Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

scutage

Noun

/ˈskjuːtɪdʒ/

Definition

A monetary payment made by a vassal to his lord in lieu of military service.

Examples

Instead of donning armor, Sir Edward opted for scutage to fulfill his duties to the king.
The lord collected scutage from his vassals to fund the construction of a new castle.
Throughout the 12th century, scutage became a common practice among feudal lords.

Meaning

Scutage refers to the practice in medieval times where a knight could pay a fee instead of serving in the army. This fee helped lords maintain their forces without having to recruit all knights personally.