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

Article XI deals with the right of heriot, or the death-tax imposed upon the widow or heir of a tenant.

From Luther Examined and Reexamined A Review of Catholic Criticism and a Plea for Revaluation by Dau, W. H. T. (William Herman Theodore)

The heriot of a virgate was generally an ox, or money payment of its value.

From The Enclosures in England An Economic Reconstruction by Bradley, Harriett

As to the amount of the relief the same fluctuations may be traced as in the case of the heriot.

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

Although the heriot and relief get mixed up now and then, their fundamental difference is realised by the great majority of our documents and well grounded on principle.

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

The true heriot is akin in name and in character to the Saxon 'here-geat'—to the surrender of the military outfit supplied by the chief to his follower.

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