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Medieval Term of the Day: Scutage

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.
 

2 thoughts on “Medieval Term of the Day: Scutage”

  1. Hi Steven,
    Scutage was around long before the 15thC. It’s listed in all the pipe rolls I’ve got for the reigns of Richard and John – in Latin, not English, but I would expect any barons having a conversation about it would use the common form. ‘Have you paid your scutage this year, or are you going personally?’ type of thing.

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