Legal Definitions - chivalry

Definition: Chivalry refers to a type of land tenure where a person holds land in exchange for military service of the highest order. It is a tenure held by knight-service.

For better understanding, it is important to know that all land is held either directly or indirectly from the crown by some form of service. Free-holds that are held by us and our heirs are called fees, which are granted by the king for a small yearly rent and the performance of services that were originally imposed upon the land at the time of granting.

These services are divided into two types: chivalry and soccage. Chivalry is martial and military, while soccage is rustic and agricultural.

Example: A knight is granted a piece of land by the king in exchange for his military service. The knight is expected to provide the highest level of military service, including fighting in battles and protecting the king and his kingdom. In return, the knight is allowed to keep the land and pass it on to his heirs.

Explanation: This example illustrates chivalry as a type of land tenure where a knight holds land in exchange for his military service. The knight is expected to provide the highest level of military service, which is the hallmark of chivalry. In return, the knight is allowed to keep the land and pass it on to his heirs, which is the essence of the feudal system.