Legal Definitions - feuholding

Feuholding refers to a historical form of land tenure where a tenant held land in exchange for regular payments, typically in money or agricultural produce, rather than providing military service to the landowner. This arrangement allowed tenants to secure land for cultivation or other uses without the obligation of military duty, which was a common requirement in many other feudal systems.

• Imagine a medieval Scottish farmer, John, who wished to cultivate a plot of land owned by a local laird. Instead of being required to join the laird's army or provide knights, John entered into a feuholding agreement. Under this agreement, John would annually deliver a portion of his harvest, perhaps several sacks of oats and a certain number of sheep, to the laird as payment for the right to use the land.

  This illustrates feuholding because John's tenancy is secured by payments in produce (oats, sheep) rather than military service.

• Consider a small village in historical Scotland where a merchant, Elspeth, wanted to establish a permanent shop and home on a piece of land belonging to a powerful baron. Rather than being obligated to provide soldiers or military support, Elspeth agreed to a feuholding arrangement. She paid the baron a fixed sum of silver coins each year, ensuring her family's right to occupy and use the land for their business.

  This example demonstrates feuholding through the payment of money (silver coins) in lieu of military obligations, allowing Elspeth to secure her land tenure.