Legal Definitions - vavasory

Vavasory refers to the specific parcel of land, or the collective estate, that was held by a vavasor within the historical feudal system. A vavasor was a feudal tenant who held land from a lord, such as a baron, and in turn might have had sub-tenants himself, but was not a direct tenant of the king. The vavasory represented the land that formed the basis of their feudal obligations, such as military service or financial payments, and their social standing.

• Imagine a powerful baron in medieval England who granted a significant tract of land to Sir Reginald, a loyal knight, in exchange for Sir Reginald's military service and allegiance. This particular tract of land, which Sir Reginald held as a tenant of the baron, would be known as Sir Reginald's vavasory. It was the physical estate from which he derived his income and fulfilled his feudal duties.

• During a period of succession, when a vavasor passed away, his eldest son would typically inherit the family's land. This inherited estate, complete with its associated rights and obligations to the overlord, continued to be referred to as the vavasory. The son, upon inheriting, became the new vavasor responsible for managing that specific landholding.

• Consider a historical land registry or charter from the 12th century detailing the various landholdings within a county. Such a document might list "the vavasory of Lord Alaric" alongside "the demesne lands of the Earl of Wessex." This entry would specifically identify the lands held by Lord Alaric as a vavasor, distinguishing them from lands held directly by a higher noble or the crown.