Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: FOLDAGE
Definition: Foldage, also known as faldage, is a historical term that refers to a landowner's right to ask their tenants to graze their sheep in designated temporary folds. This was done so that the manure from the sheep would fertilize the field. The landowner could also charge a fee, called faldfee, to the tenant for this right.
Definition: Foldage refers to a landowner's right to require tenants to graze their sheep in designated temporary folds so that the manure will fertilize the field. It can also refer to the sum of money paid by a sheep-owning tenant to the landowner in lieu of keeping the animals in the landowner's temporary fold.
Example: In medieval times, landowners would often require their tenants to graze their sheep in designated temporary folds on the landowner's property. This was done so that the manure from the sheep would fertilize the field, making it more productive for future crops. The landowner could also charge a fee, known as faldfee, for this right.
Explanation: The example illustrates how foldage was used in medieval times to improve the productivity of farmland. By requiring tenants to graze their sheep in designated temporary folds, the landowner could ensure that the manure from the sheep would be spread evenly across the field, providing valuable nutrients for future crops. The payment of faldfee also provided an additional source of income for the landowner.