knight service

Definitions

1. The military service a knight owed to his chief lord as a condition of holding title to his lands and rank.
   historical, uncountable
2. Synonym of knight's fee, the system of land tenure based on such service.
   historical, uncountable

Examples

“Land⟳ became fully devisable with the abolition of knight-service in 1660, but magnates continued to inherit⟳ property which was tied up in strict settlements, giving the current representative of the family no more than a life-tenancy.”

“If they were not heiresses, a lord's daughters were sometimes married off to his knights, but the latter […] might well need⟳ an incentive such as a cash payment, land⟳ or a reduction in their knight service.”

CEFR level