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)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heriot

Can you inform me of the etymology and meaning of the latter word? it appears almost synonymous with "heriot."

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 104, October 25, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

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 Paul Vinogradoff

When Dick understood what heriot meant he would not do it.

From Notwithstanding by Mary Cholmondeley

Through the manor court he also received certain payments due to him from all free and unfree tenants, in particular those connected with the transfer of land, the heriot and the fines already mentioned.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Eileen Power

Bishop Barrow, who ascended the episcopal throne at Carlisle in 1423, anathematized all men who took the heriot before “the Holy Kirke” got the mortuary.

From Bygone Cumberland and Westmorland by Daniel Scott

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