grand serjeanty

noun

Medieval English Law.

1. serjeanty in which the tenant rendered services of a personal, honorary nature to the king, as carrying his sword or banner.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand serjeanty¹

Middle English graunte sergaunte < Anglo-French

Example Sentences

The tenure of petit serjeanty bears a great resemblance to the tenure of grand serjeanty; for as the one is a personal service, so the other is a rent or render, both tending to some purpose relative to the king’s person.

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Another ancient tenure was that by Grand Serjeanty, whereby the tenant was bound, instead of serving the king generally in the wars, to do some special honorary service for the king in person; as to carry his banner, his sword, or the like; or to be his butler, champion, or other officer at his coronation.

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Tenure by cornage was a species of grand serjeanty, being a grant of land upon condition that the tenant was to wind a horn when the Scots or other enemies entered the land, in order to warn the king’s subjects.

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The most notable instance in England, however, is the grand serjeanty of finding for the king a glove for his right hand on coronation day, and supporting his right arm as long as he holds the sceptre.

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Grand serjeanty is of course included by parity under military service.

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