Socage

A term of the feudal land ownership system which referred to the tenure which was exchanged for certain goods or services which were not military in nature.

Socage is often described as "free and common socage" although the "free and common" qualification is now of a purely historical significance.

The concept of socage has evolved considerably since the Norman Conquest. In essence, it was a land-use system where a socman, sokeman or socager held his land from the King subject to a periodic duty to the King, such as military service, payment of money or provision of some service or goods.

Blackstone described it as follows:

"Socage, in its most general and extensive signification, seems to denote a tenure by any certain or determinate service. And in this sense it is by our ancient writers constantly put in opposition to chivalry, or knight-service, where the render was precarious and uncertain.”