Legal Definitions - de eve et de treve

De eve et de treve is a historical legal phrase originating from Law French. It literally translates to "from grandfather and great-grandfather's great-grandfather." This term was used in medieval feudal law to describe rights or claims that were not recently acquired but had been passed down through an extremely long line of ancestors, establishing their legitimacy through deep-rooted tradition and continuous inheritance over many generations.

Essentially, it referred to ancestral rights, often those held by lords over their serfs (known as villeins) or their lands, emphasizing that these rights were ancient and had existed for so long that their origin was often beyond living memory.

• Example 1: Inherited Labor Obligations

  Imagine a medieval manor where the family of Lord Ashworth had, for centuries, held the right to demand a certain number of days of labor each year from the families living in the village of Oakhaven. The villagers' ancestors had provided this labor to the Ashworth family's ancestors for generations, making it an unquestioned tradition. Lord Ashworth's right to this labor would be considered de eve et de treve, meaning it was an ancient, inherited right passed down through his lineage, not a new imposition.

• Example 2: Ancestral Fishing Rights

  The Lord of Riverbend claimed exclusive rights to fish in a particular stretch of the local river, and to collect a portion of any fish caught by the villagers. This was not based on a recent grant from the king, but on the understanding that his family had held these rights since time immemorial, passed down from his great-great-grandfathers to his own father. These fishing rights were therefore considered de eve et de treve, signifying their ancient, inherited nature.

• Example 3: Long-Standing Toll Collection

  At a critical bridge crossing, the Baron of Stonegate collected a toll from anyone wishing to pass. This right to levy a toll was not a new privilege but had been exercised by the Baron's family for so many generations that its origins were lost to history, dating back to the time of his earliest known ancestors. The Baron's right to collect this toll was thus established de eve et de treve, underscoring its deep ancestral foundation.