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Simple English definitions for legal terms
fossage
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A quick definition of fossage:
Term: FOSSAGE
Definition: Fossage is a historical term that refers to a tax or duty that was paid to maintain a moat around a fortification. A moat is a deep, wide ditch that surrounds a castle or fortress, and it was often filled with water to make it harder for enemies to attack. The money collected from fossage was used to keep the moat in good condition, so that it could continue to protect the fortification from invaders.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Fossage (fos-ij), n. Hist. A duty paid to maintain a moat around a fortification.
Example: In medieval times, the lord of the castle would require the peasants living nearby to perform fossage, which involved cleaning and maintaining the moat surrounding the castle.
Explanation: Fossage was a tax or duty that was imposed on the people living near a castle or fortification. The purpose of this tax was to ensure that the moat surrounding the castle was kept clean and well-maintained. This was important because the moat served as a defensive barrier against enemy attacks. By keeping the moat in good condition, the castle could better protect itself from invaders. The example given illustrates how the lord of the castle would require the peasants living nearby to perform fossage as part of their duties.