ESCUAGE Meaning and
Definition
-
Escuage, also known as scutage, is a term primarily used in medieval England, referring to a form of payment made by the military tenants to the king or the lord in lieu of military service. The term "escuage" is derived from the Latin word "escutum," meaning shield, and it symbolizes the shield, arms, or equipment provided by the tenant.
In feudal societies, the king or the lord granted land to knights or military tenants known as vassals. In return for this grant, the vassals were required to honor their military obligations and provide armed service for a specific period of time per year or for specific military campaigns. However, due to various reasons such as age, illness, or other personal circumstances, the vassals might be unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties. In such cases, escuage allowed them to pay a sum of money instead of fulfilling their military obligations.
The amount of escuage owed by the vassal was determined by several factors, including the size and location of the granted land, as well as the specific terms of the feudal agreement. Usually, the payment was calculated based on a fixed amount per knight's fee, which was a unit of land measurement. This allowed the vassal to free himself from military service and avoid possible dangers and expenses associated with it.
Escuage played a significant role in the evolution of military obligations and feudal relationships. It provided vassals with more flexibility and offered an alternative means for fulfilling their duties. However, it also had consequences for the military strength and forces available to the king or lord, as it relied on financial compensation rather than direct military service.
-
Literally, service of the shield; a commutation for the personal service, of military tenants in war.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ESCUAGE
- wscuage
- sscuage
- dscuage
- rscuage
- eacuage
- ezcuage
- excuage
- edcuage
- eecuage
- ewcuage
- esxuage
- esvuage
- esfuage
- esduage
- escyage
- eschage
- escjage
- mscuage
Etymology of ESCUAGE
The word "escuage" is derived from the Middle English term "esquage", which can be traced back to the Old French word "escuage". In Old French, "escuage" was formed by combining "escu" meaning "shield" and "age" indicating the condition or office of.
The term originally referred to a medieval feudal service where vassals would provide military service or knights to their lords in exchange for land. The name "escuage" was given because the knight's primary weapon was a shield (escu), and this service was intimately connected to the use of shields in warfare. Over time, "escuage" specifically came to denote the monetary payment made in lieu of military service, primarily in the form of knight-service.
Similar spelling words for ESCUAGE
- askewgee,
- ISCCJ,
- Isagoge,
- OSCRj,
- WESKOJ,
- ICICJ.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
