MESNE LORD Meaning and
Definition
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A "mesne lord" refers to a historical term primarily used in the feudal system during the medieval period. Derived from the Latin word "medius," meaning middle, and the Old English word "hlāford," meaning lord, a mesne lord was an intermediate lord in the feudal hierarchy, positioned between the suzerain or overlord and his vassals or tenants.
In feudalism, the mesne lord had a dual role as both a vassal or tenant of a higher lord and as a lord to the vassals or tenants beneath them. They held land and received services or payments from their subordinates while also owing certain obligations and homage to their overlord. The mesne lords acted as a bridge between the higher nobility and the lower vassals, thereby playing a crucial role in maintaining the hierarchical structure of society.
The term "mesne lord" is often associated with the manorial system, where mesne lords controlled large tracts of land, known as manors, which were composed of several smaller properties, held by their tenants. They collected rents, overseen farming activities, dispensed justice, and exercised authority and control over their subordinates.
Over time, as feudalism declined and centralized governing systems emerged, the significance and role of mesne lords gradually faded away, eventually giving way to a more centralized and bureaucratic administration. Nonetheless, the term "mesne lord" continues to be used in historical contexts to describe the hierarchical relationships among lords in the medieval feudal system.
Common Misspellings for MESNE LORD
- nesne lord
- kesne lord
- jesne lord
- mwsne lord
- mssne lord
- mdsne lord
- mrsne lord
- m4sne lord
- m3sne lord
- meane lord
- mezne lord
- mexne lord
- medne lord
- meene lord
- mewne lord
- mesbe lord
- mesme lord
- mesje lord
- meshe lord
Etymology of MESNE LORD
The word "mesne" comes from the Old French "meien" or "meen", which means "middle" or "intermediate". It ultimately derives from the Latin "medius", meaning "middle". "Lord", on the other hand, comes from the Old English "hlaford", which means "ruler" or "master".
In feudal England, a "mesne lord" referred to a lord who held land from a higher-ranking lord and granted a part of that land to a tenant. The term "mesne" indicated the intermediate position of these lords between the higher-ranking lord and the lower tenant. However, it is worth noting that the usage of "mesne lord" is archaic and not commonly employed today.
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