Legal Definitions - chiefry

Definition: Chiefry (cheef-ree) is a historical term that refers to a small rent paid by a feudal landholder to the sovereign.

Example: In medieval England, a lord who held land from the king would pay a chiefry as a symbol of their loyalty and obligation to the crown.

Explanation: The example illustrates how chiefry was a way for feudal landholders to acknowledge their allegiance to the sovereign and maintain their rights to the land they held. The payment of chiefry was a common practice in feudal societies and helped to establish the hierarchy of power and authority.