Tenant-in-chief

Tenant-in-chief

In medieval and early modern European society a tenant-in-chief, sometimes vassal-in-chief, denotes the high nobles who held their lands as tenants directly from the monarch, as opposed to holding them from another nobleman or senior member of the clergy. Such people were the backbone of the monarchs's influence throughout the state and include princes and dukes (many of whom would have been immediate relatives of the monarch), and earls. They could also be called baron or lords. Tenants-in-chief were situated under the monarch in the
feudal system.

The term is actually a neologism of later historians.


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  • Tenant in chief — Tenant Ten ant, n. [F. tenant, p. pr. of tenir to hold. See {Tenable}, and cf. {Lieutenant}.] 1. (Law) One who holds or possesses lands, or other real estate, by any kind of right, whether in fee simple, in common, in severalty, for life, for… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tenant-in-chief — tenant in chiefˈ noun A tenant holding lands directly from the sovereign • • • Main Entry: ↑tenant …   Useful english dictionary

  • Tenant-in-chief — In the great chain of feudal allegiance from monarch down to peasant, the tenant in chief held his land directly of the king; the Church and earls were all tenants in chief. In *DB the tenants in chief were listed at the beginning of each county …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • tenant in chief — see tenant in capite * * * a feudal vassal who holds land directly from the king. Also, tenant in chief. Also called tenant in capite /kap i tee/. [1600 10] …   Useful english dictionary

  • tenant in chief — a feudal vassal who holds land directly from the king. Also, tenant in chief. Also called tenant in capite /kap i tee/. [1600 10] * * * …   Universalium

  • Tenant in Chief: — A lord or institution (the Church being most common) holding land directly from the king. All Earls are Tenants in Chief. ♦ A tenant in capite, one who holds land by direct grant from the Crown; one who is a vassal of the king. (Hogue, Arthur R.… …   Medieval glossary

  • tenant in chief — In English feudal law, all the land in the kingdom was supposed to be holden mediately or immediately of the king, who was styled the Lord Paramount, or Lord Above All; and those that held immediately under him, in right of his crown and dignity …   Black's law dictionary

  • tenant-in-chief — In English feudal law, all the land in the kingdom was supposed to be holden mediately or immediately of the king, who was styled the Lord Paramount, or Lord Above All; and those that held immediately under him, in right of his crown and dignity …   Black's law dictionary

  • tenant in chief — In English feudal law, all the land in the kingdom was supposed to be holden mediately or immediately of the king, who was styled the Lord Paramount, or Lord Above All; and those that held immediately under him, in right of his crown and dignity …   Black's law dictionary

  • tenant-in-chief — In English feudal law, all the land in the kingdom was supposed to be holden mediately or immediately of the king, who was styled the Lord Paramount, or Lord Above All; and those that held immediately under him, in right of his crown and dignity …   Black's law dictionary

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