Legal Definitions - feodary

Definition: A feodary was an officer of the Court of Wards who worked with the escheator to collect royal rents and assess the value of land tenures for the Crown. They traveled from county to county to carry out their duties.

Example: During the reign of King Henry VIII, feodaries were responsible for assessing the value of land and property owned by nobles and other wealthy individuals. They would then report this information back to the Court of Wards, which would use it to determine how much rent and taxes should be paid to the Crown.

Explanation: This example illustrates how feodaries were important officials in the Court of Wards, responsible for assessing the value of land and property throughout the kingdom. By doing so, they helped the Crown to collect the revenue it needed to fund its activities and maintain its power.