gavelkind

American  

[gav-uhl-kahynd] / ˈgæv əlˌkaɪnd /

noun

English Law.

1. (originally) a tenure of land in which the tenant was liable for a rental in money or produce rather than for labor or military service.

2. a customary system of land tenure whose chief feature was equal division of land among the heirs of the holder.

3. the land so held.

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gavelkind British  

/ ˈɡævəlˌkaɪnd /

noun

1. a former system of land tenure peculiar to Kent based on the payment of rent to the lord instead of the performance of services by the tenant

2. the land subject to such tenure

3. English law (formerly) land held under this system

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Etymology

Origin of gavelkind

1175–1225; Middle English gavelkinde, gavlikind, Old English gafel gavel ² + ( ge ) cynd kind ²

Example Sentences

This rule did not apply to lands held in gavelkind in the county of Kent.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

Land tenure, tribal, 6; primogeniture, 11, 12; gavelkind, 11, 12; in the 18th century, 65, 66.

From Is Ulster Right? by Anonymous

The estates of persons dying intestate are distributed analogous to the custom of gavelkind in Kent.

From History of New Brunswick by Fisher, Peter

Wars and confiscations, but above all the custom of gavelkind, had reduced that body very low.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

On the death of a freeholder his land was divided amongst his sons equally, according to what is called "the custom of gavelkind."

From Is Ulster Right? by Anonymous