Socage for Dummies

Hey there! I'm here to help you understand the word "socage." So, let's dive right in!

Socage is a word that describes a type of feudal tenure, which basically means it's a way of holding land during medieval times. In this particular system, people would work on the land in exchange for certain services or obligations. It's like having a job, but instead of getting paid with money, you work on a piece of land.

Imagine you're helping someone out with their garden. They give you a small plot of land, and in return, you take care of the plants and vegetables. You might have to provide some of the harvested food to the landowner or help them with other tasks when needed. That's a simple way to think about socage.

Now, why is it important to understand this concept? Socage was quite significant during feudal times because it was one of the main ways in which people could have access to land and sustain themselves. It was a fundamental part of the social structure, where rights and responsibilities were intertwined. Yep, a bit like how we have our own responsibilities at school, right?

There are a few different definitions of socage, depending on how you look at it. In one sense, socage refers to the specific service or duty that a person had to fulfill in exchange for their use of the land. These duties could include things like maintaining the land, providing crops, or even offering military service to the landowner.

On the other hand, socage can also refer to the specific type of tenure or landholding that is based on these service obligations. So, people who held land under the socage system were known as socagers.

So, to sum it all up, socage is a word that describes a way of holding land during medieval times. It involved working on the land and providing specific services or duties in return for its use. It was a vital part of the social structure, allowing people access to land and sustaining themselves through their work. I hope this explanation helps you understand what socage means!