Understanding Serjeanty: A Medieval Land Tenure System

Serjeanty was a type of land tenure in medieval England, where a sergeant held land from a lord in exchange for military service. The term "serjeant" comes from the French word "sergent," meaning "servant" or "attendant."

In this system, the sergeant was granted land by the lord, known as a fief, and in return, the sergeant was required to provide military service to the lord when called upon. This could include fighting in battles, guarding castles, or participating in other military campaigns. The sergeant also had to pay an annual fee to the lord, known as a "relief," which was usually a portion of the crops grown on the land.

Serjeanty was a common form of land tenure in medieval England, particularly among the nobility and gentry. It was seen as a way for lords to maintain control over their lands and vassals, while also providing military protection and resources when needed. However, the system declined in the 14th and 15th centuries as feudalism gave way to more centralized forms of government and the importance of military service decreased.