Legal Definitions - francus tenens

Francus tenens, also known as a frank-tenant, refers to an individual who held land under a system of 'free tenure' in medieval feudal law. This meant that the services owed by the tenant to their lord were considered honorable, fixed, and not servile or agricultural labor. Unlike tenants who performed manual labor or uncertain services, a francus tenens typically provided military service, paid a fixed rent, offered homage, or performed other noble or symbolic duties in exchange for their land.

• Example 1: Military Service
  Imagine a knight in medieval England who was granted a manor by a powerful baron. In return for holding this land, the knight was obligated to provide 40 days of military service to the baron each year, bringing his own arms and horses. This knight would be a francus tenens.

  This illustrates the term because the knight's obligation is a specific, non-servile military duty, characteristic of free tenure. The service is fixed and considered honorable, not a form of manual labor.

• Example 2: Fixed Rent and Symbolic Service
  Consider a landowner in the 13th century who held a small plot of land directly from the Crown. Their only obligation was to pay a fixed annual rent of one silver shilling and present a red rose to the King on Midsummer's Day. This individual would be a francus tenens.

  Here, the fixed monetary payment and the symbolic presentation of a rose are clear, defined, and non-servile obligations. These duties distinguish this as a free tenure, where the tenant is not bound by uncertain or labor-intensive services.

• Example 3: Homage and Counsel
  A powerful lord granted a parcel of land to a trusted advisor. In exchange for the land, the advisor pledged loyalty (homage) to the lord and promised to provide counsel when requested, but was not required to perform any manual labor on the lord's demesne. This advisor would be considered a francus tenens.

  The services of homage and counsel are honorable, non-servile, and fixed in nature, aligning with the definition of holding land by free tenure. The tenant's obligations are intellectual and social, rather than physical labor.