escuage (Meaning)
escuage (n.)
Service of the shield, a species of knight service by which a tenant was bound to follow his lord to war, at his own charge. It was afterward exchanged for a pecuniary satisfaction. Called also scutage.
Synonyms & Antonyms of escuage
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
escuage Sentence Examples
- During the feudal system, escuage was a type of payment made by vassals to their feudal lords in lieu of the military service traditionally required.
- In the kingdom of England, escuage was often levied by the king as a source of revenue, allowing him to raise armies without calling upon his vassals to provide troops.
- The amount of escuage owed by a vassal was typically determined by the size of their fief, with larger holdings requiring a larger payment.
- The rate of escuage was set by the king and could vary depending on the circumstances, making it an unpredictable and often burdensome tax.
- In some cases, vassals who could not afford to pay escuage were allowed to serve in the military in lieu of making a payment.
- The practice of escuage began to decline in the 13th century as the feudal system gradually weakened and armies became more professionalized.
- By the 14th century, escuage had largely been replaced by other forms of taxation, such as direct taxes on land and personal property.
- However, the term "escuage" continued to be used in some contexts until the 17th century, particularly in relation to feudal land tenure.
- Some historians believe that the decline of escuage was a contributing factor to the growth of centralized royal authority, as kings sought new sources of revenue to fund their ambitions.
- Escuage is a fascinating aspect of medieval history, reflecting the complex relationship between lords, vassals, and the king in a time of military and political upheaval.
FAQs About the word escuage
Service of the shield, a species of knight service by which a tenant was bound to follow his lord to war, at his own charge. It was afterward exchanged for a pe
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
During the feudal system, escuage was a type of payment made by vassals to their feudal lords in lieu of the military service traditionally required.
In the kingdom of England, escuage was often levied by the king as a source of revenue, allowing him to raise armies without calling upon his vassals to provide troops.
The amount of escuage owed by a vassal was typically determined by the size of their fief, with larger holdings requiring a larger payment.
The rate of escuage was set by the king and could vary depending on the circumstances, making it an unpredictable and often burdensome tax.
