Define: Laenland

Laenland is a form of land tenure in which one individual lends land to another for a specified duration, typically for the lifetime of the recipient or for a few generations. The recipient of the land is obligated to provide services or make payments in kind to the landowner in exchange. Laenlands were typically documented agreements and distinct from boclands, which were directly granted by the king through a charter.

Laenland is a historical practice where one person lends land to another. It was prevalent during the medieval era. Typically, the land was loaned for a specific duration, such as the lifetime of the recipient or for three generations. In exchange, the recipient had to fulfil certain obligations or make payments in kind to the landowner. Laenlands were usually documented in written agreements, but they differed from boclands, which were directly granted through a charter from the king. For instance, a lord lending a piece of land to a farmer for a fixed period of time would be an example of laenland. In return, the farmer would be required to provide a portion of their harvest to the lord or perform other services. Another example would be a wealthy landowner lending land to a family member for their lifetime. The family member would be responsible for maintaining and utilizing the land for agricultural purposes, but they would not have full ownership. These examples exemplify the concept of laenland, where land is loaned for a specific duration and certain obligations must be fulfiled by the recipient.

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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.