A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Maritagium habere (mar-uh-tay-jee-um huh-beer-ee) is a Latin term used in law to describe the right of arranging a woman's marriage. This right was granted by the Crown to favored subjects.

Example: In medieval times, feudal lords had the power to give their infant ward or a vassal's heiress, minor heir, or widow in marriage, or to extract a fine from a vassal upon the vassal's marriage. This was known as maritagium.

Explanation: The example illustrates how maritagium was a lord's right to arrange a marriage for his infant ward or a vassal's heiress, minor heir, or widow. It also shows how the lord could extract a fine from a vassal upon the vassal's marriage. This fine was known as the income derived from fines paid by vassals for the lord's permission to marry.

Additional Example: Marriage-gifts were commonly made either to establish a cadet branch of a family or to assist a daughter who was not an heiress to make a good match. In England, this was called the 'marriage-gift' or maritagium.

Explanation: This example shows how maritagium was also used to refer to a marriage gift or dowry given to the wife or husband and wife by the bride's parents or other relatives. It was commonly made to establish a cadet branch of a family or to assist a daughter who was not an heiress to make a good match.