KNIGHTS FEE Meaning and
Definition
-
A Knight's fee refers to a specific landholding arrangement prevalent in medieval England. In the feudal system, the King granted land to nobles and military officers, known as knights, in exchange for their services and loyalty. A Knight's fee denoted the amount of land that a knight was awarded by the monarch. The size of a knight's fee varied depending on the importance and rank of the knight, but typically it encompassed land substantial enough to support the knight and their retinue.
A Knight's fee was not only a grant of land, but also carried various obligations, primarily military in nature, known as knight service. The knight was required to provide military support to the King, typically in the form of a fixed number of knights, arms, and horses, for a specified period each year. These services were crucial for maintaining the King's armies and ensuring the defense of the realm.
Furthermore, a Knight's fee entitled the knight to certain privileges, such as attending the King's court, participating in tournaments, and administering justice within the boundaries of their land. However, these privileges also came with responsibilities, including a duty to maintain law and order within their estate, collect taxes, and occasionally resolve local disputes.
The concept of the Knight's fee was an integral part of the feudal system, shaping the social and economic structure of medieval England. It defined the relationship between the King and the knight, emphasizing the importance of military service and hierarchy within the feudal society.
Common Misspellings for KNIGHTS FEE
- jnights fee
- mnights fee
- lnights fee
- onights fee
- inights fee
- kbights fee
- kmights fee
- kjights fee
- khights fee
- knughts fee
- knjghts fee
- knkghts fee
- knoghts fee
- kn9ghts fee
- kn8ghts fee
- knifhts fee
- knivhts fee
- knibhts fee
- knihhts fee
- kniyhts fee
Etymology of KNIGHTS FEE
The term "knights fee" originated in medieval England and has its etymology rooted in Old English and Old French.
The word "knight" comes from the Old English word "cniht", which referred to a servant or a follower. Over time, "cniht" evolved to signify a warrior or a nobleman who fought on horseback.
On the other hand, the word "fee" comes from the Old French word "fieu" or "feu", which means "property" or "possession". This term was used to indicate the land or estate granted for service, usually by the king or a lord, to a knight.
When these two terms were combined, "knights fee" referred to the landholding given to a knight in exchange for their military service and loyalty.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
