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What was relief in medieval landholding?

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feudalism
feudalism Detail from the Heidelberger Sachsenspiegel showing the homage ceremony, in which the vassals put themselves under the protection of their lords by placing their hands between his hands, 14th century; in the Universitatsbibliothek, Heidelberg, Germany.

In the context of European feudalism, relief was a form of succession duty or payment made by the heir of a deceased vassal to their overlord upon inheriting a fief.12

This practice became customary on the Continent during the Carolingian period (8th–9th century CE). While the amount was initially determined arbitrarily by the lord or through negotiation, it eventually evolved toward a standard considered "just and reasonable," typically equivalent to one year’s revenue from the land.1

In England, these payments were eventually standardized:1
* Barony or honour (large landed fief): £1001
* Knight’s fee: 100 shillings1
* Smaller fiefs: Often involved the payment of a knight’s horse and equipment1

This payment served as a formal recognition of the transfer of the holding and the continuation of the feudal bond between the lord and the new tenant.12