Legal Definitions - burgage

Definition: Burgage is a type of land tenure where tenants pay annual rent to the lord of the borough. It is also known as burgage tenure.

Example 1: In medieval England, many towns were granted charters by the king, allowing them to govern themselves. The people who lived in these towns were often granted burgage tenements, which gave them the right to live and work in the town, as well as the obligation to pay rent to the lord of the borough.

Example 2: In Scotland, burgage tenure was the way in which a burgh held its land from the king. The service due was watching and warding, which meant that the burgh had to provide guards to protect the king's interests.

These examples illustrate how burgage was a form of land tenure that was common in medieval Europe. It allowed people to live and work in towns and cities, while also providing a source of income for the lord of the borough or the king.