charterformen

Charterformen was a historical term used in England and Wales to describe individuals who held land by charter. This was a form of feudal tenure, meaning they were granted land by a lord, often the king, in exchange for certain services or obligations. Unlike freeholders who held land outright, charter tenants owed allegiance and often provided military service or other duties to their overlord. The charter itself was the legal document that formalized this grant and outlined the conditions of tenure. This system of landholding was prevalent during the medieval period and contributed to the complex social and economic structures of the time. Over centuries, feudal obligations evolved, and the distinction between different types of landholding became less rigid, eventually being superseded by modern property laws. The concept of charterformen is primarily of historical interest, illustrating an early stage in the development of land ownership and the feudal system in England.