Explaination of Serjeanty

Knight service, in the European feudal system, military duties performed in return for tenures of land. The military service might be required for wars or expeditions or merely riding and escort services or guarding the castle. To obtain such a service, a lord could either enfeoff (grant a fief to) one man for direct and personal service or enfeoff someone who would bring with him other knights. The number of knights supplied usually bore some relation to the size of the fief.

Originally, service or equipment were supplied at the vassal's expense. The normal period of service was 40 days a year. In England knight service was held due to the king only. In France however, lessor nobility as well could claim such service and thus were able to achieve greater personal power.

As time went on, variations developed. From the mid-12th century fewer knights were summoned, but they often were serving for longer than 40 days; sometimes service due was rendered in cutage, a tax paid in lieu of service. By 1300 the decline in the importance of cavalry, the increased use of mercenaries, and the resistance of tenants had combined to reduce substantially the number of knights summoned from any fief.


Explanation of Verderer

A onetime English judicial officer, in charge of the king's forest.