enfeoff
/ɪnˈfiːf
/ /ɪnˈfɛf/ /ɛnˈfiːf/ /ɛnˈfɛf/verb [with object]
(Under the feudal system) give (someone) freehold property or land in exchange for their pledged service: he enfeoffed trustees with the lands (as adjective enfeoffed) the enfeoffed knights and overlords...
- Over the next two centuries, knights were enfeoffed with land, becoming more fully involved in landed society and royal administration in the localities.
- The other group of knights were the ‘enfeoffed’ knights, who after a period of military service were granted land, and then continued to serve or paid rents or rendered other services to the King.
- Roger de Montbegans son, John, enfeoffed the second William de Beaumont in land at Whitley.
Derivatives
enfeoffment
/ /ɪnˈfɛfm(ə)nt / noun ...- Regardless of its historical accuracy, the traditional version of the story of enfeoffment gave this northern borderland a legitimate relation with the heart-land of the Zhou dynasty.
- It gives an abbreviated form of the story of Shu Yu of Tang's enfeoffment, and he is designated the shrine's subject of worship.
- Walter de bath held £10 of land there by enfeoffment of Ralph de Valletorta.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French enfeoffer, from Old French en- 'in' + fief 'fief'. Compare with feoffment.