Tenant-in-chief facts for kids
In the Middle Ages and early modern times in Europe, a tenant-in-chief was a very important person. They held their land directly from the king or a powerful prince. This was different from holding land from another nobleman.
Being a tenant-in-chief was a great honor. But it also came with big responsibilities. They had to provide knights and soldiers for the king's army.
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What Does "Tenant-in-Chief" Mean?
The old Latin term for tenant-in-chief was tenens in capite. This means "holding in chief" or "holding directly from the head."
Other Names for Tenants-in-Chief
Sometimes, tenants-in-chief were called "captal" or "baron". The word "baron" changed its meaning over time.
For example, in a document from 1166 called the Cartae Baronum, "baron" meant the "king's barons" or "king's men." These were people who held land directly from the king.
In the old Domesday Book from 1086, there were a few very powerful English tenants-in-chief. They were all important leaders connected directly to the Norman king.
Later, the way land was held in England changed. The old tenancies-in-chief became a special type of land holding called per baroniam. So, the word "baron" mostly came to mean these "feudal barons." This group was similar to tenants-in-chief, but not exactly the same.
How Land Was Held in England
In most countries, people could own land completely. This was called `allodial property`. But after the Norman Conquest in England, the king became the only person who truly owned all the land. He was the `lord paramount`.
This meant all land in England belonged to the Crown (the king). Everyone else just had a right to use the land, not to own it completely. This right was called an `estate in land`.
Giving Land to Others
A tenant-in-chief could give parts of their land to their own followers. This was called `subinfeudation`. It meant creating smaller land holdings (fiefs) under their own control.
However, the kings of the House of Normandy made all free men promise loyalty directly to the king. This was called `fealty`. They had to be loyal to the king, not just to the lord who gave them land. This rule helped stop tenants-in-chief from using their followers against the king.
In the important Domesday Book from 1086, tenants-in-chief were always listed first for each English county. If a tenant-in-chief held a very large amount of land, it was called an `honour`.
What Tenants-in-Chief Had to Do
As the main lord, the king could collect a tax called `scutage` from his barons. `Scutage` means "shield money." It was a payment instead of military service.
Paying `scutage` made the king more independent. He could use the money to pay for his own soldiers. When a tenant-in-chief had to pay `scutage`, they often passed the cost down to the people who held land from them. So, it became a general land tax. This tax was similar to the `Danegeld`, which was used to pay off Viking invaders long ago.
What Happened When a Tenant-in-Chief Died?
When an English tenant-in-chief died, a special investigation was held. It was called an `inquisition post mortem`. This happened in every county where they owned land.
Their land would temporarily go back to the king. This was called `escheat`. The heir (the person who would inherit) had to pay a sum of money called a `relief`. After paying, they could take possession of the lands. This was called `livery of seisin`.
Heirs Who Were Too Young
If the heir was underage (under 21 for a boy, under 14 for a girl), they would be under `feudal wardship`. This meant the king would take control of their lands. The king also had the right to arrange their marriage. This lasted until the heir became old enough.
Often, the king would sell the `wardship` and the right to arrange the marriage. This was usually sold to the highest bidder.
When an heir became old enough, they were no longer under `wardship`. But they still had to go through a process to get their inheritance. Eventually, a special order was given to transfer the land.
A court called The Court of Wards and Liveries was set up in 1540. It managed the money from `wardships`, marriages, and land transfers. Both the court and the system were ended in 1646. The whole system of `feudal tenure` (how land was held) was mostly abolished by the Tenures Abolition Act 1660.
See also
In Spanish: Tenencia feudal para niños
- Lord paramount, mesne lord, & overlord
- Imperial immediacy
- Fee simple
- English Feudal Baronies
- History of the English fiscal system
