Legal Definitions - tenure in chivalry

Tenure in chivalry is a type of feudal tenure that relates to military service. It was a way of holding land in subordination to a superior, such as a lord or king. The tenant was obligated to provide military service to their superior in exchange for the right to use the land.

Examples of tenure in chivalry include knight-service, grand serjeanty, and cornage. These were all forms of military service that were required of the tenant in exchange for their land. For example, a knight-service tenant was required to provide a certain number of knights to fight for their lord in times of war.

Tenure in chivalry was abolished in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is no longer a legal concept in modern times. However, the term is still used in historical and legal contexts to refer to this type of feudal tenure.