Mesne Lord (Noun)
Meaning
A feudal lord who was lord to his own tenants on land held from a superior lord.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The vassal of the king held the title of mesne lord over several manors within the kingdom's vast territories.
- Throughout history, the concept of mesne lords emerged as the link between the ultimate lord of the land and the freeholders.
- Barons, in the hierarchy of the feudal system, were themselves often mesne lords of vassals holding smaller plots of land from them.
- Each mesne lord maintained a smaller portion of land in return for his allegiance and the taxes or labor required by the higher-ranking noble.
- After serving for several years under his lord, he received his own plot of land, designating him as a mesne lord in the process.