Legal Definitions - virga terrae

Definition: Virga terrae (pronounced vur-guh ter-ee) is a Latin term that means "branch of land." In history, it was used as a variable measure of land that ranged from 20 to 40 acres. It is also known as virgata terrae. Yardland is another term used to describe a variable quantity of land, often 20 acres.

Examples: A farmer owned a virga terrae of 30 acres, while his neighbor owned a yardland of 20 acres. These measurements were used in medieval England to determine the amount of land a person owned and the taxes they had to pay.

Explanation: The examples illustrate how virga terrae and yardland were used as measurements of land in medieval England. These measurements were important for determining a person's wealth and status in society. The amount of land a person owned also determined the amount of taxes they had to pay.