maritage means the right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 90 out of 100.
Why “maritage” is a great word
MARITAGE — [Noun] The feudal right of a lord to arrange the marriage of an heir or heiress under his control, the property brought to such a union, or the penalty paid for refusing the match. From Medieval Latin marītāgium, a derivative of marītāre ("to marry"). Doublet of the modern word 'marriage'. Unlike "marriage" (which speaks of union, sacrament, or contract) or "wardship" (which implies a guardian's broad custodial duty), maritage is the cold calculus of lineage and land. It is the lord's assessing glance at a minor heiress, the weight of a charter sealing her fate, and the clink of coin paid to escape an unwelcome suitor—the machinery of dynasty, reducing blood to bargain long before love claimed a seat at the table.
noun
- The right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage.“And they may sell the wardship of the lands, and the maritages of the heirs, if they are not married, but they cannot alienate any part of the inheritance or they may offend as regards a remaindership.”
- The property bought by the couple upon their marriage under the feudal customs.
- The fine paid by the vassal to the feudal lord for failing to follow his maritage decision.