▪ I. subfeu, n. Sc. Law.
(ˈsʌbfjuː)
[f. sub- 9 (b) + feu n.: cf. next.]
A ‘feu’ or fief granted by a vassal to a subvassal.
| 1681 Stair Inst. Law Scot. i. xxi. 420 All Sub-feues of Ward-lands, holden of Subjects without the Superiours consent, are declared null and void. 1758 J. Dalrymple Ess. Feudal Property (ed. 2) 84 As in subfeus at first, the original vassal remained still liable for the services. 1826 Bell Comm. Laws Scot. (ed. 5) I. 29 If the condition be farther guarded with irritant and resolutive clauses, it seems that the subfeu may be challenged even before the necessity for a new entry with the superior arises. 1874 Act 37 & 38 Vict. c. 94 §4 Nothing herein contained shall be held to validate any subfeu in cases where subinfeudation has been effectually prohibited. |
b. attrib.: subfeu-duty (cf. feu-duty, feu n. 3).
| 1826 Bell Comm. Laws Scot. (ed. 5) I. 25 Nothing more is demandable than the subfeu-duty. |
▪ II. subfeu, v. Sc. Law.
(sʌbˈfjuː)
[f. sub- 9 (b) + feu v.; cf. med.L. subfeodāre.]
Of a vassal: To grant (lands) in feu to a subvassal; to subinfeudate. Also absol.
| 1754 Erskine Princ. Sc. Law (1809) 137 The vassal who thus subfeus, is called the subvassal's immediate superior. 1758 J. Dalrymple Ess. Feudal Property (ed. 2) 88 In soccage fiefs the vassals subfeued their lands..to hold of themselves. 1826 Bell Comm. Laws Scot. (ed. 5) I. 24 Property subfeued as building ground in a city. Ibid. 29 When the prohibition to subfeu is effectually created as a real burden on the right of the vassal. 1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 63/2 Every burgess held direct of the Crown. It was, therefore, impossible to subfeu the burgh lands. |
Hence subˈfeuing vbl. n.
| 1758 J. Dalrymple Ess. Feudal Property (ed. 2) 84 One thing which very much facilitated the progress of alienation, was the practice of subfeuing. 1826 Bell Comm. Laws Scot. (ed. 5) I. 29 In the New Town of Edinburgh, grants are generally made with a condition against subfeuing. |