petty sergeanty

feudal land tenure

Also known as: petty serjeanty

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July 23, 2026

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Petty serjeanty was a form of feudal land tenure in medieval Europe, particularly in England. It was a type of landholding where the tenant owed a specific, often minor, service to the lord, typically the king. This service usually involved providing a small implement of war, such as a bow or sword, annually.1

Unlike grand serjeanty, which involved more noble or personal services and ranked socially above knight service, petty serjeanty was considered a less significant tenure, often grouped with peasant landholding. While the land was not meant to be sold or divided, this practice occurred, leading to attempts to control it by requiring rent or a portion of knight service for alienated lands. Petty serjeanty was distinct from other feudal tenures like knight service (military duties) and socage (agricultural services).23

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sergeanty
…above knight service, and a petty sergeanty, a tenure so meagre that it ranked with the peasants’ tenure, called socage. In origin there was no distinction between sergeanties, but inevitably those bringing their holders into immediate contact with the sovereign acquired prestige and became known as grand sergeanties.
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…above knight service, and a petty sergeanty, a tenure so meagre that it ranked with the peasants’ tenure, called socage. In origin there was no distinction between sergeanties, but inevitably those bringing their holders into immediate contact with the sovereign acquired prestige and became known as grand sergeanties.
Read More