Legal Definitions - servitium

Definition: Servitium is a historical term that refers to the duty of service. It specifically refers to the obligation of a tenant to perform and obey their lord.

Examples: In medieval times, a tenant who held land from a lord was required to provide servitium. This could include military service, working on the lord's land, or providing other forms of labor. For example, a tenant might be required to help build a castle or repair a bridge. These obligations were part of the feudal system, which was a way of organizing society in medieval Europe.

The concept of servitium is important because it illustrates the relationship between lords and tenants in medieval times. Tenants were not free to do as they pleased, but were bound by their obligations to their lord. This system helped to maintain order and stability, but it also limited the freedom of individuals.