Legal Definitions - quem redditum reddit

Quem redditum reddit refers to a historical legal writ, which was a formal written order issued by a court. This writ was utilized by an individual who had been granted the right to receive rent payments from a tenant, specifically when these payments were not tied to any specific service (distinguishing it from what was known as 'rent service'). Its primary purpose was to legally compel the tenant to formally acknowledge and consent to the transfer of the rent obligation from their original landlord to the new grantee. Essentially, it served as a legal mechanism to ensure that a tenant recognized the new party as the rightful recipient of their rent payments.

• Example 1: Transfer of Rent Rights by a Landowner

  Imagine a medieval lord, Lord Beaumont, who owns a vast estate. He decides to grant his loyal steward, Mr. Finch, the right to collect the annual rent payments from a specific tenant farmer, Elara, who cultivates a parcel of Lord Beaumont's land. Elara, however, is accustomed to paying Lord Beaumont directly and is hesitant to acknowledge Mr. Finch as the new rent collector, perhaps out of loyalty to the lord or simply due to unfamiliarity with the new arrangement. Mr. Finch, as the grantee of the rent, could have sought a quem redditum reddit writ to legally compel Elara to recognize him as the rightful recipient of her rent payments.

• Example 2: Endowment of an Institution with Rent Income

  Consider a wealthy noblewoman in the 15th century, Lady Isabella, who wishes to provide a steady income for a newly established orphanage. She grants the orphanage the right to collect the annual rent from a particular village, which is inhabited by several tenant families. One of these families, the Carpenters, refuses to pay their rent to the orphanage, insisting their agreement was solely with Lady Isabella herself. The orphanage, as the grantee of the rent, could have used a quem redditum reddit writ to force the Carpenters to acknowledge the transfer of the rent obligation and pay their dues to the charitable institution.

• Example 3: Sale of Rent Payments Separate from Land

  In a historical context, it was possible for a landowner to sell the right to collect rent from a property to another individual, without selling the land itself. For instance, Lord Harrington sells the right to collect rent from his tenant, Master Thomas, to a merchant, Mr. Sterling, for a lump sum. Master Thomas, the tenant, might be suspicious of this new arrangement and refuse to pay Mr. Sterling, arguing he never agreed to pay anyone other than Lord Harrington. Mr. Sterling, as the grantee of the rent, would have needed a quem redditum reddit writ to legally enforce Master Thomas's recognition of him as the new rent collector and ensure the payments were directed to him.