socage

or soc·cage

[ sok-ij ]

noun

, Medieval English Law.

1. a tenure of land held by the tenant in performance of specified services or by payment of rent, and not requiring military service.

socage

/ ˈsɒkɪdʒ /

noun

1. English legal history the tenure of land by certain services, esp of an agricultural nature
2. English law the freehold tenure of land

Derived Forms

• ˈsocager, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of socage¹

1275–1325; Middle English sokage < Anglo-French socage, equivalent to soc soke + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of socage¹

C14: from Anglo-French, from soc soke

Example Sentences

Not in free and common socage, but in this amphibious subordinate class of villein socage.

From Project Gutenberg

They were thus brought dangerously near to ancient demesne socage, which was originally nothing but base customary tenure.

From Project Gutenberg

This, of course, is but socage in effect, for it is no personal service, but a certain rent.

From Project Gutenberg

Burgage, bur′gāj, n. a tenure in socage for a yearly rent: a tenure in Scotland in royal burghs under nominal service of watching.

From Project Gutenberg

It is more correctly described as socage tenure, subject to the custom of gavelkind.

From Project Gutenberg