Legal Definitions - gavelmed

Definition: Gavelmed (gav-uhl-meed) is a historical term that refers to a tenant's customary service of mowing the lord's meadowland or grass for hay. It was a form of payment for the use of the land.

Example: In medieval England, a tenant might be required to perform gavelmed as part of their obligations to the lord of the manor. This involved using a scythe to cut the grass in the meadowland and then using it to make hay for the lord's animals.

Explanation: The example illustrates how gavelmed was a form of payment for the use of the land. The tenant was required to perform a specific service, in this case, mowing the meadowland and making hay, in exchange for the right to use the land. This was a common practice in medieval times when land ownership was tied to feudal obligations.