heriot

American  

[her-ee-uht] / ˈhɛr i ət /

noun

English Law.

1. a feudal service or tribute, originally of borrowed military equipment and later of a chattel, due to the lord on the death of a tenant.

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heriot British  

/ ˈhɛrɪət /

noun

1. (in medieval England) a death duty paid by villeins and free tenants to their lord, often consisting of the dead man's best beast or chattel

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Etymology

Origin of heriot

before 900; Middle English heriot, heriet, Old English heregeate, heregeatu, heregeatwa war gear, equivalent to here army + geate, etc., equipment; cognate with Old Norse gǫtvar (plural)

Example Sentences

I speak of it here because the documents mention it almost always with the heriot.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

The required relief was there assessed, and the heriot from the property of the deceased recorded.

From An Introduction to the Industrial and Social History of England by Cheyney, Edward Potts

John Pollard holds a half acre in Aldithewisse and owes 18d. at the four terms, and owes for it relief and heriot.

From Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed. by Reilly, S. A.

On many manors heriot was not paid by free tenants, but only by those of lower rank.

From An Introduction to the Industrial and Social History of England by Cheyney, Edward Potts

"Nay," returned the leering half-wit, "I was but a-thinking, that if he does, may be his master too will want a heriot."

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 by Roby, John