feudal right of a lord to custody of his tenant's heir whilst a minor

Right of guardianship exercised by a lord over a minor.

The right of a feudal lord to the income of a fief during the minority of its heir. The lord is required to maintain the fief and to take care of the material needs of the ward. When the ward come of age, the lord is required to release the fief to him in the same condition in which it was received. (MEDIEV-L. Medieval Terms) Right of guardianship exercised by lord over a minor. (Gies, Frances and Joseph. Life in a Medieval Village, 246) Right of feudal lord to act as guardian during minority of heir. (Sayles, George O. The King's Parliament of England, 146) Related terms: Mainpast