Head 4(1): Feudal system

Question 1

Under the feudal system, ownership was divided into:

Answer 1

1. Dominium utile (held by the vassal at the foot of the chain)
2. Dominium directum (held by the superior)

Question 2

For any one piece of land there could only be one…

Answer 2

Dominium utile - which carried the right to use the land.

Question 3

How many estates of dominium directum could there be over a piece of land?

Answer 3

No limit

Question 4

For a vassal to sell the feu in the land there were two ways to do this:

Answer 4

1. Substitution (B takes A’s place)

2. Subinfeudation (A granted B a feu to be held from him)

Question 5

The main use of subinfeudation became to…

Answer 5

Impose real burdens - conditions about how land is to be used

Question 6

The feudal system was finally abolished by…

Answer 6

Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (S) Act 2000 which came into force on 28 November 2004.

Question 7

Under s 2 of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (S) Act 2000

Answer 7

All estates of dominium utile were converted into ownership of the land, and all estates of dominium directum were abolished.