Feudal baron facts for kids

A feudal baron was a powerful person in the past. They held a special piece of land called a barony. This land was given to them by a king or a greater lord. In return, the baron promised loyalty and service, like providing soldiers.

After feudalism ended in most of Europe, these land-based baronies changed. They became more like a noble rank, not tied to specific land. However, in Scotland, the title of baron still exists. It can even be bought and sold, separate from the land it once belonged to.

Feudal Barons in England

In England, feudal barons were very important. They were the king's direct tenants, meaning they held their land straight from the king. They had special legal power over their land, which included several smaller areas called manors.

These barons were considered noblemen. They had a duty to attend the king's court when summoned. This court was the very first form of Parliament and the House of Lords. Over time, these barons became a big part of the English peerage, which is a group of nobles.

The system of English feudal baronies changed a lot with the Tenures Abolition Act 1660. This law ended most feudal land holding. However, the titles and dignities (like being a baron) remained. Before this, the king had already started choosing who attended Parliament. He invited powerful feudal barons, but also others who were good advisors, even if they held less land. These were called "barons by writ."

Today, the old English feudal barony doesn't exist as a legal land ownership. It's more like an old title or honor. It was the highest way to hold land under feudalism, meaning the landholder had to be "one of the king's barons." This was different from lesser baronies, which were held from a prince, not directly from the king.

The exact duties of feudal barons are not fully clear now. But a main duty was providing soldiers for the king's army. Another important duty, which cost a lot of money and travel, was attending the king's court. This court was the start of Parliament.

The main benefit for a baron was the money they made from rents and goods produced on their land. They also gained personal power and respect. Their tenants, especially the lords of smaller manors, became knights in the baron's service. If a barony had a big castle as its main base and was very large (more than about 20 knight's fees, which were like manors), it was called an "honour". Most of the land in a barony was given to the baron's own knights or followers. Some land was kept by the baron for their own use.

After the 1660 Act, most English Feudal Barons became "baronies of writ" or part of the peerage. Some became "baronies of free socage," which was just a title.

A few English families today would still be feudal barons if the 1660 Act hadn't happened. One example is the Berkeley family. They still live at Berkeley Castle in 2014. This castle was the main base of the feudal barony of Berkeley. King Henry II (1154-1189) gave this land to their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding (died 1171). His son later took the name de Berkeley.

Feudal Barons in France

In France, before the feudal system ended in 1789, a French baron was any noble who owned a barony. So, having the title and owning the land were closely linked. However, some nobles who didn't own a barony might still call themselves baron.

Later, under Napoleon and during the time of the Bourbon kings, French baronies returned. But these new baronies were just titles of nobility. They were not tied to owning land anymore.

Feudal Barons in Ireland

Feudal Barons in Scotland

Scottish feudal baronies are different from English ones. The title of a Scottish feudal barony still exists today. This was kept by the "Abolition of Feudal Tenure, etc (Scotland) Act 2000." A feudal barony is the only title that can be legally bought and sold. It can also be passed on to someone who is not in the original family bloodline. The rules for Scottish baronies and their heraldry (coats of arms) are managed by the court of the Lord Lyon.

See also

• Baron
• Barony (county division)