Knights fee

Knight's fee. A King or feudal Anglo-Norman overlord with sufficient status and landholding within England or Ireland had the right to grant the title ‘Sir’ and a knights fee in perpetuity. The size of the rent-free fee required acreage able to produce a good crop or revenue depending on its location, the richness of its soil and the local climate, as well as the presence of other exploitable resources such as fish-weirs, quarries of rock or mines of minerals. If a knight's fee includes a manor, an average size would be between 1,000 and 5,000 acres, but may on granting contain, forest and yet to be developed moorland as well as the title, Sir, be regarded as Squire. Ho often served as the local magistrate. In return, the Knight paid homage and fealty, giving a vow of loyalty to his overlord, either by offering a significant internal role or, in most cases, military service. A knight was required to maintain the dignity of knighthood, which meant that he should live in suitable style and be well-turned out in battle, with the necessary number of esquires and retainers to serve him and his horses. All the de Lacy barons granted many Knights Fees throughout England and Ireland. Most were given to loyal de Lacy cousins. They became the eyes, ears and caretakers for de Lacy interests away from the castles.