Legal Definitions - gavelman

Definition: A gavelman is a historical term used to describe a tenant who was responsible for paying money rent in addition to providing customary services to their lord. In the past, a gavelman was a villein who had been released from villenage in exchange for paying money rent.

Example: In medieval England, a gavelman might have been a farmer who was required to pay a certain amount of money to their lord each year, as well as provide labor on the lord's land.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a gavelman was a type of tenant who had to pay both money and labor to their lord. The gavelman was not a free tenant, but was instead bound to their lord by their obligation to provide both rent and services.