ˈculvertage Feudal Law.
[a. OF. culvertage, f. culvert (see culvert a.) + -age. Cf. med.L. culvertagium in Du Cange.]
The position of a culvert, villainage; forfeiture and degradation to the position of a villain or serf.
| 1613–8 Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. (1626) 116 King John..summoning likewise all Earles, Barons..to defend him..vnder paine of Culuertage, and perpetuall seruitude. 1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng. II. 753 The Reproach of Culvertage..seems to have been..not only a Penalty, but also a Term of Reproach for Cowardize. 1757 Burke Abridgm. Eng. Hist. Wks. X. 519 The king of France..summoned all his vassals, under the penalty of felony, and the opprobrious name of Culvertage..to attend in this expedition. 1823–6 Lingard Hist. Eng. (ed. 4) III. 31 note, Culvertage..The culprit was liable by law to the forfeiture of all property, and perpetual servitude. |