Legal Definitions - virga terrae

Virga terrae refers to a historical unit of land measurement, primarily used in medieval England. It represented a variable area, typically ranging from 20 to 40 acres. This measure was not fixed but could differ based on local customs, soil quality, or the specific region.

• Example 1: Granting Land to a Knight
  Imagine a medieval lord, Lord Blackwood, in the 12th century, rewarding a loyal knight, Sir Kael, for his service in battle. Lord Blackwood might grant Sir Kael a virga terrae near the village of Oakhaven. This grant would signify a substantial parcel of land, perhaps 30 acres, sufficient for Sir Kael to build a modest manor, cultivate crops, and support his household, with the exact acreage determined by the local customs of Oakhaven.

  Explanation: This example illustrates virga terrae as a specific, though variable, land grant. It shows how the term was used to denote a significant landholding, with the precise size falling within the historical range (20-40 acres) and influenced by local context.

• Example 2: Peasant Holdings in a Manor
  Consider a historical record from a 14th-century English manor, detailing the land held by various peasant families. One entry might state that the Miller family held a virga terrae of arable land. In this particular manor, due to the rich soil and efficient farming practices, a virga terrae was understood to be 25 acres, providing enough land for the family to grow their own food and fulfill their obligations to the lord.

  Explanation: Here, virga terrae describes a common landholding for a peasant family within a manorial system. It highlights the variability, as 25 acres falls within the defined range, and emphasizes that the specific size could be customary to a particular manor or region.

• Example 3: Historical Land Survey
  During a historical survey of monastic lands in the 13th century, a document might describe the Abbey of St. Benedict possessing several parcels of land, including a large virga terrae of woodland and pasture. For this specific abbey, a virga terrae was recorded as 40 acres, reflecting a larger measure often applied to less productive land or for communal use, ensuring the abbey had sufficient resources for its needs.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates virga terrae being used in a broader land inventory context. It shows the upper end of the variable range (40 acres) and suggests that the specific size could also be influenced by the type of land (woodland/pasture vs. arable) or the entity holding it (a large institution like an abbey).