Legal Definitions - feudary

A feudary (also commonly referred to as a feudatory) is a historical legal term that describes a person who, under a feudal system, held land (known as a fief or feud) from a superior lord. In exchange for the right to use and benefit from this land, the feudary owed specific duties, services, or loyalty to their lord. These obligations could include military service, financial payments, or agricultural labor. The relationship was hierarchical, with the lord granting the use of land and the feudary providing the agreed-upon return.

• Example 1: Imagine a knight in medieval England, Sir Gareth, who was granted a substantial estate, including a castle and several villages, by a powerful Earl. In return for this land, Sir Gareth pledged his unwavering loyalty and committed to providing a certain number of armed soldiers to the Earl's army whenever called upon for defense or conquest.

  Explanation: Sir Gareth is the feudary in this scenario because he holds land (the estate) from the Earl (his lord) and owes military service as his primary obligation.

• Example 2: Consider a farmer named Agnes living in 13th-century France. She and her family were permitted to cultivate a plot of land within a manor owned by a local Baron. In exchange for the right to live on and farm this land, Agnes was required to give a portion of her harvest to the Baron each year and spend several days a week working on the Baron's personal fields.

  Explanation: Agnes is acting as a feudary because she holds the right to use land from the Baron (her lord) and provides agricultural labor and a share of her crops as her service.

• Example 3: During the expansion of a historical empire, a regional governor was granted a vast territory by the Emperor. This governor was expected to administer justice, collect taxes, and maintain a local militia to ensure order and protect the empire's borders. While he controlled the territory, ultimate ownership and authority rested with the Emperor.

  Explanation: The regional governor functions as a feudary because he holds and manages a territory from the Emperor (his lord) and is obligated to provide governance, defense, and financial administration as his service.