Legal Definitions - extra feodum

Extra feodum is a Latin term that historically described an action or claim that fell outside the established feudal relationship or the rightful jurisdiction of a lord. In simpler terms, it refers to something that is beyond the scope of one's granted authority, territory, or legal right.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1 (Historical Context): Imagine a powerful medieval baron, Lord Reginald, who holds vast lands and has several knights sworn to his service. If Lord Reginald were to attempt to levy a special tax or demand military service from a village that was explicitly granted by the King to a *different* lord, Lord Arthur, then Lord Reginald's demand would be considered extra feodum.

  Explanation: Lord Reginald is acting "out of his fee" or "out of his seigniory" because the village and its inhabitants fall under Lord Arthur's feudal domain, not his own. Lord Reginald has no rightful authority over that specific village or its people.

• Example 2 (Modern Analogy - Corporate Structure): Consider a large international company with distinct regional divisions, each responsible for its own sales and operations within a specific geographical area. If the Head of Sales for the European division attempts to negotiate a major client contract for a company located in Asia, a territory explicitly assigned to the Asian division, their actions could be described as analogous to extra feodum.

  Explanation: The Head of Sales for Europe is operating "out of their fee" or "out of their seigniory" because they are asserting authority and making decisions in a region that is outside their defined responsibilities and established operational domain, encroaching on another division's legitimate territory.

• Example 3 (Modern Analogy - Municipal Jurisdiction): A small suburban town's zoning board passes a new regulation dictating the maximum height for fences on residential properties. If the zoning board then tries to enforce this regulation on a property that is located *outside* the official town limits, in an adjacent rural county area, their enforcement efforts would be considered extra feodum.

  Explanation: The town's zoning board is acting "out of its fee" or "out of its seigniory" because its legal authority and jurisdiction are strictly limited to properties within the town's official boundaries. They are attempting to exert control over an area where they have no legal right to do so.