Medieval Term of the Day: Scutage

by Steven
February 15, 2008

Scutage
Pronunciation: \?skü-tij, ?skyü-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin scutagium, from Latin scutum shield
Date: 15th century

The sum that the holder of a knight’s fee may pay his lord in lieu of military service. Sometimes used as a form of tax.