Legal Definitions - chiefage

Chiefage is a historical term that refers to an annual tribute payment made by a villein to their lord. It was commonly paid for permission to marry or work outside of the lord's domain.

For example, if a villein wanted to marry someone from another village, they would have to pay chiefage to their lord as a form of permission. Similarly, if a villein wanted to work for someone else, they would have to pay chiefage to their lord for the right to do so.

Another example of chiefage can be seen in John Cowell's book, The Interpreter, where he describes it as a sum of money paid by villeins to their lords in acknowledgment of their slavery. It could also refer to a sum of money given by one person to another for their avowal, maintenance, and protection, as to their head or leader.

These examples illustrate how chiefage was a form of payment that villeins had to make to their lords in order to gain certain rights or privileges. It was a way for lords to maintain control over their villeins and ensure that they remained within their domain. The payment of chiefage was a common practice in medieval Europe and was an important part of the feudal system.