Legal Definitions - ingressus

Ingressus is a historical legal term referring to a specific type of payment made within the feudal system.

It was a fee an heir had to pay to their feudal lord to formally take possession of an inherited estate after the previous owner had died. This payment essentially granted the heir the right to "enter" into and succeed to the inherited property, acknowledging the lord's ultimate authority over the land.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A Knight's Succession

  Sir Alaric, a knight who held a valuable manor from the Duke of Normandy, passes away. His eldest son, Thomas, is the rightful heir to the manor. Before Thomas can officially assume control of the estate, collect rents from the peasants, and exercise the rights and responsibilities of a knight, he must pay an ingressus to the Duke. This payment formalizes his succession and acknowledges the Duke's ultimate lordship over the land, granting Thomas the legal right to "enter" and possess his inherited estate.

• Example 2: A Baroness's Inheritance

  Lady Beatrice, a powerful baroness who held several villages and lands directly from the King, dies without a male heir. Her only daughter, Lady Catherine, is designated as her successor. To secure her inheritance and formally assume her mother's lands and titles, Lady Catherine (or her husband, if she was married) would be required to pay an ingressus to the King. This fee confirms the King's authority as the ultimate overlord and grants Catherine the legal right to succeed to the estate and its associated privileges.

• Example 3: A Farmer's Tenancy

  A farmer named John, who held a small plot of land from Lord Blackwood, dies unexpectedly, leaving no direct children. His nephew, Robert, is recognized as the closest living relative and heir according to the local feudal customs. For Robert to legally claim and work the inherited farm, he would need to present himself to Lord Blackwood and pay the customary ingressus. This payment would formalize his succession, allowing him to "enter" into the tenancy and enjoy the rights and responsibilities associated with the land, while also recognizing Lord Blackwood's ownership.