Legal Definitions - moliturae

In Scots law, moliturae refers to the historical payments or tolls that were due for the service of grinding grain at a specific mill. These payments, often a portion of the grain itself, were a common feature of feudal landholding arrangements, where tenants or inhabitants of a particular area were legally bound to use a designated mill belonging to their landlord or a local baron. The term is essentially synonymous with "multures."

• Feudal Obligation Example: Imagine a tenant farmer in 18th-century Scotland who leased land from a powerful laird. As part of their tenancy agreement, the farmer was legally obligated to bring all their harvested oats and barley to the laird's mill for grinding. The payment for this service, known as moliturae, would typically be a fixed percentage of the ground flour or meal, which the miller would retain on behalf of the laird.

  This illustrates moliturae as a compulsory payment tied to land tenure and the use of a specific, designated mill, forming part of the tenant's obligations to their landlord.

• Community Service and Revenue Example: Consider a small Scottish village centuries ago, where the only mill was owned and operated by the local monastery. All residents of the village, by custom and often by legal decree, were required to have their grain processed at this monastic mill. The portion of grain or flour that the monastery collected from each villager for grinding their wheat into flour for bread would be considered moliturae.

  This demonstrates how these tolls served as a form of revenue for the mill owner, derived from the community's essential need for grain processing, often enforced by local custom or law.

• Contractual Agreement Example: Suppose a wealthy landowner in historical Scotland decided to build a new mill on their estate to serve their tenants and generate income. When drawing up the legal agreements for the mill's operation, they would specify the moliturae – the exact proportion of grain or its monetary equivalent that would be charged to anyone using the mill for grinding.

  This shows moliturae as a defined charge, established through agreement or decree, for a specific service, outlining the economic terms of using the mill.