Legal Definitions - wainage

Wainage is a historical legal term primarily used in medieval English law, referring to aspects of agricultural production.

• First, it denoted the essential farming implements and animals necessary for cultivating the soil. This included items such as plows, harrows, and the oxen or horses used to pull them, which were vital for a farmer's livelihood.
• Second, it could refer to the cultivated land itself, or the crops and profits derived from that land.

Example 1: In a 14th-century dispute between a lord and his tenant, the tenant argued that the lord had unlawfully seized his "wainage," specifically referring to his only plow and his two working oxen. The tenant's claim highlighted that without these essential tools and animals, he could not fulfill his farming obligations or sustain his family.

Explanation 1: This example illustrates the first meaning of wainage, where it represents the crucial agricultural equipment and draught animals that a farmer possessed and relied upon for cultivation.

Example 2: A medieval land grant might specify that a certain monastery was entitled to the "wainage of fifty acres" within a particular manor. This meant the monastery had the right to cultivate those fifty acres of land and benefit directly from their agricultural output.

Explanation 2: Here, "wainage" refers to the cultivated land itself, emphasizing the right to farm a specific parcel of land and utilize its productive capacity.

Example 3: During an assessment of a feudal estate's annual income, a steward might report on the "wainage" generated by the demesne lands. This would encompass the value of the harvested grain, wool, and other agricultural products sold from those lands, representing the financial returns from cultivation.

Explanation 3: In this context, "wainage" signifies the profits and produce derived from the farmed land, highlighting the economic yield of agricultural activity.