Definition
subinfeudate
verb
- to grant a portion of a feudal estate to a subordinate vassal
Usage: historical; legal
Examples
- The lord decided to subinfeudate part of his manor to a trusted knight.
- Medieval nobles often chose to subinfeudate their lands rather than manage them directly.
- The practice to subinfeudate created complex chains of feudal obligation.
- Kings sometimes prohibited vassals from subinfeudating without royal permission.
- The baron's decision to subinfeudate his holdings led to disputes over loyalty.
- Legal documents from the period show how landowners would subinfeudate their estates.