merchet

/ ˈmɜːtʃɪt /

noun

1. (in feudal England) a fine paid by a tenant, esp a villein, to his lord for allowing the marriage of his daughter

Word History and Origins

Origin of merchet¹

C13: from Anglo-French, literally: _market

Example Sentences

Bracton remarks that the82 payment of merchet, i.e. of a fine for giving away one's daughter to be married, is not in keeping with personal freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to me that Glanville has in mind liberation de facto from certain duties and customs, such as agricultural work for instance, or the payment of merchet.

From Project Gutenberg

Origin and modifications of merchet.

From Project Gutenberg

Such is the merchet of our extents and Court rolls.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first place this merchet fine occurs in the extents sporadically as it were.

From Project Gutenberg