Legal Definitions - capitalis dominus

CAPITALIS DOMINUS

Capitalis dominus is a Latin term that means "chief lord." In history, it referred to a tenant's immediate lord, or the person who owned the land that the tenant lived on.

For example, if a farmer rented land from a lord, the lord would be the capitalis dominus. The farmer would have to pay rent and taxes to the capitalis dominus, and would be subject to their laws and regulations.

Another example would be a knight who held land from a king. The king would be the capitalis dominus, and the knight would owe them loyalty and military service.

The examples illustrate the definition of capitalis dominus by showing how it was used in feudal society. The capitalis dominus was the person who held the ultimate power over the land and the people who lived on it. They had the right to collect rent and taxes, and to make laws and decisions that affected their tenants. The relationship between the capitalis dominus and their tenants was a key feature of feudalism, and helped to shape the social and political structures of medieval Europe.