's domain.
Example: In medieval times, a villein would have to pay chivage to their lord in order to get permission to marry someone from another village. This payment was a way for the lord to maintain control over their villeins and ensure they did not leave their domain.
Explanation: The example illustrates how chivage was used as a means of control by lords over their villeins. By requiring a payment for permission to marry or work outside their domain, lords could ensure that their villeins remained under their control and did not leave to seek better opportunities elsewhere.