Medieval History Term of the Week: Sergeanty
Sergeanty
Etymology: Middle English sergeantie, from Anglo-French sergantie, sergeantie, from sergant sergeant
A tenure in the Middle Ages; a freehold in return for which the tenant renders specified services or their monetary equivalent. (Hogue, Arthur R. Origins of the Common Law, 257)
A form of feudal tenure on condition of rendering some specified personal service to the lord, but of a more lowly nature than the services performed by those who held by knight-service. (Warren, W.L. Henry II, 636)
The following text from the registers of the Parliament of Paris at the time of the Hundred Years War makes mention of a sergeant serving under a knight.
28 February 1424
The following day, Denis was freed on giving pledges for the 400 ecus. The pledges were a merchant and a pastry maker of Paris. Then on March 6, Henry of Lidan sent a written request to the Court, claiming that Denis was his guarantor for 400 ecus of the ransom, and that he should be condemned to pay it. Denis denied that he was guarantor for Henry. This dispute between Denis and Henry dragged on until May, when the Parlement finally ordered Henry also released on pledge. Meanwhile Denis was given a safeguard against Fastolf, and for good reason: in November, Henry’s horse was taken by a sergeant at arms, acting for Fastolf, and both the sergeant and Fastolf had to be warned not to do anything more, on pain of 2000 =9C fine.
Sir John Fastolf served as a soldier in the English army during the Hundred Years War and was knighted for his actions on the battlefield at Agincourt (1415).
*term definition retrieved from Netserf’s Medieval Glossary (http://www.netserf.org/Glossary)
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on August 21st, 2009
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