Medieval lord holding an unseizeable real right on a part of his domain exploited by his vassal subjects, to whom he granted a limited concession for occupying or using it, against a servitude and often a share of its usufruct.
Scottish feudal law gave the chiefs land and peasants, as well as tenants-in-chief, the tacksmen, to run things.
2
The center of government was a collection of tenants-in-chief whose feudal duty included attendance when summoned and certain selected household servants of the King.
3
It was to be paid by all tenants-in-chief, men of the royal domain, burgesses of the boroughs and cities, clerical tenants-in-chief, and religious houses.
4
All that the barons meant by this clause was that they, as feudal tenants-in-chief, were not to pay more than the ordinary feudal dues.